“Take him away from her. Now, Logan.” I peel my eyes off Mia, but they snap right back when she laughs, making Noah giggle. “Fuck...” I breathe, rubbing my face while Logan’s barely holding off laughter. “Take Noah away,” I repeat through gritted teeth.
“He likes her, and Cass needs a breather. Noah doesn’t calm down even in my arms these days. Sorry, bro, I’m not touching that kid until your girl hands him back.”
“I’ll get her pregnant while you’re all eating dessert.”
He bursts out laughing, summoning Mia’s attention. She crosses the room, planting her pretty butt in my lap, her back to my chest, and Noah in her arms. She holds him over her knee, bouncing him up and down and singing a nursery rhyme.
I wrap my hand across her middle, kissing her neck. “Unless you want me to put a baby in you tonight, give him back,” I whisper in her ear when Logan walks away to chat with Grandad. “I’m serious, Mia. I see you with him, and I want you pregnant.”
It was right about then that Aisha got pregnant, and two months later, Logan knocked up Cassidy again. Now there are three pregnant women in the family, not helping my case.
Seeing my brothers and Toby so fucking excited when they touch the life-growing bumps, feeling their kids kick...
I’m happy for them, but I’m also jealous.
Even more when we arrive at my parents’ house six hours later where everyone’s congratulating Cass and Logan on their engagement. He got this backward, if you ask me. Marry the girl first, then get her pregnant. But whatever, he’s engaged, has a kid, and another on the way. Theo’s married and about to become a dad, and Shawn’s thinking about adopting a second kid.
Fuck waiting.
I grab Mia’s hand, dragging her upstairs while the family’s preoccupied with Logan and Cassidy, paying us no heed.
“You’re officially the first girl I ever brought up here,” I say, letting her into my old bedroom. “You better feel honored.”
Not much has changed. Mom hasn’t touched a thing in here. The same dark curtains hang around ceiling-tall windows, the same oversized bed stands in the middle, and the same shelves hang on the walls, stacked high with books and CDs.
I prefer my spaces lighter now, less cluttered.
I pin Mia to the wall, devouring her sweet lips the way she loves. This would be better if my pockets weren’t empty. Even better if I’d planned this at least a little but aren’t the best things in life those that happen spontaneously?
She sure isn’t expecting this today.
Even I didn’t expect this until three minutes ago.
“First girl I kissed in this room.”
She smiles, peering up at me. “Are you throwing me a bone? You took my firsts, so you’re finding a few to feed me?”
“First girl I love...” I take her face in my hands, not an ounce of doubt clouding my mind. “First andlast.Marry me, Mia.”
She stills.
Stops breathing, but her heart beats so fast I hear it in the silent room. And then she does what I’ll never grow tired of. She melts in my arms, spreading her small hands flat on my chest.
“I’ll get you a ring. Ihavea ring. It’s in the safe—” I shut up when she scrunches her nose, fighting a smile. “What?”
“I can tell you’ve never done this before. You’re supposed to ask the question, Nico, not bark an order. I can’t answer if it’s not a question. Try again.”
God, I love her so fucking much.
“Will you marry me, baby?”
“You really need to ask?” she chuckles, her eyes shining. “Of course I’ll marry you. I told you I’ll never let you go.”
My fingers weave into her hair, and I cover her mouth with mine, sinking into her bee-stung lips like I’ve never kissed her before. I have. So many times over the last eight months, but other than that first kiss under the parachute, none compare.
Mine. Always mine.
She smiles against me, inching away, cheeks deliciously pink. “You really haven’t brought a girl up here before? Not even back in high school?”
