“You bought her a puppy? Without even discussing it with me first?”
“I was planning to, but Capri beat me to it.”
“You’re supposed to discuss it with me before you buy the puppy, Julian.”
He grinned. “Is that the way it works? I got it confused, but thanks for clearing that up for next time.”
“Next time?”
“But, Momma, look how cute he is!”
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.
“Kid, it’s just a puppy.”
“A puppy I’m going to have to take care of.”
“Not true, he’s my puppy. I will be responsible for him. I promise.”
I shook my head again. “I’m not going to win this one, am I?”
“I think you already lost, Momma. The puppy is here.”
“You’re not winning me any points with your mother, Capri.”
She giggled. “Sorry, Daddy.”
For the rest of the afternoon, we played with Capri’s new Miniature Cockapoo. He was adorable, weighing only five pounds.
Later that night while Julian was putting Capri to bed, I listened at the door without them knowing.
“Daddy, I knew you’d come and get us. I just knew it.”
“And now I’m going to make sure you stay forever.”
What did he mean by that?
“That’s a good idea, just in case Momma gets mad at you again.”
“Baby, Momma is definitely going to get mad at me again.”
“Facts.”
I scoffed out a chuckle. She truly was too smart for her own good.
“Would you like me to make sure you guys are here forever, baby?”
“I would love that, Daddy. I think it’s a very good idea.”
“Good. You can cuddle your puppy for a little while longer, but he needs to sleep in his crate, okay?”
“Okay, I promise. I’ll be a good girl and put him in there before I fall asleep.”
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
I made a mental note to circle back before I went to bed, knowing she was going to sleep with that puppy if I didn’t. To say I wasn’t nervous to be sharing a bed with Julian would be a complete lie. I was so freaking anxious I couldn’t control the emotions.
Making my way back to our bedroom, I jumped in the shower to wash away the unease I was experiencing. After I was done, I slipped on my cream silk robe, and when I walked back into the room Julian was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for me.
“You’re nervous,” he stated, fully aware he was the reason.
“Maybe.”
He grabbed my hand, tugging me forward to stand in between his legs. “Why the anxiety, kid?”
I shrugged.
“Don’t give me that.”
“Well, we haven’t had sex in over a decade, so I think that’s reason enough.”
He smiled. “Oh, we’re having sex tonight?”
“Julian … don’t tease me.”
“But you used to love it when I teased you, especially when you were sitting on my face.”
Arousal crept through every inch of my body, and my skin heated immediately.
However, it quickly decreased the second he informed, “Your house in San Diego went on the market the moment your feet touched my plane, Autumn.”
My mouth dropped open. “Julian! I didn’t say I was selling my home.”
“It isn’t your home anymore. This is our home.”
“What if I wanted to use it for investment purposes, like renting it out?”
“I’m worth 3.2 billion. You don’t need the money.”
“Exactly, you’re worth that. Not me.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that what’s mine is yours?”
“We’re not married—”
I almost fell to my ass when he simply stated, “Marry me.”
—Julian—
There was no hesitation on my part. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a Cartier ring box.
Her eyes went wide as I opened the box, showing her a five-karat princess cut diamond ring.
“That ring probably costs as much as my house, Julian.”
I nodded. “Give or take.”
I pulled it out of the box and slid it down her ring finger. “Perfect fit.”
With a mischievous smile, she exclaimed, “I didn’t say yes, Mr. Locke.”
“I didn’t ask, Mrs. Locke.”
“Mrs. Locke does have a nice ring to it.”
“I’ve had that ring since I bought this ranch.”
Her face paled. “You’re lying.”
“I always intended on coming back for you.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“How about we start with how much I want to make love to you for the first time in over a decade with you only wearing that ring?” I opened her robe, gliding it off her shoulders, and it pooled at her feet.
My breath actually hitched as my eyes devoured her bare flesh. She was fucking sexy as sin, looking better than I’d remembered.
“Do you have any idea how many times I’ve fucked my fist to the image of you like this? And it wasn’t even close to how you look right now. Christ, Autumn. You’re stunning.” Cupping onto her tits, I grinned. “These are bigger.”
Shyly, she smirked. “Motherhood, I guess.”
My hands skimmed her skin down to her stomach. “I can’t wait to see you pregnant.”
“Pregnant? Jesus, Julian. You’re not wasting any time.”
“I’ve wasted over ten years.” Shifting my fingers to her pussy, I rubbed her clit back and forth with the palm of my hand, and she melted into my touch. “Your body has always been so fucking responsive to me. It’s one of the many things I love about making you come.”
“Okay, cocky sir…” Her knees buckled as I thrust two fingers into her warm, welcoming heat.
There wasn’t a place on Autumn’s body I hadn’t explored, and tonight I’d planned to revisit each one several times.
Finally, I had everything I ever wanted.
Hoped for.
Loved.
I didn’t care how long it took us to get to this place, all that mattered was we were there, and we weren’t ever going back. She was lucky I didn’t have a wedding officiant at the house, wanting to marry us this instant, but I knew she’d want a wedding with her family and friends, and it was my job to make all her dreams come true.
“Mmm…” she moaned, her eyes closing as she leaned her hands on my shoulders, trying to hold herself up.
It didn’t take long to have her coming down my arm. Gripping onto her waist, I laid her on the bed and kissed her pussy with my mouth. She still tasted the same, and I couldn’t hold back, going to town on her cunt.
“Ahhhh…”
“You think you can do something for me?”
“You’re asking me now? When your face is buried in between my legs?”
“Less chance of you saying no.”
I sucked her clit into my mouth, moving my head side to side and up and down.
“I’m going to come…”
I stopped, and she jolted forward glaring at me. “Julian! Why did you stop?”