Jase turned the truck around so the bed was facing the west. “Wait. This is nothing.”
Excitement built up as Jase parked and jumped out of the truck.
When he opened my door, he held his hand in to help me down. He made me feel like a princess with everything he did.
“What do you think about my spot?”
Turning in a circle, I took it all in. We were up on a hill and the view to the west was stunning. “It’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a view this beautiful and I’ve seen some beautiful views.”
I let my eyes scan the horizon as Jase got a bag out of the backseat. Placing my hands over my stomach, I let my imagination run wild. Closing my eyes, I pictured Jase running after a little girl with brown curls bouncing while she ran. As much as I wanted to have a baby with Jase it was too soon. We needed to get to know each other. Be a couple before we took any other steps. But I didn’t see the harm in dreaming.
“All ready.”
Getting my senses about myself, I spun around and gasped. “Jase!”
The back of his truck had a blanket laid out with a picnic basket sitting in the middle. A few pillows were piled up making it look inviting enough to sleep.
My hands covered my mouth as I giggled and made my way over to the bed of the truck. Jase stood behind me and moved my hair, exposing my neck to his soft lips. “I want to learn every curve of your body. Every touch that makes you tremble. Words that make your pulse beat harder. Ways to make love to you that have you whispering for more. Tonight is all about you, Tay. Lead me where you want me to go.”
Each breath was heavy as my body was covered in goose bumps. Moving to face him, I searched his face. With trembling hands, I placed them on his chest. I’d never felt so moved by words in my entire life. It felt as if we were one. “I come alive when I’m with you, Jase. It feels like our hearts beat in a syncopated harmony.”
His hand came up and traced his finger along my jawline. “I never want to take what we have for granted. We’ve been given another shot at this and I swear to you I’m going to do everything in my power to show you every single chance I get how much I love you.”
“I’d say you’re off to a great start. This spot of yours is pretty incredible.”
His eyes searched my face as he wet his lips. My lack of concentration was evident while I focused on his beautiful baby blues. The feeling of love was almost overwhelming.
“It’s our spot now, Taylor. Our future.”
My stomach fluttered. “Our future?”
Lifting my hands to his lips, he nodded. “Yes. This is the spot where I’d like to build a house. Where someday I’d love to sit and watch a couple kids running around playing while we sit on the back porch and watch the sun go down.” Jase looked away toward the sun that was now touching the ground. “The last few months I’d come here and would sit for hours. I’d wonder if this would be the type of life you would want. Then I’d verbally beat myself up for letting you go and hurting you.”
I shook my head. “None of that matters anymore.” His eyes came back to mine. “All that matters now is that we have each other and I want all of this. I just need to know if you do as well.”
His eyes grew wide and glowed with happiness.
“I want all of this with you, Jase. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
Cupping my face with his hands, he tried to speak but his voice cracked, causing tears to build in my eyes.
“I . . . I love you so much, Taylor.” His thumb gently wiped my tears away.
My heart felt as if it would burst I was so happy. The sounds of crickets filled the air as they played what I would now always think of as our song. Jase reached down, picked me up, and placed me into the bed of the truck.
When he crawled up into the truck bed, I moved back against the pillows while he made his way over to me. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure Jase could hear it.
“My heart’s pounding,” he whispered.
I giggled and asked, “Why does it feel like our first time again?”
My smile faded as we got lost in one another’s eyes. The breeze lightly blew giving just the right amount of chill to the air. When I finally found my voice again, I breathed out, “Please make love to me.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Taylor
Christmas Day
The moment I walked out onto the back porch of Gunner and Ellie’s house I was attacked by the mob.
Meagan, Grace, Lauren, Libby, and Alex were all in front of me, eyeing me up and down. Meagan’s hands went to her hips as she shook her head and made a tsking sound. “I think we’ve waited long enough. It’s time to spill the beans, little sister.”
My face instantly heated as I peeked over to where my parents were standing. “There isn’t anything to tell really.”
“Bullshit,” Grace said as she held Hope in her arms. “Let me find Noah so he can take Hope. Since everyone else is free of their kids, we can talk!”