Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
He threaded his fingers through hers. “Do you have any idea how happy they’re going to be?”
She grinned. “I have an idea. But if you want to slow things down, give them time to get used to the idea of us…”
He shook his head. “Not a chance. Now that we’re on the same page about everything, it’s full steam ahead.” He brushed a strand of hair off her shoulder and leaned in, pressing his cheek to hers. “I love you and I’m sorry I put you through two days of hell before I got here to tell you.” His warm breath fanned her ear.
“Kiss me and I’ll forgive you,” she whispered back.
He sat back, then braced his palms against her cheeks. “You were a temptation from the day I met you and I never thought we were meant to be but we are.”
He brought their lips together in the sweetest kiss that quickly turned hot and out of control. She moaned and wriggled in his lap, feeling the hard ridge of his cock when she felt a vibration against her thigh. “What in the world?”
“My phone.”
He shifted in the seat and pulled his cell from his front pocket, checking the messages. “Dakota wants me to bring home pizza for dinner.”
He texted her back and placed the phone on the end table.
“Wait. I didn’t think the girls had cell phones?” Fallon asked.
“It’s a new development. Charlie got them phones so they could call her whenever they want. I have to admit, it comes in handy.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That I was bringing home pizza and a permanent surprise.”
She blinked and blinked again. “Permanent?”
He nodded. “You’re moving in with us. Now that I really have you, I don’t want you out of my sight.”
She shook her head. This man. “Ask me.”
“Tell me you’ll move in with me.” He chuckled, then winked at her. “Will you move in with us? Wake up to the shrieking of two nine-year-olds and deal with Dakota’s weird and often gross facts.”
She braced her hands on his shoulders and met his gaze. “Yes, Noah. I will.”
They had the rest of their lives to plan and live out their forever.
Epilogue One
Six Months Later
Fallon walked around the gallery which was due to open in five minutes, feeling a sense of pride at the changes that had taken place. The reopening was a major event, covered by the news media thanks to a publicist they’d hired. Inside, it was just a few people, but a crowd had gathered outside, waiting.
Needing a few moments to breathe, Fallon walked into the larger back offices they’d put in during the renovation. After Clara recovered from the poisoning, she’d decided to take more time off and made Fallon a partner in the business. Fallon had wanted to buy in but Clara made it clear, Fallon was the daughter she’d never had. Her only child, with her son in prison for trying to kill them both.
To the twins, she was Aunt Clara, the older woman not wanting to seem as if she were usurping Noah’s parents’ place. Essentially, she became part of their family.
Noah walked into the room and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Are you ready?”
She inhaled, breathing in his sandalwood scent, familiar and calming. She nodded. “It feels like it’s been forever when in reality it’s only been six months since the fire.”
“It’s exciting that Clara was able to buy the entire piece of real estate on this corner and expand the gallery and paint ’n’ sip,” he said.
“It is exciting. We also have new employees to accommodate the larger business and many more up-and-coming artists.” Fallon and Clara were going to be overseers now, managers, and less hands-on. “And a fully staffed coffee bar. I can’t wait to see the patron response!”
“I know you’re consumed with the opening but I was hoping I could have your attention for a few minutes before the doors open.”
“Of course! You can have my attention any time.”
Since their newfound understanding, many changes had occurred. Fallon and Noah had sat down with the girls and discussed her moving in.
Their excitement knew no bounds and Noah had to call Charlie and wake her up to discuss the situation with her before the girls spilled the beans. As he’d told Fallon later, it was a good thing the girls’ mother hadn’t had an issue, since he’d blurted out his insistence that Fallon move in before running it by her.
Fallon met Noah’s gaze. “What’s up?” she asked, just as he dropped to one knee, pulled a small box from his pocket with one hand, and popped it open. “Fallon Sterling, will you do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife?”
“And our stepmom!” The girls, who she hadn’t noticed, came rushing up beside their father.
“Oh my God, Noah.” She took in the large, emerald-shaped diamond ring that stood out in a white gold setting. “This stone reminds me of my mother’s.” The happiness she felt having something similar to her beloved mother’s ring filled her up.