“I think we should stop for supplies now so we don’t have to come back out if we don’t want to.”
I don’t want to. I don’t want to leave the bedroom once we reach the cabin. Sex or not, I need to feel her skin against mine. It’s been too damn long.
“Definitely.”
I pull into the local general store just about a mile from the cabin. As soon as I take the keys from the ignition, I lean over and kiss her. “Ready?” I ask, forcing myself to pull away.
“Yes.” She grins.
“You know, I’m liking that word from your lips today.”
She laughs. “Come on, you.” She climbs out of the car.
I meet her in front. She links her arm through mine and we head inside. I grab a cart and push while she holds on to me. We grab more food than we’ll need while we’re here, but like I said before, I don’t want to have to come back out. I couldn’t care less if we see the outside of that cabin until Monday when we have to leave.
Outside, I toss her the keys. She catches them and then stops. “I can’t drive that huge thing, Dylan. What if I wreck it.”
“You’ll be fine. I’ll be right there with you. Besides, you need to get used to it if you’re going to be driving it every day.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. I bought it for you. I already have the dealership working on my truck. I’ll pick it up when we get back.”
“How can you afford this? Sorry, I know that’s none of my business, but the house, the Tahoe, your truck?”
“Pop the gate.” I motion to the keys in her hands. She hits the button and the rear gate lifts. I toss the groceries in the back and put the cart in the corral. “Hop in, Aves. We can talk on the way.”
She hesitates before conceding and climbing into the driver side. I wait while she adjusts the seat to her height and messes with the mirrors. “You’ve driven my truck before. This is just like it.”
She nods, starts the engine, and slowly backs out of the space. “That camera makes that less stressful.” She laughs. I can tell she’s nervous.
“It does. Just remember to always still look beside you as well.”
“Got it.”
I wait until she’s on the road that leads to the cabin before I address her concerns. “Avery, I worked every day for the last four years, barely spending a dime of any of my paychecks. Dad refused to let me pay rent and he had savings for college, insisted I use it. That first year, I worked as many hours as I could, trying to work away the pain. The second year, Dad increased my pay. Said I was putting just as much into the business as he was and should be compensated as such. We do really well, Avery.”
“I understand that, but you’re doing all of this for me and I feel guilty. I don’t love you for what you can give me, Dylan. I love you for who you are. For the way you love me.”
“I know that. That’s all the more reason for me to spoil you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, baby. Just to love you and make you happy. I’m in this, us. I want to spend forever with you. The house, it’s an investment in our future. This car is the same thing. I want you and our kids to be safe when you’re out driving around.”
“Kids?” she sputters.
“Yeah, you always said you wanted at least two, if not more.”
“I do.”
“Turn here,” I tell her. She takes the long dirt road, and just past the tree line is our cabin. She turns off the car and pulls the keys from the ignition.
“I want that with you, Avery. I want every fucking second of the life we used to talk about. I want that for us.”
“This place hasn’t changed a bit,” she says, taking in the cabin before us.
“Did you hear me, Aves?” I’m not going to let her hide from this.
She turns to face me and there are tears in her eyes. “I heard every word. I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve you, Dylan. All I know is that I’m holding on tight. I want it all as long as you’re by my side.”
I’m not gonna lie, I have to swallow back the emotion that’s welling in my throat.
“Let’s go check it out.” She’s out of the truck and racing to the front door before I can protest. I race after her and catch her, one arm locked tight around her waist from behind as I lift her off the ground and twirl her around. When I set her back on her feet, she turns in my arms. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“This is our place.” That’s how I’ll always see it. Our place.
“We better get the groceries inside.”
“Party pooper.” I give her a quick peck on the lips. “Here.” I pull the cabin key out of my pocket.
“How did you get that already?”
“They mailed it to me. You go on in. I’ll get our bags and the groceries.”
“I can help,” she protests.
“I’m good, babe. Go ahead and get the place opened up. I’ll be right there.” With one more parting kiss, I rush back to get our bags and the groceries. The sooner this is done, the sooner I get to be with my girl. Just us.
It only takes two trips to bring it all in. I grabbed the bags from the store first so she could start putting them away. She’s pretty much done by the time I bring in the final few bags and our luggage.
“Now what?” she asks once everything is stored.
“Hold that thought.” I make sure the front door is locked before turning back to her. “Now, I hold you. No expectations, Aves, but I need you in my arms, especially after the drive here.”
“Can you give me a few minutes first?” she asks shyly.
I kiss the top of her head; I can’t keep my hands and mouth off her. “Sure. If you can do one thing for me?”
“Anything.”
I hold my hand out for her. “Cell phone. I don’t want anyone here with us this weekend.”
She smiles softly and pulls her phone out of her back pocket. I watch as she turns it off before placing it in my hand. “Five minutes.” She raises on her toes, kisses me too damn quickly, and then she’s racing toward the bedroom.
Turning my phone off as well, I place them on the living room table, then walk around the cabin and let the memories of being here with her wash over me. I was hoping this place would remind her of all that we shared here, I could tell by her smile I was right.
I check the patio door and make sure it’s locked as well, then go through and turn out all the lights. Glancing at the clock on the stove, I see that it’s been ten minutes. I promised her five.
I head toward the bedroom. Pushing open the door, I stop at what I see. My beautiful Avery is lying on the bed, her hair feathered out on the pillowcase. Her arms and shoulders are bare. Her hand is clutched to her chest, holding the white cotton sheet.
I can’t speak. Literally, words won’t form. On trembling legs, I walk into the room, shutting the door behind me. When I reach the side of the bed, she turns to face me. Her blue eyes tell me a story, a story of love and a future that only we can have. It’s in this moment that I know—she’s ready. My hand shakes when I push it into my front pocket and pull out the ring I placed there just before I reached her place today. I guess you could say I was hopeful.
Keeping the ring closed in my left hand, I push her hair out of her eyes with my right. “No matter how many times I see you like this, it will never be enough.” Leaning in, I softly kiss her lips. “No matter how many times I kiss you, it will never be enough.” Snaking my hand under the cotton sheet, I run my fingers up and down her bare thigh. “No matter how many times I feel your soft skin against mine, it will never be enough.” I rest my head on the bed in front of her and feel her hands run through my hair. “Every touch, every kiss has me craving more.” Lifting my head, I look at her. “I loved you since that first night at the bonfire. In here.” I place my hand over my heart. “This is where you’ve been since that day. Never a minute passed that I didn’t think about you, that I didn’t love you.”
“Dylan,” she whispers as a tear falls from her cheek.
“I never want to be away from you again. I want to be your shoulder, your rock. I want the good times and the bad. I want to make babies with you. I want to grow old with you sitting on the front porch swing as we watch our kids and grandkids fall in love like we did.” Lifting my left hand, I open my palm and show her the ring. She gasps as more tears fall. Holding the ring up, I lock eyes with her. “Avery, you’re my dream. A life with you would make that dream come true. Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?” My voice is strong and certain. On the outside, I appear to be holding my shit together, but on the inside, I’m freaking the fuck out. Grabbing her hand, I place the ring at the tip of her finger.
“Yes,” she whispers through her tears. “Yes, yes, yes!” she says, laughing as a watery smile covers her face.
Relief rushes through me. I slip the ring on her finger and then kiss it. Standing, I pull my shirt over my head and toss it on the floor. My jeans and boxer briefs are next. Avery lifts the sheet, allowing me to slide in as close as I can and wrap my arms around her. The sensation of her soft skin pressed against mine is one I will forever crave.
“I love you, Dylan.”
I close my eyes and savor her words. She’s mine, she said yes. We’re getting married. “I love you, Aves.” She’s lying in front of me, her back to my front. I watch as she holds her hand out, admiring her ring.
“You remembered,” she says softly.
“Every word, Aves. You said you liked the idea of a heart-shaped diamond. You said it signifies the guy giving the girl his heart.” She nods. “I gave you mine years ago, but this one? This one shows the world that you own my heart and soul.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.”
She rolls over so her head is resting on my chest. “How long have you been planning this?”
“I bought the ring the week after Brad and Harley’s wedding.”
“Wow,” she whispers. “And this, was proposing a part of this weekend’s plans?”
“No. I’ve been packing this ring around with me for months, just waiting for the right time. Waiting for you to give me the sign that you were ready for us to take the next step in our lives together.”
“You’re an amazing man, Dylan Knight.”
“Because of you.”
She snuggles into me and when her breathing becomes slow, I know she’s fallen asleep. Making sure she’s covered by the sheet, I close my eyes and allow sleep to claim me as well.