Page 63 of That Kiss

I lean into him, resting my forehead against his. “Do you really want to marry me?”

The smile is instantaneous, his eyes flying open.

“More than anything. Do you doubt it?”

I shrug. “No, but I also know that in the early weeks and months—the honeymoon stage, I guess—it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions and feelings of it all. I just want you to know that I don’t need you to promise me that yet; I’m not going anywhere.” Decker slowly slides me from his lap, stepping toward the railing to look out over the night sky.

“I know I took a long time, Juney.” He leans forward, his hands gripping the railing. “I know I broke your heart probably more times than I realized along the way, but nothing I’ve said to you,” he turns around to look at me, “has ever been said without my entire heart.”

“How’d you know?”

He closes the distance between us. “I knew because every time you walked into a room, my heart skipped a few beats. I knew because every single member of my family loves you, and has a million and one amazing things they’ve said about you over the years. I knew because when I think about the kindness you’ve shown to strangers, to me, to my family, to everyone . . . it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. You cherish your friends,” his hands cup my face again, “and you love my family as if they’re your own. You love me unconditionally when I don’t deserve it. You’re wild and untameable, driven, and smart, and by God,” he leans forward, “you are the most beautiful woman in existence.”

I want to explode with happiness. I toss my arms around his neck, the blanket falling to the floor as our mouths express our love in ways that have me wanting him to drag me inside.

“But I think the real moment I knew was that night I kissed you. I can’t explain it, and it might sound corny as hell,” he chuckles, “but fuck me, that kiss was the turning point of my life. I knew that I would never be able to kiss another woman again.”

“And what if I hadn’t given you another chance?”

“Well, then I would have lived the rest of my life in absolute misery, dying an unmarried, unlovable old bastard who never, ever kissed the lips of another woman again.”

I can’t stop smiling. “You’re so full of shit, you know that?”

This time he doesn’t laugh. He brushes the hair away from my face, his expression growing serious. “You have completely wrecked me—destroyed me for anyone else.”

His lips are on mine, his hands lifting me up to sit on the railing as my legs wrap around his waist. His tongue slips inside, tangling with mine. I can’t hold back the moan that threatens to fall when he grinds his hardened cock against my needy center. I reach my hand down between us, pressing it against him as I lean forward and whisper in his ear, “Show me.”

Chapter 23

Decker

“Mary, I can’t,” I say, sliding the ring box back across the kitchen table.

“I insist,” she says, pushing the one-carat marquise diamond ring back toward me. The center diamond is surrounded by a colorful array of smaller diamonds in hues of pink, yellow, and green. “It’s one of a kind—an heirloom. And that’s exactly why I want you to use it when you propose. My mother would have loved to know that her custom ring will adorn her granddaughter’s hand.” She smiles through the tears that run down her red cheeks.

“It’s so breathtaking.” I stare down at it, the gold band twisting like a vine, complete with a few tiny leaves.

“My mother loved her garden. It was where you could always find her, and after Juney was born, she’d take her out in a stroller and show her all of the flowers. She’d teach her the names, and even let her pick a few once she was old enough.” Her voice quavers and I reach my hand out to take hers. “I just wish she had lived long enough to see her grow up—long enough for Juney to remember her.”

“I would be honored to promise my love and commitment to Juniper with this ring.” I stare down at the delicate piece of jewelry, imagining how perfect it will look on her hand. When Mary called me to come over this evening after work, I fully expected it had something to do with a wedding; I just didn’t know what. “I have a confession.”

“If you tell me you two are already married . . .” Mary’s eyes twitch and I can’t help but laugh. I think it’s the only time I’ve ever seen even a hint of anger on her face.

“No!” I reassure her. “I was just going to say that I’ve spent every spare second researching rings, trying to imagine what style I’d picture on Juney—what style would really capture her beauty and personality.”

“And you couldn’t find one, could you?” I shake my head. “Because she’s one of a kind, just like that ring.”

Mary’s right. Every ring I liked just ended up looking like every other ring I’ve ever seen. But every single aspect of this ring screams Juniper. Like the vine of the band, she has woven herself around my heart, and just like the tiny flowers that encircle the center diamond, she’s wild and free, something I never want to change about her.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Juniper’s eyes light up, and she springs from her desk when I walk into her office. She slides her arms around my neck, leaning in for a kiss as if it’s second nature already.

“I came to see you.” I keep my arms around her waist. It’s just after 4 p.m., early for either of us to be finishing up our workday.

“Well, that’s a lovely surprise.” She nuzzles her nose against mine.

“I’ve actually come to kidnap you away from work.”

“Oh,” she releases my neck and frowns, “I wish I could leave early, but I have about two hours’ worth of?—”

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