My gaze dropped to my bare legs. Luckily, I’d thought to put on one of Lennox’s shirts. My face burned. “Yeah, I’ll do that.”
An hour later, my siblings were starting to trickle in. The first to arrive was Asa, followed by Bliss, then Dexter. We were setting up the food trays when Dallas barged in.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Dex asked.
“Good question,” Asa murmured.
I frowned. I’d never seen my sister like this. Her hair was a mess on top of her head, she wore no makeup, and her clothes were crooked. “Dallas, what’s up with your outfit? And that hair? Girl, why are you looking like this?”
Dallas let out a frustrated sigh and stomped over to the counter. She smacked down a piece of paper. “Here.”
Grabbing the card stock, I read it. My eyes widened. “I’m so confused.”
“I’m getting married.” I opened my mouth to speak, but she covered it with her hand. “No questions. I don’t want to talk about it.” She glanced at all of us. “I mean it. Not a word.”
I stared at her, slack-jawed. I had questions, but my parents chose that exact moment to show up.
“Dallas?” I said.
“I need clothes and makeup. Fix my hair.” And she disappeared down the hall.
I met Lennox’s concerned gaze and shrugged. Then, I followed her.
The party was a huge success.Good food, good people. Our families got along well. Mrs. Cole and my mother hit it off wonderfully. Our fathers had already scheduled a round of golf. And our siblings… I was certain if Emerie or Dana were single, my mannish brothers would’ve tried to holla at both of them. And Lennox? He was perfect.
As everything wound down, he pulled me to him, kissing me softly.
I wiped my gloss off his lips. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For loving me the way you do. I didn’t think I could be this happy.” Lennox had checked every box for me. He was everything I never thought I needed—sincere, sexy, intelligent, funny, patient. Oh, and that smile. He owned my heart, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. “I told you…you are so much trouble.”
He laughed. “I’ll be that. For you. I love you.”
“Forever?”
“Always.” He circled my nose with his.
It was a move I would’ve once considered corny and uncalled for, but I loved whenhedid it. “I love you too. And I love my family. But I’m ready for them to go so you can teach me another naughty lesson, Professor Cole.”
Epilogue
Free
Blake
Sometime Later
“Open them.”
Smiling, I opened my eyes. A small box sat on the table. I looked at Lennox, backing away from him. “What’s that?”
“Your gift.”
My birthday weekend had been a whirlwind, starting from the orgasm he’d blessed me with yesterday morning to the surprise trip to Turks and Caicos yesterday afternoon to the tiny gifts he’d presented me along the way.
We’d arrived at the all-inclusive resort and had hidden away in our secluded villa for the rest of the day, making love on the sundeck and in the private pool and on the beach. Today was the first time we’d actually done something outside of our perfect haven. Lennox had arranged for us to enjoy sailing, snorkeling, and other water activities. We’d danced on the beach and had dinner under the stars. Now, we were relaxing with bourbon and cigars—and that damn box. A small box. A box that looked too much like a ring box.
