Botie…

I can’t believe Lyric tastes just the way I remember—sweeter than honey—and I want to take her to my bed and kiss every damn inch of her, but I also need her to know I respect her. Damn, I had this planned out. I pull myself away from her.

“Why did you stop? I want you, Botie. That may make me shameless, but I don’t care. I WANT YOU!” Lyric doesn’t realize she is tempting a starving man. I am as hard as stone and I crave to be inside of Lyric’s tight body, but it’s called control. I’m not some horny teenage boy. Horny, yes. Teenage, no. I can control myself.

“No, I mean yes, but not now.” Lyric looks confused and I feel confused, but I have an idea. I take Lyric’s hand and lead her to the bed and she sits down, but I don’t sit beside her instead I kneel in front of her. “Please, listen to me Lyric this is important.”

“Alright,” Lyric agrees.

“I am so sorry for the awful things I said the other night. I should have dealt with Hawkins before I spoke about him and Talia. That’s all bad on my part and I profusely apologize. It will never happen again, on my life,” I promise.

“I already forgave you, Botie. You said you were wrong, and you apologized. That’s all I need if it never happens again.” Lyric is too sweet. “I apologize too, and I am sorry, and I hope you can forgive me.”

“Already done. You see Lyric, you have become so precious and important to me. Your name is so suited for you. Lyric means amazing, smart, fun, and beautiful and the love of my life and I think that is the exact thing you are—no I don’t think it—I feel it in my heart. Sage is the wise one which you are beyond your years. I want you in my life for now and forever. I want you as my girl, my woman, my love, and one day my wife. I want us to live together, work on working out all our kinks, and next year on the Fourth of July we will marry here in my parent’s yard. I know I sound crazy and we might come to a kink in the road and we go separate ways, but it won’t be because we didn’t try. Will you marry me in one year?” I see the tears running down Lyric’s cheeks. “I don’t want us to make love until our wedding night. I don’t want our relationship built on sex; I want it built with nothing but love and respect. That’s what will get us through the rough spots.”

“I didn’t know my cowboy was such a sweet talker. I don’t think we need to wait to make love though. I am sure I am ready for that part now.” Lyric is red in the face and half laughing. “I am willing to wait and work on us first because in the end, I know I will have you. So yes, I’ll marry you in a year.” I jump up off my knee and Lyric is in my arms and we are kissing. I know waiting is the way to go for us, but it’s going to be a long hard year since I intend to be sleeping in Lyric’s bed every night. I pull back from Lyric and take her hand and lead us out of the room and down the stairs. I check the office door and it’s locked. I pull Lyric outside and find my mom. I go up to her and whisper in her ear and she smiles and goes back in the house. I walk in the middle of the patio where all the refreshments are, and I grab two glasses of lemonade and give one to Lyric. She looks confused. I whistle to get everyone’s attention. Trask, Dad, Nick, and Haddie walk back over to us and everyone is looking at us. I see Hawkins and Talia to my right and to the back of the crowd, but they make their way closer. Mom walks up to me and puts the thing I asked for in my hand.

“Now that everyone is here, I have a big and happy announcement to make. I have asked this beautiful woman, Lyric Sage Dade to become my wife one year from today and she accepted. I am one lucky man and I am giving her my family ring to seal the engagement and I know this is just on loan until I can get to the jewelry store on Monday.” I look at my mom and wink. I go down on my knee again and slip the ring on her finger. I get up and take her in my arms and then face her. “I just hope she never comes to her good senses, cheers everyone.” We drink our lemonade and this is the happiest day of my life.