"So, that's pretty much my life in a nutshell. I don't want my parents to be a part of my life." She snuggled into my chest. "I left them in Toronto and that's exactly where I want them to stay."
I kissed her head. "As you wish."
She smiled. I could hear it. "I should get ready for work."
"You really shouldn't."
"Are you working?"
"I am." I said on a pout. "I could definitely use your help at the office."
"You need an assistant, Jace." She mumbled sternly before yawning.
"No. I'm fine without."
"Umm hum." She shook her head. "You know how ridiculous that is?"
"Does Caleb have one?"
"What does it matter?" I asked, instantly offended at the mention of my friend. Why was she thinking about him?
"I bet he does." She continued, oblivious to my wounded feelings. "And I bet he has plenty of extra time for play." She wiggled against me and I hissed in a breath. The little vixen!
"I have all the time in the world for play time." I said factually. "With you anyway."
"Is that right?" She challenged.
"Damn right, woman." I said sternly. "I'll always make time for you."
"Well, I think you should make time to shower with me now." She made a move to wiggle herself from my grasp. Wasn't going to happen. Hell no.
"I think I can make time for that." I said against her exposed shoulder. "After we talk about our November wedding. Don't think I didn't notice how you didn't confirm the date."
"You didn't give me a date." She said cautiously.
"Don't be smart." I warned.
She took in a deep breath. "Don't you think it's a little soon?"
"No. I don't."
"I do."
"Well, I don't." I argued, sticking to my point.
"Jace," she sighed heavily. "Whether you think it's soon or not, it is."
"Why is soon such a problem?" I was offended.
"Because,"
"Why?" I pressed.
"I don't know. I feel like we have so much to discuss."
"Like what?"
"Our history's. Our dreams. What we want from life."
"That's easy enough. Nothing in your history or mine will change the way we feel about each other right?"
"No. I love you." She spoke assuredly.
"Good. I dream of making your dreams become a reality. And I want from life what you want from life."
"Jace," she growled deep in her throat. She was frustrated. Oh well. "You can't be serious."
"I am. I've never been more serious. There's never been anything or anyone I want as much as I want you." I kissed her shoulder again. "Don't make me wait. Don't make me wait to make you mine."
"I'm already yours."
"Legally. I want you mine legally."
"Since when does the law matter to you?"
"Since making you mine required the law." I said smartly.
She huffed. "Oh, whatever Jace."
"So November?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Honestly?" I asked.
"You better be honest with me." She roared playfully.
"Well, then no." I said simply and she gasped. "You will marry me by the end of November."
"I find your confidence in this astounding."
"Shut up and kiss your fiancé."
And she did. For once the little vixen listened.
Chapter 18
The lights were on and the door was unlocked by the time I got my butt to the café. Lucky for me, Franco had been a good hire. With the way Jace continued to demand my presence so unreasonably, I was going to have to consider giving him a promotion. So far, the café had been bringing in decent revenue. But we hadn't even been open for a week. People liked new things. And the Liv Café and Bookstore was new. People were coming in droves. I could only hope the popularity continued even after a few months had passed.
I waved to Franco as I passed and he held his finger up to me, signaling for me to wait. I watched as he instructed a girl to carry on making his order before he walked with Franco swagger toward me.
"You had a delivery this morning." He stated without humor and I felt my eyes narrow. "The guy freaked me out."
"What do you mean?"
"He was here before I got here. He said it was for you."
"Where is it?"
"I put it in your office."
"Is it a letter?"
"No. It's a box." He shifted. Why did he look so upset?
Thank God. I hadn't had a letter since resuming my relationship with Jace. I could only hope I would never receive another letter for the rest of my life. I could most definitely do without.