by Livia Grant
Curiosity eventually returned, prompting her to ask, "So what's the third key for ?"
He made sure they could see each other's face as he answered, "It doesn't open anything yet, but it represents the property I'm going to buy you to open your own restaurant. I know it's your dream, and there is no way I'm going to deprive the world of your mushroom ravioli forever ."
Not in a million years did she expect those words. It was her dream, but it was too generous. She couldn't accept it .
"Colton…"
He touched his fingers to her lips. "Let's not worry about that one just yet. Selfishly, I'd like to hold off opening the restaurant until after I retire. That way, you can travel with me next season. I won't want to be on the road without you." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Other than meeting you, that was the best thing about this entire experiment here in Connecticut. It got me really thinking about my future. What comes after baseball? I'm still not sure I have it sorted out, but I do know I'd love to open a restaurant with you. I can lend my name and finances; you bring the talent to make dishes that will have people lining up to eat there. We could make a great team ."
She was speechless. It was like a dream come true. He'd mapped out a future that included her standing next to him every step of the way. She couldn't wait to take the key from him and add it to her key ring, symbolizing her commitment to his plan .
They sealed the proposal with a kiss that quickly turned to a groping session as they each held on to the other as if they'd never let go .
When they finally came up for air, Harper only had one final question .
When she could breathe, she prompted him, "So why the cameramen? I thought you canceled the show ."
His sexy smile made his caramel-brown eyes twinkle in the candlelight. "The bachelor angle was nixed, yes. Instead, we're doing a mini-series on being a MLB starter for over ten years and how it gets harder to compete against younger players each season while still chasing a world record. The human side of trying to figure out what to do next. After all, all I've ever wanted to do was play baseball ."
"Wait. You took the other women out completely ?"
"Not a trace of them. Don't worry. I paid them each a fair amount for their time ."
Her mind raced. "But… the cameramen are still here ."
"That's because like it or not, you are a big part of my story, Harper Gardener. Baseball was my first love, but you are my future. I no longer fear my career ending because, for the first time, I've gotten a glimpse of how many other wonderful things I have ahead of me in my life. I hope you'll be there with me for it all ."
Tears of joy streamed down her face as Colton pushed to his feet, Harper scooped in his arms as she snuggled into the crook of his neck. As they passed through the kitchen, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cecelia, tears streaming down her face as she smiled at the couple .
They were halfway up the back steps when she found her voice. "Where are we going? I thought we were going to have dinner ?"
Colton chuckled. "I'm pretty sure Cecelia will understand that we're going to need room service tonight. In fact, I'm not planning to leave our room for a few days ."
Harper hugged him tighter, loving his idea until she remembered to add. "That sounds perfect, just so long as there are no more cameras there ."
"No cameras. Only sex toys. I stocked up. I can't wait to watch you pleasure yourself again like that first night. That was the hottest damn thing I'd ever seen in my life ."
They'd entered a huge master bedroom where a king sized bed waited for them. Colton dropped her into the center and then dove on top of her .
That's when it hit her. This bed. His bed. It was now theirs. This gorgeous house she'd admired while working there, was her new home. And the man who was busy sucking her nipple into his mouth, he was her future. The king in her fairytale .
Her American royalty .
The End
Bonus Scenes: Christmas Morning
"T ime to rise and shine, sleepyhead. I'm starving ."
Harper groaned, rolled onto her tummy, and pulled the luxurious bedding of their king-sized bed over her head to block out the sun shining through the window facing the sunrise. She didn't know the time, but she knew it was too early .
"I don't wanna get up yet. I'm too tired ."
The rich, masculine chuckle that preceded the good-natured swat to her ass did things to her girly parts. Colton had kept her up half the night exploring one sexual adventure after another. The fact that every part of her body was sore was testament to her lover's dedication to living up to his pledge to never let her forget how much she was loved .
"It's Christmas morning. Don't you want your gifts?" he prodded. His voice was muffled, barely audible with her head burrowed under the pillow .
"No more gifts," she protested .
Living with him for the last two weeks had been like receiving one big huge gift after another. He'd already bought her a closet of new clothes, a half dozen new pairs of shoes and a suitcase full of beach gear for their planned trip to the Caribbean right after the new year. And that didn't even include the outrageous amount of money he had been spending on renovations, furniture and decorations to turn the mansion into their home. If he didn't spend another dime on her for the next year, he still would have already spent too much .
Colton pulled the covers back, peeling the pillow away from her head and exposing her to the stream of sunlight again. "I thought you told me you were a morning person. I think you lied to me," he teased .
Only then did the smell of coffee and pancakes register with Harper and her tummy growled. Deciding coffee was a welcome gift after all, she propped herself up on her elbows, her long hair tangled in a rat's nest. She knew she must look like a hot mess, but they'd been pretty much holed up in the master bedroom for weeks, so there was nothing Colton King had not seen .
And yet, thankfully, he still wants me .
She dished banter back as she reached for the coffee mug on the tray next to her. "I explained this to you. I am a morning person when I actually get to sleep. When someone keeps me up half the night, I'm afraid I might want to sleep in ."
He leaned down to kiss her naked shoulder as she took a sip of java, trying not to spill coffee on the already sex-soiled sheets .
"Is that a complaint? You didn't seem to mind around three this morning." His lips trailed down her back, lightly spreading heat with his touch .
"Em...no. Definitely not a complaint. More like an observation." The coffee sloshed over the side of the big mug as Harper shivered from the affects of his nibbles .
Colton pulled back abruptly, making her miss the warmth of his touch .
"Well, today is special. It's Christmas. I think I'm more excited for you to open your gifts than I am to get my own." Before she could protest the additional presents, he added, "Your first gift from me is breakfast in bed. Time to turn around and sit up ."
The heavenly aroma of pancakes and maple syrup forced Harper into motion. They'd eaten many meals in the bedroom and had a routine. Colton lifted the oversized bamboo bed tray while Harper negotiated herself to sitting with her back against the slatted headboard. Only after he placed the tray across her lap did he pick up a pillow, silently holding it until she leaned forward and then he fluffed it at her back, making things more comfortable for her .
Harper took in the full tray of goodies. He'd outdone himself. A large stack of pancakes was just the beginning. He'd fried bacon, sausage and hash browns. There were two hard-boiled eggs and even a bowl of fresh berries with whipped cream on top. Finishing things off was a pot of coffee, two mugs and a fruit smoothie to drink .
"This better be for both of us," she quipped, grabbing a slice of bacon first
.
He grinned down at her, and she didn't miss his attention moving from her eyes to her naked breasts. "I nibbled while I cooked, but I was hoping to nibble a bit up here too ."
She was about to tease him about his nibbles when it hit her. "Wait. You cooked? Don't you mean while you waited for Cecelia to cook ?"
The handsome man with the scruffy morning beard and messed up hair grinned as he settled on the bed facing her. "I resent that incredulous tone, young lady. I gave Cecelia and Charlie the day off, of course. I know I can't cook like you, but I can manage a breakfast ."
"Wow, I'm impressed. Is there anything you can't do?" It was an honest question. He was perfect. As she sipped her hot coffee, she noticed he'd even added a touch of French vanilla creamer to her cup like she preferred .
"Oh, I'm sure there's plenty, but right now I want to focus on the things I can do." He grinned mischievously as he reached with his index finger to scoop up a big dollop of whipped cream from on top of the berries. She recognized the sexual glaze in his eyes as he reached to cover first her right and then left nipple in the white cream .
It was cold. She squealed, reaching to remove the offending chill. But he was too fast for her, grabbing both her wrists and lifting her hands above her head .
"Oh no you don't. Hold onto the head rail and don't let go until I tell you," he ordered .
"But it's freezing!" She could feel her nipples peaking under the fluffy covering .
"I'll take care of warming you up. Don't worry ."
Harper bucked her ass up off the bed when he lunged forward, sucking her right nipple into his warm mouth, nipping down hard enough that it startled her. She almost tipped over the tray of food in the process .
"Whoa, there, baby. Hold still while I start my breakfast." He looked up from her breast, whipped cream covering his lips. She could feel her core contracting as he slowly used the tip of his tongue to lick it off his lips before grinning .
He is the sexiest man alive and he's all mine .
He first lifted the tray away, leaving it on the bed before pulling the covers down and grabbing her legs. She squealed as he pulled her down to lay flat before straddling her knees. Once he had exactly as he wanted, he returned his attention to his breakfast. Picking up several raspberries and blackberries, he placed them in a line from the valley of her perky breasts to her belly button .
Starting at her waist, he seductively sucked one berry into his mouth after the other until he'd eaten them all. He finished his appetizer at her left tit–licking and sucking the whipped cream and finally nipping at her nipple until it protruded obscenely .
When he leaned up, he grinned, proud of himself for her obvious humping, hoping he might repeat his attention below her waist as well .
It wasn't meant to be. He stood, moving the tray back over her lap. But when Harper let go of the headboard, he reached to lightly slap her taut nipple as punishment .
"I didn't say you could let go, did I ?"
That tone. She fucking loved that tone he used in their bedroom. The one that told her he was in charge, and here... behind the double doors of their bedroom... she'd discovered that was just fine with her .
"No, sir," she replied, knowing first hand the effect those words had on his magnificent cock. The salutation was like a magic potion. As she glanced down at his lap, she could see his rod straining against his sleep pants and smiled .
"Christ, we may never make it downstairs for the rest of the presents if you keep calling me sir ."
Harper grinned. "That's fine by me. I don't need any more gifts. You've already given me too much ."
He cut a bite of pancake, poked it with a fork and held it up to her mouth. "You're gonna have to get used to it, Harper," he answered seriously. "We have money ."
"No, you have money ."
"Enough. I don't want to talk about this today. It's Christmas. Please, let me spoil you. We can argue about money again tomorrow, okay?" He pinned her with a serious glare that told her he wasn't going to back down .
She didn't want to ruin their first Christmas together by arguing either .
"Okay. You'll get a one day reprieve, but I'm serious. I don't need you to spend money on me to know you love me ."
He shoveled another bite of pancakes in his mouth before he answered, "And that is just one of the many things I love about you, baby. Now let's get you fed ."
Nervous excitement danced in his eyes as he fed her from the food on the tray, occasionally directing bites to himself. He had a goofy grin by the time he finished feeding her. It reminded her of a kid on Christmas morning .
His excitement was contagious. She couldn't wait to see his face when she gave him the gifts she'd picked out for him. It hadn't been easy to come up with presents for a man who had everything he needed and the money to buy anything he wanted. She'd put a lot of thought into her presents though .
"Okay, you can let go of the bed now. Go in and brush your teeth and throw on some comfy clothes. I'll have your next gift waiting for you by the time you get out of the bathroom ."
"My next? Why does it sound like there are more even after the next one ?"
"I thought we agreed not to talk money today?" he warned .
She hesitated before snapping, "Fine. I'll go along for a bit, but if you filled another closet, we are going to have some problems ."
"Nope. No more filling of closets." He paused before adding, "At least not until we get back to New York ."
"Oh goodie. That's at least a few weeks," she added dryly .
He swatted her naked ass as she finally got out of bed, and she hustled to the bathroom with its heated floors. There was even a small heater in the wall that she loved on a cold Connecticut December morning .
By the time she finished her morning routine and returned to their bedroom dressed in comfortable yoga pants and one of Colton's oversized Yankee's sweatshirts, all evidence of breakfast was gone and a large, wrapped box sat on the bed in the place she had just vacated. The present was elegantly wrapped with blue and silver paper and a shiny silver bow on top. It was hard for her to tell which was brighter, that bow or the joy on Colton's face .
"I can't wait to see if you like it ."
It still surprised her that there were times when she sensed an insecurity in her celebrity, larger-than-life boyfriend. He was confident in so many things, but there were times, like this morning, when she was reminded that, while he may be a very experienced man-whore by most women's standards, he was very new to the whole relationship thing. Harper loved that he had never been in a relationship like the one they now shared. Serious. Committed .
In love, not lust .
She let his excitement infect her. "I'm sure I'll love it. Should I open it here, or should we take it downstairs? I put my gifts for you under the big tree already ."
"Oh, I have other things for you down there too, but I wanted you to open this one here first ."
She gave him the stink eye at finding out there were even more presents downstairs, but she let it go. She wasn't going to ruin his excitement .
Just as she was about to lift the wrapped top off the box, it jiggled. The box muffled a gruff growl .
"It's alive!" she said, stepping back reflexively .
Colton chuckled. "It's okay. He's not going to hurt you ."
"He? You promise ?"
"I promise. Although, he might do a little damage to the house." He grinned her way. "You'll see. Open it ."
Harper lifted one corner, intending to peek inside slowly, but the second the lid left the box, an adorable puppy jumped up, landing on the side of the box and tipping it over. Before she could even react, the little tyke was runnin
g around, sniffing at their bedding and acting like he was about to pee in the middle of the bed .
Colton lunged to catch him just as he jumped off the bed and took off running. Harper couldn't stop herself from laughing as she watched the ten pound fluff ball get the best of the star athlete in the room .
"Come back here, you little shit!" he cursed .
Non-pulsed, the pup made the rounds in the room until finally approaching Harper. She squatted to the floor, holding out her hands, and the puppy ran right into her arms. The second the wiggle-butt was in her grasp, he settled down, snuggling into her embrace as she stood. The second their eyes met, Harper fell in love for the second time that month .
"I don't know why you feel the need to yell at the little guy. He seems happy to me." She stroked the soft, caramel colored fur .
Despite the aggravation, Colton still grinned as he watched them bond .
She hadn't even considered that he might get them a pet, so she was shocked by this gift. She had questions .
"What kind of puppy is he ?"
"He's a Havenese ."
"How old is he ?"
"I got him from a breeder. He just turned four months old ."
"Oh, you little baby. I bet you miss your mama, don't you ?"
"He stayed with Cecelia and Charlie last night. They said he cried most of the night." Harper looked up in time to see the flash of fear in his eyes. "I hope I didn't make a big mistake. What the hell do I know about taking care of a baby ?"
Harper smiled reassuringly as she walked across the room towards him. Only when he was close enough to reach out and pet the puppy did she add, "You'll do fine. In fact, I think practicing on a puppy is a good idea, don't you ?"
His eyes grew large. "What? You aren't... I mean... we're not going to ..."
She reached up to place her fingers over his lips to stop his insecure rambling. "No, Colt. I'm not pregnant. I'm just making an observation that you will be wonderful with a puppy ."