AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Me too, baby.”
I’d never experienced sex with anyone but Rowan and while I should be freaking out about us not using a condom, I just couldn’t. The feel of him pulsing and bare as his release exploded inside me was something I didn’t have words for.
My body was relaxed thanks to him.
* * *
I had worried for nothing.
The place had been packed and the evening had gone better than I could have ever dreamed. It seemed to be a huge success and I was on cloud nine. Not only had I sold a lot of books, but people signed up for the book club I’d decided to start at the store, and Alley sold all of her books as well.
Everyone had mingled while I met some wonderful people who truly loved to read and got talking to them. Because let's face it, if someone wanted to talk about books then I was all in, they just better be prepared for a long conversation.
Once things had wound down and the only people left were our friends, I kicked off my shoes and sighed, flopping myself onto the comfortable couch in the reading nook area I’d created. Zander raced up and jumped onto my lap, then wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly.
“That was fun, Mommy. We got our store back!”
My son had always loved being with me in my other bookstore and helping me out. When it was always just the two of us, our bond had been stronger than Gorilla Glue. It still was, but now we were stuck with some other truly amazing people. And he and his dad had grown so close in the short time they had been together.
“Yes we did, baby,” I answered with a broad smile on my face.
Clink, clink, clink.
From the front of the room, the sound grabbed my attention and I looked over to see Rowan standing with a glass of sparkling cider in the air, tapping it with a spoon. We’d used cider so everyone was safe and the kids could join in. But the ladies had already made a toast, making me and everyone else laugh as well as shed a few tears, so I was confused about what he was doing.
“I said yes, Mommy,” Zander whispered in my ear and then turned to look at his dad.
What in the world did he say yes to?
“Brin, I’m so damn proud of you.” He’d been looking at me but glanced in Embry’s direction and pointed at her, addressing her specifically. “And I know I owe your jar, so put it on my tab.” Embry giggled and then Rowan’s gaze swung back to me. “You did an amazing job here tonight, and I know you will keep doing a fabulous job. Let’s all toast and take a drink to Brinley.”
I hadn’t realized everyone had glasses in their hand and Summer was pushing one in mine as everyone sent up a cheer.
Tears pooled in my eyes and threatened to spill over.
Rowan turned and set his glass on the front counter and kept talking. “Losing someone you love breaks a person’s heart. I should know it happened to me.” He took a deep breath and I couldn’t believe he was bringing this up in front of everyone we knew. “When I lost my sister, that was the ultimate loss. I let the fear of caring for someone just to lose them or hurt them consume me and I walked away from you. Fromlove. Losing you ruined me, but I did that to myself. I hurt us both.”
I saw liquid gather in his eyes and seeing the big, strong man I loved with all my heart struggle and cry, killed me. I took a peek around and everyone else was feeling him too.
“Baby, somehow I got lucky and you found your way back to me. And not only that but you gave me a second chance I didn’t deserve. Which I’m so thankful for. I am honored to be here with you as you set off on your new journey and I am praying you will let me be there every step of the way.”
“Here it comes,” Zander said, softly.
I didn’t have time to contemplate what the heck was going on with my son because Rowan pulled something from the pocket of his black slacks that he changed into when we got ready for the event and dropped to one knee right there in front of me, our son, and our friends.
“I already asked our son and he said yes.” Rowan looked at Zander, giving him a big smile that melted my heart.
Our son knew. That's what he’d been hinting at and Rowan had asked his permission first. I felt dizzy as so many emotions swam in my head at once. But love was front and center.
Rowan brought his gaze back to mine. “I will never walk away from you again. I promise to love you and our son for the rest of your lives as well as any other children we might have. And you will always be able to count on me.” He took another deep breath. “I love you, Buttercup. Will you marry me and make me the luckiest man in the world?”
As he finished both mine and his tears spilled over at once. I didn’t have to tell my son to move so I could go to his father because he jumped off my lap screaming yes as he raced over to his dad and launched himself at him at full speed.
“You did so good, Daddy!” Zander yelled and everyone burst out in laughter.
Rowan hugged his son tight and then got to his feet as I moved off the couch and mimicked my son. I ran and threw myself into his arms, screaming, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Everyone cheered and when I pulled back Rowan kissed me senseless.
