Epilogue
Suzie
Jack walked me through a row of apple trees, his arm around my waist, his stroll casual and relaxed. The sun was setting on this beautiful spring day, leaving a chill in the air. But the warmth from Jack’s body, the energy buzzing through me, and the anticipation building inside me all left me feeling flushed.
Or maybe it’s the flashes of sex I can’t get out of my mind.
I’d had more sex in the past twenty-four hours than I’d had in my entire life. Every step I took and every time my thighs rubbed, I was reminded of the dirty things we did. The soreness between my legs was more than noticeable, yet I loved it.
I couldn’t wait until we were back between his sheets tonight.
If you asked me four weeks ago if I’d be moving in with my boyfriend and the boyfriend was my best friend’s older brother, I would’ve laughed in your face. I never pictured myself actually dating Jack Miller, never mind him wanting me. But here we were.
“Here we are,” Jack said as we rounded the corner and came upon a table and chairs set up. String lights hung above among the trees. A long white tablecloth draped over the top and down the sides of the small circular table. There were dishes, wineglasses, silverware, and napkins set for two people.
A vase with two red roses sat in the middle, along with two tall candlesticks, their flames flickering in the gentle breeze.
“Wow. You did all of this?” I asked as Jack wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. He kissed me softly on the lips before nodding his head.
“Well, I may have had a tiny bit of help.” Jack grinned and took my hand, walking me over to one of the chairs. He pulled it out for me to sit before hurrying over to the other side.
Jack leaned down and lifted a basket into his lap. “A picnic dinner okay?”
I lost myself in his sweet brown eyes. “A picnic dinner is perfect.”
He opened the basket and took out several containers with all kinds of cheeses, crackers, meat, and fruit—most of the items you’d find on a charcuterie board. “Fill up your plate with whatever you’d like. Adalynn filled me in on a few of your favorites.” Jack winked, and the memory of him winking at me before he ate me out flashed in my head.
My cheeks flushed, and I busied myself with opening containers and dipping a spoon inside to load my plate with cheese, cheese, and more cheese. Grapes and strawberries, juicy pineapple, and orange slices took up half of my plate, their rich colors vibrant.
Jack leaned down once more and retrieved an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne tucked inside. “Care for a drink, gorgeous?”
“I would love one.” I popped a piece of cheese in my mouth and then a cracker.
Jack easily popped the bottle open and filled our cups, the fizzy liquid bubbling over the top.
We talked and ate, drank and laughed, and ate and drank some more.
My head felt light and giddy, and every word out of Jack’s mouth had me in a fit of giggles. My cheeks were warm. Hell, my entire body was warm, and suddenly, all I wanted was to be back in Jack’s bed.
“Take me to bed, Jack,” I said as I reached across the table and took his hands in mine.
His eyes grew dark, and his mouth hung slightly open as he stared at me from across the table, the flickering candlelight reflecting on his skin. “But we haven’t had dessert yet.”
“I’m your dessert.” I licked my lips and squeezed my legs together underneath the table.
Jack ran a hand through his hair. Then, without warning, he got to his feet and walked over to me before dropping to one knee.
I yelped in surprise, my heart tripling in speed as I watched Jack reach into his pocket and pull out a small dark blue box. A box that looked very much like the kind of box an engagement ring came in.
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” I whispered, and my leg began shaking uncontrollably.
“Suzie, I love you so much. And I want more than anything to have you by my side in this crazy thing called life. I want to call you my wife and shower you with the love you deserve to feel every single day. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?” Jack opened the box and held it out to me. A huge rock shone up at me, but it wasn’t just any rock.
My grandmother’s ruby. The one she gave to me when I was a little girl and she was on her deathbed, her body ravaged by cancer, the disease having eaten away at her soul. When she placed it in my palm only hours before she passed, she whispered, “Your grandfather gave me this ring, Suz. Guard it with your life.”
And I did. I fought my sisters off and kept it locked away in my room. It stayed with me, and when I showed it to Adalynn, I told her I would get married with it someday.
“My grandmother’s ring. But…how…I don’t…yes, yes, I’ll marry you!” I cried, tears spilling down my cheeks.
Jack slid the ring on my finger, and we both jumped to our feet and into each other’s arms. He held my face in his hands and kissed me, long and slow, passionate and deep.
“But how did you know about the ruby?” I asked as I held my hand up and inspected the ring. Jack had the stone recast on a gold band, with several diamonds on each side of the ruby. It was beyond gorgeous.
“Adalynn, of course. She somehow managed to get it from your jewelry box without you realizing it was gone.”
I laughed through my tears and stared at the ring on my finger. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too so much, future wife.” He kissed each one of my fingers.
“Now, is it time to take me to bed, future husband?”
Jack growled and slapped my ass. You bet it is.”
THE END