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“I can picture it. One day you’ll wake up and realize you made the worst mistake of your life in tying yourself to someone you barely knew.” She released a hollow laugh. “No, thank you. I’llpass.”
I smirked. “You think I’d do that? You don’t even knowme.”
“That’s my point,” she growled. “I don’t know you. You don’t knowme.”
“My point is, if you’d spend more time with me, you’d understand these feelings aren’t going to change.” I took her hand in both of mine and grazed her knuckles with my lips. “I don’t get crushes. I’ve never had a true attraction toanyone.”
“I don’t know if that makes this better or worse,” Taliamuttered.
“Better.” I chuckled. “So much better. See, now I get to experience all this clean and sober. I’ll remember every minute detail, like the way the whites of your eyes go pink when you’re trying not to cry, and the way your body responds when I kiss you here.” I buried my face in her neck and sucked and nibbled my way to her earlobe. Instead of the moan I had anticipated, my efforts were met with another groan, but I refused to give up. “Talia, aside from this stint in rehab, I’ve never done a single solitary thing I haven’t wanted to do in my whole life. I’m not just offering to marry you. I’m hoping, soon enough, I can truly convince you to marryme.”
She inhaled sharply. “Why me? You could have any woman in the world. You think you’re going to find long-term happiness with a sometimes waitress, sometimes blackjack dealer, and reluctant socialworker?”
“Yes, I do,” I responded calmly. “Have you considered what you truly want to do with your life, pussy cat? You just admitted you have a degree you don’t want touse.”
“I wanted to help people,” shewhispered.
“There are plenty of ways to help others without losing yourself. How do you want to spend your time? Where’s your passion?” I studied her a moment. From the look on her face, I could tell she was considering some occupation, but refused to speak it aloud, as if it might be absurd or shameful. “Real estate.” Iguessed.
Her brows shot up. “It’s so unpredictable, so unstable, and I’d feel like I was in it for the money. I wasn’t raised to chase apaycheck.”
“But you love it, right? What is it?” I grinned. We were finally gettingsomewhere.
“I’ve never lived in a house, but I’ve always wanted to. I gave up on having a family, but I’d love to help others find the perfect place to grow theirs. I guess I could look at it as another way of helping.” Taliashrugged.
“You could. You could start with me, with us. Help us find the perfect place.” I ran my hand through her hair and smiled at her. “I’ll help you get your real estate license. You’ll help me stay sane and sober, because that’s what couples do. They help eachother.”
She bit her lower lip and nodded at me. “They do, don’tthey?”
“You know how blackjack works, right?” I waited for her to nod before continuing. “The thing is, you have to be able to see everything on the table, you have to pay attention to your cards and everyone else’s. You have to know when to hit and when tofold.”
“I get it. Where’s this going?” Shefrowned.
“I was a lousy gambler. Too much drinking. Only now everything makes sense.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “I’m betting on you. You’re the safest, smartest move I’ve ever made.” Then I kissed her with everything in me. I held nothing back because I might not ever have the chance again if I messed this up. Her lips parted for me and my tongue stroked hers, stoking a fire and announcing my desire. When I finally pulled back, we were bothpanting.
“You win,” Taliawhispered.
“It’s about damn time,” I joked as I crushed her to my body. “Get used to this. I’m going to keep you this closeforever.”
“Then I guess we both win.” She sighed happily as she pressed her ear to myheart.
“We definitely do.” I moved us so my head was on the pillows. Feeling more calm and confident than before, I let my eyelidsshut.
“Wait,” Talia whisperedloudly.
“What?” I moaned. “No more doubts. Nottonight.”
“What about tomorrow?” shemurmured.
“Not then either.” Ichuckled.
“No, what happens tomorrow?” Her chin moved against my body and I knew she was staring up atme.
I lazily opened my eyes. “Tomorrow, we talk to Harry and Ty over brunch. We explain I’m not going back toL.A.”
“Think they’ll be mad?” Her eyeswidened.
“Not anymore.” I shook my head. “Now, they’ll be glad. We’ll be the three married musketeers.” I snickered. “Then you talk to your brother and explain you’re not cominghome.”
Talia bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know how to leave him alone. He needsme.”
“Fine. We get a place and your brother moves in. Problem solved.” Igrinned.
She sat up. “Andtonight?”
“Tonight, we get comfortable and you get used to sleeping in my arms.” I moved until we were eye-to-eye on the mattress. “We’re taking our time, Talia. We don’t need to rushforever.”
“Damn, you really are marriage material,” shemurmured.
I kissed the tip of her nose and cupped her cheek briefly. “I amnow. And I’ll wait as long as It takes to make itofficial.”
