“Are you going to make me look bad?” He points to the gift table next to Aurora. “That little yellow one is mine.”
“Depends. What’s in yours?”
“A gift card for a mommy spa day. What’s in yours?”
“Oh, I got her one of those too. But that little bag, that one holds the best gift.”
“What is it?”
“You’re about to find out.” When Sawyer hands Aspen the little green bag, I step forward and kneel next to her. She takes my breath away.
Aspen
“Hey, you.” Conrad kneels in front of me. “You doing all right?”
“Yes. Have you been watching? Have you seen all of these cute gifts? And the clothes, they’re so tiny.”
He places his hand on my belly. “I’ve been watching. This baby is loved, that’s for sure.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my belly.
I’ve long since stopped blushing at his public displays of affection. Much like his brothers with their wives, Conrad couldn’t care less who sees him kissing or touching me. Well, within reason.
“Open this one.” He nudges the little green bag in my lap.
Pushing aside the tissue paper, I reach into the bag and pull out some type of clothing. I swear these outfits are so small. It’s hard to believe in a few months, Conrad and I are going to be responsible for a tiny human that will fit into these clothes.
Unfolding the onesie, I hold it up so that I can read what it says. I read the words and then read them again—tears welling in my eyes.
Will you marry my daddy?
“Well, what does it say?” my sister asks from her seat next to mine. I turn it so that everyone can read it.
I drop the onesie in my lap to look at Conrad to find him holding up a small black box. “Oh,” I gasp, my hands flying over my mouth as tears threaten to fall.
“Aspen Steele. You, beautiful, are the love of my life. The mother of my child. The keeper of my soul. Would you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?” He opens the box, and the most beautiful princess cut ring surrounded by a band of diamonds sparkles back at me.
I stare at the ring and then back to Conrad. He looks nervous, and that makes me smile. He has to know there is nothing I want more than to be his wife. To share this life that we’re building together until we are old and gray.
“Uh, Aspen,” Marshall calls out. “You need me to pull the getaway car around?” he teases, making everyone laugh.
“Baby?” Conrad whispers.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ll marry you.”
His lips press to mine, and he kisses me as if his life depends on it. The room erupts with cheers and catcalls as he breaks away from this kiss. My hands are still resting on his cheeks, and I keep them there to ensure I have his full attention.
“You are the love of my life. Touch by touch, you showed me the kind of man you are. You showed me I was your first choice. You, Conrad Riggins, are my first choice. I love you.”
“I love you too, future Mrs. Riggins.”
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read Touch by Touch.
Want more from the Riggins Brothers? Marshall’s story, Beat by Beat releases September 7, 2021. Pre-order your copy here.
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More from Kaylee Ryan
With You Series:
Anywhere with You | More with You
Everything with You
Soul Serenade Series:
Emphatic | Assured
Definite | Insistent
Southern Heart Series:
Southern Pleasure | Southern Desire
Southern Attraction | Southern Devotion
Unexpected Arrivals Series
Unexpected Reality |Unexpected Fight
Unexpected Fall | Unexpected Bond
Unexpected Odds
Riggins Brothers Series:
Play by Play / Layer by Layer
Piece by Piece /Kiss by Kiss
Touch by Touch / Beat by Beat
Standalone Titles:
Tempting Tatum | Unwrapping Tatum | Levitate
Just Say When | I Just Want You
Reminding Avery
Hey, Whiskey
Pull You Through | Beyond the Bases
Remedy | The Difference
Trust the Push
Entangled Hearts Duet:
Agony | Bliss
Cocky Hero Club:
Lucky Bastard
Box Sets:
Series Starter - Kaylee Ryan
Co-written with Lacey Black:
Fair Lakes Series:
It’s Not Over | Just Getting Started
Can’t Fight It
Standalone Titles:
Boy Trouble
Home to You
Acknowledgments
To my readers:
Thank you for loving this series as much as I do. We have one more brother to go, and I admit I’ve been taking my time finishing Marshall’s story. I’m going to miss this group of brothers. However, I’m also looking forward to what comes next. Thank you for giving my words a chance, and riding along with me on this journey.
To my family:
You are always there for me, and I can’t tell you how much that means. Thank you for your never-ending support. I love you.
Wander Aguiar:
Thank you for doing what you do and producing yet another cover worthy image.
Tami Integrity Formatting:
Thank you for making The Touch by Touch paperback beautiful. You’re amazing and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do.
Stacy Garcia:
Thank you for all that you do!
Lori Jackson:
You have been amazing to work with. I love the covers for this series. Thank you for your patience and working with me on these designs.
My beta team:
Jamie, Stacy, Lauren, Erica, and Franci I would be lost without you. You read my words as much as I do, and I can’t tell you what your input and all the time you give means to me. Countless messages and bouncing idea, you ladies keep me sane with the characters are being anything but. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this wild ride with me.
Give Me Books:
With every release, your team works diligently to get my book in the hands of bloggers. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for your services.
Tempting Illustrations:
Thank you for everything.