“Marry me,” he says, his eyes locked with mine. My heart picks up speed at those two simple yet heavy words, until I remember…
“You’re drunk,” I point out, trying to make light of his request. The last time he asked me to marry him was right after RJ was born. We were both high on love for our son, and I knew I couldn’t say yes. I couldn’t agree to marry Ryan for the sake of doing the right thing for our son. But now things have changed. My feelings for him have grown, and I’m in love with him. But I can’t say yes when I know he’s been drinking and might not be thinking clearly.
His lips part, like he’s about to argue, but I cover his mouth with my fingers. “You want to marry me? Ask me when I haven’t just delivered a baby and you’re about to leave for several months, or when you haven’t been drinking and I’m going to worry if you really mean it or if you’re just drunk and thinking with the wrong head.” I laugh and Ryan rolls his eyes. I know he isn’t proposing to get in my pants—I’m a sure thing. But is there something wrong with wanting him to propose when he’s sober and something life-altering isn’t taking place?
“I love you and I would love to marry you one day. But I need you to ask when you’re in the right state of mind so I know you mean it.”
Ryan nods, and I remove my hand. He takes a step back, his mouth forming a slight frown. He’s assuming this has put a damper on the mood, but I’m not about to let that happen.
Wrapping my legs around the back of his thighs, I pull him toward me, until he’s back between my legs, our chests flush against each other. “We have an entire night without our adorable little cock-blocker,” I point out. “So, I’m going to need you to fuck me now.”
Ryan’s frown morphs into a lopsided grin—it’s not big, but it’s enough to make the sexy dimple on his left cheek pop out. I bring my face close to his and dart my tongue out, running it along that dimple. “Show me how bad you want to marry me.” I press my lips to his cheek. “Show me what I have to look forward to if I agree to marry you.”
Gripping my thighs, Ryan pulls me toward him at the same time he thrusts his hips forward, sinking deep inside me. “Oh, I’ll show you what it’ll be like to be with me,” he taunts. His mouth connects with mine, and he kisses me hard. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, make you come so many times, you’re not going to be able to walk without thinking about me.” Tingles of excitement pulse through my body.
He pulls out halfway, then pushes back in, filling me completely. “But I need you to understand one thing…” He grips my hair and tugs on it slightly, so our eyes lock. “When I’m sober, I’m going to ask you to marry me, and the minute you say yes…” He thrusts into me again, and my body clenches around him. “And you will say yes,” he growls. “I’m not waiting…” With the hand that’s not holding my mane, he brings his fingers to my already sensitive clit and massages circles along it, working my body back up into a frenzy. “We’re getting married, and I’m making you mine.” His mouth crashes against mine, and he kisses me with abandon. “You’re mine, Micaela, and I’m yours.”
Micaela
“Oh, my sweet girls!” Mom rushes into the living room and wraps her arms around Lexi and Georgia. “How are you?” She steps back to appraise them. “How’s school? Your parents? Oh! How’s your brother? I can’t believe he’s in high school.”
“Mom, breathe,” I joke.
“Sorry, I just can’t believe it’s been so long since we’ve seen them. Marco,” she calls out to my dad, who must be in the other room with RJ. “We should take a trip to California soon.”
“Yes, dear,” Dad says dutifully, making me snort out a laugh. That’s been his go-to answer for anything she wants for as far back as I can remember.
Mom playfully rolls her eyes. “Did you girls have a good night out?”
“Ugh.” Lexi moans. “My head hurts. I swear I’m never drinking that much again.” She plops onto the couch and drops her head back against the cushion.
“Shouldn’t have been drinking at all,” Dad says, walking into the room with RJ in his arms, who spots me and squeals in excitement. “Where’s Ryan?” he asks, handing my sweet baby boy over to me.
“At the gym,” I tell him, taking RJ from him. I kiss his cheek and inhale his sweet baby scent. God, I missed him so much.
“I’m heading there now.” He kisses my forehead. “There’s mail for you on the counter. Make sure you grab it. One looks like a bill.”
He kisses my mom. “I’ll see you later.”
“So, what are you up to today?” Mom asks once Dad is gone.
“I’m not sure.” I shrug. “Probably just hanging out.”
“I was thinking we could go shopping,” Mom suggests. “Then go to the spa and get manis and pedis.”
“Oh, yes!” Georgia agrees. “I’m dying for a good foot massage. I’ve been too busy with school.”
“Eh… I don’t want to drag RJ along. He’ll get bored and fussy.”
“Actually, Ryan said he would be over to get him after his workout.”
“You talked to him?” I ask my mom, confused.
“Just a quick conversation.” Mom waves me off and stands. “Why don’t I make something to eat to help with your hangover, and once Ryan gets here, we can take off?”
“Yes,” Lexi moans. “That sounds wonderful.”
We follow my mom into the kitchen, and I grab my pile of mail. I need to do a change of address so it comes to my house. I’m sifting through the stack, and most of it is junk. There is one bill, like my dad mentioned, from when I had RJ. My insurance only covered so much, so I’ve been making payments on the balance. At the bottom of the pile, I spot a letter from the University of San Diego and open it. It’s from the admission’s office. I requested to defer for one year when I found out I was pregnant with RJ, and they agreed. Now, they’re wanting to know—
“Everything okay?” Mom asks, peeking over my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I croak out, then clear my throat. “Yeah, everything’s fine.” I stuff the letter back into the envelope to read later, when I’m ready for my protective little bubble to burst.
An hour later, we’re fed and Ryan, as my mom mentioned, comes by to pick up RJ for the day. We spend the morning shopping—where Mom buys each of us a couple cute outfits—and the afternoon getting manis and pedis.
“You should get your hair done,” Mom says, while we’re sitting at the hands and feet dryers.
“For what?” I pat the top of my head. My hair is up in a messy bun, which is the norm for me since RJ is going through a hair-pulling phase.
“Just because.” She shrugs. “My treat.” She smiles a tad too wide, and I glance at her speculatively. She’s up to something…
“There’s nothing wrong with pampering yourself once in a while,” she adds. “Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you can’t feel pretty.”