Page 25 of Blocking Her Love

He takes my hand. “I want to marry you. Ellie, I love you. I have for a long time. Now, I’m in love with you, too. I want you. More than this. Than sex. I know you’re not ready. And that’s okay. I’ll wait. As long as it takes. Even if this… the sex… is all we have for now, I’ll wait.”

He falls silent. His eyes are luminous in the dim light, so hopeful yet afraid. Silly man. He doesn’t have to wait. I know what I want. Him. He’s mine. Forever. “Sean, you say you’ll wait for me to, what, catch up with you in the love department?”

“Yes. Forever if need be.”

“How will you know when I’m ready?”

I’ve stumped him. I only let him try to gather his thoughts for a few moments.

“You could just ask.”

Too much sex must have addled his brain tonight. He stares at me with his lips parted in a much too kissable way. I sigh. “What did you say about marriage?”

“That I want to marry you. And I do. Whenever you’re ready.”

We’re not going back into that useless discussion. “You could just ask.”

“What? When you’re ready?”

“No, you stupid man. Let me make this simple, babe. Ask me to marry you. Then you’ll know for sure how I feel. If I’m ready.”

He catches the inside of his cheek between his teeth then takes a deep breath. “Ellie Andrews. I love you. Will you marry me?”

“Sean Davis, I love you, too. I’ve been in love with you for years, I just didn’t realize it. I guess I wasn’t ready then. I am now. Yes. I will marry you.”

We stare into each other’s eyes for a long moment before he pulls me into his embrace. His kisses tease and entice. His touch expands my senses. His loving words fill my soul as his body joins with mine.

It appears his rest period is over.

epilogue

Sean

Two Months Later

Ellieand I are back on the circuit. She’s teamed up with and is mentoring a young woman who’s in her first year as a professional. They’re doing well and have medaled in one of their competitions. The best thing about this arrangement? Ellie’s not as focused on far future results. Each match is a new opportunity. She’s happy and having fun again.

Since we don’t have strong family ties anywhere and Maya liked the surgeon at the local hospital, she decided to remain in Love Beach for her surgery and rehab. After a couple weeks of rehab, she pretty much kicked Ellie and I out. Despite a few setbacks, she says she’s doing okay on her own. We talk almost every day enabling me to keep my big brother protector role active.

Most of the video calls are spent on wedding plans. Ellie and I have set a tentative date far enough out because she’s determined Maya will be her maid of honor. Of course my sister objected to our having to wait on her. Offered options that included using a wheelchair or crutches. Or having one ofthe B Boys carry her. Ellie nixed every possible option, insistent Maya will walk the aisle showing off a beautiful dress. One that actually doesn’t look like a brides maid dress. Whatever the hell that means.

I’m staying out of it. All I need to know is where to be and what time. And I guess what I’m supposed to wear.

There’s a two week lull in our volleyball tournaments so Ellie and I are visiting her parents. Ellie was surprised to discover her mother had always secretly dreamed about planning her daughter’s storybook wedding. Probably making up for the one she didn’t have.

I knew Ellie’s dad had struggled to support his wife and daughter. So I was thinking we’d get married in a quiet way, with only a few close friends joining the celebration. But their lives changed when he won a national lottery and unlike other winners, wisely invested most of the money. Now our wedding day has become a huge affair at a fancy venue. Ellie and her mom spend hours talking dresses, cake flavors, what songs for which dances. They include me in most of the planning, at least enough for me to feel a part of the decision making process. I’ve enjoyed the various cake tastings.

But I know nothing about her dress. If I even come into the room while they’re looking through their tall stack of bridal magazines, the pages are closed and they’ll both stare at me until I leave. Guess that’s one old tradition Ellie’s determined to follow. Not only will I not see her in the dress before the wedding, I also won’t even have a clue what she’ll look like.

No, that’s not true. She will be stunningly beautiful no matter what dress she chooses.

So, I let them make their plans, agree when I need to, and spend time with Ellie’s dad. We get along great, talking volleyball and business. He approves of my plans for a permanent volleyball training facility, hinting that it would benice if Ellie wasn’t on the road all the time. When he mentions grandchildren in the next breath I understand his interest.

I’m not adverse to that possibility and Ellie and I have talked a little about having kids. Someday. Starting a family isn’t at the top of our priorities list right now.

Ellie’s dad and I are enjoying a baseball game although he’s watching the television while I’m focused on Ellie. She and her mom have notes and plans spread across the kitchen island. Somehow she always senses when I’m looking at her and she smiles at me.

She’s got this one sexy grin that never fails to instantly turn me on. And she uses it to her advantage. Or to torture me. I live for that sweet, sweet torture even when it’s damn uncomfortable and difficult to hide my body’s reaction.

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