Page 139 of Heart & Hope

Lawson slaps the table. “Must be time for presents!”

“God, yes.” Reed shuffles out of his chair and drags me along with him. I stumble behind with a giggle. I’ve never seen him soeager to sit on the floor before. He sinks onto the rug by the fire and pulls me into his lap. A moment later, he’s hard underneath me. I lean back and whisper in his ear, “Don’t think we’re going to make it to midnight, baby.”

“Don’t need a bed to make you come, beautiful.” His lips brush my temple, his words so soft they send goosebumps over my entire body.

When every last Rawlins is settled in by the fire and whiskey and wine is repoured, Louisa kneels by the tree and hands out presents. Harry unwraps a new watch. The navy-blue velvet box looks something like a TAG Heuer piece.Fancy, Lou, nice work.Our shopping trips are brushing off on her.

She flashes me a smile.

Addy hands an envelope to Lawson, and he opens it. Tickets to a Yankees game. Four of them. One for each brother. Reed gets to go to New York, after all.

When only one more present sits under the tree, Reed bends forward and plucks up the silver-wrapped box and hands it to me. An envelope rests on the top, larger than the box and red ribbon. I shoot him a curious glance and slip the card out. The room is silent except for the crackling fire.

Opening the card, I take in the handwriting. Reed’s.

Hey beautiful,

I know I’m probably sittin’ right by you. But since I want this to last, I thought I better write it down.

That way there’s no faking it . . .

I stare at Reed. Every single face is homed in on me. Addy is almost jumping out of her skin on Hudson’s lap. Hudson hasa hand over his mouth, head tilted down, eyes drilling into my face. My heart picks up the pace.

Faking it . . .

The fake husband thing.

“Reed,” I breathe.

“Keep readin’, baby,” he rasps.

Harry and Louisa beam at me. I drop my eyes back to the handwriting.

I literally can’t breathe without you. I want to take care of you, Rubes. No, strike that, I love taking care of you. I want you as much as I need you. I adore you. Dammit woman, I love you so damn much.

Will you

Just open the box, baby.

Reed xxx

I let the card fall from my fingers and tug the red ribbon from the silver paper. But I hesitate and move off his lap, settling on the floor to face him. I want to watch his face. You only get one chance in this life to see what I think is coming when I open this small box.

The paper falls away, revealing black velvet. I glance up at Reed. The most gorgeous smile stretches his face, his green eyes lit up.

I open the box. A solitaire diamond sits nestled in a white velvet cushion.

“Holy shit...” The air leaves my lungs as my mouth gapes.

Harry tosses his head back with a hearty laugh. Louisa leans into him, tears rolling down her cheeks as she smiles at me.I look up at Reed. He’s stilled, that gorgeous grin has slipped, and his hands are in his lap. His breaths are shallow. All three brothers’ concerned gazes are locked on his face, and something like surprise and worry tangle on each of their handsome faces. They haven’t seen him like this before.

I crawl back into his lap and take his face in my hands. “Breathe, baby. Then put that pretty rock on my finger.”

He smiles through a ragged breath. Pressing my forehead to his, I run my thumbs over his jaw. His eyes close, hands on my waist as he pulls me closer. His body is trembling. I hold him tight, whispering, “I will always be yours, sweet man.”

When he relaxes and releases me, I lean back and hand him the box. He takes the ring out and finds my hand. Green eyes lit up, he slides the engagement ring onto my finger. Now tears burn their way past my eyes and roll down my cheek.

God, I love this man.

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