by Nikki Larson
“It looks beautiful,” she told him. “You did all this yourself?”
Impressing her felt better than he expected, but he tried not to get too caught up in it. He didn’t want to come across as prideful. So he only smiled. “For you,” he said, to put the attention back on her. “Here, sit here,” he offered, pulling the chair out for her. He positioned her so that she could see out the great expanse of windows, where the sun was just beginning to set. The glowing orange and pink sky was a perfect beginning to what he hoped would be a wonderful dinner, and he thanked God for it.
“Everything smells wonderful,” she said. “Thank you for doing this for me.” She held her hand at her chest as if she were truly overcome.
“Of course,” he said. “It’s the least I could do after the way I treated you.” He sat down across from her, grasped both of her hands, and gazed into her eyes. “I want to apologize, Thea. It was wrong of me to pretend to be a billionaire. It was wrong of me to pretend the yacht was mine, the kids were mine. I was basing my life on all the wrong things, and I realize none of that matters now. Monetary things mean nothing to me.”
“Nothing at all?” she teased.
“Well, you know,” he said with a shrug and a laugh. “I don’t care about them like I used to. They’re not the end-all, be-all.”
“Absolutely true,” she had to agree.
“Do you mind if we say a prayer?” he asked. “To bless the meal?”
She nodded in agreement and bowed her head, her hands still in his.
“Heavenly Father,” Lucas began. He cleared his throat and thought about what else he wanted to say. Maybe now was not the time. He’d make it short and sweet. “Maker of all things, I would like to take this time to thank you for Thea Chambers, for all she is and all she does. Thank you for the food. Please bless it to our bodies and let this evening go just as you planned. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Thea echoed, and she lifted her head up and smiled. “I’m sure the food will be delicious. It was so nice of you to make it for me.” She looked bashful, suddenly.
Lucas wanted to make her comfortable. “Take a bite,” he urged her. “See if you like it.” He watched her as she took a slow, tentative bite of each of the foods on her plate. It was sensual, almost, the way she was eating so slowly, savoring each bite.
“Mmmm, delicious,” she remarked. “What is this called?”
“Chicken piccata,” he told her, “with lemon and capers. Also, wild rice and broccoli.”
“I got that,” she said, smiling with her eyes again as if she were amused. She took a sip of the wine he had poured for her.
“Of course,” he said. It was foolish of him to mention the obvious. “Do you like the wine?” he asked.
“It’s sweet. It’s nice,” she said.
“Like you,” he commented, and grinned broadly, knowing she’d take it as a bit of a joke.
She titled her head and gave him a faux-exasperated look. “Oh, stop,” she chided him.
He laughed heartily. “I know, I’m too much, aren’t I?”
“Entirely,” she replied with a nod and a roll of her eyes.
They ate the meal in silence then, exchanging admiring glances and smiles. It should have been uncomfortable, maybe, but instead Lucas found it refreshing that they could spend time together just enjoying each other’s company without having to say a word. The sky outside had turned a bluish black, and Lucas wanted nothing more than to hold her underneath the moon and the stars.
“Let’s step outside,” he offered after they had cleaned up the dishes. “Did you bring a sweatshirt?”
Again, she rolled her eyes at him. “No,” she said simply.
“Oh, attitude, huh?” he teased her. He loved her sass, and the fact that she was comfortable enough with him to share it. “Well, I just so happen to have a blanket to wrap around your shoulders, my dear. Or, I have a sweatshirt of mine you could borrow. Any preference?”
“No,” she said. Her words were few but a sly smile never left her lips.
He excused himself and returned with a soft blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she said, and together they stepped outside on the deck where they could see the stars.
He stood behind her, and wrapped his arms around her to keep her close and warm. “So you forgive me?” he dared to whisper in her ear.
“Maybe,” she said lightly.
He left the comment alone and kissed her neck, ever so lightly. But he didn’t want her to think she was here just so he could take advantage of her. After all, it was just the two of them, and she could easily think he would pressure her into something she might regret. He turned her around to face him. “Thea,” he said. “Do you know how much you mean to me?” He searched her eyes in the moonlight to see if she understood.
“No,” she replied quietly as she met his gaze.
He saw her swallow hard and try to remain composed and unaffected.
“You’re the only woman I want in my life,” he said. “I didn’t realize just how much I loved you until you left.” He swallowed hard at the memory. “I love you, Miss Thea Chambers, Nanny Extraordinaire.”
She giggled, though her eyes were almost sad, searching. “I love you, too, Mr. Lucas Flaire, Billionaire Extraordinaire.”
“You sure you don’t love me for my money?” he asked her as he ran a finger down the length of her nose, and then gave the tip a little tap.
“Absolutely sure,” she told him. “I’m not shallow like that.” Still her eyes crinkled as she smiled.
“I know you’re not,” he said, “And that is why I love you.” And with that, he kissed her–a long, passionate kiss.
Chapter 36
“Here, this is for you.” Lucas handed Thea a large present wrapped in gold, and adorned with a silver bow.
“Why, thank you,” she said with a smile.
The children sat around the Christmas tree, each holding a gift and patiently waiting their turn.
“Should I open it now?” she asked.
“Yes, now,” Lucas answered. “What, you want to wait until later?” he teased her. “What for? Open it now.”
All eyes were upon her, and the scents of peppermint and Christmas trees were in the air as she tore the paper and opened the lid to the sturdy white box. White tissue paper obscured the gift inside. She pulled out the paper and tossed it at her feet, eager to see what Lucas had gotten her. “Oh, the pictures,” she said, her voice full of wonder.
She pulled out the first one, to see Lily and Gwenna sitting together on the floor, their bare feet visible from beneath their party dresses. Lily had worn pink that day, and her hair which Thea had styled in an updo and adorned with jewels showed off her lovely delicate features. Gwenna was in her white eyelet lace dress, with a serene expression on her face. “I love it,” she said, holding it up to show them.
But before they could get a glimpse, she set it next to her on the couch and looked at the next one. “Oh, the boys with their fishing poles,” she gushed. “Just like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.” Their gray pants were rolled up below their knees and their white button-down shirts were rolled up at the sleeves, just past their elbows. The expressions on their faces were pure mischief, and Hutch looked like he might fall over any minute. “Look how little they are,” she said, showing the picture.
“Let me see,” said, Lily, setting down her present and stepping forward to take a closer look. “Aww…,” she gushed happily.
Thea stood and showed the picture to each one of the children, to share the moment with them, as they were so eager to see.
She sat back down and went through the box, finding twelve photos in all. “We’ve got to frame these,” she told Lucas, holding them to her chest. “They’re beautiful.”
Lucas looked mortified for just a moment. “Oh, I forgot,” he said. “I mean, I should’ve thought of that.”
“No big deal,” Thea told him. “This way we can pick
out the frames together. I think they’d look great on the living room wall.”
“Yes,” Lucas said, looking relieved.
“Can we open ours now?” It was Harley, impatient Harley, shaking his gift up and down and putting his ear to it as if he could tell what was inside just by listening.
“What have you got there?” Lucas asked him.
“I don’t know,” Harley said, rolling his eyes with impatience. “That’s why I want to open it. Can I?” he bounced up and down as he waited for an answer.
Laughter filled the room as Lucas gave the okay. “You can open it,” he told his little boy.
“And then me?” Lily asked, looking hopeful.
“Don’t you think we ought to let Hutch go next, since he’s the littlest?” Lucas asked her.
“Okay,” Lily said. “And then me.”
“And then you,” Lucas said with a laugh.
Everyone watched as the children opened their presents one by one, and the pile of crumpled wrapping paper grew to a mountain. Lucas had taken his place next to Thea on the couch, so he could reach his hand behind her neck and play with her hair.
Once all the presents were open and the room was back to some semblance of normalcy, Lucas took Thea by the hand and led her to the Christmas tree where one small present lay alone.
Her heart beat wildly in anticipation as he retrieved it from its place beneath the tree and held it out for her while the children were all busy playing with their new toys.
“For you,” Lucas said, holding the black velvety box out to her.
She could only stare at him, looking at how his crystal blue eyes glistened beneath his long lashes, and how his tantalizing mouth tried to hold back a smile. His chiseled, smooth shaven face looked so manly and attractive that she wanted to reach out and caress it, but at the moment she couldn’t move. She couldn’t do anything but stare in wonder, her mouth parted. She tried to speak but no words would come.
Finally, she blinked and willed her hand to take the box from his.
The box felt soft and tiny in her hands as she opened the spring-loaded lid. Inside was the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen. Glittering diamonds formed an ornate halo around the center gem, and smaller diamonds were nestled in marquise-shaped frames, lined up gracefully down the band. She gasped at the sight of it, then dared to look into Lucas’ eyes.
“Do you like it?” he asked her.
“Well, yes, but…,” she said, not understanding. Surely, he couldn’t mean…?
“Miss Thea Chambers, would you marry me?” His voice was strong and forceful, and she nearly melted at the sound of it.
Was he actually asking her to marry him? It just couldn’t be real.
“Well?” he prompted her, an amused smile on his lips.
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly. Marrying Lucas and being a true mother to these four children was just what she had dreamed, just what her heart had always wanted. “Yes.”
The End
Catch up on the rest of the series! Have you read:
The California Billionaires Series
Book 1: Hands off My Billionaire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTL1LRB
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Yacht (the book you just read)
Book 3: My Billionaire’s Secret Dreams - Dec. 2019) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YBV667C