Watching her in my kitchen brings me joy. It may sound silly—not that I care—but, just having Mia around me settles me. I want to put my ring on her finger and my baby in her belly. Barefoot and pregnant is definitely what comes to mind. Although, I think she’ll always want to have her independence. So, I may not get that wish, but I can definitely envision it.

I see her turn and look through the cabinets. She’s reaching for the spices on the top shelf. She has to get on the tips of her toes, so much so, that I’m afraid she’ll fall. Not being able to handle that, I get up to help her find what she’s searching for. I crowd behind her, making her feel every inch of my body, knowing she’ll feel my hard dick pushing against her ass. When I grab what she’s reaching for, she shimmies back, her ass teasing my dick. The urge to take her from behind, pulling her hair, and making her arch back towards me, all while begging me to fuck her harder, is so strong that I moan.

“Mia, if you don’t stop rubbin’ that ass on my cock, I won’t be eating food for dinner, I’ll be eating you,” I whisper, in her ear. I make sure I drag my lips down to her neck and nip along my way to her throat. She whimpers in need as I pull away. I hate that I have to, but I know she’ll want to cook dinner.

“Cash...” she sighs aloud.

“They’ll be more time for that, Darlin’,” I answer, going back to my seat.

She goes back to cooking and it’s not too much longer until dinner is waiting on the breakfast bar.

It’s quiet while we’re eating, mostly because her cooking is damn good, but also because I can tell she’s nervous again.

“Mia, that was some of the best home cooking I’ve ever had.” I brag, as I’m wiping my mouth with a napkin. She’s blushing again, and tonight is the night I’ll get to see just how far that blush truly goes.

“I’m glad you liked it, I miss cooking. It’s been so long and cooking was my outlet when my father got so bad.” She’s looking down at her plate while she’s talking to me and as much as I want to lift her chin, so my eyes can gaze into hers, I know she needs this moment.

I pick up our plates and start cleaning up the kitchen, my mom didn’t raise a boy, she raised a man. A man who respects a woman. If a woman fixes you a meal, then the least you can do is clean the kitchen. Seeing how well my parents’ marriage is working out, I know they’re doing something right.

Once I’m done cleaning the kitchen, even with Mia grumbling that she should help, I pull her out of her seat and take us to the back deck. Sitting down on a thick-cushioned chair, I bring her into my lap, not willing to let her go.

She snuggles back into me, and I know she’s enjoying the sun fading into the earth.

“Cash?” she asks.

“Yeah, Baby,” I murmur above her head.

“Thank you for this. This right here, in your arms. It feels like it’s where I’m meant to be.”

She snuggles into me and I hold her for what feels like hours, when I notice she’s starting to drift asleep. I slowly move so I can rise and carry her to bed. When I go up the stairs, she starts to awaken, and I let her down slowly, gliding her down my body.

“Let’s get us up to bed,” I tell her.

“I’m sorry I’m such a lousy date and fell asleep on you,” she says, her words muffled with a yawn.

“Don’t you worry about that, we’ll get settled in and I can have you in my arms tonight.”

She now has her eyes glued to the master bedroom. It’s a four-poster king size bed—a bed I’m imagining her writhing in while she’s riding my cock.

“Wow, you’ve got a nice house, Cash. Every room is just as amazing as the kitchen. Uh, Cash. Would it be too late to tell you that I’d like to take it slow? I mean I want you, but this is all so new to me and I just don’t want us to have any regrets,” she says, her voice extremely nervous.

“Mia, I’m here for the long haul, I don’t care how long it takes for you to get comfortable around me. I’d wait a lifetime for you.” I can see in her eyes, she’s coming to terms that I’m speaking the truth.

“Thank you, I mean. I’ve not really done this before. You know, spend the night with someone…in a bed.” I think she’s redder then a tomato at this point, and she’s having trouble making eye contact with me.

“Baby, I know that. I wouldn’t ever rush you into something you’re not ready for.” I lean down, kissing her forehead.

“How did I get so lucky to find the best guy in the bar?” she asks. I don’t respond. Fearing she wouldn’t like my answer. I go to the bed and start turning down the sheets.

“Do you have something I could wear to bed?” she asks, the question obviously making her embarrassed all over again.

“Here ya go,” I tell her, handing her one of my T-shirts. “The bathrooms through there and you’ll find an extra tooth brush too.”

“I will?” she asks, and my simple statement making her pale. I know right away what she’s thinking. I don’t know why I do—but I do.

“I bought it today, Mia. I bought it for you,” I tell her. I don’t want her to get the impression that I keep shit here for women. I don’t want her to think what her and I are doing happens often. It fucking doesn’t. I don’t want women in my home. I don’t want women in my day to day life. Up until Mia there’s never been anyone I cared enough to want in my home. Mia is special, she’s not someone I’m passing time with. She’s someone who I make time for.

I go to grab some boxers for myself to sleep in, not knowing how she’ll take me sleeping in the nude. I’ve just finished changing when she walks out. I go to her and kiss her forehead.

“Get settled in Darlin’, I’ll be right out,” I tell her as I pass.

When I get out, she’s already snuggled in and wrapped up on what will now be her side of the bed. Walking over to the lights and turning them off, I slide in next to her, bringing her closer to me.

With her head on my chest and my hand playing with her hair, I hear her whisper, “I could love a man like you, Cash.”

Her voice is groggy, like she’s talking in her sleep, but hearing those words fucking unmans me. I want that. I wanted it before she said it, but hearing her say it makes me determined.

I will be the man she loves. Having her in my bed will not be temporary.

I move my hand down to her stomach and spread my hand across the soft flesh.

She will be the mother of my children. I’m not letting her get away.