“I didn't come to steal a kiss.” He smirks and the look is killer. I have to stop myself from pulling him back down to me and kissing him all over again.
“Oh, I know what you want.” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully, then I hear Celia clear her throat, reminding us we’re in the kitchen with other people. There’s a full-on cooking crew around us and I swear I forgot about everyone else with one look from Timber.
“I always want that, but the flowers are here.”
I told Timber about the whole flower mess the next morning when I woke up and he told me to let him handle it. So I did. If he wanted to handle the flowers then so be it; I knew that he’d make it perfect.
He pulls me off the counter and my diamond reflects in the light. Timber hasn't brought up the ring or the fact that I haven't answered him. He still says he loves me but I find myself scared to say the words back and to tell him I’ll marry him. I think I still have a tiny fear that he could change his mind and go running for the hills. That I’ll wake up one morning and he’ll be gone even though nothing he’s done since he put the ring on my finger has shown me otherwise. I can’t believe that I’ve somehow tamed the beast inside the castle and now he’s all mine.
He guides me towards the front of the house and everyone moves out of the way. There are people everywhere and they’re all in a hurry. They’re either decorating or getting the chairs and tables set up. It’s organized chaos and I can’t believe I’ve done it.
“I hope our wedding isn't this big. I think we should do something smaller,” Timber says as we walk out the front door. I almost trip over my own feet because it catches me off guard, but his arm comes around me and keeps me from falling.
He lets out a deep laugh so loud that Simon turns around from where he’s standing to look at us. I can’t help but smile because I adore the sound of his happiness.
“Are you excited about the flowers?” I nod, thinking yeah, we’ll go with that for now.
“I told you I’d take care of it.”
I stop and stare as thousands of beautiful flowers come flowing from a crew of white vans in the driveway. People bustle past us carrying bushels inside and every one of them is breathtaking.
“There are so many,” I say in awe. Did he get every flower in the city? He plucks one from a giant vase passing by and gives it to me.
“This one smells like you. It’s why I picked it.” I stare at the beautiful white flower before bringing it to my nose. The smell of sweet creamy peaches fills my nose as the soft petals brush against my skin. “It’s called a frangipani.”
“It’s perfect.” I tilt my head back, offering Timber another kiss.
I’m going to marry this man. I love him and I think I have since that very first day. It was too easy to give in to living with him. I gave him crap about running from me but now here I am hiding behind fear.
“Timber,” I say against his mouth. Should I tell him now or wait until we’re alone?
“Pippa!”
I turn my head at the sound of my sister's voice. She’s practically running up the long driveway since the white vans have blocked the path. She can freaking move for a woman with heels and a tight pencil skirt on. Her eyes are wide as they bounce between Timber and me.
“Hey!” I raise a hand, giving a little wave, but drop it quickly when I see my engagement ring. This might not be the time for her to learn about all that. She could blow a gasket. She has a party to focus on and we can talk about that later because I know she’s going to say we got engaged too quick. I put my hand behind my back as casually as possible. I can at least wait until the party is over. She’ll find out when she sees I won’t be coming back home with her. That thought sets me off kilter for a moment. I won't be going home because this is my home now. Warmth blooms inside me and excitement bubbles up.
Myra stops when she reaches us and I go in for a hug because she just stands there looking between us.
“You were kissing him,” she says in my ear while she hugs me back.
“Yeah, sometimes people kiss,” I tease and pull away. “Timber, this is my sister Myra. Myra, this is Timber Grayson.” He holds his hand out to shake my sister’s and her mouth falls open.
She recovers quickly like she always does because this is what she’s good at. “The same Mr. Grayson who wouldn’t bother to answer a call from me?” She raises one of her perfect eyebrows at him while keeping her voice soft.
“The one you sent me to come talk to,” I slip in, and she drops his hand. Timber only shrugs like he doesn’t have a care in the world and then she’s the one to chuckle.
“Thank you for letting us use your home for the party.” She smiles, but it doesn't meet her eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’d love a moment alone with my baby sister.”
“Of course,” Timber agrees, but he doesn't look like he wants to. “You can use my office.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder as he guides me back into the house.
I have to fight not to laugh because I know neither of them will find this funny. Timber wants me back in the house and I can feel the tension in his body. The sound of my sister’s heels on the marble floor alerts me that she’s following us.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper to reassure him. I feel a trace of tension leave his body and he kisses me on top of the head. As he opens one of the doors to his office, he ushers me in and holds the door open for my sister too.
“I’ll make sure everything is going as you instructed,” he says with his eyes locked on me.
“Thank you.” I smile brightly to try to reassure him that everything is going to be fine.
My sister might lose her cool when she finds out everything, but she’ll have to learn to deal with it. I know she wants to say something but we are in his house, a house he’s letting us use for a party. She’ll bite her tongue for now or at least until the door closes.
“Give me a kiss,” I say to Timber as I tilt my head back and rise up on my tiptoes. After he does as I ask, I pat him on the chest. “I’ll be out in a few. I still need to get ready.” I wink at him, letting him know he can help me get ready. He lets out a long sigh before stepping back and letting the door close. When I turn to face my sister she’s got her hands on her hips.
“Is that a ring on your finger?” she asks.
I look down at my beautiful engagement ring, knowing now that Timber put it there, it’s never leaving. I have no idea how I thought I was going to hide it since it’s unmissable. I shouldn't have tried to hide it to begin with and it’s probably what put Timber on edge. He doesn’t miss anything when it comes to me.
“Looks like we’re planning another party!” I smile at her at my desperate attempt to lighten the mood. She shakes her head no. “Myra.”
I walk over and grab her hand and then pull her onto the sofa. I’m going to have to talk her down.
“I’ve only been gone a few weeks and you’re getting married?!” she shouts.
I don’t know if she’s trying to reason with me or process the news herself. I want to tell her I love him, but Timber will be the first person who hears that. I should’ve said it the first time we made love.