by Aubrey Cara
“So you're still happy you invited us to do Christmas at your house?”
Stroking her cheek he was very serious when he said, “More than happy. Christmas is a time for celebrating and family. I'm ready for both. There is no one I'd rather spend the day with than you and Zeke. And later on your parents. It's time to start making some happy memories with the ones I love the most, and I love you.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his confession.“I love you, too. It's okay if you get sad or need some alone time. It's understandable if it gets overwhelming.” She knew this was the first time he'd be truly celebrating Christmas since his family died. “But I'm glad and a little relieved to hear you say all that. I'm ready for some happy memories too. I really do love you.”
“You know what I really love?” He said a teasing grin playing on his full lips.
“No, what?”
“Hearing you say you love me. Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“Mmm, and again,” he said as he nibbled her neck.
Her head fell back as her eyes slid closed at the sensation. “I love you.”
“Again,” he demanded as he opened her robe and palmed her breast.
“I love you.”
“Again,” he breathed against her lips.
“I love you,” she said. Her words swallowed by his mouth.
It was another hour before they got out the door that morning. Some things took precedence over food. Being made love to by the one man in the world you loved more than any other was definitely one of those things.
EPILOGUE
Mason checked his tie, then he checked the inner pocket of his suit coat for the fifth time since putting the ring box in there. Tonight he was going to propose. He'd always known at some point he was going to propose. He hadn't banked on being so nervous though.
Walking into the living room he asked the dogs, “How do I look?” Daisy barely lifted her head, but Jenny trotted over.
He gave her a scratch before going and plugging in the Christmas tree lights. Standing back he admired the tree and all the decorations in the living room. Then he went and flipped on the sparkly lights he strung outside. He wanted the house to look perfect when they arrived back after dinner.
The house was too far from the low traffic road for anyone not coming to his house to really notice, but it had felt like the final testament he was ready to start the next chapter of his life.
“Wish me luck,” he said as he grabbed his keys and headed out to the garage.
His palms were sweating as he drove to Mimi's apartment. He was suddenly glad Herald and Elaine already had Zeke and he wouldn't have to be making anymore stops. He'd already asked for Herald's blessing, which was more to be polite than actually needing it. Her parents could hate him and he'd still be set to course. The fact that her parents seemed to genuinely accept him and looked forward to welcoming him as part of the family did ease some of his anxiety.
He'd won over her family. Now he just had to win the woman.
Walking to Mimi's door, he knocked twice, then about swallowed his tongue when she answered. So enamored he was with drinking in the sight of Mimi in a form-fitting little black dress and sexy red heels--he wanted to see on her dainty feet, dangling over his shoulders--that it took him a full minute to register he hadn't heard the turn of a lock.
“Did you not lock your door?”
“Oh, no Mr. Man. You're not spanking me. Tell me I look nice and let's go out to dinner.”
“Are you trying to evade the question?” he said closing the door and stalking into the apartment.
“No. I had unlocked the door because I knew you'd be here any minute. Then I went and grabbed my purse. This is a new dress, Mason. I love you but I would like to be able to show it off before you take it off. And I'm hungry. Aren’t you hungry?”
Oh, he was hungry alright. A certain part of his anatomy was twitching to life, ready to feed his particular hunger. Mason stood there debating his options. If he spanked her, which he was itching to do, they would not make it to dinner. Or they'd make it to dinner with a glazed eyed Mimi looking like she needed to be dragged to the bathroom and filled with his cock—which at the moment was feeling enthusiastic about both those ideas.
Unfortunately, neither option would do for the plans he had for them. He felt like growling.
“Later your bottom and I are going to be chatting about keeping your doors locked,” he promised, not failing to notice her bite her lip. The brat had probably done it on purpose. She was going to keep him on his toes for the rest of his life.
“You really do look beautiful.”
“It's about time you noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed. I just had to run through all the things I'm going to do to you while you're wearing those heels tonight, before I could articulate my appreciation.”
He was rewarded with her throaty laugh that in no way helped his growing erection.
They'd made it to his jeep and were on there way when she said, “I'm also wearing some fancy panties I bought thinking of you. I thought about not wearing any panties but I know how much you like taking them off me.”
“Are you sure you don't want that spanking before dinner?”
Laughing she said, “Yes. I'm sure. Where are we going anyway? You never said.”
“It's this place that opened about a year ago. It's not too far away, but it's really nice. The chef is supposed to have been on some big Top Chef show. It came highly recommended.”
“Picards?”
“Yeah, have you heard of it?”
“Well, sort of. I've been there before...on a date. Craig took me that one night.”
Mason almost stopped the car. He had to bite back a curse and calm his breathing. Dammit. He could not possibly propose to Mimi in the restaurant she went to with that asshat. He wracked his brain trying to think of any other fine dining establishments in the area. That was literally the only one outside of Austin. Anything in the city would be a long drive and it would probably be near to impossible to get a table without a reservation the night before Christmas Eve.
He could always wait to propose after they got home. Or tomorrow with her family. He'd just wanted it to be perfect. Thank God, he hadn't prearranged the ring to be put in champagne or any of those other cliché tropes. He'd always thought it a bad idea to put jewelry in something you were going to ingest.
“You’re not upset are you?” she asked. His scowl must have given him away. He tried for a neutral expression. “Mason, I'm sorry I even said anything. It's a really good restaurant. The food is amazing. You're going to love it.”
“I know, but...” He shrugged feeling disgruntled.
“What's the big deal? It's not like you were going to propose to me or anything.”
Mason's heart stopped. Shit. Had he been reading things wrong? Was she not ready for him to propose? He knew it was fast, but he also knew Mimi was the one. Hell, if she wasn't ready he may blow their whole relationship by proposing tonight.
He rubbed his chest suddenly feeling heartburn coming on.
*** ***
Mimi had said it flippantly, but one look at Mason's face and she knew she'd messed up big time. The love of her life was going to propose, and she blew it. Her mind was screaming, “You can still propose. Please God still propose!” What actually came out of her mouth was a strangled incredulous sounding, “You want to marry me?”
“Does that really surprise you?” he asked, sounding just as strangled and incredulous.
No, she guessed not. But her brain to mouth functions seemed to be malfunctioning.
“You can still propose to me.” God, she kind of sounded desperate. But she was feeling a bit desperate at the moment.
He quirked a brow giving her an irritated look. She knew she wanted him to give her those superior Mr. Coleman looks he didn't even know made her panties damp, for the rest of her life.
“Pull over and propose to me.”
“Mimi,
we're in the middle of nowhere. You don't want me to propose to you in a ditch next to a cow pasture.”
“Yes. Yes I do. In a ditch by a cow pasture. In a roadside gas station bathroom...okay, maybe not there, but a ditch by a cow pasture is good.”
“You're serious?” he asked sounding doubtful but a hopeful grin played at his lips.
“I am serious. I love you Mason Coleman and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Mason slowed down and parked on the shoulder of the road as other cars zipped by. Taking her face in his hands he said, “That's my line,” as he slanted his mouth over hers in an all consuming beautiful kiss, that stole her breath and made her heart beat triple time.
Pulling back he looked at her with so much love and devotion her throat tightened. Tears were imminent and as much as she tried to blink them back one escaped, then another.
“Miriam Westfall. Mimi. Will you make me the happiest man in the known universe and marry me?”
“Yes,” she choked out. “Hell yes!” she said, throwing her arms around him. Kissing him with all the love she had in her. Happy tears trailed down her cheeks unchecked.
“Wait,” he said pulling back. A huge grin splitting his face. “I almost forgot. I have a ring.”
“I don't care about the ring. I'm sure it's lovely,” she said trying to pull him back for another kiss.
“I care. I want everyone to know you're mine.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a little white jeweler's box. When he opened the lid her jaw dropped. It was the biggest cushion cut diamond she'd ever seen. She could hardly see the ornate platinum band, the rock was so big.
“Mason, that's huge!”
He chuckled with a cocky grin and she smacked his arm, rolling her eyes. “The ring. That rock is bigger than my hand. People on the moon will know I'm taken.”
“That's the point,” he said slipping the ring on her left ring finger.
Fresh tears sprang as she looked at the ring he'd placed on her finger.
“If it's really too big we can get you one you like better.”
Mimi shook her head. Her throat thick with tears she managed a, “It's perfect,” and meant it. He'd picked out this ring as a symbol of his love for her. She'd cherish it forever. “I love you so much Mason Coleman.”
“I love you too, Mimi mine.”
*** ***
Mason did not get to experience the culinary wonders of Picards that night. He did however revel in the carnal wonders of his soon-to-be wife. After the loving, after they raided the fridge and lay naked, nested in front of the fireplace gazing at the beautiful tree they'd decorated together, Mason realized it wasn't even Christmas and he'd already gotten everything he could ever wish for.
THE END
Also By Aubrey Cara
Chasing Delia
With the delivery of one Dear John letter and a set of divorce papers, Delia Myers is on a her way to self-discovery. First stop: Embracing she's a terrible judge of character. Especially when it comes to men.
Jake Forrester is a small town cop, who is beyond charming, and hunky enough to have every female in a hundred mile radius panting after him. Basically everything she is trying to avoid. Too bad he's been determined to chase after her from the second he's laid eyes on her oversized floral granny panties.
She may run, but can she hide from love?
http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Delia-Aubrey-Cara-ebook/dp/B00PCS86SS
Taming Kat
Moving halfway across the country to work part-time at a ranch had been a rash decision on Yankee, city girl Kat Martin's part. She understood that. She had just needed to get away from her pesky mom and older sister telling her what she should be doing with her life. She had no idea her bold move was going to put her in daily close proximity to her one and only one-night stand, Caleb McCrae.
Kat may not know what she wants to do with her life but she does know she needs to stay well away from sexy neanderthal Caleb, who had strutted into her life and ripped her pants off.
Caleb is officially done with military life and is ready to settle down. He's bought a stake in the ranch he grew up working at and is building a beautiful house. Now all he has to do is wrangle the one that got away. Kat Martin has been haunting his thoughts and steaming up his dreams ever since she skipped out on him after one of the hottest nights of his life. She may be giving him the cold shoulder now, but he knows just how to heat her up.
http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Kat-Aubrey-Cara-ebook/dp/B00S9AN1KO