He inclined his head as if mulling over my words. “It’s a good place to start. There is no other place I’d rather be than here with you.” He brushed the back of his hand against my cheek.
While I wasn’t ready to deal with the past and the mystery of those four months, the future…well, that was something worth addressing. Sometimes you had to break a few eggs to make an omelette.
“But for how long? How long before you take off for South Dakota?”
“I’m committed to being here full time, especially with our newborn. I don’t expect to visit Redstone Range anytime soon, and if I do, it will only be for a brief period to handle a few matters. Those visits won’t happen for several months, as I don’t want to miss out on anything here.”
“What about your house?” The way he was speaking, suggested he had no plans to be at his beautiful home in Redstone Range.
“I have someone managing it, and it will be a place for us to visit. When Regina is older, we can spend time there. We also need to start planning to build a larger home on this land. In a few weeks, we can begin searching for contractors to design a spacious home for Regina to grow up in.”
Ryan’s unwavering support and attentiveness during those early days of parenthood not only eased the challenges of late-night feedings but also deepened the bond between us. His willingness to wake up with me, prepare warm drinks, and handle tasks like diaper changes and swaddling transformed the experience into a true partnership. This shared responsibility created a profound sense of unity, making those tough nights more manageable and emotionally rewarding.
Ryan’s attentiveness and commitment brought me a deep sense of relief, as if he had intuitively understood what I needed. His thoughtful planning for our future reassured me, allowing me to feel a quiet, profound sense of security.
Tucking a loose curl behind my ear, he smiled at me. “So, the ring?”
Man, Ryan was so fucking tenacious.
“Fine, I’ll wear one.” I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes. He didn’t notice, though he moved my legs off his lap and headed towards the bedroom.
“Where are you going?” I called after him.
“I’m getting the ring before you change your mind.”
Good luck with that. I’m sure he had no idea where my ring was. I had a little safe box and had tucked it in there for safekeeping.
My eyes felt heavy, and they drifted closed while he was out of the room. I woke to see him kneeling in front of me, his hand on my thigh, gently squeezing it. I noticed his wedding band as I looked at his hand. It looked good on hisfinger.
“This is for you.” He tapped the blue box.
The small jewellery case beside me couldn’t have held my original ring, as it hadn’t come in this distinctive, expensive blue box.
He opened the box, revealing a matching ring set nestled inside.
“I know with the baby,” he began, pointing to the ring with the large, dazzling rock, “this might not be practical right now. But it’s here for you whenever Regina gets older. Until then, you can just wear the band.”
It wasn’t the simple band we had exchanged our vows. This one was different—a perfect complement to the square diamond, adorned with recessed diamonds that sparkled subtly. It was elegant and beautiful.
The odd thing was that I’d never thought about what kind of ring I wanted, but I instantly loved it.
As he slipped the band onto my finger, I couldn’t help but wonder what the rings would look like together. I’d try it on later. Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised that the ring fit perfectly. I looked at it on my finger; it was elegant and suited me. The metal felt cool and smooth against my skin, and the design was simple yet striking, with a subtle sparkle that caught the light as I moved my hand.
“Thank you,” I said softly, my voice filled with genuine warmth and appreciation. My eyes met his with a grateful smile, and I could feel the emotion in my chest swell.
“You like it?”
I nodded. My smile widened as I admired the ring again. “It’s perfect,” I said, my voice soft but filled with certainty.
His face lit up with relief and happiness, a wide smile spreading across his features. “I’m so glad,” he replied, his voice carrying a hint of pride. He gently squeezed my hand, clearly pleased that he had chosen something I truly liked.
Ryan cupped my face, his hands warm and steady, pressing gently against my skin, and kissed me with a passion that sent a shiver coursing through my body. It was the first time since I had entered the hospital to give birth to Regina that he had kissed me with such raw, unbridled emotion. His lips were soft yet insistent, conveying a depth of feeling that left me breathless. In that moment, a wave of vulnerability and connection washed over me, my heart racing as I clung to the tenderness of his touch. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue stroked deeply into mine, his hand cupping my tender breast with a possessiveness that heightened my longing.
My skin tingled under his touch, warmth spreading like wildfire across my cheeks and down my neck. A deep blush bloomed on my cheeks, a contrast against my dark skin, while my pulse quickened with excitement. My body responded instinctively, arching closer as a thrilling heat surged through me, awakening a desire that had been dormant for far too long. His thumb brushed over my hardened nipples. I felt a growing dampness between my thighs, a yearning for more than just the tantalizing touches we exchanged. My body craved the closeness, the intimacy we hadn’t indulged in for several days. As Ryan’s fingers grazed my skin, he skillfully teased me through the thin fabric, each movement sending ripples of pleasure that intensifieduntil I shuddered, finding sweet release. My body trembled as the waves of pleasure subsided, leaving me breathless and yearning for more. Ryan’s touch lingered, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on my skin.
The unspoken words hung heavily in the air, yet there was a profound sense of connection that reassured me. Even in the silence, I felt a deep certainty that together we could navigate any challenges, offering each other unwavering support as we built a meaningful life. With Regina in our hearts, we were prepared to embrace a future rooted in understanding and emotional depth.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
