He held her close to his heart, because that’s where she belonged. That was where she would stay. He wouldn’t allow her out of his grasp again.
“Are you sleeping?”
“No,” she said softly. “Listening to your heartbeat.”
“I thought I’d lost you for good. I saw you with him the other night.”
“Him who?” she asked, and leaned her head up and placed her chin on his chest.
“I think you know.” He smiled knowingly.
“Were you stalking me?”
“No, I came to your house that night to apologize and make things right. But you were with him. I saw him walk you to the door, kiss you on the cheek.”
“Wow! And you didn’t say anything?”
“Kinda like you did when you saw me with Nicole.”
“Touché,” said Whitney. “It meant nothing, though. The entire time I was with him, I was thinking of you.”
“That sounds like such a line.” He laughed.
“It’s the truth.” She laughed, too. “I swear.”
“It’s the truth, I swear,” he mocked her and then pulled her into him, kissed her.
His tongue danced inside her mouth as she lay on top of his chest. He massaged the roundness of her backside. His fingertips danced up and down her side and then caressed her breasts. He grabbed one in his palms and wrapped his lips around it. Whitney moaned. He’d missed the sounds that she made when he pleased her.
He rolled over and placed her beneath him, hovered over her. Kissed the space between her breasts. His lips then trailed her stomach and danced around her belly button. He kissed his way down to her thighs and lingered on the inside of them. His tongue began to dance in her sweet spot. She moaned again and gave him adventurousness to continue. Her legs trembled and her belly followed. He’d attained his goal of bringing her to climax. She breathed heavily and then he quickly moved up and placed himself inside her.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too,” he whispered back and showed her just how much.
She wrapped her brown legs around his waist, and before long he grasped her tightly as he reached his peak. He groaned with desire and then collapsed on top of her.
* * *
The smell of bacon brushed across his nose and he struggled to open his eyes. He looked over at the empty space next to him in bed. He pulled himself out of bed, went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth and washed his face. Crept into the kitchen. Whitney was standing in front of the stove wearing a T-shirt and a pair of boy-cut shorts. She swung her hips to the Rihanna tune that played softly on the stereo. She didn’t hear him enter the room and he liked it that way. He loved watching her. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest and enjoyed the view.
She turned around and caught him spying. A smile spread across her face.
“There you go with those stalker moves again,” she said.
“I’m not stalking. I’m admiring.”
She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist, kissed his lips. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did.”
She walked back over to the stove and he followed. “I could tell, the way you were snoring.”
He stole a piece of bacon. “I don’t snore.”
“Who told you that lie?” she asked. “As my dad would say, you were calling the hogs.”
“Right!” He snatched another piece of bacon and she slapped his hand. He slapped her on the behind. “I’m going to get dressed. I have a run to make.”
“Where are you going?” she asked with a smirk.
“Can’t tell you.”
“To place a bet?” she yelled as he left the room. She knew him too well.
* * *
He pulled into the parking lot and stepped inside the door. The jeweler recognized him immediately. He remembered how extremely specific he’d been about what he wanted. He wanted the elegant round ruby—her birthstone—with two glittering white diamond accents on each side. And he’d had it engraved with their names.
“I didn’t think you were coming back for it,” said the jeweler. “You paid in full but never returned to pick it up.
“I wasn’t sure if things were going to work out,” said Lane.
“But you’re sure now?” asked the jeweler.
“I’m pretty sure. I’m not letting her go this time.”
The jeweler smiled. “Let me package it for you, sir.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
She’d already eaten by the time he returned.
“I tried to wait for you,” she said as she sat at his kitchen table.
“It’s okay, babe.” He took a seat next to hers. Grabbed her hand, stared into her eyes.
“What is wrong with you?” she asked with a giggle, and stuffed eggs into her mouth.
He reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out the black velvet ring box. He opened it and held it in front of her face.
She gasped.
“It’s not an engagement ring.” He grinned. “It’s a promise ring. I promise that I’ll always be here for you whenever you need me. I won’t ever abandon you again. I promise to love you until we make the decision to love each other for life.”
“Really? Wow. It’s beautiful. And my birthstone.” She admired the ring. “It looks custom.”
“It is. It’s engraved, too.”
She read the engraving. Whitney and Lane for now.
“For now?” she asked.
“For now, until we get to forever.”
“That’s sweet.” She leaned over and kissed him.
He took the ring from her fingertips. Placed it between his lips and slid the ring onto her left ring finger with his mouth. Her finger lingered in his mouth for a moment. Tears formed in her eyes.
“Don’t cry, baby. This is a happy moment,” he whispered.
“I am happy. I was so unhappy when you were gone. I don’t ever want to be without you again.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She placed her hands on each side of his face. Her touch was gentle against his five-o’clock shadow. He reached over and brushed the tears from her eyes.