Page 82 of Stripped Bare

“Yes,” she said, without hesitation. “Yes, I will marry you, Sullivan.”

Fuck, yeah. He stood up and scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the ground. She shrieked a little, laughing when he kissed her and spun her around in a circle. He gave her a smacking kiss, his heart full to bursting.

Then he said, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Being you.”

Chapter17

Edwina couldn’t believe it. She was engaged to Sullivan O’Toole and he’d just given her an orgasm in about thirty seconds. What normally took twenty minutes of concentration and a full moon had just arrived naturally under Sullivan’s touch. She couldn’t even imagine what else he could do given a little more time. She couldn’t wait to find out.

Not to mention he’d asked her to marry him.

He wanted a life with her. Forever. She had hoped for the start of something when she’d moved back to Beaver Bend. She’d planned to feel Sullivan out, open a dialogue, try dating. See what happened.

Sullivan had different ideas. He was decisive and he wanted her. Which was amazing, because she wanted him. He didn’t want to play it safe or tentatively try things out. He wanted to go for broke and that was the sexiest, most reassuring, and beautiful feeling.

They walked into Axl and Leighton’s wedding holding hands, as an engaged couple. It raised a few eyebrows just because no one knew she was in town or had dumped her boyfriend, but everyone seemed thrilled for them once she explained the situation and that she was moving to Beaver Bend.

When they found his father, Sullivan clapped his dad on the shoulder with a grin. “Dad, I’m getting married. Eddie said yes.”

Liam stood up and shook Sullivan’s hand. “Congratulations, son.” He turned to Edwina. “Welcome to the family, Eddie. I’m happy for you both. You’re a brave woman to take on this mess.” He gestured to Sullivan.

“Thanks, Dad,” Sullivan said, dryly.

The O’Tooles teased each other in a way her family never would and she didn’t always know how to respond to it. But she figured she should just be herself. She wanted to be sincere, not joke about how they were feeling. This was too real for her right now.

“Thank you. And thank you for raising a son who is so loyal and loving. I can see where he got it from.”

Liam cleared his throat. He looked touched. Instead of saying anything, he just reached out and gave her a hug. Sullivan was looking at her with awe. She smiled at him.

But then Liam pulled back and father and son looked at each awkwardly, and she got the impression they were silently begging each other to bring it back to their emotional comfort level.

“You remember Lilly, my stepmother,” Sullivan said with a smirk. “They just got married this week, as a matter of fact. Mom, say hi to Eddie.”

So Liam had made it official with Lilly. The wedding business must be booming in Beaver Bend. It seemed like everyone was getting married. “Wow, congrats!”

“Thank you.” Lilly shook her head at Sullivan. “You’re such an ass.” She turned back to Edwina. “He thinks he’s funny.”

“He is funny,” Edwina said, shrugging. He was. He made her laugh every time she was with him.

Lilly gave a burst of laughter in amusement. “Then he’s found the right person for him.”

“By the way, Lilly and Dad are having a baby,” Sullivan said. Sullivan looked genuinely pleased for his father and Lilly.

Lilly blushed and looked over at Liam, who gave her a tender smile.

“Congratulations,” she said, genuinely thrilled for them. “Oh my gosh, Lilly, that’s such great news.”

“Thank you. It was unexpected but I am so excited. We’re excited.” She glanced over at Liam. “Right?”

He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “We are very excited.”

“Do you want kids?” Lilly asked Edwina.

She nodded, heart full to bursting. “I can’t wait to have kids.”

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