“Shoot. I knew there was something I forgot to tell them.” He grinned, and then continued, “I told them how Carter thinks a lot of you.”
“It's sweet being invited by both Smith men, but I think it might be good for us to be apart a bit.”
He gave her a worried glance. “I don't like the sound of that.”
She whispered, “You have to admit things have been moving quickly for us. The previews are starting. We'll talk more later.”
He chuckled. “I know. You don't like me to talk at all during a movie.”
She put her finger on his lips. “Hush. I think you talk the most to me during a movie.”
After the movie, they held hands and walked to The Quarter Bistro. Once Blake and Sydney were seated at a small table with their sangria wine drinks, they gazed into each other’s eyes.
“This is nice.” Sydney sipped her wine. “Do you think Karen really had another couple interested in our house? I wonder if she made it up to get us to make an offer quickly. We should’ve been smarter and not been pressured into buying it right away.”
“I think Karen was honest about another couple being interested. A guy I work with said he would like to buy a duplex.”
She grinned. “You two could’ve bought it together.”
“That wasn’t possible. His mother-in-law lives with them because of a health condition. He said our place would be perfect for them, so his mother-in-law could have her own place without the responsibility of owning it by herself.” Blake’s blue eyes filled with guilt. “I’m sorry you felt pressured to buy the duplex with me.”
She undid her scarf’s knot and played with the ends. “It’s just I went from a tiny apartment suddenly to a bigger place with a yard and...”
“And what?”
“From being single to living with a hot guy and his adorable little boy. It’s a bit overwhelming at times.”
“Syd, I’m sorry. Carter and I will give you some space and alone time.”
“Usually, I love our arrangement. But sometimes I wonder if we should’ve taken everything at a slower pace.” She put the orange scarf around Blake’s neck and pulled him closer to her face. “But I do love sleeping with you.”
“Just sleeping...nothing else.”
“Oh, I love you touching me all over my naked body.”
“Thanks a lot for that visual, Syd.”
She pulled on her scarf even tighter until their mouths touched. Her demanding kiss wasn’t long.
Blake said, “I’m guessing you don’t want to stick around here too long.”
“You guessed right.”
* * *
After Zach left to go home, they both peeked into Carter's room to check on him. They left the sleeping Carter to go to Blake’s bedroom.
“I thought I’d save you the hassle of trying to get this dress off me,” Sydney said as she slipped out of her dress. After removing bra, panties, and necklace, she tumbled into bed with Blake.
“Let me show my appreciation.” He kissed her breasts in turn.
Her whole body filled with longing and this unbearable sense of urgency. Her heart raced with each suck he took on her nipples. She breathed in painful, soul-drenching gulps of air wanting him inside her. If she had to wait another moment, she'd probably die. Burning with desire, she insisted, “Blake, I can't wait. I need you now.”
“I want you so much too.” He shifted above her and buried himself deep inside her.
Their coupling was fast and beautiful. She placed her hands over his butt because she wanted to feel him. I'll miss him when he leaves for Florida, she thought. But at the same she knew it was for the best that she had a reason to stay home. If it wasn't for the shower, she might even consider going with him and Carter.
* * *
During the ten days the guys were gone, Sydney was tempted several times to hop on a plane to Florida. While she took her morning jogs, she thought constantly about Blake. She missed him so much. Why in the world had she ever doubted their love for each other? She'd dated enough to know the difference between lust and real love. Her recent columns reflected her feelings on real love. Her blog received tons of comments about couples knowing immediately that they were meant for each other. Others said their love developed from friendships first.
She even told Libby, “If Blake should ever need a kidney, I'd be the first in line to get tested to see if mine's a match. That's how much I love him.”
“Hey, don't rush into giving your organs away.” Libby giggled. “I might need a kidney. So what are the plans for the big reunion?”
“I'll spend time with Carter while Blake goes to his office for a few hours. Then Carter's going to spend the night with Aaron.”
“I bet you two will have a romantic dinner. And some smooching. Which will be first, I wonder?”
“I'm not telling.”
Sydney played several games with Carter to keep them busy until Blake returned from work. She and Carter both wanted the hours to go by quickly. Carter couldn't wait to see Aaron and tell him all about his trip. Desire filled her and she couldn’t wait to be alone with his father.
Once Blake drove Carter to her brother’s house and returned, the most amazing lovemaking came first. Blake fell back on the bed. Then she rested her head on his shoulder. “Sydney, before we have sex again, we need to talk. I love you and I’ve never been surer of anything in my whole life. Will you marry me?”
Although Sydney felt fully alive and happy at his proposal, she gave him an indignant look. “What took you so long? I fell in love with you when we went furniture shopping.”
“Well, I fell for you before that. When I saw you on the treadmill trying to prove the house should be yours, I knew you were the woman for me.”
She laughed. “Give me a break. You liked what you saw when my blouse popped open.”
“That helped. I don’t have a ring but we can pick it out together this weekend. Sorry, I meant to pop the question at dinner tonight with flowers and candles on the table. Or even wait until we could take a carriage ride. That's something we haven't done and I know you'd like.”
“I think proposing during one of our so-called platonic moments is pretty romantic. Everyone can take a horse-drawn carriage ride for the big proposal, or ask during dinner.”
“How does a short engagement sound? At most three months?” he asked. Waiting any longer would be too hard for him. He wanted Sydney to be Mrs. Smith. He laughed.
She frowned. “What’s so funny? I can handle a short engagement.”
“I just thought how you’ll become Mrs. Smith. Big change, huh.”
“Zach will tease us, but I don’t care.”
“I think this occasion calls for champagne. I put a bottle in the refrigerator earlier for our after dinner lovemaking, but let's have a glass now.”
“While you get the champagne, I'll call Mom and Dad to tell them we’re engaged.”
“They know. I stopped there today before I bought the champagne. I asked your dad for your hand in marriage.”
She grinned. “I take it he said yes.”
He nodded.
“Well, I have to call someone to tell them our great news.” She sat up in bed. “I'll tell Libby.”
Within a few minutes, Blake walked back into the bedroom. He handed her the crystal glass.
“Thanks, but we better have a short toast and drink fast. Your lack of clothing is making me have erotic thoughts again.” She wanted to swat his sexy behind but didn't want to spill her drink. “If I have to see your nude body too often, it might be harder than I thought being married to you. I’ll be attacking you all the time.”
He grinned. “I aim to please my woman. So was Libby surprised we’re getting married?”
“You aren’t going to believe this but Libby said they all had bets on when we’d get engaged. Dad, Mom, Zach, Lindsay, Libby, and Craig were all in the betting pool.”
“I’m glad we gave them something to talk about. Who won?”
> “I bet you’ll never guess.”
“Probably Zach.”
Sydney shook her head. “Mom. She’s already started a wedding folder. And she told Libby that Carter and Aaron would be perfect as the ring bearers. I never heard of having two ring bearers, but it's fine with me.”
“Your sneaky Mom never mentioned the bet to me. I think it’s time for a toast before we do some more celebrating.” Blake winked at Sydney.
“Now that the house is truly our place, let’s toast to that.”
They clicked their glasses and Blake said, “To our place and to our love.”
About the Author
Diane graduated with a degree in English and Speech Education from The Ohio State University. Before writing her books, she was a schoolteacher and play director. She met her husband while teaching at an orphanage.
She is a mother and grandmother. Her dream vacation is going to the beach. Her husband is supportive of her writing career as well as her awesome children and daughter-in-law. Diane writes contemporary and inspirational romance, chick-lit mystery, and women’s fiction.
Books by Diane Craver
Inspirational Romance
A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One)
No Greater Loss
Marrying Mallory
Chick-Lit Mystery
A Fiery Secret
Contemporary Romance
Whitney in Charge
Never the Same
The Proposal – as a short and also in A Christmas Collection: Anthology
Historical Fiction and Inspirational
A Christmas Gift
Visit Diane online!
Website and Blog:
http://www.dianecraver.com
http://www.dianecraver.com/blog
http://www.jewelsofthequill.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Diane-Craver/153906208887
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