Kisses wake me from my dreamless sleep. My smile creeps up when I open my eyes and stare into blue orbs. “You’re supposed to be too excited to sleep.” The day old stubble across his strong jaw is deliciously sexy, yet the sparkle in his eyes makes him look like a child on Christmas morning.

“Then why are you up so early?” I yawn, glancing at the bedside clock. When I glance at the time, I jerk my head back. “Really, Kase? It’s only six o’clock. My graduation doesn’t start until noon.”

“It’s a big day for you.” I grin at his excitement as he hops up on all fours, shoving the covers off us. His eyes warm, gazing down at me. The dawn light filters through the blinds and I catch a whiff of mint toothpaste as he kisses me on the nose. “I’m so proud of you.”

It’s hard to believe we’ve been together five months already. He has stolen my heart from the secrets that held it captive. He’s forced me to learn that love doesn’t wait for perfect, it accepts your flaws and molds its own perfect. “Thank you,” I whisper.

He leans down and bites me on my nipple, sensations ripple through my body. I scowl when he hops off the bed. “We have to get moving,” he says, walking to the bathroom.

“Cowboy, I’m not ready to get up.”

When he turns around, I run my hands over my naked breasts, down to my silk panties. A sexy crooked smile plays on his lips as he watches me glide my palm over my center, already wet from desire. I slip my fingers to the side of my panties, sliding them down my legs, kicking them off in his direction. His gaze follows them, and a flurry of sexual endorphins tingle in the pit of my stomach as he pins his gaze on me.

He lowers his briefs, stepping out of them. There isn’t a day I don’t gawk at how gorgeous he is. My mouth waters as he takes predatory steps toward me. I sit up, turning on all fours and crawl to the edge of the bed, meeting him. His hard cock bobs in front of me and I lick my lips. He wraps my hair around his fist and I run my tongue down his shaft, back up to the crown before I take all of him into my mouth.

His growl of appreciation spurs me on. I suck around his thickness, sliding back down until he hits the back of my throat. He growls, pulling out of my mouth. I pout my lips when he pulls me up on my knees. “As much as I love my cock in that mouth of yours, I want it in your pussy right now.” His fingers snake down my stomach and find their way to my center. I buck against his hand as two fingers slip inside me. “You’re dripping wet, beautiful.” The bed dips as he climbs on top and he maneuvers us so he’s laying down and I’m on top of him. He knows this is one of my favorite positions because he can get deep. “Fuck me, Ellie,” he demands.

So, I do. I ride him like I’m a rodeo star. His hands squeeze my breast, holding me as I move up and down his cock. The heat inside me burns, erupting into a gush of hot liquid. I scream out his name and he follows as we ride out our orgasms together.

I fall on top of him, our tangled breaths fill the air. “Are you ready to wake up now?” He teases between his heavy breaths.

“With that wakeup call? I’m ready to make today my bitch.”

After Kase makes me waffles for breakfast, I head over to my apartment. I’ve brought a few things over here the last month as I’ve been spending more time here, but it’s only the essentials. I’m certain Kase grabbed a few things from my place I don’t remember taking over, but he acts like he has no clue what I’m talking about.

If it was up to him, I’d be moved in already. My heart tells me to pack my shit and head on over, it’s my subconscious reminding me I can’t until I tell him everything. The longer we're together, my nightmare seems like it was just a bad dream, one that is easily forgotten.  

When I pull out a pair of panties, my heart twists when I catch the shine of the corner of a cell phone sticking out. Shit. Shit. Shit. What’s the date? I dig out my phone and sure enough there’s a message from my dad. Why can’t I remember when he'll call? I listen to the message, and guilt that it’s been three months since we talked makes my heart heavy. If he’d stop being a stubborn old fart and answer when I called him back, it’d make me feel better. But his rigid rules of once a month, always a different date, makes it difficult. Of course, when I wasn’t dating, I never forgot. I follow his command of texting him I’m okay, followed with the password, daisy, so he recognizes it’s from me. Opening the calendar app, I search for next month’s date and set a reminder on my normal phone so I won’t forget again. I hate he isn’t here today to watch me graduate. He’d be so proud of everything I’ve conquered on my own. It makes not talking to him today even worse.

I tuck the phone back into the drawer and puff my cheeks out, releasing a winded sigh. I'll find a way to go visit him whether he likes it or not. Nothing has happened in years, so a quick trip out to Texas won’t kill me. My phone dings atop my dresser. My worries go to the wayside when I see a text from Kase.

Cowboy: Don’t wear anything under your gown.

I blush fantasizing about sneaking off with him somewhere in one of the classrooms, but then laugh at my inappropriate thoughts.

Me: Don’t hold your breath, dirty boy.

Cowboy: I’d like to dirty you up.

I’m thinking of a witty reply when I notice the bubble pop up showing me he’s typing again. I’m guessing what he’ll say next. Probably something like ‘And then lick you clean.’

Cowboy: And I’ve been holding my breath since the day I met you, afraid to breathe, afraid I’ll wake up from this dream.

Swoon. Definitely not what I was expecting.

Me: You made my panties wet and my heart grow twice its size. You’re confusing me.

Cowboy: I’ve got something growing twice its size too.

“Ellie Keyes,” the announcer calls. A spark of excitement races through me as I walk across the stage. Kase's yelling from the crowd makes my cheeks flush as I shake my head. Some people’s boyfriends. Can’t take them anywhere.

With my diploma in my hand, I rush into Kase’s waiting arms. “I did it!” Max’s entire team cheers, their deep voices drawing attention, catching the eyes of surrounding girls.

“What’re you gonna do, now?” Cody asks.

“I have no freaking clue.”

“She’s going to help me run the bar.” Tori winks at me as Kase growls, pulling me into his arms. He’s not a fan of me working there and I promised him it wouldn’t be forever. But I have no idea what I'll do now besides continue helping at the women’s shelter. Somehow, I’d like to incorporate my photography into a job. I just have to figure out how.

“For now, I’m stealing my woman. I have a surprise for her, so we’ll meet you guys at the bar around four.”

Tori’s closing the bar for the night and we’re celebrating.

“Oh, what kind of surprise,” I say in a sing-song voice, spinning in his arms.

“One that’ll have you screaming my name.”

“That is my kind of surprise,” Tori beams over her shoulder, walking away with Mr. Silver.

I spend the drive guessing what my surprise could be. “Cowboy, give me a hint,” I whine after getting it wrong repeatedly. A smug smile rests on his face as he watches me struggle. “I hate surprises.”

“I know. That’s why this is so entertaining.” I narrow my eyes at him and wish I had something to wash the smug smile off his face. Instead, I sit back and enjoy the ride.

We stop off at a small diner on the way to wherever we’re going. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. Kase probably stopped because the rumble of my stomach was so loud. I tried to mask it by moving around in my seat, but nothing stopped the hunger protest.

“Are you getting me a puppy?” I ask before shoving a fry into my mouth.

His lips twitch and I think I figured it out but then he says, “Nope, but a good guess. If you were to get a puppy, what would you want?”

I tap my finger on my lip thinking. “Hmm… A German Shepherd.”

He does a double take. “I figured you’d want a little cute dog.”

“Little dogs are cute, but I want a protector.”

“What? That’s what you have me for.”

I smile at his frown, having no doubts he would do anything for me. “Will you shake your leg too when I hit the right spot?” I joke.

His frown turns up, flashing one of his dimples. “You hit the right spot and I’ll definitely shake it.”

I throw a fry at him. “You and your dirty mind.”

“I’d love to discuss how dirty it really is, but we need to get going.” He reaches over, grabs a few fries off my plate and stuffs them in his mouth. I slide my plate over and he finishes them in a minute flat. And I thought I was hungry.       

The drive is quick and I glance over at Kase, brows pulled together, when we drive into an empty parking lot. I lean forward, gazing out the front window at the huge white warehouse building, wondering why we’re here. Kase parks and slides out of the Jeep. He walks around the back of the car and stands by me, staring at the nondescript building. I scan it looking for a sign. I spot one on the door.

The Lighthouse.

I’ve never heard of this place, yet I drive by it when I go to the women’s shelter. It’s only a few miles down the road. Kase weaves his fingers through mine. “C’mon, let’s go take a look.”

“What is this place?”

“Your surprise.”

My eyes dart back and forth from him to the building. “Should I scream your name now or later?” I tease because I don’t know what else to say in my confusion.

He chuckles, poking me in the stomach. “You think you’re funny, huh?”

“I have my moments.”

He pulls me to the front door and inserts the key to unlock it. When we walk inside, it’s a waiting area. The place has recently been renovated, the smell of fresh paint and new couches and chairs fill the space. It’s very inviting with colors of grey and orange. I like it. He leads me through another locked door, past the reception desk. The desks, chairs, and computers are all brand new. When we enter the main area, my eyes widen at the massive space. The center of the room has couches, chairs, beanbags, and tables. There are rooms down both sides of the building, at least eight of them.

I feel like I’m supposed to see something that will give away why we’re here. When I glance at Kase, his eyes stay pinned on me, watching every reaction I have. I tilt my head and walk around. The first couple of rooms remind me of doctor offices and then the next ones remind me of therapist’s offices with comfortable couches. Still not having a clue, I keep walking. There’s a dressing room type room filled with women’s clothes. I pass more offices and then I stop and gaze into an enormous playroom. A large window allows me to peek inside. Bright colors fill the room with toys and a TV on the wall. I continue my perusal of the place, slowly walking the perimeter of the room.

I freeze when I poke my head into a room. Light from the large window floods the room. There are backdrops hung and professional photography lights. It’s a photographer’s dream room if they are shooting inside.

Is this my surprise?

I spin around, looking for Kase, but he scares me when he’s right behind me. “Oh!” I say, taking a step back. “I didn’t know you were right behind me.” I point to the room. “Is this my surprise? Did you get me a job?”

He slowly nods. “This whole place is yours.”

I stretch my head forward, making sure I heard him correctly. “What did you say?”

“You are officially the owner of The Lighthouse.”

“What are you talking about?” My eyes dart around the room. “I don’t understand.”

“Be the light that leads you,” he whispers. “And let that light lead you to The Lighthouse.” I think about my tattoo he’s quoting and the name of the place.

“Does this have to do with my project?” He nods again, waiting for me to connect the dots. The only problem, I don’t have enough information to do it. “And the women’s shelter?” I ask, unsure.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I go over in my head all the rooms I’ve seen. It’s everything Diane and I wished we could offer at the women’s shelter but there just wasn’t enough room to provide housing and all that. Is that what this is?

“Is this for real? How is this mine?”

He holds his hand out and grabs mine, dropping the key into my palm. “It is real. This is your dream, babe.” He folds my hand around the key and I’m still at a loss of words. “This is your graduation present from me.”

“Kase? This is too much. How did you do all this?” I spin around in a circle, taking everything in again. “Did Max help?”

He shrugs a shoulder and grabs me by the waist. “He did, as well as a few others.” Realization dawns on me, this is mine. I squeal, jumping into his arms. This is my dream, but it's better than I imagined. I can’t believe he did this for me. “Guess that means you like it?”

“I love it! I love you, Cowboy.” Squeezing my hands around his neck, he picks me up and spins me.

“You can scream my name now,” he teases, wagging his brows.

“I would if I didn’t have a million things running through my mind right now. Like where do I start?”

“C’mon, just scream my name.”

I wonder why he’s being so persistent, but for shits and grins I give in. “Kase! Oh, Kase! Yes, right there,” I joke. A second later, I jump in his arms from a rush of people running into the room. My face burns from embarrassment knowing they all heard that. “Oh, my god, I hate you.”

His laugh echoes over the excitement in the room. “I didn’t tell you to fake an orgasm.”

“You also didn’t tell me the party was coming here.”

This day couldn’t get any better. All night long I make plans for this place. Kase already had a list of doctors, therapists, and lawyers who said they’d volunteer here. Diane and I talk about how we'd work together to provide the best for all the women who came into the shelter.

My cheeks hurt from smiling all night. When I spot Kase across the room, our eyes meet and I know in that moment, there is not another man out there for me. He’s my forever.

Our love has definitely been molded into perfection.