“Yes, sweetheart. I’ll marry you again.” I slot the ring onto my finger, and she slips her rings as far up her finger as the knuckle covers allow, then we edge closer to each other and I capture her mouth in a kiss meant to show her we belong together always.
Ashlin
Thank God.
While I know for certain that I’d have survived if Seth said no, I can unequivocally say I’m happy he agreed. He angles his head, taking the kiss deeper, and someone wolf-whistles. I pull back, blushing. I don’t shy away from public affection, but I’m not used to being the center of attention either. Seth gets to his feet, then offers me a hand. I slip mine into his, loving how calloused and huge it is. He’s always made me feel delicate and feminine just by existing, and the contrast between us emphasizes it.
Then, without warning, he scoops me into his arms.
“Hey!” I exclaim, clinging to his chest. Not that I’m afraid he’ll drop me. It’s just a really excellent chest. Broad, solid, sexy as all get-out.
He nuzzles the top of my head. “I’m taking you home, wife.”
I giggle. “I’m not your wife yet.”
He smirks. “You will be soon.”
I don’t argue with that. “Take me home, future husband.”
His eyes gleam with love, and he kisses me once before addressing Jase. “Lock up behind you. Don’t leave a mess. Call if there’s an emergency, but only then.”
He nods. “You got it.”
Still holding me, Seth carries me outside. “Where’s your car?”
“Not here. Devon brought me.”
“They were all in on this, huh?”
I smooth a hand up his chest. “Don’t be annoyed with them.”
“I’m not, baby. I’m so fucking grateful.”
He takes me to his car and somehow manages to support me with one arm while unlocking it with the other, then lowers me gently into the passenger seat. He gets in, and we hold hands for the entire duration of the drive to my place. When we arrive, he sweeps me off the ground again, and I laugh. My first instinct is to protest that I’m an independent woman and don’t need him to carry me, but to be honest, I like it, so if he wants to, where’s the harm? I’m strong enough to give us something we both want.
Instead of taking me to the bedroom, he goes to the living room, where he deposits me on the beanbag, flops beside me, and holds me firmly to him.
“We need to talk about a few things.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right.
“First off, I want you to know that I recognize how strong you are, and if I ever do anything to suggest otherwise, let me know.” His lips press together, and he rubs a hand along his jaw. “I know I can be bossy, and I’ll try to rein it in, but you’ve got to tell me how you’re feeling, too.”
“Deal.” I snuggle into his shoulder. “But that goes both ways. You can’t just bury yourself in work or a project and hope a problem goes away. We need to communicate. Promise?”
“Promise.” His hand slides between us and finds mine. They intertwine, and something inside me flutters, almost as though the baby senses the importance of what’s happening and wants to encourage us to keep going. I know it’s far too early in the pregnancy for that to be realistic, but it’s a nice thought. “While we’re talking about the future, I’d like to move in so we can be together. I love what you’ve done with the place, and I want to help make it ours so we can raise our family here.”
Hearing the nerves in his voice, I grin. As if I’d say no. “You’ve practically been living here anyway. I’ve got no problem making it official.”
“Good.” He tilts his chin. I could swim in the depths of his ocean eyes forever. “The condo was just a place to crash. This feels like home.” He pauses, then swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “You feel like home.”
A sense of rightness fills me, and a golden glow that seems to come from the inside out. “I love you, Seth.”
“Love you too, baby.” His eyes tell me it’s true. “You’re the most important thing in the word to me.” He smiles. “You always will be.”
27
Ashlin - 3 monthslater
