42. One Year Later
“ P arker, it’s done,” Mitchel tells me, clapping me on the back, as I near my truck, ready to get home to Anastasia. It’s been over a year since the finale of House of Desire and six months since she moved in. Every night I have raced home to see her as if it was the first time.
“It’s done? It’s a month early,” I say, surprised, as excitement fills my chest.
“The team wanted to turn it around quickly. As an engagement gift to you.”
“But I haven’t even asked her to marry me yet,” I say, laughing. His answering grin tells me how glad he is to see me happy after so many years in the darkness.
“No, but I know you’ve had that ring in your pocket since she moved in. So maybe it’s time to put it on her finger. ”
“Maybe it is,” I say, pulling out my phone. I dial a number I’ve had memorized. “Hey, I need your help.” Within an hour, I’m standing inside the brand-new Whimsical Whisk Bakery as Charlie comes striding in.
“This is absolutely stunning, best friend,” she says, taking in the space, making her way to the back to look around.
The space is incredible. The large windows allow the light from the setting sun into the shop. The herringbone pattern wood floor in a light honey color warms the space. A light green couch lines a wall, small tables set up in front of it. Bistro tables and chairs dot the floor, so people can hang out and enjoy the shop. The display sits on top of a L-shaped, white counter. Sitting on the back counter is a shiny espresso machine and various flavorings for Anya’s concoctions. But the back is where the true magic is.
Since Ryan Jade’s post, Anya’s business has exploded to the point where she was unable to keep up with demand without working her fingers to the bone. Not only that, but people started asking if she offered baking classes, something she’s always been interested in and that was when the idea took shape in my mind.
I wanted to create her dream bakery, and include space for classes.
Through the swinging back doors, the kitchen is easily double of the front space. In the back are four tables with six chairs each for classes. It’s wired with a camera and TV so the students will be able to see what she’s doing in great detail.
We also tripled all the equipment she had after guidance from Courtney based on their custom bakes wait list and the daily demand for their usual fare. She’ll be able to hire more bakers for the day-to-day items and focus her attention on the classes and the custom creations like she wants .
“It’s all thanks to you,” I tell her, hugging her as she comes back to me. Her help on the decorating has been invaluable and I know Anya will love it.
“I did nothing.” She waves away my thanks, but we both know it’s not true. “Why am I here? It doesn’t look like there are any finishing touches you need done.”
“I think it’s time I ask her to marry me.”
Her eyes fill with tears and she clasps her hands in front of her heart. “I think you’re right. What do you need from me?”
“I need a florist,” I tell her and she smiles.
“I’ll call Lorelei. She’ll know just the one.” She pulls out her phone and I know she will manage every detail for me.
Once everything is arranged, I head home, anticipation making me twitchy. The days stretch out before me. The countdown feels like it takes forever and is also no time at all. But finally, the day arrives.
My hands are shaking as I unlock the front door.
“Anastasia?” I call out, dropping my keys into the bowl on the entry table.
“Kitchen,” she calls, and I laugh. I should have known.
Her arms are full of ingredients as she turns from the fridge, kicking it closed.
“I hope that chicken and lemon risotto dish sounds good. I’ve been craving it all day.”
“Actually, I was thinking we could go out to dinner, tonight.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect. But tomorrow we are having chicken. That burger joint is doing a fundraiser for the local school band if we wanted to go there. ”
I move around the island, opening the fridge door for her so she can put her armload of items back before I grab her and kiss her. I fall into the kiss, just like I have every kiss since she said she would be mine.
“We don’t have to go to dinner,” she says when she pulls back, her voice husky. It’s tempting, but the ring in my pocket needs to be on her finger.
“We’re going to go to dinner, not the burger joint, and then I’m going to bring you home and keep you up all night trying to break my record of number of orgasms I’ve given you in a night.”
Her skin stains the prettiest pink and my dick starts to harden and I almost want to skip it all and ask her right here. Almost. But I know Charlie would kill me after all the work she’s put in.
“That sounds like quite the plan.”
“I’m going to take a really quick shower. Go ahead and get changed.”
“What should I wear?”
“Something nice,” I say, kissing her again before heading back to our bedroom. I make quick work in the shower, and wrap a towel around my hips as I step from the enclosure.
Anya stands in the middle of the room, a light blue dress on her that’s almost silver.
“Is this nice enough?” she asks, spinning for me, her skirt swirling around her knees.
“It’s perfect,” I say, kissing her again, careful not to get her wet. “Go wait in the living room, I’ll be right there.”
I check my pocket for the ring box three times before I leave the bedroom, my light gray suit a perfect complement to her dress. I leave my hair down, her preferred style, and make my way to the woman I’m going to propose to.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Ready,” she says, standing, tucking her phone into her pocket. The pockets were the biggest selling point when she brought the outfit home. She emphasized their existence multiple times when she tried it on for me. She sees the black silk in my hand and looks at me questioningly.
“Blindfolding me in public, now, huh? Was that time in our couple’s therapy session on the show not enough?”
“Where we are going is a surprise.”
“Okay, but just know, you have to use this tonight. I’m not going to be able to think of anything else.”
“Deal,” I say as she turns her back to me.
I get the blindfold situated and carry her to my truck, setting her inside. Within ten minutes, we arrive at her new bakery, one of the largest benefits of the new location. Charlie holds the door open for me as I lead Anya into the space, quietly blowing me a kiss as she leaves. Everything is perfect. The flowers and candles are exactly as they were when I proposed to Anya on the finale of House of Desire .
“It smells like paint, Parker. Not exactly an appetizing scent,” Anya jokes.
“If you want to go somewhere else once you see it, we will.”
“Can I take the blindfold off?”
I get into position behind her, getting down on one knee, the ring box in my hand. My heart is racing as I tell her to take off the blindfold.
“Yes. Take it off.”
Her gasp is everything and I know I did well .
“Parker, what is this?” she says, looking around until she sees the sign. “The Whimsical Whisk Bakery? Is this mine?”
“Anastasia,” I whisper, and she spins around, her hands covering her mouth as tears fill her eyes. “I love you more than I thought possible. Ever since I met you, I know what it feels like to have my entire being set aflame. You consume me. Every thought. Every heartbeat. It’s yours. There is no one else. When you got out of that limo, it was like someone rang a gong inside my soul. And now I’ve heard it, I don’t think I can go back. I want you to be mine every day for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
Silent tears stream down her face, her hands falling down and showing me a smile that stops my heart.
“Yes,” she whispers. “A thousand times, yes.”
I surge up from my place, grabbing her into my arms, spinning her around. The ring fits perfectly on her finger and something settles in my soul, knowing this woman is mine. Forever.
“So, what do you think of your new bakery?” I ask after we stare at her ring for a few moments.
“It’s amazing! Parker, when did you do this? How did you do this?”
“It was one of the jobs my crew was working on. I saw the location one day on my way to another job and I knew I had to buy it for you. You can either keep both locations open, or close the other one and move all of your operations here. But I think you should keep both. Start expanding.”
“I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“I would do anything for you.” I tuck her hair behind her ear as she looks up at me with love in her eyes. I plan to see that look on her face every day for the rest of my life. “Do you want to see the back? ”
She nods enthusiastically before skipping away through the swinging door. I laugh, following her.
“Oh my God! I can do classes!” She runs past all the new equipment and runs her hands over the tables her students will be sitting at in the near future.
“I knew that was important to you. And you’ll be able to hire more bakers. I have no doubt the additional capacity will quickly pay for them.”
“I’ve had the money to hire more for a while, but there was no space. But now there’s plenty! I love you,” she says, coming back over to me, wrapping her arms around my middle.
“I love you, too. And I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Lots of changes tonight, but that’s the best one of all,” she says.
“Do you think we should start the marathon of orgasms here?” I ask, remembering our time in her bakery on the show. Her eyes darken and skin heats.
I begin undoing my pants, freeing myself. My hand strokes my dick as she backs up, raising herself up onto the working surface in the middle of the space. She spreads her legs wide, pulling up the skirt of her dress, baring herself to me.
“No panties?” I ask, feeling myself harden even more at her needy display.
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait for you to take me.”
I pull her to the edge of the table, line myself up, and thrust home, our moans echoing around the space.
“Say my name,” I say.
“Parker,” she moans. I pull out, slowly, enjoying every inch of her soaked pussy .
“Tell me you’re mine,” I command, thrusting in again, hitting the spot I know drives her wild.
“I’m yours.” She leans back, resting on her elbows, hooded eyes watching as I take her harshly.
“You’re mine. Forever. And you’re going to come on my cock like the good wife I know you are,” I tell her as I unleash myself on her core and she takes everything I give her, everything I am.