We’re in Luke’s truck,bouncing down an unpaved road on his property.
The sun is beginning to set, casting us in a beautiful afterglow.
“I hope you’re not bringing me all the way out here to have sex when we have a perfectly good bed back at the cabin,” I say as I cross my arms over my chest.
Luke pierces me with a heated look as he continues to drive effortlessly, balancing his left wrist against the steering wheel. His right hand reaches out to grab mine and places it firmly on his thigh. “Get your head out of the gutter, Daze.”
I exhale loudly. “Oh yeah, sure. Eye fuck me and then send me on my merry way.”
He chuckles. “Almost there. In fact, we can stop right here.” He parks the car and hops out. Before I get the chance to take in the view, my door pops open and Luke is scooping me out of my seat.
“I can walk, you know,” I weakly protest, because I do love being in Luke’s arms.
“You’re capable of anything, Daisy. I’m just a selfish bastard who can’t get enough of you. Please bear with me.”
I sigh loudly. “If I must.”
He carries me bridal style up a hill. It’s criminal that this man is somehow not out of breath by the time we reach the top.
He places me on my feet, then walks around until he’s holding me from behind. I close my eyes as I let my head fall back against his broad chest, enjoying the sense of safety I feel when he’s near.
His beard tickles my ear as he leans down. “Open your eyes, Daisy. This is kind of important.”
My heart kickstarts, foolishly thinking that all those promises of forever are about to begin right now. In this moment, I know deep in my heart that it’s not too soon. I don’t need to wait for any archaic timeline most likely determined by a patriarchal society that places value on a woman based on her association to a man.
I just wish I’d worn a bra for this.
“Easy, Daisy girl. That’s coming, just not right now.” I can hear the smile in his voice and tilt my head down in embarrassment. “Oh no, none of that. I’ve got plans for us. You’re going to have to be patient for a little longer. In the meantime, I need to hear your thoughts.”
I clear my throat as I shyly meet his eyes. “On what?”
His eyes stay locked on mine as he nods before us. “On whether or not this view is nice enough for our bedroom in our new home.” His hand gently moves my chin so I’m facing forward, and the air is sucked out of my lungs.
Before me is the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen, dipping low between the green mountains, shining pinks, purples and oranges over the lake way down below.
Oak trees surround us, standing tall over the untamed wildflowers that claim the land as far as the eye can see.
“Oh my God, Luke! This is beautiful.”
His lips skim my neck. “Hmm, I agree.” I face him, our lips brushing faintly as he keeps his eyes trained on me. “But you still haven’t answered my question.”
“There was a question? I mean seriously, look at this insane view.” I turn back in time to see the wind pick up and send leaves flying whimsically over the ground.
“I was thinking bedroom, but I guess we can also design the home so we share this view with the living room as well.” He turns me in his hold, breaking my trance and tuning me into what he’s saying.
“Huh? You want to build another cabin up here?”
He shakes his head. “No, I want to build our new home up here.”
“Our new home?” I parrot, eyes wide.
His hand reaches out, tucking a loose curl behind my ear before cradling my cheek. “We’ll always have our place in the city, and our little cabin will always be our secret hiding spot. But here? I was thinking this could be the place where we can recharge. Come back to nature. Host barbecues with friends, go swimming in the lake in the summer, and skate in the winter when it freezes over. A place that is uniquely ours, with pictures of our loved ones on a massive wall by the entrance and a media room to watch all your favorite movies.” He leans closer, his eyes shining with love and vulnerability. “And when you’re ready, a place where you walk down the aisle… to me. Where our children can run wild and free, exactly like their mother has taught me to do. A home that started the moment I convinced you to run away with me and never look back. That’s what I want to build.”
My heart rate from before has nothing against the galloping beat in my chest now. “Y-you want all that.” I swallow. “All ofthat?” My eyelashes clump with unshed tears.
Our noses brush as he nods. “All of that and more. Much, much more. With you.” His lips don’t wait another second to claim mine.
He pours every bit of himself into his kiss as I cling to him.
