Thank goodness for my family and friends like Kara, who had proven to be a great friend and confidante. She was one of my biggest cheerleaders. Along with my brother and my parents, and, of course, Brax, I had come to embrace Maple Creek and everything it had to offer. This was home, and Brax Mitchell was my man…and I would hold onto him with both hands.
Touching the infinity necklace he had given me for our sixth month anniversary, I smiled and glanced down at the photo I had taken of him sleeping.
“What are you doing, babe?”
I glanced up from the camera to find sleepy green eyes staring back at me. “Taking pictures.”
“You’d think you’d get tired of taking pictures of me,” he said, holding an arm out. “Come here.”
Needing no further urging, I put down my camera and climbed into bed with him. I molded to his long body, resting my head on his shoulder. “I’ll never get tired of taking your picture. You’re perfect.”
He snorted. “I’m not perfect.”
“You are to me.”
“You’re perfect.” Brushing his thumb along my jawline, he kissed me softly. “I love you, Mandy.”
I would never tire of hearing those words. “I love you, too.”
He grinned, a big dimpled smile that made my heart skip a beat. “I was thinking that since we spend so much time with each other…maybe we should move in together.”
Of course I had hoped the topic would come up. “So you would move in here?” I asked, already excited at the prospect of living under one roof.
“For now, but maybe we could find our own house.”
Our own house. That sounded serious. I was ready for serious when it came to this man. “You mean sell both our houses…”
“And buy one that’s ours.” I could hear the excitement in his voice.
“A house on acreage with a shop?” I said, remembering him mentioning that’s what he wanted.
He grinned. “And one that has a room for your studio.”
“My studio?”
“Yeah, a photography studio. You’ve been taking pictures for your mom and her friend’s property listings. Why not go for it? Make photography your career.”
Oh my God, I loved this man. Taking pictures had been a passion for me a long time ago, and he had helped rekindle that passion. “Would I still work with you from time to time?”
He lifted a brow. “Of course. I like having you as my assistant, but when we have children, I’d love for you to have the option to stay home with them.”
My stomach tightened. Any talk of kids took me back to less than happy times and discussions. I couldn’t deny the appeal of having our children though. I wanted to be a mom, and having been around Kara, Marcus, and their kids, I yearned for a family even more.
“Damn, I forgot to call Kev,” he said, pushing up on his elbows.
“What?”
“Will you go over to my top drawer and grab my address book? I need to call Kevin and see if he’ll drop by the masonry, but I forgot the address.”
I’d given him the top two drawers of my dresser months ago when he’d become a regular overnight guest. “It’s too far away, and I’m too comfy,” I said in protest.
“Please,” he said, kissing my nose. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
I glanced at his suddenly rigid cock, slid off him and walked over to the dresser, pulling it open.
My breath caught in my throat.
There was a small box with a bow on it.
I swallowed hard.
My heart pounded so loud, there was a roar in my ears.
Grabbing the box, I turned to find him standing five feet away.
“Open it,” he said, taking the steps that separated us.
With trembling hands, I opened the box to find a beautiful, flawless, solitaire diamond ring. He took my left hand and slid the ring onto my third finger. “Marry me, Mandy.”
“Yes,” I said, kissing him with every ounce of my being. “I’ll marry you.”
Pulling me close, we hugged and held each other for a while.
“So that’s why you want to move?”
He nodded. “I have my woman and now I want the rest.” I loved his tone, the possessive way he said he had me.