MALCOLM WASN’T ACTING RIGHT, AND I couldn’t put my finger on what was wrong. He seemed nervous. His left leg had been bouncing since he got in the truck. I wanted desperately to ask him if his leg was bothering him or was something else wrong.
I hadn’t asked what his meeting with Emmit was about. Just because we were living together, I still didn’t feel it was my right to be sticking my nose in his business. When Adaline told me they were moving to Texas, I about started jumping like a little girl. I loved spending time with her and Landon. The first time we met was a whirlwind of a weekend.
“What do you mean we’re flying to North Carolina?”
Malcolm handed me a bag and said, “Just pack for a couple of days. I need to meet with the realtor up there so I can put my house on the market. Emmit and Adaline also invited us for dinner tonight.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “So, we’re just flying up there like that’s it?”
He looked back at me like I had two heads. “Yeah. We’ll get there around noon, meet with the realtor and then head on over to Emmit’s place. I think you and Adaline will really hit it off.”
The room felt like it was spinning. Even though Malcolm had left NASCAR, he still lived his life in the fast lane . . . all the time. The fact that he begged me to go rock climbing and I gave in only to find myself half way up a rock clinging for my life, should have been my first warning sign life was going to be very different with this man.
“But I have work on Monday. I can’t miss work, Malcolm, I just started!”
Again, he gave me a dazed looked. “Baby, we’ll be back Sunday night.”
With a gruff laugh, I threw my hands up and said, “Oh, well why didn’t you say!” With a roll of my eyes, I grabbed his arm to get him to stop. “Malcolm, I’m not used to just jetting off across the country to meet someone for dinner. I’m really not that hard to impress. I’d be perfectly fine with a burger from Sonic and a movie.”
Pulling me into his arms, Malcolm kissed me. Not just any kiss. A toe-curling kiss that quickly had me pulling his shirt from his pants and pleading with him to make love to me.
His hand stopped mind as he pulled his lips away. “Nope. No time. The pilot’s here and ready to go.”
Wait. What?
“P-pilot? What’s he gonna fly?”
Malcolm threw his bag over his shoulder and called out, “The helicopter.”
Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes and said a prayer I’d make it through the next twenty-four hours.
I was so lost in thought, I hadn’t even noticed Malcolm pull into the Russell’s place.
“I need to check on something for Mr. Russell. It shouldn’t take too long.”
With a smile, I replied, “No problem. I love this place.”
Malcolm’s smile widened as he pushed the code for the gate and headed down the long drive. “So, how come the two families don’t really live here anymore?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Russell bought a place in Sonoma, California, and spend most of their time there. Their son and his wife decided that grapes weren’t their thing. They moved to Maine and run a bed and breakfast up there. They were traveling back and forth until recently when they decided they wanted to make Maine their home.”
“Oh, how fun! My best friend, Annie, and I used to dream of having our own bed and breakfast.”
Malcolm’s head snapped over to look at me. “Really? No shit.”
“Really! We talked about moving to Selado and opening one after we went to a bachelorette party there one weekend. The bride’s sister rented out the entire bed and breakfast for us. It was amazing.” I smiled at the memory.
“That’s insane. Adaline wants to open a B and B.”
That piqued my interest. “She does? Here in Texas?”
Malcolm nodded and I couldn’t hide the jealousy that raced through my body. Closing my eyes, I quickly asked for forgiveness in thinking that way. I really liked Adaline and would never want to think ill of her.
When the truck stopped at the stone cottage, my body tingled as the memory of Malcolm and I making love there swept over me.
“Come on, I need to check on something in the cottage.”
Pushing the door open, I jumped out of the truck as Malcolm quickly made his way to my side with his hand in mine.
Are his hands shaking?
“Are you sure you’re okay? Everything is all right?”
He kept his eyes forward as we walked up to the door. “I sure as hell hope it is.”
Frowning, I went to ask him what he meant by that when he opened the door and led me in.
My breath hitched as my eyes bounced around the cottage. Pink peonies filled the room. Everywhere I looked there were bouquets of my favorite flower. The smell in the room was amazing as I took a few steps in. In the middle of the room was the same quilt we sat on during our first date. Next to it, lying down, was Deuce. My hands came up to my mouth to keep from laughing. I was so overcome with happiness I could barely think straight.
“Malcolm, this is amazing! What is all this for?”
Spinning around, I gasped when I saw him down on one knee holding a ring box in his hand.
“Oh, Malcolm,” I whispered.
“Paislie, from that very first moment I met you, I knew you were different. It may have taken us a few tries to get it right, but I knew in my heart you were always the one I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?”
My body trembled as I looked at the love of my life as he opened up the box and a beautiful princess-cut diamond sparkled against the fire burning in the fireplace.
Tears fell freely as I reached up to pinch myself. Is this really happening? I’d finally found what I had been searching for since my mother died.
Love.
A beautiful timeless love.
Nodding my head, I tried to force the words to come between my sobs of happiness. “Y-yes! Yes! A million times yes!”
Malcolm laughed as he took the ring out and slipped it on my finger. Standing, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately. I was completely lost in the kiss. Nothing else in the world mattered more to me than this moment. Everything about it was perfect.
Deuce barked, causing us both to laugh. “I’m glad to see you included my boy.”
The crooked smile that spread over Malcolm’s face had my lower stomach tightening. “I promised him your first date.” He turned and looked at the boxer as he sat there patiently waiting. “As you can see, he’s ready to start your date.”
Placing my finger on his chin, I brought his eyes back to me. “First things first, Mr. Wallace.”
Malcolm raised his eyes in question. “And what would that be?”
“I believe you still have a few orgasms to catch up on.”
His eyes turned dark as he quickly picked me up and carried me to the sofa. “I’m on it, baby.” Setting me down, I watched as my future husband stripped out of his clothes.
“And, Malcolm,” I said as I pulled my dress over my head, “please go slow.”
His hands cupped my breasts as I dropped my head and let out a moan. “Oh, baby, I can do slow.”
And boy did he ever do slow. His hands and mouth explored every inch of my body before he slowly made love to me.
The smell of the flowers, the light from the fire, and the smell of chicken salad filled my senses as we whispered one another’s names. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine I could be so happy.
Nothing would ever be the same again. I’d finally found love and nothing or no one would ever take it away from me.
Ever.