FOR THE LAST COUPLE of days, Lillian had been acting more stoic than usual.

Cayden figured at first it was probably a combination of factors. Being suddenly pulled back to Los Angeles by Katharina showing up at her house, taking Andrew to all his medical appointments while working on her own business full time, being verbally slaughtered by that awful woman in the bar—it was a lot to take in. Not to mention catching Katharina and Andrew making out. He knew the last few weeks had put a weight on her heart and she was more than likely detoxing.

The weekend finally came, and she mentioned needing to go home to check on the cats. Cayden assumed he was going with her, but when she asked if he needed to stay here and see any more clients, he was thrown off. Playing it cool, he said no, he didn’t, that her cats were more important. She found it funny, much to his relief.

She called Andrew, asking if the flight schedule worked for him, and Katharina snatched the phone away from him before he could answer. “Hello, dear,” she purred. “I have plans to take Andrew around this weekend. I’ve booked some marvelous restaurants and a play. So, I’ll be keeping him here in Los Angeles; there is simply too much to show him.”

She and Cayden had exchanged a knowing look. “Yeah, right,” Cayden said after Lillian hung up the phone. “I guess they aren’t at the stage where they can say they want to be alone yet.”

“Andrew moves fast emotionally, but in relationships a slug would beat him to the finish line. I’m amazed she somehow got him to kiss her.” Lillian laughed to herself.

“Really? Come on, Lil. He’s a guy. If a beautiful woman tries to kiss you, and you’re single, you don’t say no.”

She didn’t argue, and rolled her eyes jokingly. “It’s good to see Katharina pushing his comfort zone. We just have to pretend we don’t know anything yet.”

“I forgot to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Katharina got me in touch with her lawyer. The same one she used when Sierra started harassing her. She had a restraining order put in place. The lawyer spoke with Sierra’s agent, and warned them that we would follow the same protocol if Sierra bothers us again.”

“Really?”

“It seems a bit extreme, I know. However, she’s been messaging me constantly, basically stalking me and publicly coming after you. It’s more like a warning. But the texts and social posts have stopped. I’m hoping it’s all over.”

“Me, too.” She leaned over and squeezed his hand. “Let’s go home.”

He sighed with relief. Glad she seemed to be handling the situation better. She was stronger than he gave her credit for. He had to remember that in the future.

***

THE NEXT NIGHT THEY boarded the plane back home, both feeling a little odd leaving Andrew behind, but glad to have some uninterrupted time at home together.

The plane had many empty seats and no crying babies, much to their pleasure. Until halfway through the flight, there was almost no noise except for the occasional newspaper page turning. The flight attendants came out, offering snacks and drinks, and handed Lillian and Cayden a few small packs.

Cayden looked through them and lit up when he saw the miniature biscotti. “Yes!”

“Does that excite you?” Lillian teased, taking a sip of her cranberry juice and getting out her phone.

“I love these things.”

“You are a simple man,” she replied absentmindedly.

“Now, who told you that?”

“Between your love for hotel continental breakfasts, pancakes, and biscotti...”

“You forgot the most important one, Lil,” he corrected.

“Sex. How could I ever forget that one?”

“Oh yeah, that, too.” He blinked his eyes rapidly, pretending that wasn’t what he was thinking about.

It’s easy to please you.”

“You and your body have no idea.” He smirked. “Indeed, it is. Maybe you can show me exactly how easy it is later when we’re home.”

“Sure.” She leaned against him and opened her email, deleting some and reading some others. He ate his biscotti and, when he was done, looked over to see what she was doing.

On her phone screen was an email with a picture of her house and a price underneath.

He froze, and she felt him stiffen. Looking up curiously, she asked, “What?”

“What’s that?” he pointed.

“This?” She scrolled to the top of the email where there was a collage of photos and information about her house. “This is an estimate.”

The biscotti suddenly didn’t feel so good in his stomach. “Why do you need a house estimate?”

“Why do you think?” she retorted, a mysterious smile on her face.

“Lil,” he said seriously, “are you planning to move? Are you going to break up with me again?”

Her eyes widened. “Cayden, no!”

“That looks like you’re trying to move away.”

“No, really, I’m—”

“Listen, Lil, you can’t keep throwing me for a loop with big decisions like this. You had me going this whole time, thinking we’re cool again and...” He stumbled over the words; his skin felt like it was burning. “I don’t want another shock like that.”

“Cayden,” she said softly, dropping her phone into her lap and taking his face in her hands. “I’m not moving away and I’m not breaking up with you.”

“Then why is there an estimate for your house on your email?”

Lillian kissed him gently, but he didn’t kiss back. “Calm down, Cayden,” she hummed in his ear. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well, you did a good job of that.”

“I was doing it so that way I’ll know, maybe sometime in the near future, what it’s worth in case I want to sell.”

“Obviously, Lil. That doesn’t tell me anything. Why would you want to sell?”

She blushed. “In case I wanted to move into your place.”

Cayden felt his heart stop. “Are you serious?”

Lillian nodded shyly. “Maybe we could get a tiny place in Los Angeles, if you think you’d like to establish your business there, too.”

Shock was quickly replaced by that wide, toothy grin that Lillian loved. “You’re really serious?”

Giggling, Lillian kissed him again. “Yes, I am. We don’t have to talk about it now, but I want to keep the conversation open.”

“I thought you didn’t want to go to Los Angeles!”

“You know how I said I wanted to get away and be with myself for a little while?”

“Yeah.”

She chewed on the edge of her cup, thinking. “The last couple of days I’ve been trying to spend more time with myself in here.” She tapped her head. “Since I spend most of the day alone in the guest house, I have more quiet space to think about things.”

“You have been a little more distant.”

“I’ve been working on taking a step back and looking at our life more... realistically, I guess would be a good word.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, your business is booming here, and I would be selfish if I was adamant about staying in Hanneston one hundred percent of the time. You’re doing well there, too, of course, but not like in Los Angeles.”

“It’s not just my business booming there. You’re doing well, too. Katharina has so many people who want to work with you. Lil,” he straightened up, getting excited, “you could do so well there. The number of people who love what you do is infinite. You would—”

Lillian laughed. “I know all this, silly. It makes me happy to see you so excited about it. That’s just what I mean. I was so determined to stay in Hanneston with my house and the cats and the clients. There are a lot of reasons why I was dead set on living life that way, but they were all keeping me from living. Like, really living and thriving.”

Cayden had to take in what she was saying. “What changed your mind?”

“All the things that have happened, and something Andrew said to me. He told me that Amelia would have wanted me to do whatever it takes to make my life amazing.” She shook her head. “She was always telling me things like that, but I guess it never really clicked with me until he reminded me of it.”

“Wow.”

“What?”

“This is all great, Lil. You had me freaked out for a sec, but I’m really happy for you now.”

“For me?” She pinched his earlobe. “This involves you, you know.”

“I know, but to see you realizing how amazing your life should be makes me believe that you’re a step closer to understanding how amazing you are. Maybe me telling you that all the time is finally starting to work.”

The blush in her cheeks grew, and she took a pack of pretzels from him. “I don’t know what’s coming next, but we’re going to make it good. Okay?”

Cayden let his eyes wander all over her face. You’re the most beautiful creature I have ever seen, he thought, knowing she would see in his eyes how much he loved her. He nodded. “Let’s make it better than good. Let’s make it the best.”

***

THEY BOTH HAD ONE THING on their mind, and they didn’t need to confirm it with each other.

The plane landed, and they got their luggage from baggage claim—why Lillian always packed a big bag, Cayden had no idea, but he was too distracted mentally to care about her bag. He just wanted it to appear on the conveyor belt like magic. Quick.

She did, too. He saw her fidgeting, and when they had their backs turned away from everyone she gave him a secret little squeeze. He felt his blood start to flow faster and, when they walked outside to the car, the winter air didn’t seem to bite his skin as hard as it had last time. Opening the trunk and shoving her bag in, he felt himself almost getting nervous.

The wind was picking up its pace and they took refuge in the front seat without delay. Compared to the noise of planes taking off and people chatting and laughing inside, the car gave them a still silence that rang in their ears.

Cayden didn’t turn the car on. Lillian didn’t ask him to. “It’s dark in here,” she whispered.

Unable to speak, he nodded, and all at once they pounced on each other. Lillian started to climb on top of him while her lips mashed against his, and he barely managed to move the seat back with one hand. Within a minute, the windows started to fog up, but neither of them noticed.

He gripped her body, spreading his fingers all the way across her back and running them up to her shoulders and down to her tailbone. The quiver of her skin when his thumbs touched her waist made the heat in his blood pulse harder than he had ever known. Unable to control himself any longer, he reached down and tried to unbutton his pants.

“Let me,” she gasped, finally coming up for air. She was so quick he didn’t even notice her unzipping him. When she tugged on his waistband, he arched his back for her to pull down his jeans. Suddenly she was halfway back in the passenger seat—her lower half, at least. With an irresistible, sultry look, she took him in her mouth. He let out a moan that echoed from his throat and bounced off the windshield. She liked hearing his pleasure; he knew because she continued to work her magic until he pulled her away.

She had somehow already taken off her leggings, much to his surprise and delight. The heat of her body still lingered on his skin, and he wanted more. He stripped her jacket off and pulled her shirt over her head. Drawing her on top of him again, he pushed their lips together at the same time he pushed himself inside her.

It was her turn to moan and his turn to enjoy her bliss. Little wisps of steam were twisting up from their skin now; he felt water on her skin and thought for a second it was his sweat, but realized it was hers. Through their kisses, he felt himself smile. God, Lil, he thought, our bodies were made for each other.

They continued until they were too tired to keep going; sleepy passion coursing through their veins, they leaned their heads on each other and watched the windows slowly start to clear. Most of the cars around theirs were gone by now, and they laughed, knowing the other drivers probably got a funny sight of a bouncing car as they were leaving.

Feeling more satisfied than either could explain, they drove home, taking their time. When they arrived, Lillian fed the cats and climbed into the shower. Cayden joined her halfway through, wanting more kisses and for someone to help him wash his back.

They got out of the shower together; Lillian did her nightly face care routine and Cayden lay down on the bed, watching her dry her body with the towel.

“You’re so sexy,” he murmured.

“Don’t embarrass me.” She came back into the bedroom and saw Cayden’s clothes scattered all over the floor. “Uh, were you in a hurry?”

“A little.” He winked.

She looked at him, waiting for him to offer to pick up his own clothes, but he did no such thing. “I’ll pick these up, then,” she said, trying to sound nice, but he heard the tinge of irritation in her voice. “Let the naked housemaid do the work.” She folded his shirt and put it on the chair, and then picked up his jeans to do the same. Something fell out of his pocket and thumped against the floor.

Not surprised that he had left something carelessly in his pocket, she set his jeans on the chair and bent to pick it up.

Then she saw what it was.

A small box.

“Cayden,” she said, sounding a little bit scared. “What’s that?”

Before she even finished asking, he jumped to his feet and picked her up, setting her down on the edge of the bed. “Do you really want to know?”

She didn’t say anything, her eyes as wide as ever. She clasped her hands together and pressed them against her mouth.

Cayden reached over and grabbed the box, then lowered himself to one knee.

Lillian sucked in a sharp breath.

“Lil,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers, “I was wondering if you would marry me.”

Tears immediately overflowed and spilled down her cheeks.

He opened the box to show her the ring. “This was my great-grandmother’s ring,” he said. “All the stones are real, but you’re worth so much more than any precious gem.”

Lillian let out a tiny sob. “That’s so dumb,” she laughed, blubbering through her tears.

“I mean it, though. Lil, you’re the most important to me. I want to make sure I can hold you every night for the rest of my life. I want to tell you how beautiful and incredible you are for the rest of yours.” He took the ring in his hand and held it out. “You have so much strength, but you will always be my fragile love. I want to protect and take care of you forever.”

Very cautiously, Lillian extended her left hand and Cayden slipped the ring onto her finger. She looked at him, and her face was overcome by a smile so huge and bright it lit up the whole room. “Yes,” she whispered, and threw her arms around his neck. He gave a whoop of joy and picked her up, spinning her around the room, and let them both fall back onto the bed. Lying next to her, he let his eyes feast on her beauty.

“I love you,” he said, kissing her again.

She giggled. “I love you, too, Cayden.” They held each other tight and suddenly she pulled back. Leaning on her elbow, she stared at him seriously. “But I have one request.”

He propped himself up on his elbow. “What’s that?”

“Well, we’re both naked right now.”

“I noticed,” he smirked, touching her hip, suddenly desperate to kiss every inch of her naked body.

She blushed. “People like to ask how the proposal happened, and I thought maybe we could lie just a little bit. Not mention the naked part, you know.”

Cayden laughed. “Sure, Lil. We can leave that part out.”

“Thank you.” She rested her gaze on him again, seeming totally calm, and suddenly let a shout of elation ring from her throat. Cayden was positive that she was glowing, and seeing her so filled with joy made his heart swell. Her excitement was contagious; it latched onto him with a sensation he had never experienced, and he knew no one else would ever be able to make him feel this way.

Pulling her into his arms, he let out a shout to echo hers. They kissed, and the butterflies that flitted around inside them made their first kiss pale in comparison.

“Lillian Warren,” he whispered in her ear, seeing the goose bumps prickle up, “you are extraordinary.”

She curled against his body tightly. “So are you, Cayden Manos,” she said. “So are you.”

THE END