Page 83 of Wine & Whiskey
“Nope. Never been able to.”
“Maybe you’re not holding your mouth correctly. Here let me see.”
She leans forward and presses her silky lips against his, trying to coax them apart with her tongue. A deep moan radiates in his throat before he forces himself to pull away. “You’d better stop, or I won’t be able to.” He laughs as she pretends to pout, thrusting out her lower lip. “Are you ready for dessert?”
Her face lights up in a huge smile again. “Yes!”
“Why am I always second choice to sweets?” He reaches into the picnic basket and lifts out a silver and pink box.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
He slides his hand around her waist and rests his head on her shoulder as she unties the white bow. Her back snuggles against his chest, warming him at her desire to draw him closer. A chocolate masterpiece lays nestled inside pink tissue paper. “It looks amazing.”
“It’s from the bakery Max told you about. The last day we were there it had one of those wooden chalkboard signs out front that read ‘Give your wife a chocolate orgasm.’ I ordered one for you and had it delivered today.”
Chocolate lava trickles out from her fork slicing a small piece from the center. A gasp leaves her mouth as soon as the bite touches her tongue. “It works on girlfriends too.”
Squeezing her left ring finger, he whispers in her ear. “I thought it might make you say yes.”
Her cocoa covered fingertip rubs across his lips. “Shhhhh.”
He tries to catch her, but she laughs and pulls away too quickly. They lock eyes as she puts her finger in her mouth and sucks off the syrup. He’s never seen her as sexy as she is in this moment. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to distract you.”
“Not this time.”
Her shoulders slump down as she sighs. “Nick…”
Before her, he never planned for a future, not ever thinking there could be something more than his solitary existence. Now, he wants it all. Everything she gives him. “You asked me the other night what my fantasy is. It’s you. Wearing nothing but my ring. I want you to be my wife.”
She leans forward, pressing his hand between hers. “It’s too soon.”
“Says who?”
“We’ve talked about this…”
Before she moved in with him, before she proved what he always knew. In just one week of coming home to her, floating in her peace, holding her as they drift asleep, she already gives him the perfect life. “You have to know you’re the one. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”
“Is that enough reason to get married?”
He squeezes her fingers, always amazed how delicate they are lying against his. “Yes. It doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow. I don’t care when. Just say you’ll marry me.”
She takes a deep breath, tucking her dress around her legs. “I know you love me, but why is it so important to you?”
“It makes what we have real. I know you won’t disappear.”
“But, then you’ll be stuck with me forever. What about when I’m old and wrinkly and blue haired?”
His heart drops. He’s fucked up, failed to let her know this is so much more than sex. What she gives him beyond the physical. What he needs every day for as long as he survives this world. He strokes her cheek, the soft skin flushing under his fingertips. “I’ll look at you and know I’ve had the best sixty years imaginable.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Love will do that to you.”
“I guess I’ve lost my mind then too.” Her whisper makes his heart race. “Okay, I’ll marry you.”
“God, I love you.” He cups her face before placing a gentle kiss on her lips, a warm ache radiating out from his groin at her pink cheeks and sparkling eyes. “I promise I’ll never make you regret saying yes.”
Lying back on the blanket, she clutches his despised curls as he delves into her mouth tasting the sweet combination of chocolate and fruit. His fingertips trail up her thigh and under her dress, until she giggles and pushes his hand down. “Not here. We’ll offend Mr. Altmeyer.”
He growls in her ear before rolling next to her. “I need you.”
She stands up and smiles, holding out her small hand to him. “Come on then. Let’s go home. I’m ready to make your fantasy come true.” Licking her lips, she winks. “Oh, and don’t forget the cake.”
A cold sweat engulfs his body at the rustle of leaves behind her. The glint of metal in the bright sunlight burns his eyes before gunfire pierces the air, and she crashes to the ground.
