Page 24 of Unexpected Sweetheart
I take a moment to run my hand over the edges of the box before I pull open the ribbon and lift the lid. On top of red tissue paper is a card that says ‘For my Valentine’ on the front. I pick it up and hold it to my chest, feeling touched he went to this effort, guilty that he spent his money on me, while also kicking myself for not doing the same—not that I have access to any money, right now. I’ve never been in a relationship on Valentine’s Day before, and I honestly thought that given our situation, Ryan and I would be each other’s gifts. But that man has a way of surprising me, and I love him even more for it.
When I open the card, it becomes hard to see. The message is short and simple, yet oh, so loving and meaningful. ‘For my unexpected sweetheart. The owner of my heart. Happy Valentine’s Day. Ryan xx’
I set the card to the side then pull open the tissue paper, finding inside an off the shoulder double-frill dress the color of poppies. It’s long and flows to just below my knees, and when I drop it over my head and look in the mirror, I feel flirty and beautiful. The simplicity of the design the perfect choice for a high school dance where only one man in that room should know what’s hiding beneath these layers.
“It’s not the fancy brands you’re used to. But you make it priceless. I also forbid you to wear underwear beneath it,” Ryan says, appearing in the doorway as I turn from side to side.
“Thank you for my dress. I love it,” I say, grinning at him mischievously. “But without underwear, what happens if a gust of wind catches the skirt? All those hormonal boys will get a peek at what’s yours.” I move closer to him and place my hand against his chest. He’s put on a pair of dark slacks and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looks good enough to eat.
“Then I’ll put weights in the hem.” His arm shoots out and pulls me in close. “Besides, you won’t be leaving my side long enough for the wind to get a hold on you. I plan to keep my arms here”—he squeezes my butt to punctuate—“all night.”
“In that case, you should already know my underwear situation.” I smile up at him through half-lidded eyes.
“And you probably already know my arousal situation.” He grins as he presses that hard length of his into my belly and my knees go weak.
“What will happen if we’re a little late?” I whisper, leaning into it. I love what being near me does to him.
“Not much. The high school kids won’t be trying to get pregnant until at least an hour into things.”
“And what about me? What if I want to get pregnant?” I step away and pull at the hem of my skirt, slowly revealing the place I ache for him most.
“Fuck, baby. I’ll get you pregnant any time you want,” he says, practically launching himself at me.
When we arriveat the high school, music can be heard as far as the fountain out front where Ryan grouches at a bunch of teens trying to have a sneaky cigarette, sending them hurrying inside. “Seems those herding abilities lend themselves to teenagers too,” I say, laughing as we walk into the foyer where a woman named Elaine comments on our tardiness.
“But I’m glad you stepped in,” she says, smiling as she looks between us. “There’s something about the Oakley men that these kids respond to. We needed you. Just like this town needs you.”
Ryan smiles like he knows exactly where Elaine is going with this. “I'm guessing you heard I took the ranch off the market.”
Elaine’s eyes light up. “I’m also looking forward to seeing the ‘open for business’ sign returning to your website. That program did a lot of good for this town. It did a lot of good for a lot of kids.”
“So I’ve been told,” Ryan says before he swings his eyes to me. “But that’ll be a decision I make with my queen when we’re ready.”
Elaine’s mouth twists in an impressed smile. “Yourqueen? Why, if I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. Ryan Oakley isfinallyoff the market. But we all knew that the first day we saw you two in town together.” She leans in and gives us both a wink. “Try to have some fun in there.”
“Thank you,” I say, grinning at her as she waves us inside.
The gym is loud and filled with artificial smoke, streamers and lights and balloons decorating the entire space, a massive ‘Sweetheart Dance’ banner above the stage where there’s a DJ spinning pretty sick beats. I’ve gotta say, for a small town school, this setup is greater than I expected. The dance floor is packed, and there’s a panicked looking teacher trying to shove balloons between boys and girls who are pressing in too close. It’s hilarious.
“Maybe you need to get in there and help her?” I say as Ryan and I watch the chaotic scene.
“Or, we could go in there and set a precedent,” he says, placing his hand on my hip and spinning me onto the floor. At first, the music is upbeat, but then it changes to Ray LaMontagne’sHold You in my Arms,and I start to wonder if Ryan planned it this way.
“Smooth,” I say, looping my arms around his neck as I sway with him to the sensual music.
Balloons burst to our left as another couple presses together to pop it, followed by another, and another. The teacher with the balloons almost blows a gasket, but Ryan just laughs it off. “While they’re dancing, they’re safe. It’s what happens when they touch in private that causes problems.”
“So true,” I say, falling in love with my man more and more with every moment that passes. We spend half the night dancing, the other half talking and mingling with both adults and teens, Ryan showing me exactly what Elaine meant outside when she said the Oakley men have a special way with the kids of this town. It makes me certain he’s going to be an amazing father.
When the dance is over, we stay behind to make sure everyone gets home safe before the setup crew for the Sweetheart Reunion comes in and sets up for the next event. Valentine’s Day is definitely a busy night for a town like Sweetheart.
“So…what now?” I ask as we walk hand in hand away from the gym, the cool evening air meaning I’ve already got Ryan’s jacket draped over my shoulders. This is literally the dreamiest night of my life.
“Let’s see,” Ryan says, turning to face me as we slow down and stand next to the fountain. “How about we make a wish?”
“A wish?”
“Yeah.” He pulls a shiny dime out of his pocket and flicks it in the air. “A wish.”
