Chapter 22 #3
“Fuck, besyonok,” he groans when I wrap my lips around him.
We both know we need to be quiet, but I’m also determined to do whatever it takes to make this man growl my name. With that goal firmly in mind, I sink to my knees and take him in deeper.
* * *
One Month Later
I laugh when Damien keeps a firm grip on my hand and leads me down the path to the beach. He’s obviously hiding something from me, has been for weeks, but I have no idea what it is, and it’s driving me crazy.
“Where are we going?” I ask, even though I’ve already asked three times and he refuses to tell me.
“Patience, besyonok,” he says before kissing the back of my hand.
“I’ve been patient,” I mutter, which only makes him smile when he hears it.
Nyx gives a happy bark and runs down the beach ahead of us, chasing after a flock of seagulls near the water’s edge.
She’s quickly taken to Damien and decided he’s her second favorite human.
Damien is completely in love with her and spoils her rotten every chance he gets.
I’m constantly getting glimpses of what he’s going to be like as a dad, and I love everything I’m learning.
I haven’t told him about the pregnancy test I took this morning, but it’s on the tip of my tongue to shout it to the world.
First, I want to find out what he’s up to.
He’s up to something, and I need to know what it is.
The wind whips at us, salty sea air that makes my ponytail dance and my shirt and shorts billow around me. Damien stops when we’re close enough for the cold water to hit my bare feet with each wave that comes in.
Turning, he grabs my hands and looks down at me. Even now, the sight of him steals the breath from my lungs. Intense, dark eyes search mine, light stubble on a chiseled jaw, a gorgeous, full mouth that’s turned up at one corner, and the beautiful tanned skin that I always want to taste.
“This has been the best couple of months of my life,” he says.
“When Ev and I came here, I did it because I wanted to see you, but I never thought in a million years you’d actually want to be with me.
I thought I’d be stuck making short trips for the rest of my life, just enough for me to get my fix, but never enough to really satisfy me.
I never thought you’d fall in love with me,” he admits, and I squeeze his hands and step closer, hating that he worried about this, that he thought I wouldn’t want him.
“I would’ve asked you this a lot sooner, but I had to have the perfect ring first.”
He lets go of my hand so he can fish the velvet box from his pocket.
When he brings it up between us, my heart speeds up as the breath catches in my throat.
We’ve talked about marriage and always as if it’s a done deal, but he hasn’t actually done the whole down-on-one-knee thing, and when he drops down in the wet sand before me, I clasp a hand over my mouth and feel my eyes start to burn.
“I wanted something that made me think of us, something that’s you, besyonok, because none of the rings at the jewelry stores I went to were good enough for you. I wanted something special, something that’s just as beautiful and unique as you are.”
Words die in my throat when he opens the box and I get my first glimpse at the gorgeous ring inside.
“I’ve been working with a designer, and he finally finished it this morning.”
I reach my hand out and run a shaky finger over the stunning design.
“It’s beautiful, Damien,” I manage to say.
The smoky salt-and-pepper diamond is surrounded by Oregon sunstones, each one of them a warm amber color that makes me think of the gorgeous sunsets we’ve been watching together every night.
The band itself is a delicate champagne gold that’s slightly textured, reminding me of the forest we both love.
Every single part of this ring was chosen with so much care and love, and when he holds it close to my finger, I’m already crying before he’s even said a word.
“I love you, Sitka.” His thumb grazes my skin while he looks up at me.
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, the only one I will ever love, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
I want to love you and take care of you and raise a family with you.
I swear that I will never hurt you or be unfaithful to you in any way.
You deserve better than me. I’m not going to kneel before you and lie and say that you don’t, but I love you, and I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me.
” He gives me an adorable grin. “Will you marry me, Sitka?”
“Yes,” I quickly say, nodding my head like a maniac in case the wind carried the word away before he could hear it.
Tears run down my face as he slides the beautiful ring on my finger.
Before he’s even fully stood up, I’m in his arms, wrapping myself around him as he picks me up.
Cupping his face, I kiss him hard, letting him feel everything that I’m unable to put into words.
The love I feel for this man goes beyond rational explanation, but I hope he can feel it in this kiss.
I hope he feels it every time I look at him or touch him, and I hope he always does.
“I love you,” I finally murmur against his lips when I’m able to speak.
“I love you too.” I feel him smile before he says, “Thanks for saying yes.”
“There was never a chance I would’ve said anything else.” I hold my hand up and look at the ring. “This is so beautiful. I can’t believe you chose everything.”
“I’m really glad you like it. I think I drove the designer crazy for being so picky, but I wanted it to be perfect.
Everything about it makes me think of you and the place where we fell in love.
The smoky diamond reminds me of the grey in your eyes and the sky before it storms, and the Oregon sunstone reminds me of your fire, that wild spark that lives inside you and refuses to let your cute ass sit out of anything that involves danger. ”
My lips start to tremble, and when he sees it, his face softens before he kisses me again. “You’re very sweet for a little demon,” he teases. “An adrenaline junkie who loves to race bikes and surf and cries at sentimental jewelry.”
“It’s probably just my messed up hormones,” I say without thinking.
I see the surprised look in his eyes before he asks, “Why are your hormones messed up?”
When I hesitate, his eyes run over me like he can search the answer out for himself, but there’s nothing obviously different about me, so he asks again, “Sitka, baby, why did you say that?”
I give him a lopsided smile and say, “I heard pregnancy can do weird things to your hormones.”
His eyes widen and his mouth parts in surprise at my words before a huge smile lights up his face. “Are you serious? You’re sure?”
“I took a test this morning. I was going to tell you, but I wanted to see what you were up to first.”
He laughs, and the sound of it is so carefree and utterly happy, and it pulls my own laugh from my chest as he spins me around while the water laps at his feet. I press my forehead to his, knowing it’s impossible to feel any happier than I do right now.
“Let’s get married here.” He stops spinning me and looks out at the wild Pacific that will always refuse to be tamed. “Right here on the beach.”
“Okay,” I say, smiling at the idea. My hand reaches for the shell I still wear around my neck, the one he found and gave me on this very beach. “I’d love to have our wedding here. Do you think your family can come back for it?”
“They all know I was going to propose today and that we want to get married as soon as possible. I’m sure they can all make the flight. They won’t all be able to stay for long, but they can at least be here to see it.”
I grin and kiss my fiancé. “Set the date and I’ll be there.”
He laughs and smacks my ass. “You better be there.” He kisses me again and says, “I can’t believe you’re pregnant, Sitka. We’re going to be parents.”
“Is it too much too soon?” I ask him.
“Not even close. I love kids, and I can’t wait to raise a baby with you.” He grins and gives a soft laugh. “I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl and if they’ll be little speed demons like their mom.”
I smile at the image. “I hope they’re just like their daddy.”
He gives me a sweet smile and kisses me until nothing else exists outside of this moment.
“Come on, besyonok.” He starts to carry me back to the house, giving a sharp whistle so Nyx will follow us in. “Let’s go tell everyone the good news.”
I kiss his neck and laugh when Nyx joins us, wet and sandy and looking very pleased with herself. While he carries me up the path, I wiggle my fingers and watch the way the sunstones sparkle when the light hits them.
“I’m really glad you decided to come for a visit,” I tell him, making him laugh.
“Me too, baby.” He turns his face so I can kiss him before we tell everyone the good news.