Page 22 of My Lumberjack Valentine

It’s been almost two years since I proposed to Rosalie. The day after she agreed to marry me, we came clean to Grandpa about our fake relationship. It was the right thing to do, and I know the deception had been weighing on both our minds. The old man wasn’t happy that he’d been fooled, but his irritation quickly turned to delight when we explained that what started as fake dating was now the real thing. When he saw the ring on Rosalie’s finger, he agreed that I’d fulfilled the terms of the will and finally gave me the inheritance.

Once the money was in my account, I immediately offered the asking price for Rosalie’s building, which her landlord accepted. It was a quick sale, and now my wife has full control over her store without having to worry about paying rent. Hell, she doesn’t need to worry about anything. Grandma’s generousbequest means she never has to work again. But I know she’d never leave Peak Sweets, and it warms my heart to know she’s found her calling. Plus, being married to a candy store owner definitely has its perks—Rosalie is always bringing home chocolate and candy for us to share, and I’ve developed a pretty serious sweet tooth ever since we got together.

Grandma’s money also helped me grow my lumber business. With the land she left me, along with the cash, I’ve been able to invest in planting more trees and employing lumberjacks from around Hope Peak, just like I always wanted. I enjoy my work, and the business is expanding more and more each year, but my wife will always come first. I recently hired a couple of extra employees to oversee things so I can spend more time with Rosalie, and I’ll always be grateful to my grandma for making it all possible.

Life is good.

And with Rosalie by my side, it just keeps on getting better.

Grinning to myself, I get out of my truck and head to Peak Sweets, admiring the pink hearts and flowers in the window. Valentine’s Day used to drive me nuts, but now it always brings a smile to my face. It reminds me of how I met Rosalie, and the magical day when she agreed to be my wife.

The day she agreed to make me the luckiest, happiest man in the whole damn world.

I open the door to the store and immediately spot Rosalie in the corner, stacking chocolate boxes. My eyes rest on her belly, the bump just beginning to show beneath her sweater, and my heart skips a beat when I look at it. My wife is four-months pregnant, and I still can’t believe we’re going to be parents. It hits me all over again every time I look at her, and my protective instincts kick into overdrive as Rosalie turns to me with a smile, one hand resting on her bump.

“Hi there,” she says, her eyes glinting mischievously. “What can I get for you?”

I go along with the charade. “I’m looking to buy my wife some chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Any recommendations?”

Rosalie pretends to look thoughtful before pointing to a stack of purple boxes just behind me. “I’m sure she’d love a box of those.”

I grab one. “What else? I want to spoil her.”

Rosalie’s cheeks pinken, and she suppresses a smile as she points toward a shelf full of her favorite candies. “These are always popular.”

We continue the back-and-forth for a while until my hands are bulging with candy and chocolate.

“I’m sure your wife will be more than happy with all that,” Rosalie says, giggling as she twirls a lock of pink hair around her finger.

“I was thinking of getting her some flowers, too. Do you think she’d prefer pink roses or pink peonies?”

“Pink roses.” She smiles at me. “Classic.”

“I was also planning to make a reservation some place for dinner. Do you think she’d prefer French or Italian food?”

“I’m guessing she’s in the mood for Italian. All women love spaghetti—that’s a fact.”

My lips twitch as I set all the treats on the counter and pay with my card. “Thank you,” I tell her. “You’ve been very helpful.”

“Your wife sounds like a very lucky woman,” Rosalie says, her brown eyes shining. “But there’s one more thing she might like.”

“I’ll get her anything she wants.”

She bites her lip, her teeth nibbling at the plump flesh. “Well, it’s something a lot of girls like on Valentine’s Day. Something only their husbands can provide.”

Her eyes flicker down my body, then back up to my face, and I feel my cock stir, blood rushing downward.

“We’re leaving,” I tell her. “Now.”

Rosalie grins at me. “Okay, but first I just need to?—”

“No buts. I’m taking you home and giving you your first Valentine’s Day present early.”

Before she can protest, I scoop my wife into my arms, turn off the lights, and head outside. I lock up behind us and set her down on the passenger seat of my truck before I jump into the driver’s side and floor it toward our cabin. Desire pumps through me, raw need turning me wild as I steal glances at my wife—her thick curves, that pretty little angel face.

“What’s the hurry?” she asks teasingly. “Was it something I said?”

“You better wipe that smile off your face, sugar.”

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