I had been carrying her ring around with me since I picked it up on Tuesday, waiting for the right moment. I guess the moment was now.
I reached into my pocket and pinned the band between my fingers as I walked toward my girl. Olivia looked up at me first, and shortly thereafter, Bailey did the same.
“Hey, handsome,” she said with a wink.
“Hey, baby,” I offered with a lift of my chin. “You got a minute?”
“Sure, whatch’ya need?” She lowered the half-made bracelet to her lap and arched her neck to look up at me, squinting in the sunlight.
I lowered myself to one knee. To most, it would appear I was just getting closer to Bay so she didn’t have to be blinded by the sun. I could tell she thought the same until she looked down at the hand I was holding out between us. Her eyes widened and then filled with unshed tears.
“I was just wondering if you had a few free minutes so I could ask you to marry me.” I heard a squeal that I knew came from Amber. “You know I love you more than I can ever even attempt to express with just words. You truly have been the light of my life, Bay. I just never want to lose that light, baby.”
She lifted her hand to her mouth, and her shoulders shook as she tried with everything in her to hold back her sob.
“So what do you say, darlin’? Will you marry me?” Chills covered my arms because I had never been more nervous and excited than I was in that moment.
I was completely caught off guard when she stood and pretty much jumped into my arms. I lost my balance and fell back, wrapping my arms around her and taking her with me.
I hit the ground with a thud, and her body covered mine. When our eyes met, she giggled.
“Is that a yes?”
“Oh my sweet cowboy, that is a hell yes,” she assured me just before her lips crashed against mine.
The cheers and hoots from our family slowly faded around us as I concentrated solely on the woman I planned to spend the rest of my life with.
“I love you, sweetheart,” I whispered.
“And I love you,” she assured me.
And her love was all I needed to feel whole.
***Sneak Peek***
Noah’s Journey
Sawyer Bothers, Book Three
Alena
“Thank you,” I said with a sweet smile as Noah took my hand and helped me from the truck. I was a pro in heels, but with my nerves and the way Noah made me feel, I was wobbling on my legs and had to focus on not falling over.
“You’re very welcome.” A sly grin spread across his lips. Noah pretended to be all confident and self-assured, but I knew it was just a front. He had a soft side, and I had made it my mission to uncover it. I had a feeling he would be one hell of a lover.
When I was steady on my feet, Noah stepped closer, pressing himself against me. “Have I told you how amazingly sexy you look tonight?” His gruff voice warmed my insides. I loved his deep raspy voice. It had me thinking all kinds of dirty thoughts.
“You have, a couple times, but please don’t feel like you can’t keep expressing your appreciation.” I placed my hand on his chest and slid it upward to rest just over his heart. “Tonight has been perfect. Everything about it.”
I ran my tongue over my dry lower lip to moisten it and caught his gaze as he followed the movement. A whimper left me as he mirrored me, wetting his own lips.
“It has been,” he agreed, not taking his gaze from my mouth. “Do you know what would make it that much better?”
I shook my head as my heart raced with anticipation.
He leaned in just a little closer, and his mouth hovered over mine. “This,” he whispered, just before covering my lips with his own.
My body sagged as he wrapped his arm around my waist and spread his palm out over my lower back. Our bodies molded together as I weaved my hands up his torso and linked them together behind his neck.
Our kiss started out innocent and sweet and quickly deepened. He swiped the tip of his tongue across my lips, and I immediately opened up to him and chased his tongue with my own.
Noah backed me up until he’d pinned me against the side of his truck. He moved his arms up, caging me against it.
“You’re making it really hard for me to be a gentleman,” he said before diving back in for more.
Pulling away from the kiss, I arched my neck, and he trailed kisses along its side to the base of my throat.
“God, then don’t,” I panted. “Stop thinking so much, Noah, and just react.”
He groaned as he pressed himself against me tighter, and I could feel just what I was doing to him. His hardness pushed against my stomach as he ground against me.
“You’ll regret saying that,” he assured me.
“No, I can safely say I won’t regret a moment of the time I spend with you.” I meant it too. Whether we spent it in a lust-filled state like we were now, or being playful like we were less than two hours ago, my time spent with Noah was nothing short of perfection.