"Wow…” I say, trying to catch my breath.
"You need my inhaler?" he teases, pulling it from his pocket as he stands, and my skirt falls back into place. I squeeze my thighs tightly together, not sure how I’ll make it back to the cabin. I don't even think I'm on planet earth right now as my heart rapidly pounds.
"That was intense," I finally say, and a smirk slides across his lips, which is so damn adorable. I love that look on him, and it makes me crave him all over again.
"I had to return the favor." He leans forward and kisses me just as Bruno rushes up at a full sprint.
I laugh. "Do not jump on me." I point at him, and he actually sits. My mouth falls open. "Oh my God, he listened."
Eli wraps his arm around my shoulders as we walk back, enjoying the spring air and cool forest breeze. Bruno runs around, digging in the brush, and pees every thirty seconds. Watching him has me giggling because he's so excited to be outside. I’ve never seen a dog so damn happy all the time. We take our time walking to the cabin, and I make him promise we'll do this more often, especially since the weather has turned warm.
Bruno is filthy, so before we go inside, we rinse him off with the hose, and immediately after, he shakes, getting me completely soaked. Eli knew it was coming and was smart enough to step away, and he cracks up at my face.
"Every single time!" I shout with a groan. "Bruno, you're a jerk." He comes up to me and licks my hand, and I almost feel bad for raising my voice.
"You should go upstairs and hop in the tub," he tells me when we walk into the house. "Relax a bit. I'll bring a glass of wine up for you."
I look up at him in awe because that sounds amazing right now. "Why do you spoil me so much?" I ask, then kiss him.
"Because you're hot." He winks, then goes to the kitchen.
After I head upstairs, I take off my clothes and run the water, then add some bubble bath. When it's half full, I get in and immediately sigh in relief. Like clockwork, Eli comes in with a glass of wine.
“You’re a saint. Thank you.” I grab it and smile. I’m so relaxed already. Eli sits on the edge of the tub with a grin.
"Want to get in with me?" I ask, waggling my brows.
"I'll take a rain check. I need to get some work done this afternoon," he says sweetly. "But tempting." He stands, adjusting his groin. "Extremely tempting."
Eli tells me he’ll be back later, then leaves. I sip my wine and stare out the big window. I nearly drink the entire glass, and when I get out, my eyes are heavy with exhaustion. I text Eli and tell him I'm going to take a nap, not wanting to bother him while he's working. He responds with how much he loves me and to sleep well.
By the time I wake up, I can tell it's late afternoon. I pick up my phone and see I slept for nearly five hours. When I walk downstairs, I smell something delicious and see Eli's busy at the stove.
"Babe," I say, and he nearly jumps. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." I walk closer. "Whatcha making?"
"I know how upset you were about graduation, so I thought I'd make you a special dinner to celebrate."
My face lights up. "Wow, seriously?" I glance over and see the table's set with one of Mom's lace cloths. The crystal wine glasses and fancy china from the cabinet are set out on it. I look back at him in shock. He wraps a hand around my waist and pulls me close. “I can’t believe you did this.”
"Of course, baby. Nothing but the best for you.” He kisses my forehead. “I made lobster, sautéed spinach, and gratin potatoes. And your mother sent a bottle of Dom Pérignon Rose Gold."
"She sent a fifty thousand dollar bottle of champagne?" I gasp.
His eyes widen as if he hadn’t realized the value, though neither of us should really be surprised at my mom’s gesture. Everything about her is over the top. "She insisted. Only the best for her princess."
I grin and roll my eyes at the way he emphasizes the word. Then my smile spreads wider when I realize he's wearing a suit and tie, looking sexy as hell. Taking a step back, I study how good he looks and know I'm the luckiest woman in the world. He treats me like a fucking queen and makes me extremely happy, but this is beyond incredible.
"You didn't have to go through all this trouble, baby," I say, looking at the spread of food and how hard he's worked while I napped.
"Yes, I did. I wanted to make it special for you as best as I could."
I wrap my arms around his neck and crash my mouth on his. The kiss deepens when he slides his tongue inside, and now I'm tempted to skip dinner and have him instead.
"You already have,” I tell him, pulling away slightly. “More than you'll ever know."
Epilogue
ELIJAH
It’s been eighteen months since Cami graduated, and things have been crazy ever since, but there hasn’t been a dull moment since we both arrived in Roxbury. She’s my everything and being able to wake up next to her every morning has been the highlight of my life. Growing up, I never imagined I’d be good enough for her, and each day, she proves to me I’m more than enough.
The cabin holds a special place in our hearts now that we ended up staying there for eight months. We returned to the city last October when the state lifted the lockdown orders, but certain things were still restricted. No large gatherings over fifty people, limited business hours, and social distancing was encouraged. All schools and universities continued with online learning programs for their students. It felt a bit safer to return to the city, especially after Ryan said they were no longer struggling to get what they needed for their patients. The curve was flattening, and things were slowly going back to some kind of normal.
Cami was determined to buy a new penthouse, one that we could decorate and make a home together, but it had to have a view. Of course she paid for it, and I contributed by negotiating a great deal on an incredible sky rise. Working in real estate helped us find a place that we now call our own. We make love with the blinds open, allowing the skyglow of the city to light the rooms without worrying that anyone can see us.
Four months ago, I planned a weekend getaway at the cabin for her birthday with just the two of us. I surprised her with flowers, balloons, and a chocolate cake I made from scratch. And of course, we brought Bruno and Chanel. After we had a candlelight dinner and she blew out her candles, I got down on one knee and popped the question after telling her how much she meant to me. I was more nervous about asking her than I’d been about anything else in my life. When she said yes and cried, I picked her up and carried her upstairs, and we made love until the morning. It was the best day of my life.
We made the announcement to our family and friends a couple of days later after we went home. Everyone was so damn happy and supportive and were ready to add the big day to their calendars. However, until the lockdown was completely lifted, we weren’t able to set a date. Though, two months ago, a vaccination was finally approved for mass distribution, and we immediately started planning every detail.
Sometimes when I wake up in the mornings, I don’t know how this is my life, or how someone as sweet and funny as Cami is going to be my wife. Now in less than three weeks, it’ll be official, and we’ll be married the first weekend of December. A winter wonderland wedding is everything Cami’s ever wanted, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure it’s perfect for her.