Until You're Mine (27 page)

Blessed are the hearts that can bend;

they shall never be broken.

~Albert Camus

The summer sun hung high in the cloudless sky as it burned its last remaining light. Red and white paper lanterns hung from the trees surrounding the dance floor while Reckless Heart sang
We Were Us.
After weeks of planning, all of my hard work had paid off. Archer was definitely surprised. The look on his face was priceless.

“He still looks at you like he wants to eat you alive, it used to be kinda creepy, but now I think it’s kinda hot,” Maddie said, nudging me with her elbow.

My wanderlust mind drifted back to this morning when he told me where he was taking me, right before he fucked me on the kitchen counter and then made love to me in our bed.

Maddie waved her hand in front of my face, interrupting my day dream. “Hello! What the hell is with you? You’ve been actin’ so weird lately,”

It was killing me not to tell her, but Archer and I had both agreed that waiting until after the first trimester would be for the best. We were enjoying not having to share our little secret with anyone else just yet. Archer was over the moon about becoming a father and terribly cute about the whole thing. I was so scared when I found out. When we’d broached the subject of children before, we’d both agreed that we wanted kids, we just never discussed
when
. Well, fate had decided it was time and we just rolled with it.

Of course, he made me quit work immediately. I’d had terrible morning sickness since I found out, and he’s been falling hand over foot to cater to my every need since. I told him this would raise red flags, and of course, it did. Maddie had become a vulture, pecking away at me daily for answers. She didn’t buy the fact that I just wanted to stay home and take care of my man and our home.

“I’m onto you. Something’s up, I just haven’t figure it out yet.”

Diverting the attention from myself, I nodded toward Cannon and Cora. “What’s up with that?”

“I have no clue. I’ve been askin’ Holden the same thing, but he’s just as clueless. I don’t know why she would waste her time with that Neanderthal.” Maddie scoffed, shaking her head.

“He’s not so bad. Just misunderstood, I think.” I took a sip of my bottled water.

“Well, she’s been through a lot. Between her brother and her mother, I’m surprised she’s not strung out somewhere hookin’ it on the streets. I can’t tell you how many times that poor girl has cried on my desk.” 

“I know. I feel so bad for her,”

Holden stepped up next to Maddie, placing his beer bottle on the table in front of her. The band switched gears, playing the first chords of
All Your Life
as he reached for her hand. Kissing her knuckles, he pulled her from the seat. “Dance with me, babe.”

Maddie beamed up at me before looking down at me. “I’ll be back,”

With a nod, I turned my attention to the birthday boy, holding my breath as he walked toward me. Now that I was pregnant, my appetite for him was even more insatiable. I wasn’t sure if it was the hormones, or the fact that he’d given me everything I’d ever dreamed of and more. 

Kneeling down next to me, he took my hand in his and kissed the inside of my wrist. “I’m ready for all of these people to leave so I can thank you for my gift.”

I stroked his hair, and brushed my hand along the stubble of his jaw. “But I haven’t even given you your birthday gift yet.”

His gaze locked with mine, shimmering with unimaginable love and adoration. “All I need is right here,” He placed his hand on the tiny bump of my belly, rubbing back and forth affectionately. “And what I see lookin’ back at me,”

Tears of joy burned my eyes and my heart flooded with so much warmth and love for this man. “God, I love you,”

With his hand cupping the back of my neck, he held my lips to his. “I love you too, baby. “So fuckin’much.”

Those who don’t belive in

magic will never find it

~Roald Dahl

The lights of the Eiffel Tower shimmered like tiny crystals against the star sprinkled sky, and the French music that Archer had discovered in the room only added to the romance in the air. The day had been perfect, but the night had been magical.

His hands caressed the silk of my white gown as he pressed his body against mine, nuzzling my exposed neck. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today, Mrs. Brooks,”

“Several times, but I never grow tired of hearing you say it.” I twisted around in his arms. Tiny hairs that had escaped the loose bun at the base of my neck tickled my face as the wind whipped around us, fiercely stirring our love and desire for one another. His face glowed and his green eyes sparkled like emerald jewels, reflecting the lights of the tower. Archer pressed the hardness of his cock into my pelvis, swaying back and forth to the music.

“This is the happiest day of my life.”

“I feel like I’m dreaming. This can’t be real.”

He gave his hips a gentle thrust, igniting every cell in my body. “
This
…is real baby. I can assure you of that.”

Inhaling a deep breath, I buried my face into his chest. “I love you,”

“I love you too, baby. Wake up,”

My mind desperately tried to hold on, but with the feel of Archer pressed up against my backside and his hand caressing my swollen belly, I was pulled away from my perfect dream.

I huffed in irritation. “Good dream?” he chuckled.

“Yes, and you ruined it.”

His hand slid beneath the covers, gliding through my aching wet flesh. “Fuck baby, it was a good dream. Tell me.”

I rolled over to face him, his dark green eyes dancing with wonder and desire. It had been the best two weeks of my life.

I moved my hands to his chest and the sunlight streaming from the window flickered against the ring on my left finger. I couldn’t breathe. My head spun and I felt dizzy. My gaping mouth refused any and all air.

Lifting my hand to his mouth, he kissed the ring that he’d somehow snuck on my finger while I was sleeping. The chocolate stone was cradled by diamonds, encrusting the band on both sides. It was the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen. Tears stung my eyes and a smile replaced my open mouth.

“It matches your eyes.” He smiled and it could have melted the diamond right off my finger.

The air returned to my lungs. “It’s so beautiful Archer. I love it.”

“So it’s a yes then?”

“Well,” I continued admiring my gorgeous ring, wondering how on earth I could be any happier than I was in this moment. “You haven’t asked me anything yet.”

“C’mon, if I’m gonna do this, I wanna do it right dammit.”

My silk gown fell to my feet as I rose from the bed to follow him out onto the terrace. I squinted against the dawning sun and tears formed in my eyes when he knelt down before me on
both
knees. The Eiffel Tower in the distance painted the perfect romantic scene. One that I’d dreamed about all my life. Holding my hands in his, he gazed up at me with so much love and adoration…it had me falling to my knees.

“See, this is why I love you so goddamn much. I had this all planned out and you just came along and…change everything.” The moment could not be any more perfect. “Katherine Elaine, I want you to be mine forever, because a day short of forever will never be enough. Will you please make me the happiest motherfucker in the world and be my wife?”

Tears streamed down my face as I wrapped my arms around him. Was it possible to die from too much happiness? If so, I would gladly leave this earth right now a very happy woman.

“Yes,” I breathed into his neck.

Pushing me back, his hands cupped my face. “Told ya you would say yes,”

Before I could object, his lips covered mine. Kissing me so tender and sweet, conveying his love with each gentle swipe of his tongue.  I was reminded of what I knew all along, love changes everything.

Rising to his feet, he helped me up. With a quick scoop, I was in his arms and carried to the bed. He pulled the nightgown from my heated body. “Pretty soon, you won’t be able to do that,” I said, crawling into bed.

Archer removed his jeans, positioning his naked body between my legs. Resting on his haunches, he raised one foot to his mouth. “Baby, you will never be too big to fit inside my arms.” He planted a wet kiss on my instep, sparking goose bumps to life across my body. “I can’t believe he’ll be here in four months,” He said, smiling down at my ever changing body.

Archer had said he didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl as long as the baby was healthy. But when the doctor told us we would have a son, you couldn’t wipe the smile off of his proud face. He was a completely different man than the one I fell in love with, and that made me love him even more.

Archer fisted his cock before sliding inside my welcoming body. Cradling my face in his hands, he looked deep into my eyes. “I promise to love you hard,” he growled with a rough thrust. “And soft,” he whispered, dragging in and out of me slowly. “But most of all,” He kissed me, his hands and lips conveying his deep love for me, branding my heart and soul once more. “I promise to love you forever,” Tears ran from the corners of my eyes. He licked them sweetly before kissing me again. “All of you, baby. Mine,”