Chapter 19
BEAR
Ido some of my best thinking while driving, so it's no wonder that my mind is spinning as I drive Joy back to my house. Or our house, as I’m already thinking of it. I haven't told her that yet, of course.
I'm still learning how to be in a relationship, but I think I'm going to have to start speaking up about a lot of things.
After we discuss what to make for dinner tonight out of what's in the fridge, because neither of us feels like dealing with the grocery store again today, I reach over to squeeze her knee.
"By the way… This house was designed by a guy, for a guy. It probably needs a woman's touch in many ways. Please feel free to start thinking about anything you want to change."
Joy looks over at me in surprise. "What? I'm not going to start changing your house."
"Well, see, that's a problem. Because I'm already thinking about you living here permanently. And I have to say…” I take her hand and lean a bit closer to place it in the center of my chest. "It makes a little thumping gurgle happen right here."
She bursts out laughing. "Are you talking about…feelings?"
"Grrr." I shoot her a look. "I can’t call them gurgles?"
"No."
"Dammit. Okay then."
Once we're parked in my driveway, I take Joy's hand and walk around the house to the back. The light is just beginning to fade in the yard. A sharp crescent moon is almost directly overhead, with a few wisps of cloud off to the east.
Clasping Joy's hands, I drop to a knee and look up into her startled blue eyes. "Yes, I'm a grumpy loner who avoids most people and doesn't express his feelings very often. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have them.”
I kiss the back of her hands, and her entire expression lights up when I smile. "I love you, Joy."
She freezes, eyes wide, mouth open.
"I don't care that it's only been a few days.
All the planning…an official proposal, a wedding, putting you on the title to the house…
That can wait a few months until we're nice and settled.
But pretending you're just here for your vacation is officially over.
I love you. I want to care for you forever.
I want you to move in with me so we can start building a life together. "
Her chest is shaking as she tries to pull in a breath, and I almost ignore the way it makes her breasts extra perky.
"And no, before you tease me about it again," I continue, "I'm not being chatty right now because I'm upset.
I want to get this all out in the open. You need to know where I stand.
" Reaching up, I caress her cheek, running my thumb across her satin skin.
"No more doubting. No more wondering. Just the knowledge that we're on the same page. "
Her breath is still rattly as I forge ahead. "I certainly don't expect you to say—"
"I love you, too." Joy's eyes sparkle with happy tears. “Don't get mad, but I think this is a real name occasion. I love you, Emerick."
I grin, scooping her into my arms and twirling her around the lawn. "Of course you can use my name on official occasions. And this feels pretty damn official. You've just made me the happiest asshole on the mountain. "
As soon as I set Joy down, she reaches up to grip the back of my neck, drawing me in for a long, tender kiss.
Then she places her hands in the center of my chest and pushes away.
"I haven't lived out here that long. Are people going to give me funny looks because I'm shacking up with a guy before marriage?”
I wrap my arms around her, stroking her back. "No. They're going to give you funny looks because you're with a Wolfe."
"Oh. Yeah. That.” Her chin tips up. "Do we care? I feel like we could just not care."
"Why not. It's going to be a lot easier with an amazing woman by my side, who doesn't mind making small talk with strangers."
"But they're not going to be strangers for long. Women are chatty. You'll see."
"Yes. Yes, I will." My arm stays around her as we walk toward the house, then I suddenly stop. "Crap, I forgot to do something very important. Sorry, this will just take a minute."
I grab my phone, using the dictate feature so Joy can hear the text I send to Knox and Thane.
Me: Warning. Mom is on a rampage ever since I was seen with a woman at the grocery store. She’s hell bent on all of us starting to date immediately because she wants grandkids. Unless you want her to fix you up, try to go on a date as soon as possible so she knows you're trying.
Joy laughs as we go inside and start pulling things out of the fridge. When my phone beeps, I hold it out for her to read.
Thane: So the bear poked the hornet’s nest. Thanks a lot.
Knox: Has Mom noticed how few single women there are around here?
Thane: Seriously. There are a few over 60, and lots more who won't be of dating age for a while. That’s it.
Me: You never know. I was checking Maple Trail and found a gorgeous sexy woman huddled under a tree to escape the rain. She's moving in with me tomorrow.
Knox: Dude.
Thane: What the hell?
Me: I'll explain tomorrow. Right now, I have to help her make dinner, because it's been a long day with a lot of people.
Knox: Ugh. People. I get it.
Thane: If you need help with her move, text me in the morning. Not too early, though.
Me: Thanks.
Joy grins, slipping an arm around my waist. "Seems like your brothers are good guys."
"Yeah. Do you have so much stuff that it requires three of me to move?"
"Please. You’ve seen my place. I could do it myself."
I chuckle. "Perfect. I'll take care of it, but tell them I’d like their help unloading and to come here in the early evening. We'll have a barbeque waiting. You can meet them."
She gasps, mock-swatting my bicep. "You're going to lie to your brothers?"
"If there's work to be done, they'll show up for sure. If it's just a social event…" I shrug. "Who knows."
"Sneaky. I wouldn't have expected that from you."
Damn, I love the way she laughs at me. I also love that she doesn't know how sneaky I'm going to be to find out what kind of engagement ring she wants. What kind of wedding. What kind of life.
Because from this second forward, Joy is going to have every single thing she wants.