“Do you mind?” he asked.
“Oh, sorry,” she said quickly.
He chuckled before leaning up on his elbow and staring down at her tenderly. “So, you will marry me?” he asked again, looking worried.
“Yes.” Faye smiled, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his lips. “Answer will be the same next time you ask me too.”
He nodded absently. “I might ask again,” he warned, “just to make sure.”
She giggled and then slapped her hand over her stomach when it gurgled loudly. “Are you hungry?” asked Colin, amused.
“Yes,” she answered grumpily.
“Okay,” he said amiably. “Let's go eat then.”
Faye's eyes lit up. She grabbed his hand and tugged it to get him up.
“I want pancakes.”
CHAPTER thirty-seven
Colin nudged Nikolai with his elbow as he fiddled with his blue flannel shirt sleeves. “What do you think about this one?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets nervously.
Nikolai bent and eyed the small little circle with so much confusion and frowned. “Too much,” he finally stated, turning to Justin for his take on the situation.
Justin nodded in agreement. “Faye's a simple woman. She won't like all the bling.”
Colin nodded. “I thought so,” he said, raking his hands through his hair. “Just wanted to make sure.”
Nikolai pulled him over to another display case. “What about this one?”
The man behind the counter eyed the three large men with wary and exhausted eyes as they deliberated for the better part of three hours. “I want to hold it,” demanded Colin. “I'll know when I hold it.”
So far, none of them had lived up to the ‘holding principal’ as Nik called it. Nikolai sat down on the floor, smirking up at the two elderly ladies that slowly and deliberately walked around his sprawled out form with amusement in their eyes. “Colin, decide already!” he groaned, raking his hands through his hair tiredly. “I'm hungry.”
“Shut up,” grumbled Colin, barely paying him any attention. “It has to be perfect. She's going to be wearing it for eternity.”
“Not necessarily. You could change it every few hundred years,” Nikolai suggested.
“Good idea,” Colin grunted.
“Nik, get off the floor,” growled Justin, stepping over him as well and eying a pretty amethyst necklace that Emma would love.
The man behind the counter sat down in his chair, bewildered, scratching his ear reflectively. Colin suddenly hollered triumphantly, making the salesman jump.
“This one! It's perfect.”
Nikolai scrambled from the floor. “Let me see,” he demanded as Justin hurried over.
Colin held it up for inspection and approval, and Nikolai and Justin nodded, satisfied.
“She'll like it.” Nikolia nodded
“You think so?” asked Colin worriedly. “What if she doesn't though?”
“Dude, she'd like it if you carved one out from a tree bark just as long as you got it for her.”
Colin grinned, the gold in his eyes sparking fire. “I'm getting this one. She deserves something better than a tree bark.”
***
Faye sat down next to Emma and handed the girl her Krispy Kreme donut. She watched the child's eyes widen in delight. “Like it?” she asked after taking a bite out of her own donut.
Emma nodded, her curly hair bouncing vigorously around her face.
Heidi chuckled. “She reminds me of you at that age,” she said wistfully.
Faye scoffed. “Please, Heidi. I was the ugliest child. Emma is far too cute.”
“You were not ugly,” exclaimed Heidi. “Okay, maybe your clothing choices were a little strange, but to be fair, you wore boys clothes until you hit puberty because your father didn't know the difference.”
Faye laughed. “Dear old dad,” she sighed. “He did the best he could.”
“I know, dear,” said Heidi, her eyes soft. “He did well. You didn’t turn out so bad.”
Emma suddenly opened her mouth and let out a loud belch that made the couple next to them look up with startled eyes.
“Emma!” scolded Faye in a hushed voice, her eyes wide with surprise, “Don't do that.”
Emma looked up innocently. “But Uncle Nicky said it showed how good the food was!”
Faye looked bewildered while Heidi burst out into giggles. “I think she means that she's showing appreciation by burping,” Heidi whispered to Faye before hiding behind her hand as she laughed.
Emma grinned, and Faye tried not to smile herself as she instructed, “Well, Uncle Nicky is wrong. We don't do that in public.”
“So I can still do it at home?” asked Emma excitedly, bouncing in her seat. “I almost beat Uncle Nicky last time. I have to practice and get better!”
“Okay,” murmured Faye, not sure what else to say. Nikolai needed to stop putting weird ideas in the child's head. Admittedly, funny ones but still! Heidi took Emma to wash the sticky from her hands a few minutes later while Faye cleaned up the mess they had made.
It had been a long day of shopping and fun. As they headed home, dropping Heidi off at her house, Faye hummed tiredly under her breath. Emma was asleep in her booster seat, and Faye felt like falling asleep herself.
Justin, Nikolai, and Colin were all seated on the front porch when she pulled into the driveway. Dusk had fallen as the sun sank beneath the mountain peaks. A cool breeze flushed her cheeks and ruffled her hair as she climbed out of the car.
Emma woke up and began bouncing in her seat, demanding to be let out. “Let me out,” she pouted, clutching the soft brown bear Faye had bought her and waving it frantically.
“Hold your horses there, baby.” Faye laughed and set her down on the ground.
Colin flicked the porch light on, and Faye watched in amusement as Emma ran shrieking at Nikolai who opened his arms to greet her as she barreled into him.
“Uncle Nicky!” she screamed delightedly.
He tossed her in the air before cuddling her close, growling like a bear and tickling the child until she shrieked and accidentally elbowed him in the nose. “Ow!” he yelped as he set her down with a pout.
Emma climbed up Justin's legs like he was a tree and reached out to pat Nikolai on the head. Justin held her tight as she lay her head on his shoulder and yawned.
“I think that's our cue to go.” Justin chuckled, patting her on the back.
“No go,” she mumbled.
“Yes go,” answered Justin. “We can come back tomorrow after school. How does that sound?”
She nodded and wrapped the arm that wasn't holding her new bear around Justin's neck.
“Home, Daddy.”
Faye went to Colin after setting the few bags of things she had purchased inside the front door. His eyes showed his appreciation of her short little wine-colored dress and black tights. Nikolai spoke to them for a few moments before winking at Colin and disappearing into the woods. They heard his wild wolf howl a few minutes later.
“Hello there,” murmured Colin, smiling adoringly at Faye.
“Hi, handsome,” she greeted him back, walking into his arms and closing her eyes for a moment. He smelled like home, all warm and spicy like the scent of forest pine needles.
“You have a good day?” asked Colin, softly nuzzling her neck.
Faye sighed and smiled slightly, her arms resting on top of Colin's as he stood behind her, laying his head on her shoulder. “It was a good day,” she murmured and stared out at the peaceful scenery surrounding them.
The chickens were silent in their coop, and no other loud sounds pervaded the night air as the world settled in for a rest after a hard days work. Colin turned Faye around in his arms, his hands settling on her hips after tucking a stray strand of her wild blonde hair behind her ear.
Her hands rested on his chest, one sliding up around his neck to tangle in his honey brown hair as she leaned into him.
“Kiss me,” she whispered, her eyes searchi
ng his.
He obliged, slowly tilting his head to meet her mouth, his hands roving up and down her sides, searching for something to hold on to as their eyes closed in bliss. His lips molded against her own, moving softly as she slowly unfolded in front of him under his touch. Passion stirred between them, and Faye felt the pressure of his mouth on hers change. Felt the tip of his tongue touch her bottom lip, asking for entrance. Felt his warm tongue pervade her mouth in a sinfully carnal way and tasted the raw pure taste of him.
His muscles bunched under her hands as he pulled her closer. He tugged on her hair as greedy little lost noises echoed from the back of his throat. His lips attacked the skin on her neck, searching until he found that spot that made her squirm with pleasure.
Then somehow her hands found their way under his shirt. She pulled it off and tossed it over the wicker rocking chair that sat idly next to them. She couldn't stop touching him. He was all warm skin, supple flesh, and strong muscles. Completely and utterly hers.
His mouth moved to hers as he tugged at her dress. “Off,” he moaned. “Take it off.”
She let him pull up the dress and heard his groan as he saw the tank top underneath it. She giggled, watching as a smile lit his features like the sun. She palmed his handsome face in her hands before dropping a light kiss on his nose, watching as his golden eyes that were filled with so much want and need spark dangerously.
“I love you,” she whispered, “always.”
CHAPTER thirty-eight
It was already early morning, and Faye lounged in bed while Colin quietly read a book in the corner. A few minutes later, he checked his watch and abruptly stood up. “Come on,” he said. “I have somewhere to take you.”
“What?” asked Faye, surprised. “Where?”
Colin laughed and marched past her to her closet, pulling out his own clothes and grabbing a pretty blue dress he had bought her. “You’ll see,” he said conspiratorially.
“But I don’t have anything to wear,” she complained.
“This,” he said, draping the dress over her arm as she glared at him, “is what you'll wear.”
“Oh really?” She smirked. “What if I don't want to wear it.”
“You'll wear it,” he said confidently. “Love you, baby.”
And with that, he disappeared into the living room and closed the bedroom door behind him. He chuckled when he heard something crash against the door, knowing she had just thrown something.
Quickly, Colin got dressed, fingering the little box in his slacks pocket. He stepped out onto the porch and pulled out his cell-phone.
“Hey, Nik?” he spoke quietly, not wanting Faye to hear him. “You got everything under control?”
Nikolai's voice was slightly panicky, but he quickly assured Colin that everything was ready. It had been Nik's idea after all. Everything had to be perfect.
“We will be there in about an hour and a half,” spoke Colin.
“Alright,” said Nikolai distractedly.
Colin frowned worriedly when a loud crash resounded in the background. “Are you sure everything is alright?”
“Yup, absolutely,” Nikolai answered quickly before hanging up abruptly.
Colin stared at his phone uneasily.
***
Faye felt the silky material of the blindfold with her fingers for the thousandth time. “Where are we going?” she pleaded. “Just tell me. Please?!”
Colin grinned. He darted a glance at her and laughed as she bit her lip impatiently. “Just a little longer now,” he said.
“You said that ten minutes ago!” grumbled Faye, wiggling anxiously in her seat.
Colin focused on the road and got them safely to their destination, refusing to say another word for the rest of the trip.
Several minutes later, he carefully helped Faye out of the vehicle. He put a finger to his lips as he saw everyone gather around.
“Colin, I swear this better be good,” Faye said exasperatedly.
Colin watched everyone choke on laughter as they tried to stay quiet as he led Faye down the rose petal-strewn pathway. “Just a little further now,” he promised.
Nikolai had really outdone himself. The whole clearing was lit with twinkling fairy lights. Torches lit the way with four pyres set up, flames shooting up into the late afternoon atmosphere. Everyone held sparklers, even Emma. All the women held a white rose. Slowly, they followed Colin and Faye down the path to the small gazebo overlooking Nikolai's private lake.
Reggie held a stern hand over Heidi's mouth to keep the woman from sobbing, and he gave Colin a thumbs up with his other. Colin chuckled.
“What's so funny?” asked Faye quickly.
“Oh nothing,” murmured Colin. “We're here.”
He positioned Faye where she was staring out at the lake and quickly dropped to one knee like Justin and Nikolai had told him to do.
Faye pulled the blindfold off, her hands flying to her mouth to muffle a sob as Colin pulled the little white box from his pocket. Emotion made her almost choke on the lump in her throat. The lake sparkled behind them and the whole scene looked like a fairy tale. Pure love and adoration shone in Colin's eyes as he cleared his throat, feeling emotional at the tears welling in Faye's eyes.
He took a deep breath.
Now for the monumental question.
“Faye Anders, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
CHAPTER thirty-nine
“Yes!” Faye whispered, her hand shaking as she held it out for Colin to slide the ring on. “A thousand times over and over. I'll always say yes!”
She laughed breathlessly as the simple gold band with the oval diamond slid on her finger. The look of relief on Colin's face made her laugh harder before he swooped her up in his arms, spinning her around and planting a kiss on her lips. He set her down on her feet and whooped loudly as Justin slapped him on the back. The brothers jostled each other playfully.
A round of hollers, cheers, and hand clapping made Faye look up to see Colin's whole family standing in a semicircle around them with big smiles on their faces. She wiped the tears from her cheeks hurriedly as everyone gathered around, congratulations and well wishes filling the air. Heidi was falling apart on Reggie while the man awkwardly petted her on the top of her head to get her to stop. Nikolai stood proudly off to the side, wiping his eyes discreetly, happy for the couple.
“Oh my gosh!” Faye felt like crying again as Caterina hugged her quickly, presenting her the first white rose and almost babbling out her own happiness.
“Welcome to the family.” Caterina smiled, wiping her own tears away and reaching up to fix Faye's curls that had flown helter-skelter when Colin spun her around.
Heidi sobbed on Faye's shoulder a moment later before Reggie gently pulled her off. “Congratulations, kiddo,” said Reggie gruffly.
“Thanks, Reggie.” Faye smiled. She gently picked up Emma who snuggled into her shoulder with a sleepy sigh.
Reggie nodded and Faye said hesitantly, “We don't have any immediate plans to get married, but when the time comes, I want you to walk me down the aisle. If you don't have any objections, of course. You're the closest thing I have to a father.”
“Of course,” Reggie's voice was gruff. His eyes were watery and suspiciously red as he towered over Faye's small frame. He pulled her into a massive bear hug. “I'd be honored. You're like the daughter Heidi and I couldn't have. I love you, girl.”
Justin took Emma from her arms while Faye outright bawled, nearly choking on a sob. A few seconds later, Martha hugged her tightly, handing her another rose while whispering loving words in her future daughter-in-law's ear.
***
A few hours later, Faye stepped into the bedroom, eyeing the large bouquet of white roses that sat on the nightstand by the bed. She could hear the water pinging against the floor of the shower and could hear Colin's voice as he sang loudly. She sighed happily, loosening the flannel robe wrapped around her body before she crawled back to bed, leaving the rob
e lying in a heap on the floor, her little pink shorts and tank top accentuating her curves.
When Colin stepped into the bedroom a few moments later in only his boxers, he paused for a moment to just look at her. A golden-haired, lithe woman with the greenest eyes he had ever seen stared back at him from the bed, her eyes sparkling mischievously, her smirk a sinful promise of things to come.
“What are you staring at?” she asked, confidence oozing out of her smile. “You've seen it all before.”
He nodded, entranced, before reaching the bed in two strides and sinking his body into her soft one. He nudged her open with his thighs and willed her to accept him the way she always had and the way he hoped she always would.
With his head buried in her neck, he clung to her. Her arms wrapped tightly around him as she anchored his body to hers. “What's wrong?” she asked worriedly, losing the smile.
“Nothing.” He shook his head, looked at her, and smoothed her hair away from her face. “Everything is perfect. You're perfect. I just don't ever want to lose that.”
Faye's eyes softened, and she pressed her lips to his in a chaste declaration of love. “You've been reading Shakespeare again, haven't you, you hopeless romantic,” she whispered against his mouth.
Colin laughed before rolling both of them over so she was sitting on top of him. Faye laughed breathlessly, staring down at the man lying beneath her, his eyes flickering between their normal honey color and the golden sheen of his fur.
“Down, Wolfie.” She giggled, leaning over him to press her lips to his again as his hands cupped her breasts even as he rolled back over and nestled himself between her long legs.
“Beautiful little human,” murmured Wolfie mischievously, and Faye laughed before Colin sat up, making her squeak with surprise as one of his hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head so he could lavish kisses on her neck.
She moaned, lost in the feeling of his mouth on her skin. Both their temperatures skyrocketed, and Colin breathlessly moved her body down, worshiping it with his gaze and his mouth before he looked up at her, his gaze positively wicked. His hands roamed everywhere, setting her heartbeat racing as he didn't seem to know where to settle first.
Under An Alaskan Moon: A Shifter Romance Page 16