Page 82 of Quintessentially

“Then join me.”

ChapterThirty

Kandace

The alarm on my phone wakes me from the best dream of my life. It was so realistic, I feel the afterglow in my aching muscles. Only when I reach for my phone do I realize it wasn’t a dream. Turning off the alarm, I fall back to the soft pillow and turn toward the man radiating warmth at my side.

Dax’s eyelids flutter as a smile spreads over his face. “Good morning.” His voice is gravelly from sleep.

“It’s more like good afternoon.” I turn toward the windows. Beyond the panes, the rain has stopped, and streams of sunlight are breaking through the clouds. When I look back, Dax reaches for my hand.

“Surely, the Disney marathon isn’t over.”

Snuggling under the covers next to him, our bodies mold together, his hard planes and my soft curves. Dax’s hand moves over me, my arms and body and down my legs. I close my eyes, savoring his touch, the gentleness and strength woven together. Dax is nearly six inches taller than me and judging by his toned abdomen, in better shape than I. Not that chasing a five-year-old doesn’t keep me in shape.

Despite our size difference, I’ve never felt anything but safe in his arms. Sitting up, I run my fingers over his six-pack. Yes, those are real. As I trace the indentations, I look up to his golden stare. “I never dared to imagine…”

Cupping my cheeks, he pulls my face toward his until our lips unite. Mine feel bruised from our earlier round, and yet they willingly part to allow his tongue entrance. When I pull away, I swipe his blond hair away from his face and stare down at him as if I’m inspecting a statue. I trace over his forehead and nose, his cheekbones, and firm lips. His jaw line is scruffy, and I remember the way his whiskers felt against my skin.

I try to swallow the lump growing in my throat as my old fears threaten the moment.

“Hey,” Dax says, teasing a wayward strand of my hair behind my ear. “Whatever is making you sad, stop thinking about it.” He feigns a grin. “Randy will be fine.”

I nod. “It will take time, but I believe that.”

Flecks of brown dance in his gaze. “Talk to me.”

“You’re giving me hope again, and it scares me.”

Sitting up against the headboard, Dax reaches for me, pulling my body against his wide chest. His heart beats in double-time as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I asked for his blessing.”

I’m not sure I heard Dax right. “What?”

Dax moves my chin upward with his thumb and finger until he’s staring into my eyes. “The other night when I had a talk with your dad, I told him that I didn’t think we were ready, but when the time came, I asked for his blessing.” He kisses my nose. “Kandace, I want to marry you.”

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and let the words sink in.

Finally, I speak what’s on my mind. “You can be Molly’s dad without marrying me.”

“I don’tonlywant to be Molly’s dad. I want you.” His arms go wide. “I want this. I want dinners at your parents, and the three of us at the old town park after dinner. I want to take the two of you to the reservoir in the summer and teach Molly to use a rope swing. I want to help you at Quintessential Treasures and with bedtime.” His lips quirk. “I want to teach Molly about the Cubs and Bears.”

I shake my head. “But you work and live in Chicago. I don’t want to raise Molly in a big city.”

“I grew up in the suburbs, but you’re right. Molly belongs here with her family who loves her, and with friends she’ll have for the rest of her life.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Are you asking me to marry you?”

Dax shakes his head. “No. I’m scared you’ll say no or at least you’ll say not yet.” When I don’t respond, he adds. “When the time is right, I want to ask and when I do, I want to know that your parents approve.”

“What did Dad say?”

“He said that Molly isn’t glue.”

He’s right. That wouldn’t be fair to her or to me and Dax.

Nodding, I ask, “What did you say?”

“I said that Molly isn’t glue. She’s the cherry on the top of a sundae. I told him that I love you. I have for most of my life. I just needed to be reminded.” He grins. “I needed Grandma Ruth to open my eyes.”

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