That’s an understatement. I almost needed another nap after we were done being sidetracked. Accepting the food and silverware he hands me, we eat in silence for a few minutes. The noodles are perfectly al dente, and the sauce is just acidic enough. Before I realize it, I’ve eaten almost the entire container. Setting it down, I grab a bottle of water, avoiding Kash’s gaze.
“You must have been really hungry.” He laughs.
“Hush. I lost a lot of calories today.”
“Burned, baby. Youburneda lot of calories today, and you enjoyed every moment.” He gives me a knowing smirk. He’s not wrong. I definitely enjoyed burning those calories.
I smile and take another sip of water, then recap the bottle. Leaning back on my elbows, I stretch my legs in front of me and enjoy the feeling of my feet in the sand. Just watching the surf roll in and out makes me feel utterly at peace. Maybe I should tell him now. Biting my lip, I glance at him from the corner of my eye and find him staring at me.
“What?”
Clearing his throat, Kash looks around the blanket. “Are you finished? Did you get enough to eat?”
Nodding, I pat my stomach. “Oh yeah, I’m definitely full. Thank you for dinner.” Leaning forward, he meets me partway, and I place a soft kiss on his lips. “I appreciate you, Casanova.”
Kash glances down at my hand, then quickly looks away. Grabbing the containers, he puts them back into the tote he brought with him and sets it off to the side. He widens his stance on the blanket and holds out his hand. “Come here, Sunshine.”
Crawling between Kash’s legs, I nestle against his chest. I’m fully content as he presses my back to his front, arms wrapped tightly around me. Resting his head on my shoulder, I wrinkle my nose as loose strands of his hair tickle my face.
“I miss your longer hair.”
“Do you now?”
Nodding, I twist my hand back, threading my fingers into it. The strands are growing out, but it’s not the same. He could be bald and I’d still love him, but I do miss watching him tie his hair back. Clenching my thighs, I ignore the flash of heat that settles in my gut, choosing instead to stroke the soft strands. “You’re handsome either way, which you know, but I liked it. I was sad when you cut it. Even though I understand, in a way, why you did it. My mom likes you, Kash.”
Pulling my fingers from his hair, he shifts behind me. “I was hoping she would,” he admits softly. “Your dad is another story.”
Snorting, I lean my head back against his collar bone. Looking at Kash’s face, he stares at the water as I explain, “My dad is protective. I think he appreciates the way you beat Jake with that bat though. You rescued me and protected me the best way you could. Even now, you’re still doing it.”
Meeting my eyes, Kash dips his head and kisses me softly. It starts out sweet and slow, his tongue teasing my lips, but as soon as I open with a sigh, he takes full advantage. The kiss quickly turns heated, hishand cupping the side of my face, holding me where he wants. Heat floods my core, and I wonder how much longer we have to stay out here. I’m ready to go to bed, again.
Pulling back, Kash’s eyes dart between mine, as if he’s memorizing my expression. His thumb strokes my cheek as he leans down and presses his lips quickly to mine one final time. Lifting his head, Kash adjusts me so I’m back to being pressed against his front. I almost whine at the loss of contact, but then he moves his hands again.
Threading his arms around my torso, I feel Kash twining his fingers through mine. I’m about to suggest we go inside when I feel something cold touch my hand. Glancing down, I watch in the moonlight as Kash grabs my left hand and slides a ring down my finger.
“Kash,” I start.
“Mila,” he answers, his chest vibrating against my back.
“What is this?” I lift my hand in his and stare at it in the moonlight. Either I have a concussion, and I’m seeing things, or this is a ring.
“I think you know what it is, Sunshine.”
“Kash, I?—”
His fingers grab my chin, tilting my head toward him. I see my reflection in the lenses of his glasses, and I’m glad I look as stunned as I feel. His large hand cups my cheek, and he gives me a look that’s full of love. “Mila, I need you to marry me. I don’twantyou to marry me because awantis something you can live without, and I can’t live without you,” he murmurs. “I need you to be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me. I need you to have all of my babies and let me love you how I know you need. I need you to be mine.”
“Kash,” I whisper his name like a prayer as a tear rolls down my cheek.
Lowering his mouth to mine, Kash kisses me sweetly and pulls back. “There are billions of people on the planet, and the only person meant to be mine is you. It was written in the stars, Sunshine.”
Tears stream down my face freely, and Kash takes a moment tosoftly wipe them away with his thumbs. I haven’t even told him I’m pregnant yet, and he’s proposing. I know everyone will say it’s too soon, but if recent events have taught me anything, it’s that life is meant to be lived. Smiling at him, I nod. “Okay, Casanova. I’ll marry you, on one condition.”
Grinning, he presses his forehead against mine, his breath skirting across my face. “Name it.”
Pulling his face closer, I stop with our lips a hair width apart. “Take me to bed,Future Husband.”
Chapter Fifty-Nine
