Amelia saw Sebastian’s car pull up. What was he doing there? She was shocked to see him. She didn’t think he even knew where she was, though, he had a habit of finding things out. And now that she thought about it, her mother had mentioned something about the bills being paid. Duh. Why hadn’t she realized it was him? Of course it was him.

She answered the door when he knocked, ready to tell him to leave. But then she saw the look on his face and faltered. His smile was so genuine, so beautiful. She stood in the open door and stared at him.

“You look amazing,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. I didn’t expect to see you.”

“I know you didn’t call, and I don’t know if it’s been enough time, but I needed to see you. I wanted to talk to you.”

“Come in, I guess.” She stepped aside and gestured to the living room.

They sat on the couch and her mother wandered in a moment later. “Hello Sebastian.”

“Hello Mrs. Foley. Nice to see you under better circumstances.”

“Do I have you to thank for paying my bills?”

He nodded. “I wanted to help in some way.”

“Well, thank you. It has helped a lot.” She must’ve seen the flowers he was holding. “I’ll take those and put them in water.”

She left the room and silence fell between them awkwardly.

“Jacob is really hoping you’ll be coming back soon,” Sebastian said. “You’re one of his best.”

She was glad to hear it, but it made her decision more difficult. “I’ve decided not to return. I’ve had a few interviews. I’m going to stay close to my mother. Now that there’s no baby, I have no reason to try to stay closer to where Jay was.”

“I didn’t realize that’s why you were.”

“It was really hard to be so far from my mom. I wouldn’t have to stay in the shelter if I would have just come home.”

He nodded slowly. “I understand that, but we do want you back. I mean, I want you back. I…” He reached over and took her hands in his. “I know I really screwed up. Please, I’m begging you to forgive me. I want to start over and start something with you. Something real. You said you needed time to figure things out. Did you?”

“I did. And I told you I’m staying here with Mom.”

“I mean about us.”

“If I’m here, I don’t see how there can be an us.”

“We could find a way.”

She shook her head. “You’ve been good to me, but I can’t risk it. I was already in one bad relationship with someone who didn’t know how to be in a relationship. If you’ve never been in a real relationship and have this far of commitment… I can’t get my heart broken like that again.”

He squeezed her hands tighter. “How would I ever learn if you don’t give me a chance? I’m telling you that I want the commitment. I want to be with you. I’ve never said that to anyone before. I’ve never wanted that with anyone.” He picked up a piece of paper sitting by his side. “Look at this.” He spread the paper open.

She looked at a collection of blue lines that made little sense. “What is it?”

“It’s a studio. Here, the rendering is better to see what it’ll be like.” He handed her another sheet.

She looked over the image of a beautiful artist’s studio. She couldn’t have designed it any better if she’d done it herself. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s yours.”

“What do you mean?”

“I took a section of my property and had this built. It’s finished now, and it’s yours.” He handed her a key on a silver keychain. “It has its own entrance, so you can come and go as you like. I was hoping this would help prove that I’m ready to make a commitment.”

“It’s really beautiful. Really. But building a building doesn’t mean you’re ready to be a boyfriend or anything else.” She handed the papers back, but she couldn’t help be touched by what he’d done. It didn’t prove anything about his ability to commit. That had been true. But it did prove how much he cared for her.

“Please Amelia. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I… I’ll prove it to you.” He slid off the couch and got down on one knee in front of her. “Marry me, Amelia. I love you. I’ve never loved anyone before. I love you, and I want a family with you. I’m sorry we lost the baby. I’m sad over it, too. I want a family with you, and I thought it was going to happen in a few months. I was excited about it, and I want that. I want that with you. Marry me, and make a family with me.”

“Whoa. Whoa.” She stood and backed away from him. Her mind was spinning. He loved her? He’d just proposed to her? How could this all be happening? “Sebastian. You don’t know me that well. You can’t just propose to someone you barely know. And I don’t see how… how you can love me.”

He stood and took her hands again. “Because I see you. I see your hardworking attitude and your strength. You fought through so much and survived and kept going. I saw your joy and excitement over becoming a mom, even in less-than-great circumstances. I saw your amazing talent at painting and how you love it. You find the good in life and you make it all worth it. All my other girlfriends, if you can call them that, just wanted to go to fancy dinners and events. They wanted to buy expensive cars and clothes and drive around in them to show them off. It was so superficial. But you’re so real. I love that. I love you.”

“I…”

“Don’t say anything.” He put a finger to her lips. “You don’t have to say you love me back. Just come back with me. Go back to work if you want or don’t. You could just paint all day. Your mom can move into the guest house if you want her closer. I love you, and I’ve never said that to anyone or felt that way about anyone. I can’t lose you. I’m begging you to give me a chance. Let me prove it to you.”

She took a moment to let this all sink in. Then she broke into a half smile. If he was being this insistent, this daring to go out of his way for her, maybe she should. Wasn’t he worth the risk? She thought of all the things he’d done for her and the kind things he’d said. There was always some risk of heartache with any relationship. She didn’t intend to spend the rest of her life alone, so why not?

“Okay,” she said.

“Okay?” His smile grew until it filled his face.

She held up her hand. “I’m not saying yes to marrying you. It’s far too soon for that. We have to at least live together for a little while to make sure it’ll work. But if my mom can really come, and I can go back to work, then okay.”

He wrapped her in a tight hug, then kissed her for a long time.

“You just made me so happy. I’ll show you that I can be exactly what you need.”

“You already are.” She looked into his eyes, then kissed him again. “I love you, too,” she whispered.

He nuzzled his nose into her neck and kissed along her jaw. “Thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance.”

They had told Amelia’s mother the good news that night, and Amelia moved in with him the next day. Her mother was excited, but needed time to pack up the house. Sebastian said he’d hire movers, but Amelia knew her mother would have most of the work done before they got there.

After a full tour of her new home, Amelia walked into Sebastian’s bedroom—their room now—and took in the space in awe. It was full of light and fabrics. Long curtains, a huge bed covered in thick blankets. He picked her up and threw her down on the bed, letting her bounce on the fluffy pillows.

She laughed and looked over at him when he climbed up beside her.

“I guess we need to break in our new room,” she said.

“I was hoping we could.”

He kissed her, then moved down her neck and along her collarbone. He dipped his fingers below her neck line, teasing her. She pulled off her shirt and he kissed her more freely.

He unhooked her bra and caressed her breasts, sucking and gently pinching her nipples while she moaned in pleasure. He leaned her back and kissed down her stomach.

He teased her again, taking his time unzipping her jeans and pulling them down slowly. He kissed along her legs and thighs. She pushed her thighs apart to give him full access. He kissed inside her thighs, then over her panties.

He slipped a finger under her panties and rubbed his finger along her clit. She was already wet, and he could feel it, too. He slipped a finger inside her and moved it in and out a few times. Then, he took off her panties.

He used his tongue to circle her clit, making her head spin with the pleasure of it. He slid in a finger as he sucked her, and she squeezed handfuls of the blankets.

He stepped out of his pants and climbed over her. She eagerly kissed him and pulled him toward her.

“I want you so bad,” she said.

“Oh yeah?” He hovered above her, letting the tip of his hard dick rub against her labia. “How bad?”

She lifted her hips up, pushing against him. “Bad.”

“Well, I can’t deny you what you want.” He kissed her and pushed inside her slowly.

The sensation of him filling her made her cry out and dig her nails into his back. “Yes!”

He moved slowly at first, but as she got closer to coming, he moved faster and harder. He thrust deep inside her until she felt the orgasm near.

“I’m going to come,” he said.

“I’m close, too,” she said.

He sped up even more, grabbing her hips as he pounded into her. She came and a moment later, he cried out and thrust hard several times.

He lay still, panting over her for a moment until he slowly pulled out.

“That was amazing,” she said. “Probably the best sex I’ve eve had.”

He made a pleased murmur. “Good. Me too. Somehow, it’s much different when you’re in love.”

He put his hand to her cheek and kissed her. “I love you. Thank you for giving me a chance.”

She smiled and kissed him back. “I love you, as unexpected as it is. I’m so glad you came to find me and asked me to be with you. You’re well worth the risk.”