Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
I bit on the fleshy part of his shoulder, making him chuckle. “Before your life went to hell.”
“Okay, that’s true. Before Joy and the apartment fire, I wanted us to try dating. I’d wondered if I was good enough to be introduced to your friends.
A rough laugh broke from my throat. “Of course.”
“And I wanted to know if you’d be willing to be seen in public with me.”
I snorted. “More like show you off in public so everyone can be jealous of me.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Mn. As soon as they see us together, they instantly covet my beautiful boyfriend. And each time they see us out with Joy, they want my perfect family.”
“And that makes you happy?”
“Very.”
Parker’s laughter filled the room and shook the bed. I squeezed him tighter. I missed the sound all the way down to my soul. My life was empty if I couldn’t hear him laughing.
“Well, you can bask in their jealousy and hatred every day if you want, because I’m not going anywhere. This is where I want to be, with the man I love who loves me and my daughter. I get to do my art and raise my daughter and make you happy. And most importantly, I’m here because I chose to be here. Not because I got lucky or some other nonsense like you felt sorry for me.”
“I don’t feel pity,” I huffed and bit Parker again. “I’m an opportunist. Bringing my hot piece of ass into my home just made sex more convenient.”
Parker laughed so hard he snorted, which only made him laugh some more.
As his chuckles subsided, Parker gave a little sigh. “Actually. I think I’m going to start working on the mural in your office tomorrow.”
“Really? I thought you were blocked on what to paint.”
“I was, but I think my problem was that I was dealing with too much and scared of hurting you. After working it all out, I’ve got this vision of dark swirling colors with this bright red pulsing through for all that passion you keep hidden away from everyone but me.”
“That sounds perfect. I can’t wait to see what you create.” I smiled into his neck. This was heaven. My lover—no! my boyfriend in my bed, giggling like a lunatic while wrapped in my arms while our little angel slept just a few doors away. How could it get better?
An idea took root in my brain and sprouted in the blink of an eye. I slowly kissed along Parker’s neck, loving the way he hummed happily, his entire body relaxing into mine. So perfect. So vulnerable.
“Parker?”
“Hmmm?” he hummed, sounding as if he were drifting toward sleep.
“I know we haven’t been dating long, but I was wondering…what’s a suitable amount of time to wait before I can ask you to marry me?”
My boyfriend chuckled, but it cut off suddenly as he jerked away so he could look me in the eye. “You’re serious?”
“Very.”
His wide-eyed shock steadily gave way to a warm grin. “I don’t know. How about this: what if I do the proposing?”
That would solve the problem of me moving too quickly for him, and I could be patient if I knew he would one day be my husband. Yes, this would work out nicely.
“You promise to propose?” I inquired.
Parker nodded, his expression solemn. “Yes, I promise to propose to you.”
“Then yes, that would be an acceptable solution.”
We shifted in the bed so that I was lying on my back, my head on half of a pillow, while Parker laid his head on my chest and draped his arm across my stomach. This was one of our favorite positions to sleep in, but we couldn’t stay like this. We needed a shower, which would allow me to thoroughly clean my boyfriend before we checked on the little princess one last time. Yes, that was the perfect way to finish out our first night together.
“Declan?”
“Hm?” My brain had circled to the image of Parker in the shower as I rubbed my soapy hands all over his beautiful body.
“Would you marry me?”
The sleepiness that had crept into my brain evaporated in an instant. I lifted my head to gaze at Parker, who was watching me warily while a soft smile played on his lips.
“Are you very serious?”
“Very.”
“You’re ready now?”
Parker chuckled and pushed upright so that he was sitting facing me. I struggled to sit up, my hands briefly lost in a tangle of sheets. We were sweaty, smeared with cum, and burning off the last of that post-orgasm glow. I was not at my sharpest, but he looked so happy as he stared at me.
“Yes, I’m ready now. Okay, we’ve barely dated, but we’ve known each other for a year. We’ve worked together, lived together. You know all my annoying, disgusting habits. You know I have an adorable daughter who’s probably going to grow up to be a snarky hellion just like her father, but you’re not running away. Not to mention, you’re sexy as hell, sweet, thoughtful, protective, and brilliant. Why the hell wouldn’t I lock that shit down?” Parker paused and laughed as he scrubbed a hand over his face. “This has got to be the most unromantic proposal ever.”