LARA
Dressed in a white T-shirt and a pair of black boxer briefs, Dean slides between my champagne-colored satin sheets and sits against the headboard next to me, smelling sexy as ever. Baby lotion and mint toothpaste mixed with his natural woodsy scent. He looks exhausted, not that I can blame him. What a freaking day—press conferences, a football game, and nearly dying.
I’ll just have to forgive him for not bothering to check out what I’ve got hidden underneath my floral comforter: pink panties and my pink satin PJ top.
“Wow. Fia must’ve been tired,” I say. “It only took you two minutes to get her to sleep.”
“We’ve all had a very long day,” he says, shrugging off his awesome daddy skills. The man is a natural.
“I’m still blown away that your brother showed up like that.” I didn’t used to believe in divine intervention, but after today, I’m going to start.
“Neither can I. It was a close call.” The cheery light in Dean’s hazel eyes dulls.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Nothing. It’s just, I’ve spent my entire life rescuing Flip and…”
I don’t know much about Flip other than what’s been made public as part of Dean’s story. “And? How does it feel to have him rescue you for once?”
“Like I’m living in a dream—the type that’s too good to be true.”
“Oh, poor you. Is your life just too awesome to handle now? Must suck.” I grin.
“No. I’m serious. I’ve lived my life being focused on having a plan to get me to a goal. It was all about buckling down, responsibilities, and making sacrifices.”
“You’re a hard worker. I respect that about you.” I’ve never met anyone as driven as Dean.
“Yeah, but I think I got used to it. I definitely didn’t believe I’d ever be happy, so I was just shooting for a life that wouldn’t be a constant struggle.”
I never really saw that in Dean, but now I get it—why he never flirted back or let people in. He was too focused on digging himself out of a hole he didn’t want to be in. He wanted something better.
“And now?” I ask. “How do you feel?”
He turns his head, and the look in his eyes makes goosebumps explode all over my skin. “I feel…fucking wonderful, but I know it’s not just because I played a good game of football. Which I did.” He flashes a gloating grin.
Good for him. He’s worked hard and should enjoy his success. “You really looked happy on the field tonight.”
“Yeah, but here’s the thing: If you asked me to choose between football or you guys, I’d pick you two. Because I know I can’t be happy, really happy, unless you’re both in my life.”
“I’m not asking you to choose.”
“I know.”
“So then?” I’m confused.
“I want it all, but only if you do, too. Your all. My all. Us all.”
I’m still confused. “All what?”
He takes my hand. “You have a dream of running your own winery; I have my dream of playing pro and finishing college. Somewhere in the middle of all that is us and a baby that wasn’t part of the plan. But now that I have her, I’ll do anything for her. Just like I’d do anything for you.”
His words melt my insides. I’ll never get used to hearing this big, jacked, fiercely masculine guy speak with so much strength and confidence while also being vulnerable. I have no idea how he pulls it off, but he does. It’s incredibly sexy.
“I would do anything for you, too, Dean. I’d do anything for you both, which is totally insane given how fast everything’s happened.” We haven’t even had sex yet. “But I know in my heart how special you guys are. So tell me what you want.”
“I want us to make a plan.”
“A plan?”
“Yeah. I want us to make a plan. Together. But the goal has to be living the happiest life we can. As a family.”
I think I’m following what he’s saying, but I can tell this is new territory for him. He’s trying to open up.
I inhale slowly and choose my words carefully. This is important, and I don’t want to mess it up. “I think what you’re getting at is that I love you and you love me, and you don’t want either of us to give up our dreams while we raise that beautiful little baby together. Am I right?”
He nods.
“Okay. Sounds good,” I say.
“You sure?” He sounds shocked.
“Yeah. What’s the big deal? We tackle it as a team.” If I’ve learned anything this week, Dean and I make a great team. We’ve both helped each other move past some pretty ugly obstacles. And don’t get me started about our chemistry. We’ve got more than I can take, and then some.
“But,” he says, “I’ll have classes, and you’ll have work, then—”
“Dean, we got this. Let’s just…make it happen.”
His jaw drops. “That’s my line.”
I shrug. “Now it’s our line.”
He leans into me and presses his mouth to mine. I savor the feel of his warm lips and tongue dancing against mine. We’ve kissed before, but not like this. Not with so much connection and passion. The trust between us has opened up a whole new world.
I slide my hand to his short beard, enjoying the rough texture under my fingertips, and gaze into his eyes. I can’t believe this is my guy. My person. I don’t think I could have asked for a hotter mess of awesome man.
“I just need you to say it.” I grin.
“Say what? That if you ever put your life at risk like that again, I’ll come after you with a whisk?”
Ugh. Dean. The jokes. “Your timing needs work.”
“Okay. Point taken.” His expression turns serious. “What if I said that I love you, I am so thankful you gave me and Fia a chance to be a part of your life, and I’d really like to marry you. Doesn’t have to be right away, but whenever you’re ready. How’s that?”
My eyes tear up, and I push back, diving headfirst into happy sobs. “I think that’s pretty good. But I really can’t say yes to the cow until I’ve tried the milk.”
“And you say my timing with jokes is bad?”
“Sorry.” Not sorry. I had to say something to keep myself from ruining the moment. Crying is not sexy. At least when I do it. Imagine a turtle choking on a sour lemon.
“Let’s see if this is funny.” He grabs me and starts tickling my ribs.
“What! What are you doing?” I laugh hysterically, partially pissed off. I hate being tickled. “Stop it. Stop.” I can’t help laughing, though.
He flips me over and props me up on my hands and knees. “Mmm…nice panties.”
“What in the world are you…oh!” Dean presses his hand between my thighs, and my eyes go wide. The sudden foreplay isn’t unwelcome—not even a little—but I wasn’t expecting it. And why does he have me facing away. “Dean, what are you doing?”
“It’s better this way. Trust me.” His hand goes right for that sweet, sensitive spot, and my body bucks.
It’s been weeks since I’ve had any form of release, but it’s been over a year since I’ve been with anyone. I can’t deny his touch feels amazing, but… “I want to look at you. I want you to kiss me.”
“No, you don’t,” he says bluntly.
Okay. Now he’s being too strange, even for me. I twist my body and face him. “What’s going on?” I say, getting a little annoyed.
He throws his head back. “Why can’t you just trust me?”
“Because we’ve never had sex, and now you’re acting weird. What are you hiding?”
“You really want to know?”
“Yes. I do. I’d like to know why you’re ruining this.” I’ve dreamed of being with him for months.
“All right.” He gets to his knees and lowers his underwear, exposing his huge, erect cock.
Oh crap. That’s huge. I swallow down a dry lump in my throat. “Well, yeah. That’s, um, pretty intense, Dean.”
“I told you to trust me.” He snaps up his waistband, not that his underwear does much to hide his monster cock.
I do not want, nor shall I ever, ask about his previous sexual experiences that have led him to believe that getting me hot and bothered first, without seeing his penis, is the answer. But I will say this, “I think you were right. Half payment is a good place to start.” I’d like to be able to walk tomorrow.