WYATT

When the clock strikes midnight, I still haven't moved. A bottle of whiskey sits in front of me on the coffee table and a random movie flickers on the television that I haven't paid any mind to.

There's no way I'll be able to sleep—not when Macey is somewhere in this town and remains unaware of my feelings for her. The fashion show was incredible tonight, and all of her success deserved to be celebrated without the complication the admission of my feelings might bring her. So, until the sun starts to rise, I'll sit here and wait.

It also doesn't help that I'm worried Parker went and saw her show. Granted, he said he'd never make a move on her, but he admitted he had a crush a while back. What if he shows up, and Macey decides to try things again with him? If I'm out of the equation and she thinks I no longer want her, will she try and give things with Parker a shot?

Letting out a sigh of frustration, I run my hands over my face. The exhaustion consumes me, but I refuse to give in to it. I'll be at Macey's doorstep as soon as that rooster crows.

Suddenly, knocks sound on my door. I pause the television and glance over my shoulder, threading my eyebrows together at the thought of who it could possibly be.

For a second, a sliver of fear strikes through me at the possibility of Caroline showing up at my door, but after I refused to sell her family my father's land and she caught Macey and me in bed, she packed up her things and left town, which is unsurprising. I haven't heard a lick of news since then. 

Did she come back?

With a large gulp, I swing open the door to feel the breath leave my lungs.

Macey is standing on my doorstep with tears in her eyes, still in the dress she wore to the fashion show tonight. Her hands are trembling, and I instantly go to reach for one until I see it.

The ring.

On her left hand.

"Y-You told me when we broke up all those years ago that if I were ever back in Darlington to show up at your doorstep wearing this ring. You wanted to plan the wedding and start making babies, and I..." She laughs, and the sound is like music to my ears. "Loretta told me everything that happened between you and Parker. I can't help but blame myself for not remembering that night and wasting all those years with us, but I'm here now, and I know you came to the fashion show tonight, but I guess I'm still trying to figure out if you're willing to give us a second chance."

I blink at her admission, attempting to calm my racing heart. I thought I'd be the one to grovel at her feet, not the other way around.

"I've left you before," she continues, "and I don't plan on being an idiot anymore by doing it again. I'm here for the long run, Wyatt, and I put this ring on my finger because I'm ready for a life with you. The babies, the wedding... All of it. I'm ready."

No words come to mind, so I'm standing here like an idiot as I try to think of something to say. I can see her pulse thrumming rapidly against her throat, her eyes wide as she waits for my response.

"What are you thinking right now?" She asks.

A grin tugs on my lips, and finally, I gain the ability to speak. "I'm thinkin' I want to take you to my bed and get started on this family of ours. Make up for all the lost time."

A strangled sob releases from her throat. "Yeah?"

I nod and close the distance, scooping her into my arms. She's straddling my waist, and when my hands are firmly on her ass, nothing in this world can bring me down. I've got her back, and she's never leaving my arms again.

"I'm sorry I never believed you," I whisper. "I'm sorry for all of it."

"In your defense, I didn't exactly try to plead my case. I thought I slept with him, too."

I still hold her against me as I shut the front door behind us. "I don't want to talk about him anymore. Right now..."

She wriggles against my cock. "Will you keep your promise to me from all those years ago?"

I arch a brow.

"You told me if I showed up here with this ring on my finger that you'd make love to me all night long to make up for lost time. Is that offer still on the table?"

Letting out a deep, grainy chuckle, I say, "Oh, darlin', you have no idea what's in store for you tonight."

After that, we don't talk anymore. My lips are on hers, and I intended for it to be soft and gentle, but I'm too caught up in this kiss to keep it slow.

In seconds, I'm pinning her against the wall, holding her hands above her head as I kiss down her neck, my hips grinding between her legs to give her the friction she's searching for. I love the way she moans my name. How wet she gets for me. How this woman is mine. Completely and utterly mine. Forever.

For our first round, I'm not going to make it to the bed, and I don't have the ability to make the sweet, sweet love to her as I want. Instead, I reach underneath her dress, move her panties to the side, and sink into her tight warmth.

She throws her head back against the wall, shouting a cry of ecstasy.

"You're throwin' out that damn birth control," I mutter. "Is that alright with you?"

"Y-Yes," she gasps. "No more."

Oh, god.

I drive into her against the wall, fucking her and making love to her at the same time. Even with my brutal thrusts, I'm caressing her cheek. When I pull her hair, my eyes soften over her beautiful brown ones that I've missed looking into for so long.

I've got her back. Macey Taylor is wearing the ring I gave her, and we're going to get married and have kids and have the life I've always dreamed for us. None of this seems real. It's too good to be true.

"Fuck, I'm coming!" She cries. In a matter of seconds, the wetness overpowers me, and knowing she's not taking anymore birth control... Knowing we could potentially make a baby now pushes me over the edge.

With an otherworldly grunt, I still inside of her, biting down on her shoulder as I wait for the pleasure to subside. I came so much that I feel it drip back down my cock, but when I go to pull out, she shakes her head. "Just wait," she pleads. "I want to feel you like this for a few more minutes."

I'm bare inside her, and even though it's not the first time this has happened, something about this moment between us feels different. Solidified. So I remain buried in her warmth while I continue holding her against the wall.

"Congratulations, by the way," I pant against her lips. "I tried to find you after the show to tell you but you were in an interview."

"It's okay. This is the only way I wanted to celebrate, anyway."

I smirk at that. "I take it the collection did well?"

A smile brighter than all the stars combined falls onto my girl's face, and my chest grows tight at the sight. "I have so much to tell you," she says, raking her fingers through my hair. "It might entail more labor from you, though."

"In what way?" I ask with a devilish grin.

She shrugs. "I may or may not need your help creating a blueprint for my own clothing store right here in Darlington. And maybe, if you're feeling generous, you'll help me build it?"

"What?"

"However, when you come home all hot and sweaty from working so hard for me, I'll reward you greatly for it."

Macey knows I'd do anything for her. If she wanted the moon, I'd try to find a way to bring her it. There's nothing I wouldn't do for the woman wrapped around my waist, so, yes, I'll build her a damn store. It's the least I can do for my soon-to-be wife and mother of my children.

"What kind of reward?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

She wriggles out of my grasp and sinks to her knees, and when those brown eyes blink innocently up at me, she's got me wrapped around her damn finger. "Let me show you..."

Author's Note:

So sorry this update is late. 

It's been an awful week.

There is still a BONUS chapter yet to be released. 

I will post that later this week!

Hope you enjoyed <3

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