When I deepen the kiss, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, I realize I’d forgotten what true happiness feels like. I’m so glad that everything we've been through over the years hashelped solidify our bond into a connection that can never be broken.
Just knowing that I'm going to spend the rest of my days with this woman has bought me a peace I never dreamed of having again.
Mags's hands find their way to my face, her fingers gently tracing the lines that time has etched onto my skin. Her touch is like a balm, soothing the rough edges left by a life of hard work and long days. As our tongues dance together, I can feel the years melting away, replaced by the simple joy of being together, right here, right now.
“Everythin’ OK back home?” she rasps when we finally settle back into the pillows.
I reach up and hook a loose curl of hair behind her ear. “It wasn’t anyone from Bull. It was Wy.”
Her gaze melts. "How's our boy doin'?" If I wasn't already in love with the woman, claiming my son would've done it for me anyway.
I cup her cheek, my thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “He’s good. They’re shelterin’ from the storm. He asked about you by the way—about us.”
She arches a brow. “You told him?” I don’t miss the sliver of wariness in her gaze and quickly move to fix it.
“Darlin’, I don’t think he could be any happier for us. I swear he’s smarter than me sometimes."
A teasing smirk plays on her lips. "Well, I didn’t want to say anythin' but…"
I chuckle. "Did you know he invited you along on the trip because he washopin'we'd see what everyone else could see?"
"Hmm. That kid is never payin' for a meal at the diner again. Free food for life," she offers with a grin.
"He might've mentioned that he was missin’ your cookin’.”
"Already knew he was smart. That just confirms it." She shifts in close, tangling her legs with mine and settling in. "Let me guess, you told him we were both blind and dumb but we're makin' up for lost time now?"
“Not in so many words. But he’s happy I’m happy. Said he can stop worryin’ about me now. Can you believe that?”
She smiles. “He’s a good kid.”
“The best.”
“Hmm. Maybe him and Char, but yes. You did a good job raisin’ him, Red.”
“You helped.”
“I was just there,” she says.
I roll over and cover her body, framing her head with my arms and lowering my face to hers so that she’s all that I can see. “You had my back. You held me up when I couldn’t. You were there for Wy when I couldn’t be. You turned up and kept doin’ it. That’s why I’m so damn glad I have the rest of our lives together to show you gratitude.” I press my lips to hers. “To love you.”
“Red…” she breathes, her eyes glistening wet as she cups my jaw in her hands. “I love you, too.”
“Then marry me,” I say, the words coming out of their own volition but that doesn’t mean I don’t mean them. I do, more than anything. I want to tie myself to this woman, put my ring on her finger and hers on mine. I want the world to know that she’s mine and I’m hers.
“What?” she gasps.
“Marry. Me. Be my wife. Live by my side, sleep in my bed, and be mine in every single meanin’ of the word, Maggie. I never want to be apart from you, not again, not ever, and I can’t imagine a life without you right there beside me. I want everyone to know that we’re in love and we’re soulmates. I’d like to think I’m old enough and wise enough to know that you’re it for me, even if I wasted so much time realizin’ it. The mountain chose you for me and me for you.Ichoose you, darlin’. Marry. Me.”
Her eyes melt, her soft lips parting as her eyes fill with tears. “Yes,” she replies. “All the yes’s.”
A lone tear falls onto my cheek, but I don’t wipe it away. I’m too lost in the moment.
"God, I love you," I rasp, unable to stop myself from peppering kisses on her lips, her jaw, her cheeks, everywhere I can reach.
Her giggled sobs fill the air, her arms wrapping around me as she holds me so tight I don’t ever want her to let go. Lucky for me, she never has to.
“Looks like we’re going to be stuck here for at least twenty-four hours. We’re snowed in,” I say, dragging my mouth down to her throat and burying my face in there, loving the way she tilts her head to give me more room to work.
