Epilogue
Hope woke in Paul’s arms at the stroke of six, as she did every day whether she needed to or not. Today she most definitely did not need to. Ethan was safe and happy with his friends, and she was engaged to Paul Martinez, who had kept her up half the night celebrating.
“We’re going to have to do something about your early hours,” he muttered without opening his eyes.
“Blame Ethan. It’s all his fault.”
“Speaking of Ethan, how early can we go over there and tell him the news?”
“We can’t go there at six in the morning.”
“Bet they’re up.”
“Too early.”
“Eight?”
“That’s more civilized.”
“Whatever shall we do until then?” he asked, rolling onto his back and bringing her with him.
“Is this the kind of husband you’re going to be?”
“What kind is that?”
“Insatiable.”
He moved his hands from her hips to cup her breasts, running his thumbs over her nipples, which tightened instantly. “Is that going to be a problem for my wife?”
She shook her head. “I have no problems. Not anymore.” Shifting her hips, she took him in slowly because that made him crazy, and she loved him that way. She loved knowing she did that to him.
“What’re you thinking right now?”
“Other than how in the world am I going to keep up with this guy?”
Smiling, he said, “Other than that.”
“I love knowing that if I go slow, it makes you crazy. I love knowing that if I do this,” she said, squeezing her internal muscles, “you’ll do that.” Predictably, he gasped and got even harder inside her.
“And I love knowing if I do this,” he said, stroking her clit, “you’ll do that.”
She came instantly, screaming from the pleasure that overtook her, leaving her trembling in his arms afterward.
“And I love the hell out of that.”
Hope laughed at the dirty way he said the words. “I love the hell out of you, and I’m so glad I can finally tell you that.”
“So am I, sweetheart.”
Hope kept him well occupied until eight, when they took a shower together, laughing and teasing and kissing. He would’ve said he was fully sated until her sexy, naked body proved otherwise.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me in this condition on the first day we’re engaged,” he said as he drove them to Seamus and Carolina’s house.
“Sorry, but you broke me last night.”
“I’ll fix you later.”
She smiled over at him, and the peaceful happy glow on her face filled him with the kind of contentment he’d never expected to find. Then she reached across the center console for his hand and made it even better. “I can’t wait to tell Ethan.”
“Neither can I.”
They pulled into Seamus and Carolina’s driveway, where Ethan was in the yard with Jackson, Kyle and their dog, playing with a soccer ball. When Ethan saw them, he let out a happy cry and ran for his mother. She scooped him up and peppered his face with kisses. “Are you guys having fun?”
“So much fun.”
She put Ethan down and reached for Kyle and Jackson, who ran to her, too.
Her sweetness to the boys hit Paul right in the chest.
“I don’t hafta go home yet, do I?” Ethan asked.
“Not quite, but Paul and I wanted to talk to you.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, baby.” Hope gathered him into her arms again. “It’s really good news. At least we hope you’ll think so.”
While Kyle and Jackson looked on, Paul squatted down so he could look Ethan in the eye. “How’d you like to stay here on Gansett?”
Ethan’s big eyes widened with glee. “Really?” He looked up at his mom, who nodded. “So we don’t hafta move away?”
“Last night, I asked your mom to marry me, and she said yes. Now I’m hoping you’ll say yes, too, so you guys will get to stay here with me.”
Ethan hurled himself at Paul, who managed to keep his balance as he hugged him.
“Should I take that as a yes?” Paul said, thrilled by Ethan’s reaction.
“We really get to stay forever?” Ethan asked his mother.
“Yes, honey.”
“And will you be my new dad?” he asked Paul.
The question hit him with the force of a gut punch. “If that’s what you want,” he said gruffly.
“It is.” Ethan broke free of Paul’s embrace. “Hey, you guys,” he said to Jackson and Kyle, “me and my mom are gettin’ married!”
Paul exchanged glances with Hope, her smile as wide as his. He held out his hand to help her up. As the boys ran inside to tell Seamus and Carolina the news, Paul hugged her. “I guess it’s official now.”
“No getting out of it.”
He kissed her and then kept his arm around her as they followed the boys into the house. “No worries about that, sweetheart. I’m in.” He stole one more kiss while he could. “I’m all-in.”
Turn the page to read Celebration After Dark, a look back at Linda and Big Mac’s romance on their 40th wedding anniversary.