“Your exquisite cock. Oh and you’re not bad to look at either.”
Mac made a cutting motion across his chest. “You wound me, doll. I haven’t heard you mention a word about my stellar personality.”
“You know that’s hit or miss sometimes.”
When Mac glared at her, Melina laughed, before she leaned toward him and kissed his cheek.
“You know I’m just playing. There is so much about you that I’m grateful for, especially your patience.”
Mac nodded. “Yeah. Who else could put up with you?”
Melina’s mouth dropped as her husband laughed.
“You know what, you’re about to make me remind you who is the boss in this relationship.”
“Now that promise has some merit, but give me a bit, doll. We’re here.”
Melina looked around as Mac drove them down an asphalt road. A yellow Dead End sign stood on her right side as they passed. A minute later, they pulled up to a cul-de-sac and Mac killed the ignition.
“Mac?”
“I’ll explain in a minute.”
Before Melina could say anything, he was out of the car and opening the door for her. Melina stepped out and shut the door, leaning against the car.
“Mac, I don’t see anything out here but wide-open space.”
He shook his head. “Yes, but it’s more than that. This is our future.”
“Okay, you lost me.”
Taking her hand, Mac led her away from the car and toward the grass in front of them.
“Every king and queen need a castle. This is where we’re going to build ours.”
Melina was silent as she took a moment to process what Mac was saying to her. This was their homestead. This was the place they were going to build a home.
“This is a new subdivision?” she finally asked.
“No. Everything you see around us is ours. Ten acres of prime real estate.”
Melina looked at her husband. “When did you have time? You’ve been so busy lately.”
“A man makes time for what’s important.”
“Ten acres? What are we going to do with all this space?”
“I want you to have your dream house, doll. Whatever you want.”
Melina took Mac’s face in her hands. “I don’t need all of this to be happy.”
“I know you don’t and that only makes me want to give it to you even more.”
“But Mac, I’m fine with the apartment for now. Besides, your mother needs a new house more than we do.”
“Oh, she’s getting a surprise of her own. I just haven’t sprung it on her yet.”
“There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”
Mac shook his head. “No. I’ve worked hard and I’m finally starting to reap some of the benefits. As my wife, you’re entitled to all of them. This is our fresh start.”
Melina looked away, lest he see the tears that were threatening to fall. Her husband was so considerate and so romantic. As if buying her a Maserati wasn’t enough, now he’d purchased what looked to be a small subdivision so she could have the house of her dreams built.
“I must’ve done something right in another lifetime to end up with such an amazing husband.”
Mac’s arms circled her waist, bringing her closer to him. “You think so?”
“Yes. If you’re like this with me, then I can’t imagine how you’ll be with …” Melina trailed off.
“With who, doll?”
“With our children.”
A light came on in Mac’s eyes. “I … I hadn’t even connected the house to kids. I just wanted to do something to make you happy.”
“I know, and I love you for that, but we both know we can’t put off that discussion forever.”
“Nothing could possibly make me any happier than us having children together. A little girl with your smile, your beautiful skin and eyes …”
“A son that looks like you would make my heart melt,” Melina said.
Mac smiled. “It seems we’ve both been thinking about it.”
“I have. I love you and we’re building a life together. I want children, but there are some things I’d like to do first before we take that step. Is that okay with you?”
Melina knew that she was asking a lot. Mac had damn near spit out rainbows and sparkles as he shared his longing for a daughter that looked like her. Without a doubt, if she gave him the word, they would immediately start trying to conceive a child. But the timing needed to be right.
“If and when we decide to have a child, it will be about us and what we want.”
Melina giggled as Mac lifted her off her feet and swung her around. This was all she needed. Happiness wasn’t about the things you had. It was about the people you loved. And as Mac put her back on her feet and kissed her, silently Melina vowed she wouldn’t deny them what they both wanted much longer.