Page 103 of The Reality of Us
She swam towards him seductively before wrapping her arms and legs around him. “You know I like things hot.”
His smile was immediate. “I do know that.”
He walk-swam them over to the far corner, behind the jumbo pots Alice had insisted on putting there. She said it was good feng shui. He knew it was because Murphy couldn’t see them there from his bed. She kissed his neck, his chin, his lips. Ground against him. “Are you ready to be seduced?” she asked.
“Always.”
Her giggle pushed his tiredness away. He pulled her closer, peppered kisses along her collarbone.
“Don’t distract me,” she groaned when he found the spot behind her ear he knew turned her bones to putty. “I worked hard on a surprise for you.”
Owen lifted his head and met her gaze. “Okay, I’ll behave. Show me what you’ve got, honey.”
“It’s inside, but I should warn you. I used Excel and alphabetisation to finish off the running sheet for tomorrow night. And I confirmed everything with the caterers.”
Slowly, he climbed out of the pool with Alice in his arms, wrapping them both in one of the fluffy towels she’d left on the outdoor table. “Are you trying to woo me with admin?”
Alice pressed against him, rocked against his hardness. “Seems to be working.”
“Mmmhmm. Tell me more about these spreadsheets.” He bit her neck gently, then used one hand to open the screen door.
“What about the floors? We’re going to drip all over them.”
“We can clean up the mess later.” They’d gotten very good at cleaning up messes—both literal and figurative—together.
“Where are we going?” he asked her.
“To our bedroom. I thought you could help me pick something special to wear under my dress tomorrow night.”
How’d Owen get so lucky?
Everyone Alice loved was here. Cutlery clinked against plates and conversation mixed with the buzz of excitement around the long table. They hadn’t bothered with place settings, preferring to let everyone choose where they wanted to sit to give the evening a relaxed, fun vibe.
Owen’s warm palm settled against her thigh, his breath skating across her neck as he leant in close. “It’s almost time. Ready, honey?”
With him by her side? Alice was ready for anything.
“Does anyone want a refill?” Owen asked, standing. Dougie and Rico held up their empty champagne glasses, engrossed in conversation with Eloise and Nate. Everyone else was huddled around Rafferty, watching something on his phone. Probably a video of his new puppy, Sweetpea. Contentment rolled off him in a wave.
Alice stood and slid her arm around Owen’s waist. Pulled him down for a quick kiss. “You get the drinks, and I’ll bring out the cheese boards.”
“Need any help?” Marguerite offered.
Alice waved her away. “It’s already done. Keep chatting with Lulu. I’ll be right back.”
She headed for the kitchen where she’d stashed her make-up and a mirror in the walk-in pantry, but Owen grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall and out through the laundry door. “What are you doing?” she whispered. “I need to fix my face.”
“This will only take a second, and you look perfect. You always do. No one else could wear sequins and feathers to a barbeque and not make everyone wonder what they’re missing.” He led her towards the field behind their house. Wildflowers swayed in the gentle breeze.
“I wanted to give you something.” Owen pulled a little velvet pouch from his back pocket and reached for her hand. “Please don’t be mad.”
That wasn’t what she’d expected him to say.
“I’m going to make some promises in front of our guests in a few minutes, but I wanted us to have a moment together first. Something just for us.”
Alice said a prayer for her waterproof mascara and swallowed a happy sob.
“There are so many things that I love about you. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you know how special you are every day. Not only to me and Murphy but to everyone. Celebrating all the goodness and sweetness that shines out of you like the sun and how hard you work to make the world a better place. You make me so much better. I can’t wait to go in there with you and tell everyone this isn’t a dinner party. That they’re actually at our wedding. And I know you said you didn’t need an engagement ring, but I saw this and wanted you to have it.”
