Page 154 of All Too Well
I stop, pulling her into my arms and staring down at her beautiful face. “If a man telling the woman he loves that she’s cute or perfect or anything else is ridiculous, then prepare for me to be the most ridiculous man in the world. I never want you toquestion whether I love you or what I think or what I want. You’re everything to me, Ainsley. Every fucking thing that matters.”
She lifts her hand to my face, brushing the scruff there. “You’re not ridiculous. You’re sweet and caring, and I love you with all my heart. You can tell me anytime you want just how much you love me.”
“Good.”
I lean in and kiss her.
“You can do that too.”
“Oh, I plan to.”
She giggles. “Come on, Sparky, I have rides to ride.”
“I have a ride you can get on anytime you want.”
“Does it get hard?” she asks with a mischievous smile.
“Only for you.”
“Well, then, when we get back home, I’ll have to give it a spin and see if I’d like multiple turns.”
That’s it.
I grab her hand and start walking her back toward the car as she laughs and yanks me the other way.
“Lachlan!”
I turn and toss her over my shoulder, which of course causes several people to stare. Ainsley wiggles until I put her back down, her body against mine, and I work really fucking hard to not have a raging erection in the middle of the town.
“You’re trying to kill me.”
“Not even a little, just giving you something to look forward to.”
Every single day she gives me that. When I’m at work, I can’t wait to walk through that door and have the girls run to me. When she’s at the coffee shop, I count down the minutes until she’ll be back and I can watch her work. No matter what it is, I long for her.
“You’re my something to look forward to, Ainsley.”
“And you’re mine.”
I kiss her nose, and then I head back to the carnival with the most amazing woman on my arm.
“Why do I feel like I’m walking in to face a firing squad?” I ask Ainsley as we’re outside her father’s door.
“Because you basically are.”
Right.
“Maybe we don’t need to tell your dad until later.”
She scoffs. “Are you nuts? The longer we wait, the worse it is.”
Her logic is sound, but there’s still a little dread pooling in my stomach. My father was obviously happy for us, since he was the catalyst for me to get my head out of my ass. Now it’s time to tell the Admiral that we are not only dating, but living together.
Ainsley thinks that last part is going to be what pushes him over the edge.
“I’m rethinking leaving Rose at my father’s house. That would’ve ensured he doesn’t kill me.”
Ainsley purses her lips. “We didn’t consider that angle.” She shrugs. “Oh, well. Too late now. Let’s go.”
