Before I realize what’s happening, his lips are on my cheek, kissing away the tears, and he’s giving me soft, soothing words. He’s moved us so that he’s holding me in his arms on his side, and I’m buried in his chest.
“It’s okay, little lamb. I’m right here.” He pets my hair and kisses my forehead as I let out the sobs that are suddenly welling up inside me. “Shhh. I’ve got you.”
I’ve always been the loudest girl in the room, the center of attention, and the one everyone laughs with. I’ve never been the girl guys took seriously. I was always just their friend, even if they secretly wanted more. I never felt like I was truly meant for anyone until Brandon came along. And though he kept me at a distance, I understood why. He wasn’t rejecting me, he was letting me grow and become who I am now. I came across as confident and bold on the outside, but really deep down I have my shy insecurities just like every other girl. Growing up on the heavier side, I hated the way I looked. It felt like cute small girls were always getting the guys. And like Brandon seemed to know, I grew out of that. I learned to embrace my body, and love my curves, but sometimes the chubby girl inside me is still there. I thought the best way to hide my fear was by being over-confident, loud, and always making jokes, and it kind of stuck. All the worrying was in my head though, because in reality, he was falling in love with every bit of me. The good, the bad, and the loud. And isn’t that all any girl wants? To be loved by her man just as fiercely as she loves him.
It’s as if Brandon understands all of this and lets me have my emotional moment. The tears are not tears of sadness, but of joy. Because all of my insecurities are laid bare before him, and he loves me because of them, not in spite of.
“I remember the first time I saw you,” he says, rubbing warm circles on my back. “We played house in the barn that day with the little lamb, and I remember thinking you had the most beautiful laugh I’d ever heard. You did it with your entire heart, and all I wanted to do was listen to that for the rest of my life.”
The tears have stopped, and I smile against his chest, loving this confession.
“You made me a ring that day. Do you remember?” he asks.
I nod and let out a little laugh. I’d taken a piece of hay from one of the hay bales and tied it around his finger. I said if he was my husband, I wanted people to know it.
He reaches into his back pocket, and I’m suddenly surprised he’s still got his jeans on. I guess he didn’t need to kick them all the way off to do what we did earlier. The thought makes me blush, though I don’t know why.
I watch out of the corner of my eye as he pulls out a little piece of hay and places it on my left hand, where a wedding band would go.
“That can’t be,” I say in shock as I sit up. But looking down at it, I see it’s the very same one.
“I married you in my heart that day. I just had a little waiting to do. I wasn’t sure it would work out, I think mostly because I was afraid to hope for it.” He runs his fingers through my hair and leans up with me, kissing my lips softly. “You’re so fucking perfect, Dolly. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life being the man you deserve.”
11
Brandon
It’s the first light of morning and I’ve made love to Dolly twice already. I guess we never really stopped since last night, so I’m not sure if it’s included in last night’s total.
“Let me make you some breakfast,” I say, squeezing her ass and getting up from the bed.
She hops up with me. Both of us are early risers, no matter how little sleep we actually get.
“You’re going to cook me breakfast? I’m skeptical, to say the least.” She winks at me and pulls on some jeans and a T-shirt. I follow suit, knowing there’s work to be done on her farm today, and I plan on seeing what it is.
“Oh, you won’t be saying anything when your mouth is wrapped around my biscuit.”
She comes over and runs her hand down my chest and then cups the front of my jeans. Leaning in close, she looks up at me through her lashes as my cock hardens under her touch.
“Is that what we’re calling this beast? Biscuit? Because, to be honest, soon-to-be-husband, I’m kind of fond of Goliath.”
She kisses me on the chin before wiggling her cute ass out of the bedroom and leaving me laughing. Goddamn, do I love the tenacity that woman has. Tugging on my shirt, I go out to the kitchen and she’s already poured me a cup of coffee.
I sit down on the stool and pull her into my lap, kissing her neck. “This is heaven,” I say, holding her to me. I take a few moments just to enjoy her before I take a sip of my coffee. It’s got a little sugar and a lot of cream in it. Exactly the way I like it. I kiss her on the lips. She tastes like a warm spring day, and all I want to do is drag her back to the bedroom.