Page 92 of Loved By You

“Damn, it's not fair how hot you look dressed like that,” she says, biting her lip, taking in my dark jeans, black sweater and dark gray jacket.

“Likewise, sweetheart,” I reply, drinking in the way her knitted jumper dress clings to every curve of her body. The elevator stops a couple of levels down, the doors open and to our surprise, Ali steps in, still wearing last night's dress, shoes in hands and hair looking messy.

“Good night, Al?” I ask, trying to stifle a laugh. I have a feeling where she's coming from, but I keep that to myself.

She doesn’t say anything, just nods and smiles.

“Oh, my God, are you doing the walk of shame?” Ria squeals. “Did you bang Paxton?”

“Who… oh yeah, yeah, wild night,” Ali mumbles, rubbing her head.

“I need all the details when I get home. Are you sure you are okay to have the girls?”

“Absolutely. I’m driving over to Anne’s later and picking them up with Gabby and we are going to have tons of fun. Go enjoy yourself and don't do anything I wouldn’t,” she teases.

We say goodbye to Ali and head down to reception to check out before we wait for the valet to bring round my car.

“That isn’t your car,” she says scrunching up her nose, looking confused as a black Audi SUV pulls up in front of us and the man driving it hands me the keys.

“No, it isn't because it’s actually yours, well ours, but we can work that out later.”

"Sorry?” she shakes her head like she's struggling to digest what's happening. "This is my car?”

"It is," I tell her, rubbing the back of my neck, suddenly aware that this was maybe too much. "Listen, I can't stand the thoughtof you driving your car and it breaking down again. Plus, this gives us more room with the girls."

She doesn't speak, her mouth slack as she stares at the vehicle. A plethora of emotions cross her face, but she finally looks at me, eyes shining.

“Jack, I don't know what to say. I don't know how I can repay you for this.” I snake an arm around her waist. “You don’t need to thank me. I wanted to do this for you, for us.” I lower my mouth to her ear and whisper, “But I could think of a few ways you could thank me in that car.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah, now let's get going. I’ve got another surprise for you.”

Ria falls asleep on the drive to my next surprise. It’s about two and a half hours away and it’s given me time to think about how the last nine months have been and how my life has changed since Ria walked back in it. We finally drive into upstate New York, and I smile, a sense of calm washing over me as I pull into the driveway of a place that holds so many fond memories for me. A place I hope to make new memories with Ria and the girls. I lean across and stroke Ria’s hair out of her face.

“Hey, baby, we’re here. Wake up,” I say softly.

She slowly opens her eyes and looks around the car and then at me. “Where are we?” she asks, yawning.

“Come on, I’ll show you.”

I get out of the car and head round to Ria’s side to open the door for her. She gasps as she steps out and looks up at thehouse, wide eyed and mouth open like a child who’s seen the Disneyland castle for the first time.

“This house is beautiful” She closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath; no doubt inhaling the fresh country air, and lets out a slow breath. “It’s my dream to live in a house like this one day.” She turns to look at me, eyes full of contentment.

“I know, I remember,” I say, reaching for her hand.

“You remembered?”

“Yes, I remember you telling me that your dream was to live in a white house on the lake, surrounded by trees and a dock that you could sit on in your chair and watch the sun go down, I remember everything about you, Ri.”

“I can't believe you remembered,” she says in disbelief. “I only told you once.”

She presses a kiss to my lips, and I deepen the kiss, wanting her in this moment. Hoping she knows I am all in, that she is it for me. I can't picture a life without her. During my deployments, I would dream of weekends spent in this lake house with Ria, but couldn't let myself wish for too long because she wasn't mine… I never thought she could be mine. She was someone else's, so I forced myself to think of a new dream, one that would help me on my toughest days. But now it finally feels like I can allow myself to dream of a future with her.

I break the kiss and brush my nose against hers. “Come on, let me show you inside.”

Chapter Forty-Two

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