Page 96 of Honey Be Mine
“That’s why... We might have to talk to city council about making some policy changes so you can stick around.” He laughed then, so damn happy his heart was bursting. “You about gave me a heart attack. I thought you were leaving.” His throat went tight.
“And you’d let me go?” She ran her fingers along the side of his face.
He swallowed. “Don’t you know? All I want is for you to be happy.”
She grabbed his shirtfront. “In time, you’ll believe thatyoumake me happy. Everett.MyEverett. I’ll make sure you know that every day from this day forward.” She stood on tiptoe. “You are what I want. This is what I want.” Her eyes flashed. “Always.”
“Good to know.” He leaned forward, the sweep of his mouth across hers, featherlight.
Her arms slid around his neck, her fingers raked up and into his hair, but the look on her face was what rattled him most. She did love him. He saw it. Felt it. Knew it. And there was nothing like it.
What he’d intended to be a gentle kiss wound up leaving them breathless and clinging together.
“Maybe I need to take the day off?” His forehead rested against hers.
“Maybe?” She smiled.
“I’m never going to hear the end of this.” He shook his head. “Gramma Dot’s going to be saying ‘I told you so’ for the foreseeable future.”
“She’s a wise woman.” Rosebud rested her head against his chest.
“She loves you. My whole family does.” He ran his hand up and down her back. He had his Rosebud in his arms, and it was heaven.
“I’m glad. I think having a positive relationship with your in-laws is important.” She sighed.
“In-laws?” He chuckled. “Are you going to marry me, Rosebud?”
She looked up at him, her smile more beautiful than ever. “Yes, Everett. I will marry you.”
He laughed, then shook his head. “No sense wasting any more time.” He brushed a kiss to her forehead.
“Nope.” She stared up at him. “I don’t want to waste another minute.” Her fingers ran along his jaw. “I love you, Everett.”
He’d never get tired of hearing her say that. His heart was so full he couldn’t contain the joy inside, so he smiled, so she’d know just how he felt. “Always and forever, Rosebud. Always and forever.”
EPILOGUE
“ITHOUGHTWEwere fishing?” Rosebud’s voice was breathy and thick.
“We are.” His hand smoothed along her back. “I’m just occupying myself until we get something.” He kept dropping kisses along her neck. “This is the best fishing trip ever.”
She arched her neck for more kisses, her laugh soft. “If we don’t bring home any fish, they’ll know what we’ve been doing.” She pushed ever so gently against his chest.
“What?” He stopped kissing her but didn’t let her go. “What have we been doing?”
Her cheeks went red.
“Oh, that.” He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess we have.” He smoothed the hair from her shoulder. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”
“Nope.” She leaned closer to him. “And you never will, either.”
The fishline bounced, bringing both of them into a sitting position.
“Was that...” Rosebud whispered, her eyes fixed on the fishing line.
Everett grinned. “Looks like our secret’s safe.” Five minutes later, they’d caught a large catfish. “As much as I’d like to keep on fishing, I think we’d better head back to the house.”
“The baby shower is at four.” Rosebud sat on their blanket, her hair mussed and her lips swollen from his kisses. “We’ve got a little time, don’t we?” She looked sexy and feminine, and he wasn’t opposed to the idea of lingering a few minutes more.
