Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
H ours later, Michael lay in the darkness of his bedroom with Reese cradled against his side, her head on his shoulder. His hand drifted lazily over the curve of her hip as he brushed butterfly kisses along her hairline. He couldn’t stop kissing her, touching her, making love to her. Thankfully, he didn’t have to. Reese wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was he. Ever .
After wrapping up at the studio, they’d headed over to Wolf’s Soul to celebrate their engagement with family and friends. Together they’d mingled with their guests, accepting congratulations and good-natured teasing about their onscreen kiss, which Drew dubbed the longest lip-lock in television history. He was already salivating at the thought of what Michael’s romantic proposal had done for the show’s ratings.
All Michael cared about was the woman in his arms. He couldn’t help marveling at the way things had turned out. Up until a few hours ago, he’d been facing the unthinkable possibility of a future without Reese. Now, he was on top of the world.
And to think he’d almost blown it.
“I shouldn’t have waited so long to tell you how I felt about you,” he murmured.
“Better late than never.” Reese lifted her head, searching his face in the silvery moonlight streaming through the wall of windows. “I, too, could’ve shared my feelings sooner, but I was so afraid you weren’t ready.”
“That’s not what was holding me back.” He touched her hair. “The day after our picnic, Marcus called to tell me about an argument he’d overheard between Mom and Grant. Apparently Mom had asked Grant if they could stay another week, and he got upset and accused her of still being in love with Dad. Marcus was stunned. He waited until no one else was around and confronted Mom. She denied Grant’s accusation, but she admitted that she’d been feeling confused about the past lately. She said she loves Grant dearly, but the more time she spent with Dad, the more she realized how much she gave up all those years ago. But she promised Marcus that she’d keep her doubts to herself so she wouldn’t throw Dad’s life into upheaval—again.”
Michael watched as comprehension dawned on Reese’s face. “You thought that if your mother could have buyer’s remorse after nearly thirty years, I might someday regret breaking up with Victor.”
Michael hesitated, then nodded. “It killed me to think?—”
“Listen to me,” Reese interrupted, pressing a finger to his lips and gazing intently into his eyes. “You don’t ever need to worry about me having second thoughts about us. I love you, Michael Wolf. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved or will ever love. So unless you wake up one morning and decide you want a new apprentice, you’re stuck with me.”
He smiled tenderly. “You’re the only apprentice I’ll ever want or need.”
“Good.” There was a husky catch to her voice. “Drew offered me a contract to remain on the show, but I told him I’d have to think about it. I don’t mind doing cameos, but as much as I’ve enjoyed working with you, baby, I miss being a doctor.”
“Of course you do.” Michael caressed her face. “You know, we have plenty of great hospitals right here in Atlanta.”
“I know.” She paused. “I never got around to canceling my interview at Emory University Hospital on Wednesday.”
“You had an interview?”
“Yes. I’d been looking into jobs before we…” She trailed off shyly.
Michael groaned, his heart overflowing with love and gratitude as he tipped her chin up and kissed her long and deep, whispering against her lips, “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
Her eyes glimmered with mirth. “It was your triple chocolate cheesecake. Remember? You all but guaranteed it would make me fall in love with you.”
He laughed. “So I did.”
Smiling, she nibbled on his chin. “When can we have another picnic in the garden?”
“As soon as we can get the house to ourselves again.” Reese’s family was staying at Sterling’s house for a week. Michael and Reese were expected to join everyone tomorrow for a festive brunch that would probably spill over into the next day.
Too bad his father and Asha had dibs on the guesthouse, Michael lamented.
“I’m so excited for them,” Reese murmured, as if she’d read his mind. “They look so happy together. So right for each other.”
“I think they are,” Michael agreed, marveling at the odds of him and his father finding their soul mates within the same week.
“What were you and my dad discussing after dinner?” Reese asked curiously.
Michael chuckled. “He wanted to make sure I understood how precious you are to him. Before your lovely mother intervened, he mentioned something about a hunting rifle he hadn’t used in years.”
“Oh, Dad.” Reese bit her lip, stifling a grin. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t apologize. Believe me, I’m gonna be the same way with our daughters.”
Her expression softened. “I promised your father I’d give him many more grandchildren. I may have told Mama Wolf the same thing.”
Michael grinned, even as his heart melted. “Many?”
“I believe that’s the word I used.”
“In that case,” Michael drawled, rolling her over and settling himself between her thighs, “we’d better get busy.”
Reese sighed, curving her arms around his neck. “A promise is a promise.”
Poised above her, Michael gazed into her eyes and saw the glorious future that awaited them. He looked forward to marrying her in the garden and then whisking her away to Italy. He looked forward to providing for her, cooking for her, nourishing her body and her soul. He looked forward to raising children with her. And he looked forward to growing old with her .
“Michael?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“I need you.” Reese tightened her thighs around him. “ Now .”
His grin was wolfish. “One chocolate orgasm coming right up.”
As he plunged into her, she threw back her head and released the throatiest, sexiest howl he’d ever heard.
Oh yeah , Michael thought wickedly, stroking deeper. I’m going to love spending the rest of my life with this woman .