Page 104 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“Sorry, Bug. Your mommy just looks so beautiful I couldn't think of a better word,” he says.
Giving us a much needed reprieve, a knock sounds at the door. “That must be Liam and Aiden.”
Anticipation courses through me as I consider what Luca has in store for tonight. My stomach twists at the possibility of a romantic dinner alone. It’s been a week since Christmas and I think we’ve had enough turkey leftovers to last a lifetime. Paige truly overdid it with Christmas at the cabin, sending everyone home with a huge container of food. I’ve been feeling more bloated than beautiful, but I won’t let that ruin our night.
“Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask as Luca takes my hand, helping me up into his truck. Once I’m securely buckled, he takes his place behind the wheel, giving me a sly grin, sidestepping my question. I roll my eyes. “You’re the worst.”
He chuckles, mouth tipped up into an amused smile as he pulls onto the road. I glance out the windows, taking in the bright crescent moon and the stars dotting the sky. It’s barely 7pm, but the early winter sunsets give way to the gorgeous night sky, sending a wave of memories crashing over me. As we winddown the familiar streets, his path becomes more clear. “The ranch?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says, reaching out a hand to intertwine our fingers on the console. “Hope that’s ok.”
A pit forms in my stomach at the thought of returning to the last place I was whole and happy, but it's quickly replaced with determination. I can’t let what happened define every step I take. I squeeze his hand in response. “Yeah. I think it’s great.”
As we pull through the gate, uncertainty starts to bubble to the surface and my stomach roils, but the feeling doesn’t have a chance to take root as Luca’s steady voice replaces it, “Take a breath.” How he can read me so well is beyond me. He pulls to a stop near the barn, decorated with a giant wreath and Christmas lights. Near the fence, Copper and Maybelle are waiting for us, tacked and ready to go. “I asked Griff to have them ready,” he explains.
Luca helps me onto the chestnut quarter horse, his hand squeezing my ass as I seat myself. “Couldn’t resist,” he says with an impish grin. God, it’s so good to see him like this again. Butterflies dance in my belly as I stare at him for a bit too long, taking in the lightness there. Luca clears his throat and adjusts himself before taking his position atop Maybelle.
I take the time to look my fill as he leads us down a well-worn path around the pasture. His ass looks delicious in his weathered wranglers. I give Copper a squeeze, beckoning him to pick up speed and he pulls up alongside Maybelle as directed. We ride in contented silence for a while, watching the glow of the moon and stars illuminating the landscape as we meander down the dimly lit path.
“Where are we going?” I ask, unsure exactly what part of the ranch we’re on now. As we crest the hill, my eyes go wide in shock. I scan my surroundings, noting what must be a hundredLED candles scattered about, surrounding what looks like a concrete slab with a picnic set on top. “Luca, what is this?”
There’s a lump in my throat as he helps me down off the horse, my knees going weak as my feet hit solid ground. Luca’s strong arms wrap around my waist, keeping me upright. “I have a lot to explain, I know. Follow me.”
Taking my hand, Luca guides me over to the familiar picnic blanket, his eyes shining with something I can’t quite place. “Sit.”
Once I’m situated, Luca places another thicker blanket around my shoulders before settling in beside me to wrap me up in his arms. His warmth envelopes me as he places a gentle kiss on my cheek. “This is nice. But I really need you to start talking,” I say with a giggle.
“Welcome home,” he says. Confusion washes over me as I try to decipher his meaning. As if reading my mind, Luca continues,“I was lost without you, Ivy. When you left, it was like a vital part of me was missing. The entirety of my heart disappeared into that airport, and every single day you were gone, I regretted not asking you to stay sooner. I’ve made a lot of mistakes where you’re concerned. I shouldn’t have tried to push you away, but the irony is, I was scared you’d leave. You have no idea how much I wish I had done things differently.”
I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off. “Let me finish, Trouble. You can say what you need to say when I’m done.” There's no malice in his tone. If anything, he almost sounds amused. Luca shifts us so we’re face to face now. “I love you, Ivy Jo Roberts. I should’ve told you the moment I knew. You’re it for me. And this,” he says, gesturing to the landscape and the area surrounding us, “is all yours if you want it.”
“What are you saying?” I murmur, eyes glassy as I peer over my shoulder to search his face for answers.
“A while back, Russell and Evelyn set this parcel of land aside in your name, hoping you would use it as a refuge. When I was trying to figure out how the hell I was going to get you to stay, I asked them for help, and Russ brought me here. I know the ranch has always felt like home to you, more so than anywhere else. It’s up to you whether you want to build a home here. But I’d like to be a part of that if you’ll have me.”
“Luca…”
“Say you’ll stay with me.”
“Baby,” I whisper, cupping his cheeks in my hands. “I always intended to stay. I didn’t come back here because of what happened. I came back because I missed you. Needed you. Every day without you only made me want you more. I love you, too, Luca.”
He closes his eyes, leaning his forehead against mine. “Say it again,” he murmurs.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. So fucking much.” He groans and crashes his lips down on mine, taking my mouth in a hungry kiss. He devours me like I’m his last meal until a loud growl cuts through the silence. “Hungry?” he snorts, the dimple I adore so much appearing in his cheek.
“Sorry,” I say a little sheepishly. “I was too nervous to eat.”
“We’d better get you fed, then.” Luca walks over to the large basket and pulls out all of my favorite things. Pinwheels, bacon wrapped tater tot bombs, and lemon bars, along with a container full of fresh fruit and a bottle of wine.
“Paige?” I ask.
“Yep,” he responds, holding a pinwheel to my lips. I take it into my mouth along with his fingers, involuntarily moaning around the bite. “If you keep making noises like that, you’re going to be having a very different meal.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time, baby.”
“Fuck,” he says, adjusting himself behind his jeans as he takes a bite of his own. His brown eyes sparkle in the moonlight, and I can’t help but smile at the lines surrounding them.
