Chapter 38 #2
She smiles up at me, a smile that clenches my chest and robs me of my breath.
“I love you too. I’m glad you’re staying.
Forget living without you. Life’s too short not to live it with you.
And yes, I think I’d like to come with you this summer if I can manage it with my current obligations.
It’d be incredible to play music there. To help in any way I can. ”
My hands dive into her hair and I kiss her. I kiss her good, long, and hard. Full-on tongue. The way I intend to kiss her every day from this moment on. For the rest of our lives because you can bet your ass I’m marrying this woman—for real this time.
“Raven, you are the Obi Wan for me.”
A burst of laughter flees her lungs, head thrown back. “That’s horrible! How long have you been holding on to that one?”
“Four years. Never found the right time.”
“It’s so cheesy. Boston’s notorious Doctor Playboy is such a closet nerd.”
“But I’m your closet nerd.”
“That you are,” she tells me as I lead us back to the elevator and down into the garage. I help her into my car, shutting the door behind her, but it isn’t until we’re driving past the hotel that something occurs to me. Something that requires fixing, almost immediately.
Unfortunately, that’ll have to wait a few minutes until we get home.
“I have tickets to tomorrow night.” I glance over at Raven as we meander through Boston evening rush hour traffic.
“We all do, actually, with the exception of my parents, who are devastated they can’t be there.
I purchased a balcony section for us and already told your dad he has to sit next to me. ”
She makes some kind of incredulous sound in the back of her throat. “That’s insane, you know.”
I smirk, dragging her fingers over to my lips.
“My girl is a first chair cello for the Boston Symphony Pops holiday show and has not one but two solos. Do you think I’m missing that?
Never. Plus, I have to bond with your father so he doesn’t kill me in my sleep while making it look like natural causes. ”
“He’s more apt to make it look like an accident. Fewer questions that way.”
“Good to know. Even more of a reason to suck up to him. But for real, I’m so proud of you, baby. I know you’re nervous about it, but we’re your family and we’ll be there cheering you on and loving you no matter what.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I continue to hold her hand until I pull into my garage spot, putting the car in park and turning to her. “Are you hungry? I can make us something or we can order takeout.”
“I’m starving and whatever is fastest.”
Hmmm. Perfect. “I’ll order from the bistro around the corner, and we can go and pick it up. What do you want?”
I pull up the website for the restaurant on my phone and we place our order. I’m starving too. I feel like I haven’t eaten anything in a week. Not since my mother was put in the hospital. Raven too looks a little thinner.
“How about we eat dinner by the fire and watch a movie? I think we could both use some relaxation time.”
“If you buy me dinner and give me an orgasm, I’ll let you talk me into a Star Wars binge marathon. I might even suck you off at some point while you watch.”
I choke on my own saliva only to laugh. “God, how did I get such a bitch for a girlfriend? Seriously? You’re the freaking worst, Raven.”
Winking at her, I fly around the car, helping her out. A loud beep sounds through the garage as I hit the clicker and drag her into my chest and kiss the hell out of her.
“Wanna get married?” I ask once she’s good and breathless.
“No.”
“Wanna make a baby?”
“Also no.”
“This age gap between us might be trouble.”
Honestly, I might have a point with that.
My siblings—minus Kaplan—are all settling down.
Oliver and Amelia have Layla, even if she’s not their kid.
Landon has Stella, who is a freaking teenager.
Carter and Grace have a baby on the way, and Rina just got engaged.
I’m thirty-three and ready to settle down, with her, but the look on Raven’s face tells me that the idea of marriage and babies, even with me, at this stage of her life gives her palpitations.
“I can wait,” I promise. Maybe. I’m not very good at patience.
As if reading my mind, she says, “You’ll have to discover a calmer, more patient zen inside you.”
I swing our hands between us as we walk up toward the street. “Not likely.”
Just as we turn the corner, I see them. Just as I knew I would. The paparazzi are unfortunately brutally relentless. I get it. Sorta. This is Boston and there isn’t much action around here. Well, except for the Abbot-Fritzes evidently.
“Can we tell people now?” I ask as we draw closer. “And by people, I mean, can I kiss you in public and hold your hand”—I raise our joined hands up to my lips— “and take you out to dinner, so everyone knows you’re mine?”
She blows out an uneven breath, clearly not having seen the guys hanging around the front of the building yet, and slowly nods. “Yes. I didn’t like how they were speculating on who I was. I didn’t like the things they were saying about the mystery woman. So yes. Let’s do it.”
“Thank fuck.” I hold her hand against my lips and kiss her palm, her wrist. “I hated keeping my mouth shut about you.”
A smile lights up her face. “We’re really doing this? Like more than we were before, aren’t we?”
Using our linked hands, I spin her around on the sidewalk, hauling her into me and cradling her against me.
Her face tilts up, our eyes connected. “Forever, Raven. I mean it. I don’t want to date you.
I don’t want to go slow and see how it all works out.
I want a life with you. I want to wake up beside you every morning and fall asleep with you in my arms every night.
I want marriage and babies and grandkids. I want it all.”
“Luca! Luca! Is this the mystery woman? Miss! Over here. What’s your name?”
Suddenly, we’re surrounded by four guys, all yelling things at us, flashing cameras in our faces.
I give Raven a look. The one that says she just agreed to be mine publicly and then turn to them with a smile I rarely afford the press.
“This is Raven Fairchild. She’s a cellist for the Boston Symphony Pops Orchestra.
I’ve known her all her life as her father works for my family.
” My eyes meet hers again. “And I love her more than anything in the world.”
I plant a deep kiss on her lips, holding her tight against me.
And after a few more seconds of questions and pictures, I wrap my arm around her shoulders, thank them, and then push us along the sidewalk.
She grimaces, glancing over her shoulder, no doubt seeing them working frantically on their phones. “Ugh. That’s going to be everywhere within the hour.”
“Yup. That’s the price you pay when you date Doctor Playboy. You’re stuck with me now.”
“We’ll see how it goes, Doctor Playboy. For now, take me home, feed me, and maybe I’ll let you read me more of that second chance romance we started.”
“I already know how it ends.”
She quirks a brow at me.
“Happily ever after.”