Landen glanced over at Amelia and released a sigh. He knew she was nervous, but then again, so was he. He knew the moment he said the words out loud, that it was exactly what he wanted; he wanted her to be his wife and spend the rest of her life with him. Still, he was a little nervous about telling his parents.

When Amelia said yes, Landen almost couldn’t believe that she actually accepted his proposal. But she had, and now all that was left to do was tell everyone else.

They had already told Nikki that morning when they arrived back at her apartment. She seemed shocked but genuinely happy for them.

“So you’re really going to do this?” She asked Landen when Amelia headed to her room to get changed.

“I am,” Landen replied with a cautious nodded.

“Wow,” Nikki said with a grin. “I never thought I’d see the day someone tamed the Bulldozer.”

“I know,” Landen replied with a smile, then added. “But I’m happy, Nik.”

“I’m glad,” Nikki said, and Landen knew she meant it.

Landen had asked Amelia to go with him to his parent’s house, to tell them their news. Amelia agreed, but he knew now, as they drove to his parent’s home, that she was beginning to panic a little.

“Are you okay?” He asked as he returned his focus to the road ahead of them.

“Yeah,” she replied, giving him a smile, but her eyes said something completely different.

“You know you’re a terrible liar,” Landen replied with a laugh, as he glanced over at her once again. “But you know that you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“I guess I’m worried your parents will think it’s very fast,” Amelia admitted. “I just don’t want them to be mad at me.”

“Why would they be mad at you?” Landen asked, surprised that she was this worried. “You know I’m a grown man. I think I’m old enough to know what I’m doing.”

“I just want them to like me,” she said, giving Landen a shy smile.

He pulled the car to a stop at a set of traffic lights and reached out to take hold of her hand.

“They’re going to love you as much as I do,” Landen promised her as he brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it softly. “So please don’t worry.”

“I’ll try not to,” Amelia promised, smiling.

They arrived at Nell and Sean’s house a short time later, and when they climbed out of the car, Landen held Amelia’s hand tightly, as they walked up the steps to the front door.

Just as they reached the door, Stella opened it, greeting Landen with a warm smile.

“There’s my other favourite girl,” Landen said as he greeted the older lady with a warm smile, also a kiss on the cheek. “You’re looking as beautiful as ever, Stella.”

“And you are full of nonsense as always,” Stella replied with a laugh before she turned her attention to Amelia. “How lovely to see you again, Ms. Davenport.”

“You too, Stella,” Amelia said as she too greeted the woman with a warm smile.

Landen had brought Amelia to his parents’ home several times already, and he knew that she was still a little thrown by their house and the fact they had a housekeeper. He knew that it was a lifestyle she wasn’t used to, but he hoped that in time, she would feel less like a fish out of water living in his world.

“Your parents are out on the patio,” Stella said, returning her focus to Landen.

“Thank you, Stella,” Landen replied as he took hold of Amelia’s hand once more, then headed through the house, out toward the back patio.

“Can I bring you both a drink?” Stella asked as she followed them towards the back door.

“Two white wines would be great,” Landen replied, as he turned, giving the woman a smile. “Thank you Stella.”

Landen paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, before he reached for the door, pulling it open.

“Landen!” Nell exclaimed the moment he and Amelia stepped out through the door. The early evening sun was still warm and wrapped around Landen as he walked to his mother, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Suddenly he felt nervous. “This is a surprise.”

Then she turned to Amelia, welcoming her too. Sean too stood up and greeted them both, before they all took their seat.

“To what do we owe the pleasure?” Sean asked as he picked up the bottle of beer he had been enjoying when they both arrived.

“Oh shush, Sean,” Nell scolded him. “What does it matter? They don’t need a reason to come home and spend time with us.”

“Well, actually, Mom,” Landen said, and he quickly cleared his throat, as he heart hammered in his chest. “There is a reason behind the visit.”

“What’s wrong?” Nell asked immediately, as a worried look settled on her face. Before Landen could reply, Stella came out through the door of the house, setting down two glasses of wine on the table for Landen and Amelia.

“Nothing’s wrong, Mom,” Landen quickly said as he reached for his wine glass. Picking it up, he brought it to his mouth and took a long sip, before he set it back down on the table and continued. “Far from it in fact.”

He glanced at Amelia, and he could see by the look on her face that her nerves were running amuck inside her, and he reached over and took her hand once more, as he gave her a reassuring smile.

“Then what’s going on?” Sean asked, as now he too was curious.

“Well, we have some news,” Landen said, as he looked at both his parents. “I’ve asked Amelia to marry me, and she has, for some reason I will never understand, said yes.”

“Oh, Landen!” Nell exclaimed as her face lit up with the biggest smile Landen had ever seen. “That is wonderful news.”

She was on her feet hugging Landen before he had time even to draw breath. Then she quickly turned to Amelia, hugging her tightly too.

“I’m so happy for you both,” Nell continued as she released Amelia from her embrace and held her at arm’s length. “And I am so happy to welcome you to our family, Sweetheart.”

“I know this probably seems kind of fast,” Amelia said as she gave Nell a nervous smile.

“Do you love each other?” Nell replied with a question.

“Of course!” Amelia exclaimed, clearly surprised by her question.

“Then who says it has to be a set amount of time before you get married,” Nell replied. “As long as two people love each other, and know that they are meant to spend their lives together, then that’s all that truly matters.”

“I guess so,” Amelia replied with a wide smile. Landen could see the nervousness that had been on her face moments before, quickly fade away.

“Congratulations, Son,” Sean said as he shook Landen’s hand, and gave him a pat on the back. “You have chosen well.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Landen replied before Sean turned and kissed Amelia on the cheek.

Landen felt that he had never been happier in his life, as he was at that exact moment.

Nell asked Stella to bring some champagne to celebrate the good news. She also insisted on calling all of Landen’s brothers to tell them the good news. Landen was happy that all his brothers seem to be genuinely happy for both him and Amelia, but Liam couldn’t help but ask if she had lost her mind agreeing to marry a loser like Landen. Landen just laughed and said that he loved Liam too.

“So, have you set a date?” Sean asked as they all sat on the patio making plans. “And have you thought about a venue yet?”

“Well,” Landen said, taking a deep breath. “We are thinking soon, I mean, I don’t want to wait, and neither does Amelia. I want her to be my wife as soon as possible.”

“Okay,” Sean said as a determined look settled on his face. “I will make some calls, but I am sure we can find somewhere suitable.”

“Actually,” Landen said, knowing this was the part his father might have a problem with. Even though Sean was retired, he still had a lot of important friends, and Landen knew that as the first of his brothers to get married, everyone would be expecting some big lavish party, with a guest list filled with rich and powerful friends and acquaintances. “We were hoping to have it here, in the house, and we would really prefer it if it were just family and close friends.”

“But…”Sean began to argue, but Nell cut him off.

“I think that sounds perfect,” she said, giving Landen a knowing smile.

“Nell!” Sean said giving his wife a surprised look. “I thought that you…”

“I think it’s their day,” Nell cut off her husband once more. “And I think if this is what they want, then this is the wedding they will have.”

“But you know what people will say?” Sean sighed.

“I honestly don’t care what anyone says,” Nell replied matter-of-factly. “This is about them, not what other’s think. As long as those that matter are here, nothing else does.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Landen said relieved that his mother could see things from their view.

Sure, Landen would have loved a big, lavish wedding. He wanted to scream it from the rooftops that he believed he was the luckiest man alive to have someone like Amelia agree to be his wife. But Landen also knew that Amelia had no one else in the world, and whatever guests there were at the wedding would probably be just his. He also knew the Amelia was afraid that if they had this big, posh event, there was more chance of it getting the attention of the press.

So he agreed that small was better, because in the end he just wanted to marry her. All the rest didn’t really matter to him.

“You just tell me when you want to do this,” Nell said. “And I will take care of everything else.”

“Mom, we can’t ask you to do that,” Landen replied, not wanting to put his mother to any trouble.

“It’s no trouble,” Nell insisted with a wave of her hand. “It’s a couple of phone calls, that’s all. You two have more important things to be getting on with. Like picking the perfect dress.”

She gave Amelia a smile that said she was beyond happy to finally have a girl in the family to do girly things with.

The girly thing! Landen laughed to himself, as finally, he got it. He could see it in his mom’s face when she talked to Amelia. It was a girly thing!

“And on that note,” Sean said with a chuckle as he stood up, lifting up his empty beer bottle. “I think I’ve had enough of the bubbles. Time for another beer. Son, do you want one?”

“No thanks, Dad,” Landen said. “One glass of Champagne is more than enough. I am driving.”

“If you’re sure, Son,” Sean said before he turned and looked at Amelia. “Can I get you something else, Amelia?”

“No, thank you,” she replied, giving him a grateful smile, and Landen loved that the worry that had been in her face a couple of hours earlier, seemed to have completely vanished now.

“I’m tired,” Amelia said as they rode up in the elevator to Landen’s penthouse a couple of hours later.

“It’s been a big day,” Landen said as he looked over at her, giving her a smile. “But you’re happy, right?”

“I am,” she replied as she looked up at him. “Very.”

The elevator came to a stop, and Landen took hold of Amelia’s hand, then stepped out into his penthouse.

“I was thinking,” he said as he released her hand, slipping off his jacket. “I could have someone go to Nikki’s tomorrow and pack up your things, then bring them here.”

“Pack up my things?” Amelia repeated, her comment stopping Landen in his tracks as he walked through the apartment, towards the kitchen.

“You’re going to move in?” He asked as he turned back to face Amelia, giving her a questioning look. “Right? I mean, I assumed…”

“I hadn’t really thought about it!” Amelia replied, surprising Landen. “I mean, I just didn’t think.”

“Amelia, you’re going to marry me,” Landen said as he walked back towards her, and gave her a smile. “That means you’re going to be my wife, and we will live together. This will be your home. This is your home.”

“I know,” Amelia said giving him a smile. “I know what getting married means. I just… I guess I never really thought about it.”

“Well, you better start thinking,” Landen said with a grin as he slipped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him. “This is happening. I want to spend my life with you.”

“I want that too,” Amelia replied as she leaned into his embrace.

“So, you’re going to move in?” Landen asked as he looked down into her eyes.

“I guess I am,” Amelia replied with a smile before Landen leaned down and softly kissing her.

“Then let me welcome you home,” Landen breathed against her lips before he kissed her once more; this time deeper and filled with longing.

Landen could feel his whole body come to life the moment Amelia pressed her body to his. Unable to hold back any longer, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to his bedroom.

Our room, Landen thought to himself as he crossed the room and set her down on the bed before he quickly climbed over her.

“I love you, Amelia,” Landen whispered as his pressed his lips to the nape of her neck. “I will love you every day, for the rest of my life.”

He kissed her soft skin once more.

“I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy,” he continued as he kissed her once more. Suddenly his kiss became more urgent and needy, as did Amelia’s.

Pulling at each other’s clothes, their hands explored the other’s body until there was just skin against skin.

Landen settled in between Amelia’s legs, as she pulled her legs up, making Landen’s access easier.

Landen kissed her hard, as his huge hand glided over the soft skin on her thigh.

“Perfect,” he breathed out against her mouth before he pushed his erection deep inside her with one, slow thrust.

“Landen,” Amelia cried out but his swallowed her words, as he kissed her once more.

He pushed into her, over and over, each thrust his breathing became more ragged, his heart hammered fast inside him.

As he made love to Amelia, Landen realised just how new, and amazing, yet completely terrifying all this was. He had sex with his share of partners before. He had known what it was like to feel pure, unashamed pleasure, but with Amelia, it was so different. Never before had he felt so exposed, so naked in front of another human being. Landen knew it was because all the masks he had worn in the past were gone.

When he was with Amelia, all his walls were down, she got to see the real him. She could see inside him, deep into his soul, and she had the power to destroy him completely.

He held her close to him, allowing himself to get lost inside the woman he loved,

Finally, Amelia cried out, as Landen too came undone before he crashed down on the bed next to her. They both lay there, gasping for breath, covered in sweat, completely consumed in each other.

“Tell me that we will always be this happy,” Landen finally said, as he lifted his head, glancing over at Amelia. “Tell me that this is how I will spend the rest of my life. That we can stay here, in this room, just us two forever.”

“I think you would soon get bored,” Amelia laughed.

“I could never get bored of you, or your beautiful body,” Landen insisted as he rolled on to his side, looking down at Amelia. “That I can promise you.”

“But you’re Landen Murphy,” Amelia replied with a smile. “You’re the famous Bulldozer, and as much as I would love to spend the rest of my life, lying here naked with you. I think the world needs to have Landen Murphy in it.”

“Well, as long as Landen Murphy has Amelia Davenport, soon to be Amelia Murphy, in his life,” Landen said with a grin. “And also in his bed every night, then I don’t care about the rest of the world. I only care about you, Amelia. You and I are everything that I will ever want, and I want you to never doubt that.”

“You are all I want too,” she replied as she reached up, softly brushing his face with her fingertips, but her smile faded a little.

“What’s wrong?” Landen asked as he pushed himself up onto his elbow.

“Nothing,” Amelia replied as she shook her head.

“Something is,” Landen insisted. “I told you already; you’re a terrible liar.”

“I’m just worried that you will end up disappointed about the wedding,” Amelia admitted, as he eyes dropped away from Landen’s. “I know you wanted a bigger wedding, and your dad wanted one too…”

“I don’t care what my dad wants, Amelia,” Landen assured her. “I don’t care about anything except making you my wife. If you want to, we can go to Vegas and Elvis can marry us this very night, because I don’t care as long as I hear the words, I do.”

“I would love nothing more than to say those words to you tonight,” Amelia said as she looked up into his eyes once more. “But I think your mom would be hurt if we did that, and I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Then promise me that you’ll stop worrying,” Landen pleaded as he lifted her hand, bringing it to his mouth, then kissed it softly. “I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy,” Amelia assured him.

“That’s all I wanted to hear,” he growled as he moved over her once more, claiming her mouth again.