Owen held Liv close as she rested her forehead against his chest. He softened and slid out of her, but didn’t want to break the contact between them.

“One of these days, we’re going to have to try this in a bedroom.” He rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Making plans for the future already?” Teasing filled her words.

“I am. I’m presumptuous like that.”

She nudged him back enough to look him in the eye. “Does that mean we’re okay?”

That was a tricky question. “We’re closer than we were when I got here. I adore you.” The confession slipped out without his permission, but he was glad to have it out there. “Spending time with you, whether it’s chatting over Chinese take-out, dancing, or fucking. I want you in my life.”

“Yeah?” Her smile was hesitant.

“Yeah. It’s going to take a little time for us to find that new line of trust. You should know that up front. But I want to get there.”

“I’d love that. I promise it’ll be worth your time.”

“You’re worth my time,” he corrected her.

She leaned against him again. “What are you going to tell Gabe?” Her words were muffled by his chest, and her warm breath teased his bare skin.

“I have his blessing, as long as I treat you right.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Liv said. “I’ll probably say this several more times before I know you believe me—I’m sorry. I never should have lied to you. I’m glad we’re closer, but that doesn’t justify the dishonesty. Still, I’m falling for you, Owen Griffin.”

It was funny how her words so closely echoed his sleepless thoughts from the night before. “I could see myself loving you for a long time.”

Someone pounded on the bathroom door, and they both jumped. Liv giggled softly.

“Are you going to be in there all day?” Someone shouted.

“Give me a minute,” Owen called back. He kissed Liv on the forehead and stepped away, trying and failing to ignore the reluctance at the sudden absence. “Say your goodbyes to your family and join me in my car?” he whispered.

She nodded.

He watched her dress, smirking at the way her flush deepened every time she met his gaze. Gorgeous. He was lucky. So very fortunate to have her. He was looking forward to seeing what the future held for them. Together.

* * *

Six months later

Owen parked his truck in front of a plot of land covered with rocks and scrub brush. Liv sat next to him, blindfolded.

She tilted her head to the side when he shut off the engine. “I feel like you’re taking me to your secret underground lair,” she teased. “Did I need to be blindfolded for the entire thirty-minute drive?”

“You wore it a lot longer last night and didn’t complain.”

She blushed. “Touché.”

He loved that he could still do that to her. “You can take it off soon, I promise.” He hopped from the vehicle.

Their relationship over the last several months had been amazing. He didn’t question her sincerity or honesty anymore. The deception about her identity was long behind them, and looking back he could smile at where it landed them, in each other’s arms, after it was all done. And every day they spent together, he loved her more.

Hanover hadn’t been happy to find out one of his site foremen was dating one of his managers, and ended Owen’s temp contract. But Hanover did like his work, and had helped him move into the subcontracting. Owen handled a lot of contracts for Hanover Homes, as long as he worked with someone besides Liv as a contact.

He reached the passenger side of his truck, and opened her door. Hands on her hips, he lifted her to the ground.

She laughed and covered his hands with hers. “I can do that myself.”

“I know, but I like helping.” He kissed her.

She giggled and leaned into his touch. When he drew his tongue along her bottom lip, she groaned.

He forced himself to step away. If he kept that up, he’d be stripping her down in the bed of the truck, and he had things to accomplish before he got that kind of distracted. “You ready?” he asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. You’re making me nervous.”

He pulled off the blindfold and gestured to the land. “Ta-da!”

“It’s a bunch of dirt and rocks.”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s my dirt and rocks. I closed on the property yesterday. The house I keep talking about? I’m going to build it here.”

A grin replaced her confusion. “That’s fantastic. Congratulations. What kind of floorplan are you going with?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” A whisper of nervousness surged inside. They hadn’t talked about any of this. What if she wasn’t interested? Looking her in the eye, adoration stared back, and his confidence returned. He grabbed a shovel from the back of the truck. “I have to ask you something before I make any decisions like that.”

“Oh?”

“I’d like you to help. Picking out blueprints. Flooring. Cabinets. Bathroom fixtures. All of it.”

She shrugged. “Sure.”

“Because I want you to live here with me when it’s done. I don’t like sending you home at the end of the night, and I want a place that’s ours. Not mine, or yours, but belongs to both of us.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Are you asking me… Really?”

He kissed her again. “I love you, Liv. So very much. I want you involved in every part of my life, and I want us to live together.”

“I love you too.” She threw her arms around his neck.

“Is that a yes?”

She nodded. “Yes. Absolutely, yes. I’d love to build this place as ours.”

He handed her the shovel. “Do you want to break ground?”

She took the tool from him and strolled several yards onto the property.

“Hold it there,” he called, and grabbed his phone. “I want to take pictures.” He swiped the screen and aimed at her. “Okay, go.”

As she dug into the dirt, and he snapped photos, he couldn’t help thinking how perfect this was. He’d never been happier than he was with Liv, and he was looking forward to spending the rest of his life with this amazing woman.

* * *

* * *