by Christy Dilg
Her eyes twinkle and she looks deep into mine. I can feel every emotion without her even speaking out loud.
"You will never have to be without me. I wouldn't want to live a life without you either," she assures me.
They are starting to call the winners' names so we all walk over to the judge's area. Third place is a skinny boy named Travis and second place goes to Toby. Kaleb feels defeated and puts his head down. I see Laney's heart breaking for her son. They call out First place and our group burst out in excitement. Kaleb landed first place in his first surf competition. He hugs everyone and he comes and wraps his arms around my neck. In that moment I felt like the proudest dad around. I know this is something I want to be to these kids and something I want to do for myself. I never want to go another day without being their dad. Okay, I basically will be their step-dad but I can promise this...I'll be the best damn step-dad around.
The smile on my face hasn't moved since this afternoon when I watched my boy kick the ass out of that punk Toby. Laney and her mom cooked us an awesome meal consisting of pot roast, potatoes, fried okra and homemade macaroni and cheese. I love that Laney has southern roots because they know how to cook. It was time for Mr. Partin and I to go play a round of golf. We leave the ladies to do whatever it is ladies do when we men are not around. We take the elevator to get the golf cart down in the storage unit. I am a motorcycle man, therefore my golf cart is souped up with a Harley-Davidson themed paint job. My parents actually bought it for me two years ago for a birthday gift. It was the best gift they could have gotten me because it gets the most use.
"Can I drive?" Mr. Partin asks.
Who am I to say no? I am trying to impress this man. "Yes, sir," I say, handing over the keys.
At the 18th hole I figure it's now or never. I have to man up and do it before I lose my nerve and lose the chance. I feel like I have been shaken and not nicely stirred. I take a deep breath in and slowly let it out.
"Sir, I would like to talk to you about something." My nerves get the best of me and I stumbled on my words.
"Go ahead," he utters.
"I want you to know that I love your daughter very much and I would do anything to keep her safe. Callie and Kaleb have become a part of my world that I don't ever want to be without. I want to know if you would do me the honor and trust me with Laney's hand in marriage?" I hold my breath waiting for his response.
"She has already been down this road before and the husband ended up being a bastard. How can I trust that you won't do the same to her?" he questions.
"It's easy. I wouldn't be who I am now without your daughter. She opened my heart and I have seen the beauty she has surrounding her. I love her more than words, and I promise to always live each moment making her happy. My day isn't complete until I see her smile." I spit out my case.
"I have known you for a day and I can see that you are nothing but a honest, good hearted man. It would be my honor to walk my daughter down the aisle to you. You have my blessing," he assures me.
Chapter 29
Words cannot describe what I am feeling right now. I have her dad's blessing and that leaves the children. They have been through so much already and I hope this isn't too soon for them. Mr. Partin is a great golf player and I didn't even have to play it easy. He won fair and square. He drives us back to the storage unit and carefully parks. Once back in the condo, I search for the children. They are in Kaleb's room playing Call of Duty on the Xbox and Callie's winning. When they notice me in the room, Callie holds up her index finger and says laughing, "One sec. I almost got them all...now there. I won."
"Can I talk to you both?" I ask.
"What's up?" they say in unison.
I sit on the end of the bed and plead my case to the two most important people in Laney's life.
"You both know I love your mom very much. Well, I was wondering if you would allow me the privilege to marry her."
They both look at each other and Callie squeals and clasp her hands to her mouth. Kaleb stares at me for a moment.
"Dude, there is no one else better matched for my mom than you. Heck yeah, you can marry her," he agrees.
I look at both of them hopefully. "I hope you will welcome me as your step-dad and we can continue building a family."
"I wouldn't want it any other way," Callie says, smiling ear to ear.
Wow, what a relief. That wasn't as bad as I pictured it. I thought for sure those two would have given me the hardest time. I tell them what I have planned and they are both hyped up about it. Callie agrees to call Sierra since I know she will kill me if everyone is here but her. Tomorrow, I will get on my knee and ask my treasure to be my Sapphire for eternity. Laney walks in and eyes us suspiciously and shakes her head. "Movie time," she utters.
The morning sun is pouring in through the window. I overslept and fanatically jump up, knowing that today I have so many things to do. Laney is up before me and in the kitchen with her parents. This never happens and I can only assume it is because her parents are here and she is anxious. I, however, am more than anxious for this evening. I walk in the kitchen and greet everyone good morning as I fix my coffee. Mr. and Mrs. Partin are full of smiles and it's so noticeable that something has gotten them completely giddy.
"Sapphire, I have to run some errands today. Is there anything you need while I am out?" I ask.
"No, sweetie. I have everything I need," she answers.
I kiss her on the cheek. "Morefinity," I say.
"Morefinity," she repeats.
"I will see you when I get back," I say when passing Laney's parents.
I already had the most important part of the evening bought and stored in the safe in the office at the condo. The kids make an excuse and help me complete my plan. We go and set up everything, which ends up taking a couple hours. I clean the best I can so it's not obvious to where I have been.
I get into the elevator and try to calm my nerves. I have to remember the box in the safe. I spend most of the day texting the kids since they are helping me prepare everything. I have never been this nervous before, not even giving speeches in front of hundreds of doctors at conferences. This is seriously a huge event and I am so fucking nervous. Sure, I would think she loves me and she will say yes but in all honesty, Laney has been through the ringer and she never talks about marrying me. I think we are on the same page but there is always that small crack in her heart that might make her turn me down.
The evening has arrived and I am wearing my khaki cargo shorts, blue plaid button up shirt, and brown flip-flops. She walks out of the bathroom, wearing a sexy-as-hell orange sundress paired with brown sandals. She reaches for her cover up and I know she thinks she needs it but I like to see all the skin I can. I grab it from her hand. "Sapphire, you don't need these anymore. I love you and you look beautiful without it," I assure her. She smiles and I set it on the chair beside the closet. We walk into the living room where the kids and Laney's parents are.
Laney's POV
"Are you sure you don't want to walk with us? The sunset is so pretty from down at the beach," I ask them.
"No, honey. We just want to watch this movie on Netflix. We really should get this at home," my mom utters.
"Okay, we will be back shortly. Enjoy the movie," I inform them.
We take the long way to the beach and I enjoy just getting out and having some one on one time with Chance. With everything that is going on we haven't been alone except to sleep. Chance slides his fingers through mine and we walk hand in hand down the beach. He brought a blanket so we can sit and watch the sunset. We come up on a child's sand castle and he lays out the blanket. I cuddle up next to him and nuzzle his neck. His arms wrap around me and keep me warm. The sun is midway down and the sky is encased in the most beautiful colors. I don't know how I spent my whole life never wanting to come see this every night. Just one more thing I can thank Chance for giving me.
I notice a bucket full of seashells next to the castle. One of the shells is so beautifu
l that it doesn't seem real. I grab the bucket and pull it closer to us.
"It's a shame someone went through all the trouble to gather up these shells and then just left them here," I tell Chance.
"Let's see what they collected," he utters.
I grab the top one that is rich in color unlike the rest. I turn it over in my hand and there is a note written on it with marker.
In these shells there is a message. Unscramble the letters in each shell to reveal the puzzle.
I look at Chance and hold up the shell showing him the inside.
"Oh my god! It is a puzzle. This is so cool. I can't believe we stumbled across it," I gush.
I dump the bucket upside down and lay out all the letters. I have never been good at word games, but this is one I want to solve. I lay the shells out letter side up and I start to shuffle them around in the sand hoping for my brain to get a clue. I look over at Chance and he is watching me suffer without assistance. I even try looking at him with puppy dog eyes and poke my bottom lip out. Still nothing. Well, I guess he isn't into puzzles and would rather watch the sunset. I shrug my shoulders but I keep looking at him, hoping he will feel sorry for me. No such luck. Just as I think Chance is helping me, I see that he is adding to the sand castle. He is packing sand into a bucket shaped like a castle. I roll my eyes, annoyed, and turn back to the shells.
M...A...R...R...Y...
M...E...
I stare at the words that I have spelled out and my heart skips a beat but starts picking up pace when I turn my head around and see Chance on one knee. He has his hand out toward the sand castle that is topped with an opened black velvet ring box. Inside sits the most beautiful sparkling square shaped diamond and two sapphires on each side of it. I gasp and my hand rises to cover my mouth.
"Will you, Laney Collins, give me the honor in being my wife?" His voice cracks just a little as he speaks.
"YES!" I squeal as the word bursts out. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull back to kiss him.
He grabs my hand and lifts it up, sliding the ring onto my finger.
"A little treasure for my treasure," he whispers.
"Chance, you have no idea how lucky I am to have found you. This treasure thing works both ways. You started shoveling and uncovered a person hidden away, afraid to come out. I could have been lost forever," I express.
I look down at the ring and hold out my hand.
"This is a gorgeous ring. I love the sapphires," I share, smiling ear to ear.
He stands and holds out his hand for mine. "I think someone would like to say something to you," he says, nodding behind me.
My family and friends are standing behind me with the goofiest grins stretched across their faces. Callie, Sierra, and Brooke run over to me. Sierra grabs my hand and holds it up, examining every part of the ring. Callie and Brooke come up around the side of me and wrap me in a double bear hug.
I laugh at how silly girls act when a ring is involved. My parents walk over and I hug them both. My mom is full of tears. I know when the day comes I will be bawling like a baby when Callie or Kaleb go through the engagement stuff. I shiver at the thought.
"Well, let me see the ring," my mom says as she reaches for my hand.
I hold my hand out in front of her and she wipes her finger gently across it.
"Sapphires are a nice touch. It looks very elegant. Beautiful, I am so happy for you, sweetie." A tear rolls down her cheek.
"Thanks, Mom," I whisper back.
My mom is the most amazing beautiful woman. I hope I look as good as her when I get in my sixty's. The woman can still out-walk me on my best day. Sharing this moment with those closest to me is so wonderful. Chance knows how to make things amazing and then top it with a side of perfect.
Chance comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I lean my head back and nuzzle him as we watch the sunset.
Later that evening, after dinner, we finally have some alone time. I love cozying up in the bed and watching the sky change from our window. Tonight the sky is so clear that I can see the stars perfectly. There is no TV in this room, which is a great thing since without it we spend more time cuddling and talking. I think this is the best way to set up a marriage bedroom. Chance climbs in the bed and slides close to me, draping his arm over my stomach. A year ago I would have flinched but now I just want him to hold me tighter. I love this man and everything he has made me feel since the first moment when I nearly fell on the desk. I roll around to face him, grabbing his face with my free hand and brushing my finger over his moist lips. The sexy lips curl up in a crooked way that lets me know he is sinfully ready for me to touch every inch of his body.
"I can't wait to call you my wife. Mrs. Laney Turner," he whispers.
"Dr. Chance Turner, I can't wait to spend a lifetime hearing you call me that," I reply.
Chapter 30
His hands slide through my hair, undoing its tie, and my hair slowly falls down my back. The slightest touch of his skin sends chills down my spine. I could orgasm just by his touch alone but my body craves something deeper, something more intimate. His lips press firmly on my mouth and his tongue slips through the opening and meets mine. The way he taste opens all my senses up and I can feel the wetness between my legs building. He is taking everything so slow that it is driving me wild. I like the feeling of him teasing me and making me long for more. It is seriously making me so fucking hot right now.
"Touch me," I beg.
"How bad do you want it?" he teases.
"I'll do whatever you want," I admit.
"Whatever?" he asks.
"Oh, yes. Please," I beg again.
He softly drags his fingertips down my body starting at my neck and moving slowly down my breasts, rib cage, navel, and reaching my sex. The craving for this man to be inside me is getting more intense.
"Oh please, Chance. Take me now," I cry out.
In that moment I am at my sexual peak for frustration and I can't take it anymore. I push him over on the bed and go to climb up on him, but he grabs me and turns me over butt side up. He slaps me hard on my butt and I scream out.
"Ouch." I can't help but feel aroused by his dominant side.
"You bad girl. Be still. It's my turn to have my way with you," he says.
He grabs the stethoscope on the bedside table, wraps it around my wrists and pulls it tight. I wiggle them, trying desperately to get them free but they are tied too tightly. I can see the passion in his eyes and the lust he has for me.
He rolls me over and his mouth presses into my neck. He gently bites and a low growl comes out of his throat. Holy shit, this is turning me on in ways I could never imagine. I have never been into anything like this. The forcefulness of his touch is something he has never shown me before. I like it, but is it wrong for me to like playing the submissive after everything I have been through? Here I go, over thinking everything when I should be enjoying every touch, nibble, or any other thing he wants to do that makes me feel this amazing. He opens the drawer beside the table and pulls out a small bag. He spreads the contents on the table and I turn to look at what he has in store for me. Chocolate lotion, vanilla flavored dust, and a small feather duster. I look at him and smile a wicked grin. Oh my, this is going to get even hotter.
He grabs the chocolate lotion and squirts it in his hand. He begins by rubbing his hands together and warms it, then massages the lotion on my breasts. He is straddled on top of me and leans down, lightly licking each nipple and sucking one at a time. His hand moves smoothly with the slipperiness of the lotion that when he reaches my sex it feels so smooth except the experiment I was hoping he would notice.
"You shaved a heart there." His eyes widen in surprise as he slides farther down on me.
"I thought you might like it." I gasp at his touch to my sensitive area.
"Oh, I like," he confirms just before he traces the heart with his finger. After going over it a few times, his finger slips in the opening and I can feel a warm tingling sensation
from the lotion. The heat makes me want to explode. He continues his motion back and forth and circling of my clitoris. I grab his cock and stroke it in rhythm with him.
I moan as he pushes his firm length into my sex and slides it in and out. I can feel the ridge just before he pushes himself back in me. His lips press onto mine and his hands slide up over my breasts, fondling one and lightly trailing over to the other one. I slide my hand down to my sex and rub my clitoris and I can feel him sliding in and out. The feeling is naughty and so fucking hot that I come apart. Chance stills and I can feel him pulsating inside me.
"I love that I can do this to you," he says, still inside me.
Still trying to catch my breath, I am speechless. He kisses my forehead and rolls off me but he pulls me close to him. "Morefinity," I finally muster.