by Sam Crescent
“We’ve known each other one week.”
“I know. I’m crazy, huh?”
“Just a little bit.” She held her fingers up, pressing them together. “It’s moving a little fast.” She glanced around her. “I do think your home is lovely. Do you do all the work on it?”
“As much as I can. After we’ve eaten, I’ll take you for a tour.” He took a bite of the chicken. It was warm, succulent, and delicious. “How was work?”
“It was good.”
“Do you enjoy what you do?” he asked.
“It’s okay. I do enjoy it, especially when I can help people. What I hate is when I can’t help people. That does bug me.” She took another sip of her coffee.
They talked about what they had done that day, and enjoyed their meal. When they finished, he poured her another glass of wine, and then took her hand.
“This land is all mine.” He pointed out a small patch near the kitchen. “I’m hoping to turn that into a kitchen garden in time. When I have kids, I’m going to do a small play area for them. If you look over there, I’ve already got plans for a tree house.”
“You really do want kids, don’t you? This isn’t about making me like you even more.”
“Of course not,” he said. “I’m being completely honest here.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close. Camden loved her curves. Stroking her hip, he kissed her temple. “I won’t lie to you.”
She snuggled against him.
“Come on, let’s go on inside, and I’ll show you around.” He took her around the front of the house, and the sun was starting to set, so he flicked the light on, closing the door. Behind them.
“What about the table?”
“No one comes around here, baby. It’ll still be there in three weeks if I didn’t move it.”
She laughed. “Okay. So this is a nice and reclusive spot.”
“It’s the best. I imagine in time there is going to be a lot of houses built, but I’ve got enough privacy for me.” There were no plans to build houses anytime soon. Taking her into the sitting room, he showed off the coziness that he’d created. There were three long sofas, a rug in the center, near the fire, and a television for the football games whenever they were on.
“Wow,” she said. “It’s beautiful.”
He was already seeing them snuggled up naked in front of a roaring fire. Chocolate sauce and strawberries were also in the picture.
Moving toward the dining room, he flicked on the light as it was the darkest room in the house. The table was long, and he’d built it himself, along with all the chairs.
“This really is amazing. You couldn’t buy this kind of craft anywhere else.”
“Thank you.”
“I mean it, Camden. This is really good.”
She ran her hand across the top of one of the chairs. “It’s really nice. I like it.”
He showed her the small library he was still in the process of finishing up, which then led to the kitchen. It was the largest room in the house, and what he was particularly proud of it.
“How long have you been building this?” she asked.
“A good fifteen years. It was an investment, and I like to keep busy. I’ve never been the kind of guy to sit in front of the television all day. I like to get around, do stuff.”
“I get it, I do. This is, it’s amazing, Camden. You can see the love you’ve put into it. I adore it.”
Good, because he wanted to share it all with her.
****
Standing in the shower Alyssa tensed up as Camden walked into the room. Through the shower door, she watched as he stripped down until he was completely naked. He was a gorgeous sight to see.
“I’m coming into that shower, whether you like it or not.”
He already knew that she struggled when it came to being completely naked in front of him. That first day they had sex, she’d been nervous as hell but also drunk on arousal, so it was next to impossible to ignore. In those moments in his arms, she’d forgotten about her weight, and her issues.
The door opened, and she struggled not to cover herself. He’d seen her completely naked, and he’d been inside her, even tasted her, yet it was still hard for her to ignore her own issues.
“You never need to cover yourself when you’re with me, baby.” He stepped up close, taking her arms, and wrapping them around his neck so they were flush against each other. “You’re really something, you know?” He ran his hands up and down her body, cupping her ass as he did.
“Do you think you’ll always believe that?” she asked.
“Yeah, I do. I’m not fickle or stupid. I know what I want, Alyssa. What about you? What do you want?”
She stared into his eyes, and found comfort in his gaze. “I want to be happy. I want to believe in what we’ve started here.”
“Your old boyfriends. They’re making you doubt me?” he asked.
“Not doubt you but to doubt this feeling. It’s all so easy to fall right now. I don’t know if you leave the toilet seat up. You don’t know if I leave the lid off the toothpaste.”
“Seriously? That’s what you’re thinking about?”
“Couples have parted over less. Years from now when all the first time magic has gone, will you still be wanting me to not cover myself in the shower or will there be some younger woman to tempt you away from me?” she asked.
“No. There won’t be.”
“How can you know?”
“How can you know that some young stud won’t be around to do something to your body that I can’t? Can you tell me that?”
“I’d never do something like that,” she said.
“Exactly. I’m giving you my word, and it’s not good enough. I believe you, and you know what, I have faith in the two of us.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “You’ve got to learn to have trust in me.” He squeezed her ass. “Because you’re not getting rid of me. Not ever.” His gaze stayed on hers. “I’m in this, all the way. Are you?”
Staring into his eyes with his hands on her body, she nodded. “Yeah, I am.”
He pressed her up against the corner of the shower, slamming his lips down on hers. “Fuck, baby, thank you.”
“No, thank you for putting up with me,” she said. “Thank you.”
She cupped his face, and kissed his lips, needing his touch more than she needed anything else.
Camden gripped her ass, and lifted her up. Seconds later he filled her pussy, sliding every single inch of his cock inside her.
“You’re not wearing a condom,” she said, gripping his shoulders.
“I don’t care. I need to feel you.”
“I’m not that stupid,” she said, laughing. “I know there is still a risk that something can happen.”
“If it does I’ll take care of you.”
There is something about a man saying he’d take care of you that went straight to the heart. With her gaze on his, she melted against him, needing his loving more than anything else. He grabbed her ass, and held her tightly as he fucked her against the shower with water running down them.
Nothing could have been more perfect for her.
Holding him tightly in her arms, she took possession of his lips, knowing she would do anything for him.
Camden reached between them and started to tease her clit, running his finger against her clit with each thrust. She moved his hand out of the way, stroking her clit as he rode her body hard, filling her to the brim.
“Fuck, baby, you make me so crazy.” He leaned down, taking one of her nipples into his mouth.
“Please, Camden. I’m so close.”
She stroked over her clit, feeling the build of her own orgasm.
“Your pussy is so damn tight, and so perfect. I can’t believe you think I’d leave you. I fucking crave you.”
His words filled her with so much joy, so much love.
Her orgasm rushed over her, and Camden continued to rock inside her, driving even deeper inside her.
“Fuck, yeah, that’s it, babe. Come all over my cock. Fuck!”
Three more thrusts and Camden exploded.
He didn’t pull out.
And she didn’t care.
Holding him close to her, she kissed his lips, knowing without a doubt that he was the one. Even though she was scared to completely commit, it was the truth.
“How can you not have faith in this, babe?” he asked.
“I do. It’s my own crazy thoughts. I’m going to work on that. I promise.”
Camden pushed some hair out of her face. “I’ll never cheat on you. I know what it feels like to be cheated on, and that will never happen.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I promise.”
“I’ll never lie to you either.”
Chapter Eight
The days and weeks went by. Alyssa stayed at Camden’s place, and he stayed at hers. They rarely were apart, and had even been on dates with their friends. It felt good to have her on his arm, and to hold her close. Fuck, he loved her. There was no other word for it. He loved being with her, and being apart was a crazy assed idea.
If she had a long day at the office, he’d wait for her and text her to make sure she was okay. Their weekends were spent together. Even when he was working on some commission items, he loved having her around. She’d sit in one of his chairs, and she’d read. Not once did she invade his space, or talk constantly.
In fact, he talked to her all the time, and brought her out of her shell.
She stopped being nervous about being naked in front of him. He wouldn’t let her cover up. He wanted to see her body, and be able to touch her himself.
“Are you sure about this, man?” Sean asked after three months of him dating Alyssa.
“What do you mean?”
“We’re in a jewelry store, and we all know what you’re going to do.” Sean pointed at himself, Chris, and Marshall. “You’re going to ask her to marry you.”
He didn’t deny it. There was no point. He wanted to marry Alyssa, and make her his.
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Have you thought this through?” Marshall asked.
Camden looked up at his three friends. They were all staring back at him. “What is it?”
“We’re worried. You know it has only been a couple of months,” Chris said.
“So?”
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Sean asked.
Camden glanced down at the rows of engagement rings, and turned toward his friends. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Yeah, it has only been a few months, but you know what? I know. I know what I want, and I want Alyssa. I love her. I want her to belong to me. She’s my future.”
Silence fell between them until Marshall cleared his throat. “You know we’re all going to suck because of this.”
“Don’t care. Edith already knows I love her, and a slip of paper will never change that.” Sean slapped him on the back. “I better be best man.”
“You all will be. First, I’ve got to pick out the right ring, and then get her to actually agree to marry me.”
“You think she’ll refuse?” Chris asked.
“I don’t know what to think. It’s what I love about her so damn much. She always keeps me guessing.”
“Can I help you?” the lady behind the counter asked.
Camden smiled. “I’m looking for an engagement ring for my girl.”
“What does she like?”
“Nothing too flashy. She’s an at home kind of girl.”
“Ah, here are our delicate engagement rings. They still have the wow factor without drawing too much attention.” She pulled out several trays, and he glanced through them all. Finally, after an hour of deciding which ring, he was ready to ask the question.
“You’re not going straight there,” Chris said. “Millie wants me to get all the details of how you’re going to propose.”
Camden laughed. “I’m going to get down on one knee, and ask her.” He didn’t think a lavish affair with a band and an audience would be his or Alyssa’s style.
After he placed the velvet box in his jacket, they made their way toward the diner across from the jewelry store.
“You’re not going to plan it? Fireworks? Doves? Romance?”
“There will be romance,” Camden said. “Only it’ll be the kind of romance Alyssa will want.”
Later that night, Camden lit candles, and made sure everything was set for a night of perfection. Alyssa should be arriving soon. He made sure the bed was pressed down, and ran his hands over the sheet to make sure it was smooth.
He took another glance around the room, and when he was satisfied, he left the room to go down toward the stairs.
On the last step his door opened, and the moment he saw Alyssa he knew something was wrong.
“Babe, what’s the matter?” he asked, moving toward her.
She had tears in her eyes, and he waited as she put her jacket beside his, and took off her heels.
“There’s something I’ve got to tell you,” she said.
Camden took her hands. “I’ve got something I want to tell you as well.”
“Why are we going to your bedroom?” she asked.
“I have it all set up.” He was nervous now. Why did she look sad? Had something happened? Was she having second thoughts?
Pushing his nerves aside, he took hold of her hands, and bent down on one knee the moment they entered his bedroom.
“Camden? What are you doing?” she asked.
“There is something I want to say, and I don’t want to go another moment without telling you.”
“I’ve got something to say to you as well.” She squeezed his hand. “I think it’s important that I say what I’ve got to say first.”
“I want you to marry me.”
“I’m pregnant.”
They both spoke at the same time, and Camden stared at her. “You’re pregnant?”
“You want me to marry you?”
“Yes, baby, fuck, I love you so much, and I spent all day today finding a ring.” He grabbed the ring out of his, and opened it. She was pregnant. They were going to have a baby. His cock thickened, and he was so fucking excited. She was going to have his baby. Everything was coming together.
“You love me?” she asked, tears in her eyes.
“Yes, I love you. How can you even doubt it, baby? I love you so damn much, and you’re pregnant. That for me is the best fucking news I’ve heard in a long, long time.”
“Edith told me to take the test today.” Alyssa went down on her knees, and cupped his face. “I love you, Camden. I’ve been terrified to tell you in case you didn’t feel the same way about me.”
“I love you. We’re going to have a baby?” he asked.
“Yeah, we’re going to have a baby.”
He slid the engagement ring on her finger, and she placed his hand on her rounded stomach. “That’s so sexy.” Camden pressed a kiss to her stomach. “I love you. I love you so much. I’m never going to let you go. You know that. I’m going to make you the happiest woman alive. I bet all men say that, but you know what? I mean it.”
She laughed. “I’ve not said yes yet.”
“Then please say yes, and put me out of my misery.”
“Camden … yes, I will marry you.”
He pulled her against him, and slammed his lips down on hers. She had already made him the happiest man in the world.
Epilogue
Ten years later
“Ben, be careful with that. You’ll cut your finger off if you’re not,” Camden said, shouting toward his oldest, who was trying to finish off his first woodcarving for school.
Glancing around the yard, he saw his little girl, Bethany, was on the swing, with Lea, in the sandbox.
Jonathon rushed out of the house with his mother close behind him. Alyssa was carrying a large tray of drinks. They had four children with another on the way.
They’d gotten married ten years ago, a m
onth after he proposed. Their friends didn’t last much longer after them. With the next two years, they were all married. He and Alyssa had their first child, Ben, the following year, after they were married, with three years to pass for Bethany, followed by Jonathon two years after that. Lea was only two, and now they had another on the way.
Life was exactly how he imagined it to be. It was peaceful, tranquil, and he loved it. He really did. Every night he’d take Alyssa into his arms, and be thankful that all of the other men screwed up so he could claim her as his own.
“Hello, baby,” he said, taking the tray from her arms.
“Hey yourself.” She kissed his lips, and smiled. “How are you doing?”
“You know that is my question.” He placed the tray on the table, and watched as their kids came to get a drink. This was his family. “How is our little angel?” he asked, rubbing her stomach. “And more importantly, how are you?”
“I am fine, and I wanted to tell you about that. The doctor, erm, we’re having twins.”
“What?”
“Yeah, there were two heartbeats on the test, and don’t worry. They’re healthy, and so am I. I’ve got to take it easy.” She smiled. “We’re going to be the parents of six children.”
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.”
Pulling Alyssa into his arms, Camden glanced around the yard, seeing his children, their lives brought together out of love.
Their friends had done something right inviting him to that dinner. He’d finally found the woman for him, and he was grateful of that every single day.
“Oh, Camden, I called our friends. They’re coming next Saturday for dinner. I need to take a trip into town to buy some stuff.”
“I’ll take you.” He kissed her lips. “All of us together.”
“It is our ten year anniversary. I don’t know if you know, but on Saturday it will be exactly the same day we met ten years ago.”
“I know it. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“And you’ve made me the happiest woman as well.”
He pressed his lips to hers, and knew his life was perfect. He wouldn’t change a thing.