Page 52 of You’re Mine

I growl, looking deep into her eyes.

“Are you sure, baby girl? What he did to you was unspeakably wrong, and the authorities should know about it.”

She takes a deep, shaky breath.

“Yes, but what’s done is done, and Jamie and I can heal better if we have no contact. Plus, it’s not like there’s anyone else he can abuse. Irene is the way she is, and she’ll never leave, no matter what we say.”

That’s true. We’d reached out to Haley’s mom, but there had been no response. It’s a little sad, really. Irene is stuck in a cage, and she doesn’t want to come out because she’s so brainwashed.

As a result, we dropped it. There were no charges filed against Herb, and he made it out of the hospital in one piece. It was difficult. I hated letting Herb continue to live without any real consequences, but Haley’s happiness is what’s important to me, and I’ll do whatever she wants because it’s her happiness that matters. Besides, our life is going amazingly well, and it’s only going to get better.

I stop with the pull-ups, breathing hard. I’m going to need Haley to wake up soon, or I’m going to up end busting into our room and just blurting out my marriage proposal. Nope, that would not be romantic in the slightest.

I start to pace around in the gym. Maybe working on what to say will be helpful. Haley’s obviously going to wake up soon, and I can’t just come right out of the gate and say it. There needs to be build up so that the proposal’s amazing.

Breakfast! We could cook breakfast together. But I don’t want to make her do all this work before I propose. Okay, I’ll just make the breakfast myself then. I’ll make it while she’s getting ready, so it’s still hot when she gets out of the shower. There’ll be a spread. A really lavish spread with toast and jam, waffles, sunny side up eggs, Canadian bacon, and those blueberry scones she adores.

We’ll be eating, and I’ll go into a little something about how meeting her was the turning point for me. Everything about her is perfect, we’re perfect together, and we belong together.

Damn, that’s good! Maybe I could be a speech writer or something. And then I’ll add, “Will you marry me?” as the perfect topper.

Suddenly, I realize how ridiculous my thoughts are. My mind has been whizzing away at sixty miles an hour, and I’m as nervous as a little girl. Get it together, Jace, I scold myself. Jeez, you’re going to screw this up before you even start.

I put everything in the gym back in its place, and head to the kitchen. I put all the ingredients for breakfast on the counter. I just need things to be ready so I don’t forget a step.

Actually, I’m just going to jot down that killer proposal I came up with. What were the words again? I scribble everything down before I forget it and slide it into my pocket along with the ring.

Okay, the kitchen is ready.

I push my hair back, and my hand comes back covered in sweat which means I’m not ready. There’s no way I can ask Haley to marry me while I’m all gross like this because it would ruin the moment.

Slow down Jace, the voice in my head goes. Everything’s going to be fine. Except that I can’t slow down. I’m too pumped.

I need to take a quick shower. Damn, exercising was a dumb idea because now I’m a hot mess, literally.

Okay, so shower time.

I go into the bedroom, and Haley’s still sleeping, her curvy form buried under the duvet. I tiptoe to the bathroom, not wanting to wake her up, and get in as quietly as possible, closing the door with a quiet click.

I turn on the water, and strip before stepping into the stall. The cool liquid hits me and I sigh a bit. My nerves feel calmer, and it’s good to get clean. But then, I think of Haley’s lush, nude body, and now, I’m fully erect, purple and veiny. Oh shit. Why am I such a wreck today of all days?

I guess I could just take care of it here and now. After all, it’s better than being fully aroused while proposing. That would be a story to tell the grandkids someday. What to do? Slowly, I will myself to deflate, but it’s impossible. Her sweet curves are on my mind, and nothing’s going to take it down.

No matter. I let out a deep breath. I’m going to give Haley the best goddamn proposal possible because it’s what she deserves. After all, she’s turned my life around with her mere presence, and making her happy is what drives me forward now. I hose off, my erection still stiff and aching. It’s show time.

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