“You surprise me every day, Evan,” Brooks muses. “Why don’t we revisit this until we’re living together? Am I wrong to assume that’s the plan? I know we didn’t really discuss it…”
I nod. “That’s the plan.”
Brooks snickers. “Snarf will be elated.”
I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “Of course he will be. I don’t seeyouletting him chase you around the house, dangling his favorite feather toy for him.”
Brooks laughs. “I wish I had my camera to capture the way you shrieked when he caught up to you and clawed your pants down.”
I mock affront. “You promised that you wouldneverspeak about that shriek again!”
“Did I seal it with my pinky? No? Well then, it doesn’t count!” he taunts. “Pinky promises are the real deal.”
I scowl at him, then grumble, “Moving on, next question is all you. I can’t ask you who your favorite musician is. We both know that’s Garth.”
“I don’t know,” he draws out the last word playfully, “you’re right up there…”
“Well, youdiddance around in your underwear for me. Maybe not tighty whities, but I’ve got no complaints…”
Brooks barks out a laugh. “Shut up! You’re not going to let me live that down, are you?” Then, he looks skyward again. “Ryann, this isyourfault. Thanksso muchfor that.”
Just then, another meteor shoots across the sky.
“Alright, well that was justtoofreaky,” Brooks notes.
“Well,” I hum, “make your wish then, babe.”
He closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. When he opens them a couple beats later, he whooshes out the pent-up breath. “K,” he hums, “now we just need to wait until they call the lottery numbers next.”
I snicker. “I don’t think you were supposed to tell me what your wish was…”
He wriggles his body over until he’s lying on me, walking his fingers around on my chest. “I’ve never been overly superstitious. Although, lately, that’s been challenged quite a bit. That wasn’t my real wish, anyway… just to be on the safe side.”
His lips seek out mine, and when they collide, heat spreads throughout my body, warding off the coolness that came along with night air. When his tongue slips in and brushes against mine, the heat licks up into flames. Like he’s found a secret cave, behind a waterfall, Brooks explores—chasing in a way he’s been too guarded to before.
His fingertips dig into my shoulders, matching the intensity at which he’s pressing me. I match his fervor, just as hungry for more as he is. When his hips grind into mine, I feel how impossibly hard heis. If it’s as painful for him as it is for me, we’re going to need to do something—more than mauling each other’s faces—quickly. I’m not about to ride the bike back with a mess in my boxers.
As if on cue, he breaks the kiss. “You said there’s a bed down below?” he pants, his chest rising and falling laboriously, lips swollen and red, and eyelids too lust-laden to lift.
I nod, practically ready to throw him over my shoulder and caveman our way down there, if he doesn’t move for it right now. He stands, barely able to right himself as the surf rocks the boat, and allows me guide him below deck.
It’s dark down here, so I find the switch to flick on the on-board generator, and it whirs to life. When I find the light switch next, I turn it on and spin to find Brooks—
On his knees.
Nope, scratch that,oneknee.
“W-what are you doing, babe?” I stammer, feeling sweat break out on my brow when his gaze meets mine.
“Doing one of the most reckless things I’ve done to date. I don’t have a ring. I don’t have a solid plan.” He hooks his pinky with mine. “All I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Evan. If you want another shot at trying to be the perfect husband, I’m begging you, Evan, practice on me. I want you to be my partner in every iteration—bedroom, business, parent… husband. I want to ‘chance rapids and dance tides’with you, like the tattoo on your heart. Evan, babe”—his pinky tightens into a stranglehold on mine—“will you marry me?”
I haul him up off his knees and press him with a hungry kiss. “Yes. Yes, yes”—I keep peppering his lips with more kisses—“fuck yes, I will marry you. I pinky promise.The real deal.”
He throws his hands around my neck, and leaps up, wrapping his legs around my waist and locking his ankles behind my back—his mouth never leaving mine. I kiss him back, both of us smiling, our teeth clacking together. My heart is thundering around in my chest, excitement coursing through me.
Brooks suddenly cups my cheeks and leans back a little, fixing me with a look. He’s smiling so hard, the lines at the corners of his eyes crinkle, and his cheeks are stained pink. “Guess what,” he whispers.
“What?”
