Four months later…

It was mentally exhausting, but I did it. I put up with Walnut Hill until the end of the school year. Dom had asked me to move to Maine with him back in April, but it didn’t feel right to abandon my class. Not only was it unprofessional, it would ruin my chances of securing a good recommendation if I did decide to move. And seeing as how those chances were already slim after Dom’s fiasco, I needed to rebuild my reputation and stay strong in the face of adversity. Besides, if I ditched my class halfway through the year, it would only prove to all my haters that everything they believed about me was true. That I really was irresponsible and reckless; that I didn’t care about the kids. I truly loved my students, even the petty ones and the whiny ones. I owed it them to stay. I also wanted to prove to McCormack that I could perfectly balance my home and work lives.

Dom hated my meticulous planning. Funny how when we first met, I’d been the one impulsively risking my safety for Nate’s inhaler. But things had changed since then. And we had Nate to think about. Despite the teasing and occasional bullying, Nate had quite a few good friends at Walnut Hill, and it would’ve been unfair to tear him away from them and plonk him down in a brand new school two months before summer vacation.

So while I counted down the days till summer, I researched potential job opportunities in New England, and everywhere else, really. As luck would have it, I eventually hit an opening at Little Harbor Elementary School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was about a four-hour drive to my parents’ place in Castine, Maine. Close enough I could visit them at least once a month. Far enough they couldn’t nose their way into our business. When I showed Dom the placement location, he was thrilled. I asked him if he knew anyone there, or if he could even find a job there. His reply? “Baby, I’d follow you anywhere.”

When I told Zane and my parents about our imminent move, they were so thrilled I nearly went deaf from listening to their cries of joy. They hadn’t met Dom and Nate yet, but I had no doubt they’d love them both. Mom would probably try to fatten us all up, and Dad would love showing Nate his miniature trains. Dad loved kids. Zane would probably love meeting a fellow firefighter, too. I couldn’t wait.

Sometime in early June, Grayson was arrested for evidence tampering. Dom claimed he played no part in Grayson’s arrest, but he could hardly hide the smug look on his face when the news went public.

After the school year was officially over, I approached Principal McCormack for a reference. He was an ass about it, and I was terrified that he would talk trash about me. He handed me a sealed reference, which I wasn’t supposed to read, and wished me good luck. As soon as I got home, I steamed it open and pored over the typed letter. My eyes grew bigger with each sentence. None of this even sounded like me. Conscientious? Respectful? Creative? Headstrong and proactive leader? Despite everything, McCormack had given me a stellar recommendation, and I had no doubts it would land me that job in Portsmouth.

Karma was smiling down on me.

Later, I showed Dom the letter and he shook his head in surprise. “Who would’ve thought the old man had it in him to write something so coherent? Did you blackmail him into writing this or what?”

“Nope. Just asked, and this was what he handed back to me. How are you doing on your end?” I asked him. It worried me that he still hadn’t found a job at the local fire department.

“They’re not hiring at the moment, but I’ve got a backup plan.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“You know I love Nate. And I love you. I need to pick both of you up from school anyway, so…”

“Am I going to like this, Dom?” I asked hesitantly.

“You’ll love it. I applied to be a custodian at Little Harbor, and they gave me the job without even a face-to-face interview. Said I was overqualified, but I didn’t care. Pay’s shit, but the hours aren’t too bad. I can get a second job in the evenings and on weekends to make up for the slack. Maybe as a handyman.”

“Dom…”

“It’s not forever. Just until Nate’s a bit older and/or you learn how to drive.”

“I know how to drive,” I defended myself.

“Okay, just until you can afford a car.”

“Until we can afford another car,” I clarified.

“Oh, so it’s ‘we’ now?” Dom grinned.

God, I loved his smirk. It belonged to me, along with the rest of his sexy body, especially his foolish, smitten heart.

“It was always us against the world,” I said, grinning from ear to ear. “Watch out Portsmouth, ‘cause we’re about to rock your world.”

“There’s one more thing,” Dom said.

“What? The housing situation? ‘Cause I’ve been looking for two bedroom apartments—”

“No, not that. We can look into that later.”

“What is it, then?”

“Okay, well, this isn’t particularly romantic, but I’ll do a better job once the ring gets here. I just can’t wait a day—a second longer.”

I scrunched my nose. “Huh?”

Dom got down on one knee and looked up at me with stars in his eyes. “Winnie Williams, will you marry me?”

At first, my jaw dropped. Literally. Then, I squealed involuntarily. Finally, I laughed. “Dom, are you sure? We’ve only known each other for—”

“Yes or no, babe. Don’t leave me hanging here.”

“Yes. Of course yes!” I confirmed, pulling him back up. He crushed his lips against mine and squeezed me so hard my spine cracked. It felt strangely good.

We were engaged?

We were engaged!

“I can’t wait to tell Nate you’re going to be a Fieri soon,” Dom said proudly. “He’s going to be thrilled.”

“Who says I’m taking your last name?” I challenged, pinching his cheek.

“I have a feeling you will. Because you’re mine. Only mine. Forever mine.” Dom peppered my cheeks with stubbly kisses.

“Did Nate know you were planning to propose?”

Dom shook his head. “We’ll tell him in the morning, along with the other good news about your new job.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“And I have another plan, to celebrate our engagement,” Dom said, “that involves my face buried between your legs.”

“Sounds like a great plan.” I winked, lust already swirling in my belly.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Get your sexy ass upstairs.”

I didn’t need to be asked twice. I skipped up the stairs, my face hurting from smiling so much. I was getting married. To Dom. During the past few months, the thought had crossed my mind, but I’d never properly considered it. I was worried we were moving too fast, and I didn’t want to rush anything when it came to our relationship. I should’ve been worried. We’d known each other for less than year! But oddly enough, it just felt right. When you know, you know, I guess.

“I can’t wait to put that ring on your finger and tell the whole world, Win,” Dom murmured, pressing me up against the bedroom wall. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.”

“You spoil me, Dom,” I rasped, undoing his belt. “Now it’s my turn to spoil you.” I sank to my knees and pulled down Dom’s pants and boxers. His cock was already stirring, and I didn’t hesitate to take him in my mouth. It didn’t take long before he became fully erect against my tongue. Delirious with need, I moaned as he pumped in and out of my mouth, lightly tugging on my hair as he did so.

I was addicted to his taste and my desire soaked through my panties. I was addicted to everything about my man. He might’ve put out fires for a living, but from the first day we met, he’d lit a fire in me that blazed stronger every single day. He was my firelighter, and our passion had quickly escalated into an unstoppable inferno over the past nine months.

Tonight, I wanted to give him what I knew he’d wanted for months now.

Something he mentioned once during one of our pillow talk sessions.

A baby.

I wanted to make a baby with my new fiancé. A little sister or brother for Nate to play with.

When Dom reached for a foil packet, I stopped him and shook my head. He arched his brow, confused.

Tonight, I wanted him bareback. Skin on skin.

“I think it’s time we expanded this family, don’t you?”

Dom’s eyes widened. “You mean—”

I smiled. “Let’s make a baby, Dom.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Okay.” Dom put down the condom and lay me down gently, as if I was suddenly more fragile. He was trying to digest the new information.

“I’m not pregnant yet, Dom. Don’t need to treat me like I’m made of glass.” We both laughed, but stopped and became serious again when we realized the gravity of our decision. It was a monumental, life-changing decision, one with many potential consequences. Not one I made lightly. But even before Dom’s proposal, I’d considered it and fell in love with the idea. A mini Dom or a mini me growing inside me felt like an absolute blessing, a gift. I couldn’t wait to start trying.

Dom braced himself and slipped his cock inside me. For the first time, I felt him without a condom. Hard. Smooth. Thick.

It was so fantastic my eyes rolled back in their sockets and I fisted the sheets. Moaning loudly, I arched against him, eager to take every inch he had to offer. He thrust slowly, his thumb circling my clit, bringing me closer and closer to my climax.

My talented fiancé was a master at sex, his fingers so experienced they knew exactly where to stroke and how hard.

I was the luckiest woman alive.

No, I felt like the luckiest woman who’d ever lived.

“I love you so much, Winnie,” Dom said, pushing harder. Faster. “Fuck, you feel so good.”

“I’m coming, Dom,” I whimpered, writhing underneath him. I’d expected to last much longer, but couldn’t hold it in anymore. Feeling him bare had tripled my pleasure, and I could no longer deny myself the big O.

“Me too, babe,” he grunted, thrusting hard one last time. I felt his hard cock pulse inside me, his come filling my pussy. As the powerful waves of my orgasm died down, Dom rolled off of me and wiped himself off with a towel. I clasped my hands over my belly, a contented smile drawn across my serene face.

We did it.

We made our first attempt at pregnancy.

I couldn’t wait to try again.

“I love you,” I mumbled, feeling sleepy and utterly relaxed. This must be what Heaven feels like. Heaven is falling asleep in the arms of the man you love.

“Love you too, baby,” Dom’s voice rumbled beside me.

“Do you think that did the trick, or should we practice some more tomorrow?” I said, half-asleep.

“Hard to say, but I think we should keep practicing every day, just to be certain,” Dom replied, rubbing my belly.

I squeezed his hand and brought it to my lips, kissing his knuckles. “Deal.”