Lexi burst into laughter. “Oh God, what did you tell her?”
“I panicked and said ‘sometimes,’ then immediately regretted it when she asked for details.”
“Ah.” She settled in my lap. “You mean these kind of details?” she whispered in my ear, her tongue darting out to lick before she gently nibbled the outer shell of my ear.
Oh God.
We had spent the past year living together and loving every minute of it. We spent most evenings at home, acting sensibly with Evie around, and once she went to bed, we went at it like insatiable teenagers.
After all the mess that was Dylan and his attempts to bring us down, he had stopped being an unpredictable presence in Lexi’s life once I’d entered it for good. He showed up for Evie when he said he would, because the one time he didn’t and I saw Evie was disappointed, I made sure Dylan knew that his employer would learn things about Dylan’s work behavior that could have him getting the pink slip. That was enough to make Dylan get his act together at least as a Dad for Evie. Though he really couldn’t change and be an honest employee at his job for more than a month.
I watched the empty space where the deer had been, and a thoughtful mood came over me. I got up, still naked, and walked to the glass wall that looked out at the nature reserve that we were staying in. Lexi sat up, also naked, but she wrapped a robe around herself.
She walked to the door and opened it to find our morning breakfast outside. She came back with a tray of acai bowls and steaming hot mugs of coffee. She walked over to me as I reached for the morning coffee. Taking a sip, I set it down and pulled her flush to my body as we looked out at the beautiful sight of nature in the morning. Squirrels in the trees, deer in the distance, and miles upon miles of beautiful trees and grassland in front of us. Not a soul in sight apart from us, except for the staff at this exclusive resort.
My arms went around her waist, and I dipped my head to lean against the side of hers.
“I have been wondering,” I said at last, and Lexi turned to look up at me. “Should we give Evie a little brother or sister?”
She arched a beautiful brow. “That’s what you’re thinking about? Right now?”
I grinned.
“Well,” she said, “that depends. Only if you’re finally going to propose.”
I groaned. “I’ve been trying to find a moment when you’ll truly be surprised by the question, you know. You aren’t helping.”
She set the mug of coffee down and turned to face me fully. She brought both her arms around my neck. “Well, that’s never going to happen. Especially since I know you spoke to Gene Le Fier. I’ve been beyond excited to see that ring.”
I should have known she’d figure it out. I’d contacted a French jewelry designer to have them make a ring especially for Lexi.
“Lexi, do you remember the racetrack we drove past last night?”
She frowned, thinking, and then her face cleared up. “Was that the one where you said you’re taking me later tonight?”
I nodded. “I came here the weekend after you showed up at my office for the very first time.”
She seemed to be trying to recall something. “Sasha once showed me a photo of you and Alex with your race cars. Had that been in Palm Springs?”
“Yes, and I made a bet with Alex. If I lost, I would stay away from you.”
She leaned closer, her breath on my lips. “Well, don’t you always win all your races?”
I laughed. “Against Alex? Never.” My eyes glinted.
I pulled on a bath robe and handed her hers. Then I opened the balcony doors and led her outside to see the sunrise. Her gaze fell on a low table, set for a different kind of meal altogether. A champagne bottle, a cake, and when she turned, I was on one knee, pulling a ring out from the pocket of my robe.
I watched her face as she took it in. The ring had an emerald-cut diamond suspended between two bands of gold. Tiny pavé diamonds nestled within the thicker band, and a hidden ruby was set on the inside —a secret only she would know was there. It was beautiful, but her expression was what took my breath away. Her features softened, and I could see something vulnerable in her eyes, as though this was what she’d been waiting for all along.
“But that day, on the racecourse with Alex, with that bet echoing around me, I felt like the entire universe conspired to help me win. I could hear your voice all over again, predicting Alex’s every move on the racetrack. I could outmaneuver him, gain an inch, and edge forward on a racetrack I’d never won at before. I’m a selfish man, Lexi, and I knew right away that I didn’t want to lose you. I never want to lose you. I love you, and I want to make you mine and mine alone. Will you marry me?”
I could see her thinking about days with me stretching out into years, and I hoped she couldn’t imagine anything better.
“Oh, Jonah,” she breathed out, smiling as I stood up and slipped the ring onto her finger before kissing her. “And, yes, I will marry you, because the idea of loving you forever is the only future I want. And we should definitely work on giving Evie a sibling.”
I knew every day would be exciting with her by my side, and the idea of forever with her? Nothing and no one could top that.
“I love you, Jonah,” she whispered, her hands around my neck, pulling me close. “I’m always and forever yours.”
