Page 106 of Liberating Bells
“Heya, Bells,” I say with a smile, capturing her lips with mine and parting her mouth so I can give her a proper good morning. Morning breath, be damned. Izabel tastes like chocolate.
“Hi, yourself,” she responds against my mouth before slipping away from me.
I settle down again next to her, draping my arm across the back of the couch. Izabel sets her hot chocolate down on the side table and then snuggles in closer to my side. Her hand comes to rest on my thigh, and her head lolls against my chest. I wrap my arm tighter around her, drawing designs with my fingertips on the nape of her neck, making her shiver.
“You looked lost in thought. What’s on your mind, pretty girl?”
“I was thinking about all the years we’re going to spend here. All the good times we’re going to have.”
I tighten my hold. “I can’t wait.”
“I can picture it now. You and me waking up early in the morning and having coffee together out on the porch, listening to the trees rustle in the wind.” She pauses and gives me a shy smile. “And maybe, someday, sharing it with our children—if that’s what you want.”
I don’t like the way she tacked on the last bit so quickly, as if she’s worried that’s not something I want with her. I kiss her temple and give her a warm smile.Of course,I want to have children with her someday. Hopefully, someday soon. “Bells, you fill this home with as babies as you want. I’m more than willing to go along with the ride. Especially the part where we get to make them together.” My teeth nibble at her earlobe suggestively.
She beams at me, her eyes twinkling. “Yes, that part is especially thrilling.”
I let out a low rumble of a laugh and run my fingers through her hair. “So, what do you want to do today?”
“Just stay here,” Izabel says, snuggling her face farther into my chest. She takes a deep breath and then melts against me. “I just want to do nothing with you. That sounds perfect.”
“Okay,” I say, a smile playing on my lips. “Let’s do a whole lot of nothing, then.”
And we sure excel at it. We snuggle on the couch for a while longer, musing about every little thing. Izabel asks me all kinds of questions about the cabin and the process with which it came to be what it is. I explained as best as I could, though I know a lot of my job goes over her head.
Then we get up and go take a shower together. I can’t help myself from roaming over every inch of her body. I love every dip and curve, and I can barely get enough of her. We wash each other, paying careful attention to, and tenderly appreciating, every inch of one another. When I can’t take it anymore, I gently spin her around so she’s facing the tile wall. I guide her hands up on the tile, giving her something to brace herself on. Then I slip into her from behind, letting out a groan when I feel her heat surrounding me.
Izabel moans, feeling me taking her inch by inch. I sigh as I move within her. My hand traces down her spine, watching her back arch in an instinctual response. Then I move my hands around to her front. I roam over her abdomen and cup her breasts, pulling her back into me so my chest is pressed against her bare back. Then my hand snakes down to her thighs, and I expertly maneuver my fingers, doing precisely what she needs to go over the edge.
When we’re both dried and fully satisfied, we dress in lounging clothes—sweatpants and long sleeve t-shirts. Then wesnuggle back up on the couch and watch a few movies. Izabel makes us lunch, simple PBJs, and fruit.
Once the movie’s over, I shut off the TV and turn my attention to my girl. She’s tucked against my side, just like earlier. Her eyes are closed, leaving her expression peaceful. She has one hand curled up underneath her cheek, with her lips parted slightly. Light breath escapes her mouth in a steady rhythm, telling me she is very much asleep.
I softly brush my fingers over her hair and appreciate the fact that I get a life full of moments like this. As if reading my train of thought, my phone dings with a text message coming through. One quick glance tells me it’s from Josie, confirming the plans I had laid out for this evening.
Carefully, so I don’t jostle Izabel, I reach for my phone and type out a quick response to Josie. She lets me know everything is going according to plan, and she’ll touch base with me later today when everything is all set. I put my phone down with a smile, feeling my heart twang, knowing that today is officially the first day of the rest of my life.
Once Bells wake up, we find a few board games to play. As we’re battling over an intense game of checkers, Izabel hits me with those blue eyes. My body heats under her searing gaze, but I don’t move, wondering what she’ll do next.
She surprises me and throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I catch her, our checkers game going everywhere. I laugh as she grips me to her.
“Guess we’ll never know who’s the Checker Master,” I whisper in her ear. Her arms tighten before she pulls away with a wry grin, and then crashes her lips to mine, effectively pulling my mind away from checkers.
When we finally get around to resetting our game, Izabel beats me, bad. We play another few times before Izabel’s stomach growls, and she gets up to go make dinner. She humsto herself in the kitchen while she works, as I stay in the living room and watch her. Though when she’s distracted, I sneak away to the bedroom.
Making sure the door is closed behind me, I wander over to my side of the room. I dig through my duffle bag until my fingers brush against the smooth velvet box. Pulling it out, I sit back on my heels. The box pops open easily, and I’m met with the sparkle of the diamond ring I picked out for her all those years ago.
I was a poor pathetic bastard for keeping it for eight long years, but I just couldn’t get myself to sell it. At least the thing is now fully paid off. This is Izabel’s ring; it has always been hers. I couldn’t fathom the idea of someone else wearing it.
It’s not much, but it’s everything that I can’t put into words. The solitaire diamond sits in the middle, proudly, no other bling distracting from its brilliance. Straight and to the point. The white gold band is smooth and simple. Though I’ve already planned what wedding band I’ll give her to match, and that will give her the extra sparkle the engagement ring is lacking.
I snap the box closed and stick it in my pocket. My heart rams around in my chest as I walk back out to the living room. I want to kick myself. Why do I feel so nervous? I know she’ll say yes. There’s not a doubt in my mind. There’s just something sovulnerableabout proposing marriage to the woman who makes your world turn.
“Hey, there you are,” Izabel says, looking up from where she’s setting steaming plates of Hamburger Helper and garlic bread on the table. “It’s all ready.”
“Great, looks good, Bells,” I tell her with a smile, settling into my seat.
She grabs two glasses of water and then joins me. We make mindless talk while we shovel our faces full of the cheesy noodles. I catch Bells giving me some weird looks, and finally, I can’t take it anymore.
