Cade cocked a brow, mouth twitching. “I need you to say it out loud. Just one little word. You can do it.”
I let out a watery laugh and threw my arms around him. “Yes! Yes. All the yeses. I want to marry you, Cade.”
He grinned before rising to his feet and kissing me again—deep and possessive and full of heat.
“Good,” he murmured against my lips. “Now let’s get you on that bed, so I can properly worship my very, veryrealfiancée.”
He scooped me up and carried me bridal style across the roof, and I dropped my head back with a laugh. “Happily.”
Cade had me on the cabana bed before I realized the ring was already on my finger.
When had he managed that?
participation trophy
. . .
Ellie
Ellie’s Guide toProfessional CuddlingBeing a Fake FiancéeNOT Falling for Your Fake FiancéHiding Any Trace that You’ve Fallen for Your Fake FiancéKeeping It TogetherSurviving as a Fake FiancéeReaping the Benefits of a Fake EngagementLife After Having a Fake FiancéFinding Your UnicornBeing a REAL Fiancée, Tip #38: Say yes.
Who knew messing around with a unicorn would be one of my biggest fantasies?
Cade shed his onesie pajamas not long after he followed me onto the cabana bed, and we “lit the sheets on fire,” as Dr. Lovejoy would say.
I gave it all the thumbs up.
The postsex cuddling under makeshift stars was just as satisfying, with me pressed against Cade’s side and his arm slung over me. My finger kept tracing endless circles around his cute little belly button.
I could’ve easily stayed there forever.
Another thought gave me pause. “You know, going straight to engaged when we haven’t actually dated is skipping a pretty big step.”
“Who says we haven’t dated? We’ve been camping. Stargazing. Hell, we won theLove Olympics.” Cade squeezed my hip, making my lips twitch. “We’ve also already done couples counseling. That’s gotta count for something.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“I want you, Ellie,” he murmured, all traces of playful teasing leaving his voice. “More than I’ve wanted anything in my life. Dating feels like moving backward, but I want to move forward with you. We can date for as long as you want. We’ll just do it with my ring on your finger.”
I rolled my eyes with a laugh, snuggling even closer and trailing my finger up his beautiful chest. “You’re very convincing. I can see why you got the promotion.”
There was a long pause before Cade cleared his throat. “I’m not taking it.”
My finger froze against his skin. “What?”
“The promotion. I’m not taking it,” he repeated. “I haven’t broken it to my grandfather yet, but it’s the right decision.”
Shock thrummed through me, and I pulled back to gape down at him. “What do you mean you’re not taking it? You’ve worked so hard for that promotion! Our entire deal was about you getting that job?—”
Cade tugged me back down, cutting me off by fusing his lips to mine.
I only melted into the kiss a little before coming to my senses and jerking back. “Cade! Why would you turn it down?”
He watched me from beneath hooded lids. “I’ve had some time to think, and I’m going to start my own thing. Build an empire of my own where I call the shots. It’s what mygrandfather would’ve done—what hediddo—and then I’ll know I’ve earned every bit.”
The fight left me in awhoosh.
“Well, I can’t argue with that.” I bit my lip. “I’m really proud of you.”
