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It was nearly sunrise when we reached the outskirts of Westport. Max and I were wrapped up under a blanket in a loveseat on deck, watching the glowing orb rise up over the horizon. I’d had my head leaning against his shoulder, but as we neared my dream house, I had to sit up and take it in. Owning it seemed like an actual possibility these days. Then, my face fell and I clapped a hand over my mouth and leapt from the seat so I could get a closer look. Sadly, nothing changed. My eyes hadn’t deceived me.

“Tori, what’s wrong?” Max frowned at me as he glanced around.

“My house.” I sniffled. “Okay, it wasn’t my house, but I’d come to think of it as my house. And it seemed like we were destined to be together. Then, I go away for one weekend and it’s sells. See that angry red sign over it?” I stumbled back to his side, blinded by tears.

Max reached up and helped me find my way, tucking me against his side and wrapping the blanket around me. “The sold sign?” His brow furrowed.

I nodded sadly. “Yes.” My voice came out a whisper.

“Babe, don’t be sad,” he began quietly.

“How can you say that? The house has been my dream for the last ten years. When have you ever had to want something more than ten minutes and not get it, let alone ten whole years?” I grumbled.

His mouth hung open for a moment, then he shook his head. “Tori, it’s sold because I bought it for you.” Max stared into my eyes and willed me to calm down.

“You did what?” My eyes widened. I couldn’t be hearing him right. “I don’t know why I’m struggling with this. After all, I watched you buy three condos in Seattle, but…no one has ever been this good to me.” My head hung and my cheeks burned in shame.

“Get used to it, babe. I plan to spoil you and Penelope. And any other children we may have.” He bit his lips, but I could feel the question hanging in the air between us.

“You make me want to start on the other children right now,” I murmured.

He laughed and held me closer.

My hand slid over his thigh and then rested on the growing bulge. I waggled my brows at him.

“Oh, wow. You’re serious.” He inhaled sharply.

“I am.” I giggled. “Is it about the time?” I eyed him curiously. “Because it has been a really long time since I’ve done this so I’ll be quick. Or is it about the privacy because I’m pretty sure we could have Bodhi entertain Penelope, if that’s what you’re worried about.” His mouth hung open, but he said nothing. I was starting to feel stupid, and moved away. “Okay, maybe you don’t think of me like that yet. I get it. No worries.” I stared out over the water and tried to hide my emotions, which were swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other with alarming speed.

Max reached out and turned me to face him. “Tori, I’m wildly attracted you or I never would’ve suggested we marry. I’m not that good a guy,” he admitted.

I laughed. “You are. I’ve known you a little more than a week and you’ve saved my life by buying no fewer than five properties from me, one for me, and offered to marry me to save Penelope.”

He shook his head. “I hate to disappoint you, Tori, but I wouldn’t have done any of that if I didn’t want to get you into bed. From the moment I saw you, I was drawn to your fiery personality and your beauty.”

My cheeks burned. “Then what?”

He slowly began to explain. “I thought we were going to wait until we were married. It’s the right thing to do with Penelope…”

“Uh-huh. You’re right, and wrong. I’m not some virgin and this isn’t the sixteenth century. Having hot, animalistic sex with the man I’m about to marry isn’t even really a sin anymore.” I took his hand and tugged him to standing.

“Dear God. I’m going to crumble under the pressure,” Max joked.

At least I hope he was joking. Soon, we were down in his cabin, the door closed and locked behind us. We started stripping down, but I hesitated. “I’ve had a baby. Things aren’t like they used to be,” I warned.

“Yeah, and I’m an adult. I’m not about getting a piece of ass, I’m about having a healthy, loving relationship with the woman of my dreams.” A naked Max yanked me into his arms and began to kiss me passionately against the wall.

There was something so hot about it, I could feel my knees growing weak. Obviously, he noticed because he quickly scooped me up and laid me on his bed. Ever so gently, he pushed my hair out of my face before capturing my lips in another kiss. This time my insides were fluttering and the aching need followed. He propped himself up with one hand, while the other ran up my side until he cupped my breast and began to tease my nipple.

I spread my legs, hoping to encourage him. When he paused and met my gaze, I smirked. “Nothing coy about me,” I admitted. “So, carry on. Faster.”

Only he didn’t. I laid there in agony while he took his sweet damn time. Finally, in frustration, I wrapped my legs around his waist, flipped him over, and took the top. In seconds, I had him in me, to which I sighed in relief and he groaned as if in pain.

“I was trying to prolong this, savor it. We only get one first time,” he reminded me gently.

“Yes, but this can be our first time on a boat. Next time can be our first in my bed. Then we can have a first in your condo bed. Then we can have honeymoon sex.” I was prepared to lay out a million different ways we’d have special sex, but he yanked me down and silenced me with a kiss that he deepened while our pace and intensity increased.

I actually lasted longer than I expected, whimpering as my body found release and contracted around him. Max held me close, pumping into me a few final times as I collapsed onto his chest. He gently rolled me to my side, then disappeared to grab a towel for us.

“Now what?” Max asked as we cuddled close under the covers.

In the hall outside our cabin, I could hear Bodhi and Penelope rushing up to the top deck. I sighed happily. A world of possibilities had opened up to me now that Max and I were building a life together. I grinned up at him. “So, first we’ll shower and dress.”

“I’m completely on board with that.” He chuckled.

“Then we eat breakfast.” I sat up and stretched.

He smiled. “I’m all for three meals a day.”

I hopped out of bed. “Finally, we go check out our dream house. Maybe Will should meet us there.”

“I already called him.” Max laughed. “I set it up last night while you were with Penelope.”

“God, you’re perfect, aren’t you?” My eyes widened hopefully.

He shook his head. “No, but I like to think I’m perfect for you.”