“I was scared.” I kissed him over and over again, relishing in the fact I’d finally earned therightto kiss him by digging deep and finding the courage to be the woman he needed and deserved. “But I was more afraid of losing you. I had to have you, for real, and lose you before I realized that. After you left my house that night I knew. I knew it was time to face my past. Heal my hurts. And take a chance. Because I was tired of keeping my feelings for you a secret. I was tired of loving you and not being able to have you.”
“You’ve got me, baby.” He gripped my hips, rocking me faster as my breath got trapped in my throat. “I’m yours. You’re mine. And that’s the way it’s going to be. Every day for the rest of our lives. You got me? Because I’m never letting you go again, Briar.”
His thrusts felt deeper as I tipped my head back, moaning.
“I want that ring back on your finger.” His tone was fierce as his fingers bit into my hips. “For real this time. I want you signing my name, sharing my bed—” He gripped my chin, drawing my face down so he could look me in the eye when he said, “Because I’m going to be the one man in your life who never lets you down. Who never leaves you.”
I was a hot mess, letting the tears fall while chasing an orgasm that couldn’t even compare to the explosion taking place in my chest. This man, his words, were making my heart blow up in the best possible way.
“I’m going to be there for you, for our kids, whenever you need me. I’ll never leave. I’ll never threaten to leave. I’ll never make you feel insecure about yourself or what we have.”
Light fuse. Brace. Discharge. Check, check, and check.
I collapsed against his chest, squeezing my eyes shut as I tried to contain this feeling. I’d never been happier, never felt more alive or complete. I didn’t even know it was possible to feel this sure about anything or anyone.
“I know you won’t.” I kissed his shoulder, curling my fingers in his hair. “And I love you for that.”
“I know you can take care of yourself,” he whispered in my ear. “And I love that about you, Bri. But I need you to need me too.”
“I do need you.” And I wasn’t even afraid to admit that anymore. Living with a lie, pretending, I realized was a hell of a lot scarier and more painful than just admitting the truth and opening myself up to him. “And I always will.”
I felt his body tighten as his release threatened. I wanted to feel him, all of him, especially now that I knew there was nothing left to fear. Not the risk of pregnancy or the fear of getting in too deep. Not a psycho stalker out to get me or Rhett’s jealous ex trying to lure him back. It was just us now. Us and our baby.
He tipped his head back against the tile and I watched his gorgeous face contort with pleasure as the love I felt for him washed over me. My sexy fake fiancé was my real fiancé now. And all those fantasies I’d had about him over the years? I looked forward to living them out… one day at a time. Forever.
Epilogue
Rhett
The past nine months had been a whirlwind, between the pregnancy, beach wedding in Costa Rica, and moving Briar into my house, we’d barely had a moment’s peace. And I was soaking up every chaotic minute of it. The second she’d told me she was pregnant the puzzle pieces of my life started clicking together with a satisfying finality. I knew nothing could break what we’d created.
As soon as Briar found out she was pregnant, she’d gone into mommy mode. She’d read every book she could get her hands on. Decorated the nursery, stocked up on items I was certain we’d never need, consulted online forums and groups for advice… and made me fall a little deeper in love with her every day. I’d seen a new side of her. The maternal side. And it was hot as hell. Made me want to do this a few more times, at least.
But tonight, we’d come full circle. We were celebrating her birthday in the same private room at her favorite restaurant. Only this time our family and friends were there fawning over our baby girl and the guest of honour wouldn’t have had it any other way. Briar was as enthralled with our daughter as I was. But this night was about more than my wife’s birthday or introducing baby Amelia to our inner circle. It was about me getting a do-over. A chance to wow my gorgeous wife with the truth this time, instead of the ‘fake’ proposal these people had witnessed last year.
Jake slapped me on the back as he grinned, bringing a glass of scotch to his lips. “Being a family man agrees with you, buddy. I’ve never seen you happier.”
My heart swelled when my eyes found Briar’s across the room. She was beaming as my mom cradled our baby, undoubtedly giving her advice about how to transition Amelia to her crib or get her to sleep through the night. My mother was the loving, doting grandmother I’d always known she would be, but she was stilla lot.
“I’ve never been happier. Me and Briar… that’s the way it was meant to be. I think I knew that all along. That’s why I was holding out. Didn’t want a poor substitute, man. I wanted the real thing.”
Jake tapped his glass against mine while his smile spread. “Here’s to getting the real thing then.”
“Speaking of which…” My gaze landed on our hairdresser, Deanna, and her adorable infant son, who’d come with Jake. “You and Deanna seem pretty cozy, what’s that about?”
He rolled his eyes. “We’ve been friends forever. You know that. Besides, I wasn’t even the one who invited her, your wife was.”
It was true, both Gia and Briar had started going to my stylist and they’d all become fast friends.
“Still, you seemed pretty paternal.” I nudged Jake. “I think Rylan’s got you thinking it might be time for you to find the right woman, huh?” Not that I blamed him for falling for the kid. He was cute as hell.
“You’re an idiot.” Jake shook his head, looking disgusted. “Just because you’re happily married doesn’t mean the rest of the world wants that life.”
I looked him in the eye, challenging him the way I knew he would have challenged me. “You’re not tired of the meaningless one-night stands? The women who are just after your money? The dates that bore you to tears? Going stag to all the family weddings because you know your parents wouldn’t approve of any girl you know?”
He downed his remaining scotch in one mouthful. “I’m not sixteen anymore, in case you haven’t noticed. I don’t need my parents to approve of the girls I date.”
Maybe not, but Jake’s relationship with his parents was similar to mine. His mom drove him crazy most of the time, with her constant meddling and well-meaning advice, but he loved her and knew she’d sacrificed a lot to make him the man he was.
