Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
I meet Noah halfway, but before I get to say a word, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in for a kiss. My body does what it wants, and I melt into him. The kiss is intense and claiming as he lifts me into his arms, and when he pulls back, we both have to catch our breath. Did he get taller and more handsome?
"We need to talk," he says as he puts me back on my feet.
"Hey, I was going to say that,” I tell him. "And I'm going first." I lift my chin again, and Noah's eyebrows rise.
"All right," he agrees, and his lips pull up on one side.
"I don't like that you didn't come back last night. I had to sleep all alone, and it was terrible. You’ve ruined how I sleep, which means I'll never get a good night's rest again. I hope you’re happy.” I poke his chest. “I’ve been here considering leaving Cheerful, and you're all snuggled up at home." I put air quotes around “home.” Wow I’m animated right now. "You told me about your bare, sterile apartment, and it sounds terrible.”
“It’s the worst,” he agrees.
“But it wouldn't be that terrible if I was in it and we were going to bed together every night."
Noah's expression turns soft as lines form around his eyes. "You'd leave Cheerful for me?"
"If you asked me to. I know more than anyone a home is more about who's around you than where you are. I could make a home anywhere as long as we’re together."
"I'd never ask you to do that," he says, and I let out a small gasp. When I try to step back, Noah's arm comes around my waist and halts my retreat. "I really am shit with my words.” His grip on me tightens as he looks into my eyes. “What I mean to say is that I wouldn't ask you to do that because I love you, Molly. And I know how much you love Cheerful. So if anyone's moving, it’s me. I'm staying here, and I'll get you to fall in love with me."
“You love me?”
“How could I not?” He seems shocked I would even ask this.
“Told you so,” Tilly says from somewhere behind me, but I ignore her.
“And you would move here? You’d be okay with that?”
“Actually, I kind of already did it,” he says, looking sheepish.
“You’ve moved here?” I grip the front of his shirt. “Where?”
“Don’t worry. I can stay at my sister’s cabin until—”
“Until never. You’ll live with me,” I snap out. I guess I found my voice because I can’t seem to shut up.
Noah grins as he touches his forehead to mine. “I think I can do that. If you’ll have me.”
“Of course I will. I love you, Noah,” I say before I press my lips to his. I might have initiated the kiss, but he quickly takes over.
People around us start to cheer, and I break the kiss to look around.
“Do they do that a lot?” Noah asks.
“You’ll get used to it,” Tilly says and claps him on the back. "With you being our new resident and all." She smirks at him. "Welcome to Cheerful."
"Where you don't have to be cheerful," I tease.
"How could I not be? I've finally found home."
"Noah," I say as my voice fills with emotion. "Okay, I'll marry you."
"I didn't ask," he tells me with a sly grin.
"Hey," I huff.
"Oh, you’re going to marry me, but I’m not phrasing it as a question. It’s a direct order.”
"Oh," I say, smiling up at him. "I guess if you insist."
"When it comes to you, always."
Always and forever.
Epilogue
NOAH
Seven years later…
When I walk into the bedroom, Molly is asleep on her side. I grin to myself as I lock the door behind me and pull off my shirt. I toss it to the floor and then push down my pajama pants and boxers next. By the time I reach the bed, I’m stripped naked and ready to enjoy my wife.
This is one of our favorite things to do during the holidays while the kids are on break from school. The kids and I stay up late watching movies while we let Mommy take an after-dinner nap. What happens is I put on a movie, and about an hour in, the kids fall asleep on the couch and I have to carry them one by one to bed. It takes a little time with having three of them, but once they’re all tucked into bed, I get to wake Mommy up from her nap.
“Hmmm,” Molly hums with pleasure as I slide the blanket down her body and see she’s wearing a skimpy nightgown with candy canes on it.
“You can sleep through this if you want,” I whisper to her as I kiss my way up her calf and roll her onto her back.