35. Taylor
Chapter thirty-five
Taylor
The sun is slanting through the blinds when I kiss Player awake. “Let’s go for that ride, baby.”
He stretches. “Damn, woman. You gonna be this demanding all the time?”
“You promised me a ride to the beach. I want to go while it's still early morning.”
He wraps his arms around me and kisses me. “Then my baby gets what she wants.”
We shower together, and I take my sweet time, soaping up his gorgeous chest. It turns into sex and soon he’s got me pressed to the wall, his dick sliding in and out of me, until I feel an orgasm barreling toward me. I clutch him, thinking I’m going to fall, but he holds me tight.
“I’ve got you, baby. Not gonna let you fall. I promise.”
I’ll never get enough of this man. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight. Life with him will be a wild ride—I know that. But no matter what happens, I know he’ll never let me fall.
An hour later, he turns the bike down the side street across from The Rusty Pelican and parks near the boardwalk over the dunes.
We climb off and take the path. It’s still early and barely anyone is on the beach. A few people walk dogs, and we come across a woman sitting in the sand, petting a yellow lab and crying.
I tug Player to a stop and approach her.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
She hugs the dog. “I have to give him up. He was my grandmother’s dog.
She always walked him on the beach. She passed away last week.
I can’t have dogs where I live, and I can’t find anybody to take him.
I brought him down here for one last run on the beach.
He loves it so. Today I have to take him to the shelter. ”
I pet the pretty dog. “What’s his name?”
“Duke.”
“He’s beautiful. Is he a sweet dog?” I ask.
“The best. Grandma always said he was the best dog ever.”
I look up at Player, and I know he reads my mind. He doesn’t argue, doesn’t tell me no, just looks at the woman and squats down to pet Duke.
“How about if we take him? We’ll give him a good home.”
She wipes her tears. “You’ll be good to him? Do you live near here? He loves this beach.”
“I’ve got a place across the road at the marina. We’ll bring him over here every day.”
“I can’t believe this. I’ve been sitting here, praying for a solution. And you two just walk up and solve it for me.” She pulls out her phone. “Can I get your number? Maybe I could visit him or meet you here once in a while.”
I pull out my phone, and we exchange numbers.
She passes the leash to me, then hugs Duke goodbye.
After she walks off, Player catches my eyes. “Well, we’ve got a dog. Starting our family off right, I suppose.”
“Are you okay with this?”
“Of course.” His eyes shift to the surf, and he digs in his pocket. “Got something I want to give you. Guess I should do this right.” He drops to one knee, and I frown.
“What are you doing?”
He holds out a ring. “It was my mother’s. Don’t know if it’ll fit you, but I figure we can get it sized. If it's not what you want, I’ll buy you a ring.”
I cover my mouth, and my eyes water. I can’t speak.
“I love you, Taylor. I always have. It should have been you and me from the start. I’m sorry I screwed that up.
But I don’t plan to screw this up again.
You’re the most important thing in my life.
Make me the happiest man on earth and marry me.
” His eyes flick to Duke. “Besides, we can’t give Duke a broken home.
” He scratches the dog’s ears. “Maybe having him will be good practice for when we have kids.”
“Player?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re rambling.”
“Sorry. So, you gonna leave me hangin’ here?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. Now shut up and kiss me.”
He scoops me in his arms and spins me around.
Duke barks and jumps.
Player stops and stares at the dog. “Think he’s hungry?”
“Let’s go open the restaurant, and I’ll make us something to eat. We can sit out on the deck and plan our life.”
He threads his fingers with mine, and we walk across the sand, our new family member in tow.
“I want three kids, maybe four,” Player says.
“Four? How about we start with one and see how that goes?”
“You want a big wedding?”
“No. A simple ceremony. Maybe a party at the restaurant. But mostly, I just want time with you.”
“Well, we’ve got a dog now, so that limits our honeymoon spots. Maybe I can rent us an RV, and we could hit some national parks.”
“Oh, can we go to Yosemite? I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“Anything you want, Tay. Anything you want.” He pauses, bringing us to a stop. “There’s one thing I need, and maybe you aren’t gonna like it.”
I frown. “What?”
“Need you to wear my property patch. I know it sounds archaic, but it’s a rule.”
I cock my head. “Property of Player. Hmm. It does have a ring to it. I suppose since you love me, I’ll wear your patch, baby.”
“You bein’ a smartass? I can see I’m gonna half my hands full with you, pretty girl.”
“Gotta keep you on your toes.”
I kiss him, and we walk into the sunrise, my head on his shoulder.