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“And she has no date set?” he asks, cocking a brow and I’m sure I catch him trying not to smile.
“No, she doesn’t,” I affirm to him, jokingly punching his chest.
“Anyone would think it’s her you were interested in,” I laugh, making a face when he frowns. Silently telling me off again for even thinking like that.
“You know it’s you I want, Ashlee,” he says seriously.
I wasn’t fishing for it, but I love it when he gets like this. Telling me in a firm, deep voice that he loves me. That I’m his one and only.
That he’ll never let me go.
“How bad do you want me?” I tease, really feeling cheeky today. Like I want to make him beg or something.
“Bad enough to put a ring on your finger,” he whispers into my ear.
That shuts me up. I’ve got nothing in response and he leaves it hanging.
It’s not a proposal, but it’s certainly a warning shot.
A pre-proposal, if there even is such a thing.
If he did ask. If he does? If he is?
Of course, I’d say yes, in a heartbeat.
It’s been two weeks, and as wonderful as it would be if he did ask me to marry him now, I like that we’re getting to know each other. I know we are meant to be and it will happen when the time is right.
We need this time to just be us for a little while.
Leaping into bed with each other was and still is fun. But something as big as the big ‘M’ word? Starting a family?
We’re both deadly serious on that topic, so I know Brandon’s not expecting me to answer him just yet, but wow.
Just wow.
How much two lives can turn around in as many weeks.
In as many moments really.
The memory of that stranger, seeing his back to me and hoping he’d return still haunts me. I still can’t believe he not only came back, but he came back and claimed me as his own.
“Watch ya thinkin’?” he asks, never tiring of holding me up but noticing my faraway look.
“I’m thinking how much I love you. How much I’d like you to carry me to bed right now and remind me just how long and loud I can say your name.”
His lip curls into my favorite smile.
The look he gets when he’s about to give me what he knows I like best.
All of him inside me, and all of him on top of me.
“I love you, Ashlee,” he rasps. The stubble from his chin tickling my ear as I clutch him tighter.
“I love you, Brandon,” I whisper back, his arms tighten around me as he walks me upstairs.
Up to our room, the rest of the day’s plans are already on hold until tomorrow.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Brandon
“I think it might be the detergent we’re using,” I suggest.
I’ve been noticing some of my clothes shrinking some as well, but then again, I have started working out again now that I’m not so hands on with the construction side of things anymore.
Having a younger girl like Ashlee can make a man a little self-conscious. I mean, she’s a perfect ten and I’m twice her age.
I’ve gotta do something to stay in shape. Not that I’ve told her that. Not in so many words.
She scowls a little at the hair across her face, blowing it out of her eyes with pinched lips as she looks up from her sewing.
“It’s not the detergent, Brandon. I’m a cow, look!” she exclaims, standing up and lifting her sweatshirt all the way over her ample chest.
I nearly drop the hammer I’m holding.
I was trying to hang a picture for her, but now? Now all I want is to bury myself in her for the rest of the day, and I stalk over to her, grabbing a hold of her and telling her so.
“Don’t touch me,” she shrieks with mock drama. “I’m hideous!”
I have to laugh, and she does too. For a little while before sinking into that dark mood again.
“I mean it, Brandon. I’m getting bigger and you’re just getting more and more… perfect every day. What’s wrong with me?” she cries, not really wanting me to answer.
Her emotions swinging like they have lately.
Keep it positive, and under no circumstances are you to try and agree with her.
“You’re still young,” I suggest. “Still growing.”
Wrong answer.
She fumes silently for a moment, before growling at me and storming past to the kitchen.
I know from experience that following her when she’s like this only makes things worse. For me.
I twist my face, wondering if I’ll ever know the right things to say.
We used to get on great, but the past month or so, Ashlee’s been moody and I’m getting worried.
Her ‘weight gain’?
I can’t see it. When I look at her, all I see is someone who drives me wild. Makes me want to hold her and kiss her every time she walks into the room.
