Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
COLE
Christmas Day
I can’t think of a more perfect Christmas morning.
Not even when I got my first B.B. gun.
Nope, waking up and making love with Sierra was far better.
That says a lot. I had a helluva good time with my BB gun. This is worlds better. Grown up fun better.
The icing on the cake was the snow falling outside and the big down comforter piled high on top of us. Yes, I have a new standard for Christmas now.
But the day is young, and if I’m right, it’s going to be one we may never top.
I put the finishing touches on cleaning the kitchen. I’ve killed all the time I can. My feet carry me up the steps without thought. A thrill hits my veins. Better than adrenaline. This is euphoria.
I push the bedroom door open with my toe. A huge smile—so big it hurts—spreads across my face.
There’s an angel in my bed.
And she’s mine.
Sierra’s dark red hair is fanned out across my pillow, her perfect pink lips are curled into a tiny smile. Her post orgasm slumber lasted the whole time I made breakfast.
Setting the tray with our chocolate waffles on the nightstand, I watch her chest rise and fall evenly.
I’m frozen in a perfect moment. She looks so peaceful. I could see this sight every day for the rest of my life.
Too bad I have to wake her, but I can’t wait any longer.
Skimming my knuckle across her cheek makes me delirious. My heart swells with excitement. “Wake up, beautiful.”
Her lashes flutter. “Mmmm. Good morning again, sexy devil. Where have you been?”
“Making you breakfast.”
Sierra lets out a tiny yawn as she stretches. “That sounds so good. I need it after our little romp earlier. Now come back to bed. We don’t have to be anywhere until this afternoon.”
Of course, she knows I can’t resist. I straighten, tug the drawstring at my waist, and drop my flannel lounge pants onto the floor.
“Look at you.” Her voice is husky. From sleep. From the orgasm earlier.
I love the rough, sweet sound.
Her eyes trace over me appreciatively, warming my skin. “Breakfast in bed.”
I flash a grin. “Hot and ready.”
There’s warm affection in her gaze as she watches my cock grow. “My favorite meal. I could call it a happy meal.”
I chuckle. “Only this one doesn’t come with a tiny toy. Anyway, that’s for later. First, chocolate waffles, fresh strawberries, and warm maple syrup.”
Purring out a pleasurable groan, she flings back the covers. “I’ve died and gone to heaven. Waffles and you, I’m the luckiest girl alive. Come on, get in here, big guy. I want to pour syrup on that.”
I slide into the bed and set the tray on her lap.
She sighs happily. “Cole, these look incredible. They smell so good. I’ve never had chocolate waffles.”
I watch as her pretty blue eyes take in the big plate of waffles. The stack is high. Fresh strawberries spill over them. Syrup drips down the sides and pools around the base.
I wait, holding my breath with my heart running circles in my chest.
Her gaze suddenly goes wide and her hand flies to her mouth. She whispers between her fingers. “Oh my god, Cole! Is that—a ring?”
I laugh at her adorable expression, even though there’s a gigantic knot in my belly. “It is.”
“Wow. Wow.” Her eyes go super wide. “Okay. I’m uh… shaken.”
I pull her trembling hand away and lean in for a kiss. When I pull back, her eyes are misty and I can see her pulse throbbing along her neck.
“Me too, babe. My heart is galloping.” I have to clear my throat before the next part. The important part. “Sierra Lynn Owens, will you be my wife?”
With a squeal, she wraps her arms around my neck. I grab the tray to keep it from toppling over.
“You just made me the happiest woman in the world.” Her breath catches.
“Don’t hurt your ribs.”
She growls at me and hangs on tighter. “Cole! I don’t give a damn about my ribs.”
I hold her with the ferocity I feel inside my heart. My arms shake. My eyes are full of emotion as I blink into her silky hair and laugh. “I think maybe you said ‘yes,’ before you got annoyed with me.”
She leans back and meets my gaze dead on. “That’s a definite yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. But I have one question.”
So Sierra. Always asking questions. “Fire away, babe.”
“Do you want me to take your name?”
I lean in and kiss her for the millionth time since we got home, just because I can. Her lips are glistening and swollen when I stop. “Of course I want you to take my name, but that’s up to you, sweetheart. Whatever makes you happy.”
“Sierra Strong… I like it. I admit that I’ve fantasized about taking your name.”
This makes me insanely happy. Not that I wasn’t already insanely happy. But her taking my name feels…
Fucking good.
I can’t hide the pleasure in my voice. “I’d love that. I’m proud to call you Sierra Strong.”
“Then it’s set.”
“I also have to tell you I’ve fantasized about a lot of things with you.” There’s enough excitement right now. I’ll be telling her all about those other things later. Family. Our future. Dreams. Hopes. And of course a lot of naughty things.
She must catch the heat in my gaze. Her cheeks begin to turn pink. There’s my girl. Love that blush.
I pluck her engagement ring from the strawberry I pushed it into. With a teasing flick of my tongue, I lick the juice off it. “Mmm, tastes like you.”
She blushes furiously. “Wicked man.”
“Yes, I am when it comes to you. Now give me your hand, my dear.”
She holds out her delicate hand. After I kiss her fingers, I gently slide the diamond and sapphire ring on her third finger.
“I chose this one because the blue reminds me of your eyes. And the diamond is symbolic for me too. It’s forged from pressure.
Just like our relationship, made stronger by the forces we’ve endured. ”
Biting at her lip, Sierra watches me solemnly. “It fits perfectly.”
We both look at the ring. It catches the light. I love the sight. My ring. On my woman’s finger.
Her voice is soft and sweet as honey when she looks up at me. “True love endures all. For all of time.”
“I’m going to make it so.” I kiss the ring and bring her hand to my heart. “I’m a changed man, Sierra. You make me feel things I never knew existed.”
Her eyes fall back to the ring. “It’s incredible, just like you.”
I lean down and press a kiss to her temple. “No, you’re incredible. And I’m so honored that you’re going to be my wife.”
Sierra punches my chest with a playful hit. She sniffles. “You’re making me cry, Cole. I hate to cry.”
If I have my way, she’ll never cry again in sadness or fear.
“It’s okay.” I wrap my palm around her smooth cheek as I wipe away her tears with my thumb. “This is good crying, babe. Only good tears from now on.”
Her eyes soften. A tender smile appears. “You’ve got a deal.” She reaches for the fork as her eyes sparkle with happiness. “We need to eat this beautiful breakfast so we can get to dessert. I want my real fiancé to make love to me.”
I laugh, my heart full of happiness. “Then, I’m your man, babe.”