“No,” I retort, “This was all you, Quinn. I had no idea Mom was going to make that offer, but I feel a celebration coming on.” I reach for her, pulling on her hand until she falls against my chest with a thud.
“If I pass,” she replies, hooking her arms around my neck.
“Not if. When,” I correct her.
A small smile expands into a huge one. Her eyes lighten, highlighting every one of her beautiful features.
“I love that you believe in me.” She presses onto her tiptoes and rub the tip of her nose against mine. I feel my dick twitch and would give anything to strip her of her clothes and make love to her. Here and now. Only, I know we can’t, so my twitching dick will have to wait for now.
“Go get your sister,” I slap her on the ass and the most beautiful squeal escapes her.
I quickly scribble down a note for Quinn to find when I’m gone.
Today is going to be perfect. The start of the rest of our lives together.
Quinn
I hold the note in my hand glancing at the wasteland. The exact same wasteland where I’d been sleeping in my shitty old truck for weeks when Josh found me.
This is where he found me. Why would he bring me back here?
Why would he want me to meet him here?
There isn’t anything but fields. I release my belt buckle, stepping out of the car, wandering onto the fields to see if there is any sign of Josh. I shield my eyes with my hand, the midday sun beats down brightly. The sound of a car engine catches my attention, so I turn to see Josh’s car pull up just behind mine. I smile instantly. It’s an automatic reaction I get when I see the man who owns my heart. The man that not only saved my life but every day makes me feel worthy of his love. Love that I never thought possible. Love that I never believed a tainted girl like me should or could ever obtain. But here it is. Wrapped in one impressive looking bundle.
My Josh.
“Hey,” he calls over. I take a few steps closer to him, his speed picks up until he’s right in front of me.
“Hey you,” I smile coyly. Every time I see him is like the first time. Each time a little more special than the last. He wraps his arms around me, holding me in a bear like hug.
“How did it go?” he asks eagerly.
“Well…” I pause for a little while, “the unofficial score indicates I passed, but I gotta wait for the official results which will be posted in a couple of weeks.” I let out a tiny squeal.
“Oh baby, that’s amazing. I just knew you’d pass.” He leans down kissing me gently on the lips.
“I’ll be glad when I’m making some really money instead of the measly few hundred dollars I contribute from my bar wages. I hate feeling like a freeloader.”
“You are not a freeloader,” he glares at me. “You’re my girl, and we’re a team. A pretty fucking good team,” he says dropping his head down to meet mine.
“The best,” I say pressing my lips to his softly.
“So, I have a surprise,” he says pulling back, his eyes boring into mine.
“Surprise?” I quiz.
“Yeah. Let me show you something,” he says, jogging over to his car before retrieving a huge file and a picnic blanket. He pushes then blanket under his arm and carries the folder in his hand before taking my hand in his free one. “Come with me.”
We walk along the expanse of land longer than I ever anticipated. He stops me at a point where the view is just out of this world. Dense woodland with a free running brook just in the distance, the sound of song bird fills my ears.
“Here, take a seat,” he unravels the blanket, laying it flat on the ground below.
“What is this?” I ask with a grin, wracking my brain to work out what this is all about. “I mean, the view is spectacular, but this picnic spot is no good without a picnic,” I lightly push on his arm as he sits beside me on the blanket.
“Dammit,” he groans. “I totally forgot the picnic,” he says sarcastically.
“Then what is this about, Josh?” I ask eager to know what trick he has up his sleeve.
“Let me show you,” he lets out an unsteady breath, unfolding sheet after sheet until the drawings are laid out in front of us.
“Wow!” I gasp, “This is what you’ve been working on. Plans for this site.”
“Yes,” he replies, “And this here, this actual space here, where we are sitting is plot 3.” He passes me another drawing. It shows in detail the plans for the houses being built here. “It’s top of the range, baby.”
“It looks… it looks amazing.” I fluster. “I’m a little lost for words, Josh. This place is going to be the best, and that view. Well, someone is going to love it.”
“I hope you do,” he replies, fighting back a smirk.
“Excuse me,” I ask, my mouth gaping.
“This is our plot, Quinn. Yours and mine. It’s our forever home. If you want it, of course.”
“What? How? Oh my god, this is amazing,” I swallow down hard before lunging at him, knocking him to the ground. “I can’t believe you did this.” I lift my leg over, straddling him, as we intertwine our fingers, his fingers grazing back and forth across the skin on my hand.
He nods, a huge smile plastered on his face. “When you finally find the one thing you’ve been missing for so long, you just know when it’s right. And this, Quinn, you and me, it’s so right.”
“I love you Josh Larson!” I lean down sealing not just our lips, but the rest of our lives together.
Five years later…
Josh
I watch as my wife swings slowly in the hammock, tilting her face towards the warm mid-day sun. I can’t help but feel the pride race through me as I sit watching her. Not only has she given herself to me completely, but she has provided me with more love than I ever thought possible.
The squeals of laughter catch my attention and I turn to see my three year old son, Brody, chasing Olivia around the garden with a water pistol. I lean against the wall, out of sight, just taking in the scene that plays out in front of me. The laughter bubbles from them so infectiously, that I notice Quinn’s chest rise and fall quickly as she laughs at the pair as she marginally escapes getting soaked herself.
Olivia is amazing with Brody and we were so damn happy when we managed to get custody of her, becoming her legal guardians. I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.
I slowly walk over to Quinn, placing my hands gently on her shoulders. She tilts her head, her eyes clamped shut. “Hey you.” She smiles, the kind that never fails to make my heart flutter just that little bit faster.
“Hey,” I reply, placing a soft kiss upon her lips. “Looks like someone’s having fun.” I nod in the direction of Brody and Olivia.
“Daddy, daddy,” Brody calls, racing toward me with his water pistol pointing at my face.
“Hey buddy,” I say, dropping down onto my knees, my hands held up in a mock surrender. “Don’t shoot me,” I jokingly plead with him. “I’m unarmed and completely defenseless.”
He pulls the water gun level with his eye, pressing the trigger and soaking my face. I laugh and squeal, rolling on the ground dramatically. Brody jumps on, followed by Olivia and we all laugh together in unison.
“You’re the biggest kid of them all, Josh,” Quinn chuckles, leaning over and offering her hand to me. I take it and she helps me up from the ground. I wrap my arms around her tightly, pulling her into my chest. Holding her is like breathing for me. I need to have her close; It’s no longer a choice. She’s a part of me and that will never change.
“Uh,” she grumbles, “you’re all wet,” she tries to wriggle from my hold.
I lift my brow suggestively and she lets out an exaggerated breath. “Trust you,” she laughs, tapping the top of my arm.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me, Quinn?” I whisper, breathing into her ear. She trembles before tuning her head, her eyes on me.
“Really?” she quips.
“Really,” I groan. “I’m crazy ab
out you, Mrs. Larson.”
She gently rubs the tip of her nose against mine. “Ditto,” she hums, cupping my face.
There is one thing I know more than anything. That this life is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I love harder than I knew possible, and my heart belongs to only one.
Quinn.
The girl who was absolutely worth the wait.
BROKEN GIRL SERIES:
BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRL
KEEPING HOPE
Burn With Me
The Edge of Life
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Worth the Wait Page 10