Page 143 of Could Have Been Us
“How long will you be out in the dirty woods for?”
Jack laughs. “I think about four days. Depends on how they survive.”
I smile. “Can you imagine if you took my brothers and me out?”
“No. I would rather not,” he says with a smile to soften the truth. It’s probably one of his biggest nightmares.
“Maybe I’ll book you for it.”
Jack steps closer, resting his hand on my hip. “Is that so?”
“Just us though.”
“You want to get lost in the woods with me?”
I shudder. “Not unless the woods come with turndown and room service.”
Jack laughs. “I’ll turn you on.”
His thumb rubs my hip as his eyes fill with lust. My fingers move to his strong, solid chest, feeling his steady heartbeat between us. “I don’t think you’ll have any problems with that.”
“You’re so beautiful, Stella.”
I smile, feeling his words penetrate deep in my heart. I don’t feel beautiful. I’m a mess, crying all the time and trying to keep myself together. I haven’t done very well, but he doesn’t see that.
The way he looks at me, the warmth in those hazel eyes makes me beautiful. Jack has always seen past the scars and imperfections, choosing to love me despite them all. His love allows me to shine.
“Only in your eyes.”
He shakes his head. “No, baby, you’re beautiful to everyone. The way you smile makes my chest ache. When you look at me like that, I want to fucking fall at your feet. You, Stella Parkerson, are the most breathtaking and wonderful woman I’ve ever met. I love you so much.”
My heart rate quickens, and I wonder if this is it, the proposal I’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for. He grins as though he can read my mind.
“This isn’t your proposal. It’s coming though.”
“You know, this whole taunting me with marrying you is cruel.”
“I spent twelve years pretending I didn’t want to marry you. After that long of perfecting how to go without, a few more days won’t hurt.”
I roll my eyes. “That logic is ridiculous. It should be that you went that long and you don’t want to wait another minute.”
“I want this to be special. I want the day I got down on my knee and asked you to be my wife to be something you talk about for decades.”
Now that is something I can’t argue with. “Fine.”
He laughs. “Only you would be petulant that you aren’t getting a shitty proposal.”
I lean in, brushing my lips on his. “Only I would be petulant because I want the marriage, not the proposal.”
Jack lets out a deep moan and then kisses me. We cling to each other, his tongue sliding against mine, and I lose myself in him.
“I want you,” I say.
His warm hands move over my body, touching me exactly the way I like.
“I want you always. I want to kiss you, make love to you, take you over and over until you forget the rest of the world and it’s only us.”
“Yes,” I say as his mouth moves to my neck, kissing and nipping his way down to my shoulder. He moves my shirt down, exposing more skin.
