by Shelly Davis
“I love you too, Mia.”
We spent the evening dancing, laughing, and talking. Toni gave me a questioning glance when Jake and I emerged from the office door, but she didn’t say anything. Jake and I were together, and we loved each other.
When it was finally time to leave, Jake took my hand in his and pulled me into his arms. His smile was wide and his eyes were full of love.
“Come-on, let’s go home.”
***
The holidays were a whirlwind of activity. We had our first family Christmas at Julius’ house with trees and presents and amazing food prepared by Jake and Dottie.
Jake stayed with me every day after the wedding since his parents were staying through the holidays. It had taken us almost a decade to finally find our way to each other, and now we didn’t want to be apart.
Winter had made its presence known the week between Christmas and the New Year. The white stuff fell a little every day, so when plans were being made for New Year’s Eve, it was decided we would celebrate at Bobby’s Tavern. His house was just on the other side of the parking lot, and large enough for Mike, my mom, Jake’s parents, and Cade. Toni and Julius could stay in her room in my house, and Jake would stay with me.
We spent New Year’s Eve as a family, eating, talking, and having fun. But just after midnight, Jake came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He pulled me back into his chest and hugged me tight. It felt so good to be held by him. He showed me how much he loved me every day, and I wondered how I’d managed to live without him.
Tilting my head to the side, I looked up at him and smiled. “What’re you doin’?”
“I think it’s time for us to leave.” His voice was soft and smooth, so deep it sent shivers down my spine.
“Is that so? Tired already?” I was trying to be flirty, but had a feeling I was failing miserably. I pushed my ass into him, and could feel the slightest hint of his arousal on my lower back. He slid his hands to my hips and tightened his hold.
He lowered his head, his lips moving along my ear and lower to my jaw, then back up again. His hot breath rushed across my ear and sent a shiver down my spine. “Mmm …” he hummed. “Definitely not tired.”
Unable to think enough to formulate any kind of verbal response, I nodded my head and started to pull away toward the back door and my little house. Jake held tight, pulling me back into him until I felt the full effect of our proximity. A rush of heat flooded my veins, warming me to my core.
“Give me a minute, sweetheart. I need to compose myself just a bit.” His teeth nipped at the edge of my ear. “On second thought, let’s just go. No need for goodbyes.”
My heart fluttered. Every single time he touched me, my body tingled and trembled. No one, ever made me feel like Jake did. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the feel of his body pressed against mine. I breathed in, soaking in his warmth and the tingle I felt all over, every time he touched me.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me through the crowd of people and toward the kitchen door. The night was bitter and the snow continued to fall. I slid just a bit as my heeled boots hit the slick pavement, but Jake caught me. A squeal erupted as he lifted me off my feet and threw me over his shoulder.
“Jake, put me down, I can do it.”
“No you can’t,” he taunted. “You already almost fell. Those boots ain’t worth shit in the snow.” His chuckle warmed me from deep inside. I loved playful Jake.
He ran across the snow covered parking lot, sliding several times. I screamed, swearing I saw my life flash before my eyes twice in the moments it took us to get to my front door. If he fell, my head would smash into the ground, and no more Mia.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I got you. I ain’t gonna fall.” He paused. “Give me the key.”
Handing the keys over to him, Jake opened the door and carried me inside. Holding me close, he held me as he walked through the house and into my room. Using his foot, he closed the door and my heart erupted.
Hips firmly in his grasp, he slid me down the front of him. My feet didn’t touch the floor until he moved to the side of my bed and sat. I stood in front of him, looking down into his dark and sexy blue eyes.
His hands found the edge of my sweater and his fingers slid beneath the hem until he found bare skin. His calloused hands were warm and strong on my waist. He held tight, looking up at me. His eyes said so many things as he stared into mine. I felt like I could read his every thought, every emotion through those extraordinary eyes.
I climbed into his lap and straddled his hips. Jake immediately sat up straight as I settled into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me, but more than that, I felt his love wash over me. This was love, the kind of love I’d always wanted. We’d accepted our past mistakes and our time apart and knew this was where we were meant to be.
I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. His strong hands stilled when I pressed myself against him. Chest to chest, I felt his sharp inhale. Every single time we kissed, it felt like our hearts and souls were coming together as one.
He held me tight, as we kissed until I was breathless. His rough hands smoothing around my back to my side as he pushed the shirt up, only breaking the kiss long enough to pull the sweater over my head.
“Gorgeous. You are so gorgeous.”
Moving to the side he guided us to the side and lay us down on the soft, warm bed. There was so much emotion in that kiss; so much love, hope, and acceptance. I knew this was where I was meant to be.
Although we hadn’t spent a single night apart since my parents’ wedding, something about tonight seemed different somehow. There was more passion and more longing in our kisses. It just seemed like … more.
He cupped my cheek tenderly, as he moved me to my back. He hovered just above me, devouring me with his eyes. And his lips were back on mine. His hands were everywhere. Rubbing and massaging while his lips devoured mine. Sliding his lips away, he made a trail of kisses across my cheek and down my jaw to my neck. A shiver rocked my body and a low moan escaped my throat as he trailed his lips to where my shoulder met my neck. Then he moved lower still, his mouth latching onto my breast over the thin lacy material of my bra. I surrendered to how he made my body sing with his every touch, lost in everything that was Jake.
Rocking my hips into his, I could feel his desire and longing, and it thrilled me. I wanted to rush this, but Jake wouldn’t let me. He pulled away just a bit and looked into my eyes. His dark blue eyes full of lust and desire.
“Mmm … You like that, don’t you, sweetheart? I love the sounds you make.”
I didn’t answer, I couldn’t, his mouth found my other breast and I was lost to the sensation. I arched my back and pushed my breasts into him more as me made his way back up to my mouth, consuming my gasp.
We kissed and caressed each other for what felt like hours, only separating to explore each other. I ran my hands down the hard plains of his chest and stomach, reveling in the feel of his body on mine. He held me close, our bodies fused together.
And then we were gone, lost to each other. Our bodies moved as one. We pushed and pulled at clothing, rolling back onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. I was close to toppling over the edge when he finally pulled my panties down my legs. His hooded gaze penetrated me, searing my heart and soul. Jake was the only man who’s ever looked at me like this. Like I was the only woman in the world that he ever saw.
When he finally touched me, my body felt like it would implode at the sensation. His soft and gentle caress was almost too much to handle. I wanted more. My hips bucked when his finger grazed the most sensitive part of me.
“Holy hell, you’re so responsive,” he whispered just before his lips and tongue found the sensitive spot on my neck.
I shivered when he sucked and kissed his way up my neck to my ear. Then his lips found mine, harder and rougher than before. He was trying to go slow, but he was starting to lose control. It excited me, the whole thing excited me. I wanted more, but I wanted to push hi
m and see how far we could go before he completely lost control. I wanted to be the reason he lost control, I wanted his restraint to disappear when he was with me.
I moved my hand down and wrapped my fingers around the length of him. He jerked in response, his whole body tensing at my touch.
Both of us were breathing hard and fast as we explored. And when we were finally ready, my world came into focus. This was what I wanted for a lifetime. He was who I wanted for the rest of my life.
When we tumbled over the edge together, my heart felt like it would explode. I couldn’t possibly love or be loved more than I was with Jake.
Later, lying together, curled under a pile of blankets, Jake held me tight to his side. His hold so firm, like he was worried I’d disappear or melt away.
“Marry me, Mia,” he whispered into the darkness.
Saying I was stunned would’ve been an understatement. Of all the things he could’ve said to me that was the last thing I expected. But it didn’t scare me or make me want to run, instead my heart swelled. Tears gathered in my eyes and I sat up and looked at him in the dark room. He didn’t move or try to stop me, he just followed my movements.
I needed to see his eyes, I needed to see what his eyes told me, but in the dark of the bedroom, it was impossible to see. But I still tried, as the tears pooled in my eyes and were ready to spill over.
He sat up, and found my hands in the darkness. Taking my hands in his, he pulled me closer to him. “Mia, I love you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. You’ve gotten so under my skin, I don’t ever want to let you go. I don’t want to take another step in this world without you by my side. I need you, Mia. Marry me. Be my wife.”
One hand left mine and found my cheek. His thumb smoothed over my cheek wiping away the tear that had escaped. “Sweetheart, don’t cry. Why’re you cryin’?”
“Are you serious?” I asked. “Do you mean it? Do you honestly wanna marry me?”
He let out a long, relieved breath. I could almost feel his entire body relax. “More than anything. Mia, you’ve always been in my heart, it just took me a little while to remember. Marry me, and I’ll love you forever.”
Epilogue
Jake
“You ready man?” Cade asked coming up behind me.
Three months had passed since the night I asked her to marry me. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she was the woman I wanted for the rest of my life. So I figured why wait. And when she said yes, my entire world came into focus. Three months and so much had changed for all of us. Toni and Julius got engaged after he won the Daytona five-hundred in February. He said his biggest win that day wasn’t the trophy but was finally putting a ring on Toni’s finger. He was kind of a dork when it came to Toni, but I liked seeing her with someone who loved her so much.
Once Mia said yes, everything changed instantly. Mia moved in with me about a month later and our lives were suddenly overwhelmingly busy. School and paperwork kept Mia on her toes while I busted my ass to get the restaurant ready for a Valentine’s Day opening. Everything was falling into place.
Instead of dragging out a long engagement, Mia and I also planned a small wedding. At the end of March, just as the weather was beginning to break and spring was just around the corner, we prepared the restaurant for another wedding.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I said, turning to my brother and best man. Cade stood in the doorway and smiled. “It’s about time then. Dad’s already waitin’ in the front and Momma’s waitin’ for you to walk her down the aisle. I’m gonna head to the front with Jules.”
“Tell Momma I’ll be there in just a moment.”
Cade stepped forward and hugged me tight. “I’m happy for you brother. You deserve a good woman, and Mia’s definitely a good woman.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, hugging him back. Without another word Cade left me alone to collect my thoughts. I couldn’t believe all this had happened so quickly. I felt like the luckiest bastard on the planet.
My mother stood at the back of the church, waiting for me. Her long gray gown made her look so much younger than her fifty years. “Hey momma. You ready for this?” I walked up to her, smiling.
Her dark blue eyes, just like mine and Cade’s, were red and rimmed with unshed tears. She smiled a watery smile and nodded her head just once, indicating she was ready. I walked up to her and she reached up and adjusted my tie.
“Look at you. My handsome boy. I can’t believe you’re gettin’ married.” She paused then her eyes became sincere. “Are you happy?”
I let out a long sigh. Of course my mother would want to know I was sure before she let me go. “Yes, momma. I’ve never been happier. Mia’s my other half. She’s the only woman I’ve ever loved, ever wanted. I love her with everything I am.”
“Good.” She smiled. “Mia’s a good girl. She’s taken care of you, just like you take care of her. She is your match in every way.” I drew her into a hug. This was my mother, giving me her blessing and letting me know she was proud of me. When she pulled away, tears had escaped and were making tracks down her cheeks. She dabbed them with a handkerchief. “Well, let’s get you married.” She grabbed my arm and together, we walked down the aisle to where my father stood and waited. He hugged me and the two of them sat as one in the first pew.
After several minutes, the music started, Canon in D minor echoed through the church as Monique, and then Toni marched down the aisle. Their floor-length red, strapless gowns looked gorgeous on them both. And when the music changed my heart leaped.
Everything stopped for just a moment as the huge doors in the back of the church opened and there stood the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen in my life. How could I be so lucky as to make this woman my bride? She looked like an angel, sent down from heaven just for me. And when her eyes met mine and she smiled, I almost melted right there on the spot.
Mia walked toward me, her long white gown flowed all around her. The full skirt of the dress was complete with a tight, off-the-shoulder top, covered in lace and shiny opalescent stones. My heart swelled when I realized she was mine; my bride, my wife, my life.
I couldn’t stand the anticipation I felt as she walked down the aisle flanked by her mother and Mike. In that moment, I felt more love than I’d ever felt in my life.
When she was finally in front of me, her mother lifted her veil over her face and placed a kiss on her cheek, then Mike kissed her. They both turned to me, Mike shook my hand and Rosie hugged me tight.
“We’re so happy for you,” she whispered. Then Rosie placed Mia’s hand in mine.
I focused on her dainty hand and was sure I could feel her whole life vibrating with mine. Our eyes locked and the love that flowed between us warmed my heart. The love I had for her was the most powerful thing I’d ever felt in my life. It was more than familial love, more than the love I had for her just yesterday. The feeling floored me.
I gazed down into her eyes and smiled. Her eyes, more green today, held so much love and happiness in them. “You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. How did I get so lucky?”
“How did I?” she asked. Her smile widening.
The preacher started to speak and I couldn’t tell you one thing the man said through the entire thing. Toni stepped up to the podium and spoke of love and friendship lasting a lifetime. And when it was finally our turn to speak, the love just poured out of me as I declared my eternal love and devotion to Mia and she did the same.
By the time we both said “I do” I couldn’t wait any longer, all I wanted to do was kiss her. I wanted to lose myself – eternally – in her mind and body. She was the only woman I ever wanted, and now she was mine.
Mia
When I met Jake’s eyes at the end of the aisle, I could breathe. Jake was handsome – jeans, gym shorts, and t-shirts, it didn’t matter, he looked good in anything. But seeing him in a black tux tailored to his broad shoulders and narrow hips, I was in awe. How did I get so lucky? We’d had a rough road full of misunderstand
ings and broken hearts, but we’d found our way back to each other and our lives were just beginning.
The moment I said “I do”, Jake was kissing me. No chance for the preacher to announce us husband and wife, no time for him to say you may kiss the bride. Jake kissed me long and hard, almost to the point I could’ve forgotten where we were. Over the past couple months, we’d kissed millions of times. But none compared to this kiss. It was different somehow, more real, truer in its intentions. This kiss bonded us together more than any piece of paper or announcement from any mortal man. This kiss was what made us husband and wife.
When he finally released his hold on me, I was breathless and barely able to stand on my own. A collective cheer erupted from our friends and family who had gathered to spend this day with us.
“I present, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob and Mia Hanson.” Another round of cheers sounded and we were rushing down the aisle to the back of the church with Toni and Cade and Monique and Julius behind us.
The entire day as a blur – a surreal blur full of love, laughter, and happiness. So much happiness I couldn’t contain it. I couldn’t believe how far my life had come. I had a career I adored, amazing friends, and I’d found the only man I’d ever genuinely loved. And now, that man was my husband.
We danced, ate, and celebrated our love. It was a perfect night full of all the things every girl waits for her whole life.
Once upon a time I believed that true love was for little girls who believed in fairytales. I now believed in fairytales … and Jake was my happily ever after.
The End
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