One month later

Haring

Tonight’s a bittersweet night. It’s the last formal event Tim Jones is hosting as Vice-President. He has a few months left in office, and I know he’s happy to be moving on to his passion project, but I’ve never known him as anything but a politician. He was a Senator when I met him, and then VP, and even though I’ve seen him in casual clothes all the time, the memories of him in his suit, representing our country, will always stay with me.

Natasha had her group counseling session at the Foundation last night, so she flew in this morning. I haven’t had a chance to see her, as she’s been busy being primped and pampered, along with all the other Society women. My sister sent me a text, telling me I’m going to fall flat on my face when I see my woman, and I have no doubt she’s right.

“Did you leave any alcohol for me?”

I turn, and have to grab onto the bar for support. Oh yeah, I’m going down tonight, and I don’t mean falling to the floor. The femme fatale is back, and damn, she’s as gorgeous as ever. Natasha’s been mixing up her style, but retro glam is what her body was made for.

Her dress is a sleeveless dark teal velvet, covering her in front from her neck to her feet. The fabric molds to her full breasts, and hips, before flaring out on the bottom. But, it’s the sheer fabric peeking at me from where the dress curves in the middle that’s making my cock hard. I know without looking that the back dips low, and showcases that sexy ass of hers. Pair all of that with her red curls, and lipstick, and my woman’s a fantasy come to life.

“There are no words for how amazing you look.”

“Your tux is making my panties disappear.”

“They’re definitely going to be MIA later.”

“I certainly hope so.”

I kiss her, knowing I’ll be covered in red lipstick, and loving the thought of it. It’s become a running joke among our friends, because I’m frequently wearing more of her signature color than she is. Some of the women have suggested she switch to a brand that doesn’t come off, but I shot those blasphemous offerings down fast. I love being known as the man Natasha can’t keep her mouth off of.

“How was group?”

“Good. I talked a little.”

“Babe. You should’ve told me, so I could be there.” I know how hard it is for her to talk about what happened to her, even to me.

“I didn’t plan it, and you can’t always be there to hold me when the memories make me sad.”

“Where else would I be?”

The past month has been amazing. Natasha moved in with me, bringing some of her things with her. We worked with Chloe Griffin on the rest, merging her girly style with my masculine one. Our place is home now, for both of us.

We’ve also merged our lives together seamlessly. During the week, when I work at C&C, we have lunch together, and on the weekends, she hangs out at the Fun Center with me. It’s more than I could’ve ever hoped for, but still not enough. Which is why I asked Tim if I could steal the spotlight from him tonight, for just a few minutes.

“You two look stunning,” Heather Ford says, kissing us both on the cheeks. Aiden’s mom is still close to his dad, even though they’re divorced.

“Thanks, so do you,” Natasha tells her.

“This seems to be where the party is,” Tim says, coming over to greet us.

“It’s not a party until you start dancing, so the rest of us can too.”

“I’d hate to keep everyone waiting to dance,” he says, giving me a wink, before grabbing his long-time boyfriend, and making his way to the dance floor.

When the music starts, Natasha turns to me with an eyebrow cocked. Tim asked for them to play a song from her favorite movie, because I requested it. I just smirk at her, and lead her out to dance.

“What are you up to, Haring?”

“This,” I tell her, dropping to one knee. She covers her mouth, and nods, when I pull the ring box from my pocket. “I love you, Vixen. I will always love you, and I’ll always keep trying to deserve you. Please say yes this time.”

“Yes!” she cries, as I slide the ring on her finger. “I love you too, and you deserve me. You do, so I want you to stop talking like that.”

“Is that going to be part of your wedding vows?”

“Maybe. Will it be a deal-breaker?”

“Nothing’s going to break this deal, Vixen. Nothing, and no one. You’re stuck with me.”

“Good thing I love you then, huh?”

“The best thing.”

We kiss, and I finally register the cheers from our friends, but I have one more surprise for her. My family is in this room, and so is hers. There was no way I could do this without them. I pull away from her, and turn her around.

“Mom? Daddy?”

“Congratulations, Natty. You have a fine young man here,” her father says, pulling her into a hug.

We came here to see them a couple of weeks ago, and I visited him yesterday, asking for his permission to marry Natasha. There were some tears from both of us, as we talked about this woman we both love, and he said he couldn’t think of anyone better to marry his daughter.

Her mother hugs me. “You take care of our girl.”

“I promise.”

As Matisse, Aiden, Jake, Isa, and everyone else surround us, I know everything that happened to me is what brought me here. A few months ago, I thought I was losing all that defined me, but I wasn’t. This right here is everything I could ever hope for, and more. Family, friends, and most importantly, love.