“I’ve decided which of the two workmen we need to worry about,” she murmured.
“Good. I don’t have the instinct that you have.”
“I drew a few quick sketches,” she said, bring out her drawing pad.
“Yes, I remember these two,” Birch admitted. “I need to bring your portraits to the island. There’s something important in those paintings and I’d like to study them again with you.”
“You bought my portraits?”
“I was drawn to them immediately, Ariella.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a keychain from inside. “I found this too. I saw you in the quartz. My Gramps said it was like a Crystal Ball.”
“I had no idea that magick aided my creative ability,” she murmured softly. “I saw you in my aunt’s Crystal Ball, by the way. I guess I’m allowed to at least tell you about that.”
“Ariella? I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to keep my hands off you.”
“No one’s stopping you,” she answered in an unsteady voice.
Standing, Birch approached, tugging her into his arms and kissing her like he’d never kissed a woman before.
He laid his forehead against hers when they pulled apart. “Are you sure you really want this so quickly? We haven’t known each other long at all.”
“But then again, we have,” she murmured. “Yes. I want this.”
It wasn’t just about the consummation their relationship which needed to happen as soon as possible. They belonged together, and she’d fallen in love with him at first sight. As a matter of fact, she felt like she’d loved him forever.
They were sitting outside and gazing at the stars, and Birch stood, reaching for her hand and walking her into the house.
They moved together up the staircase, towards Ariella’s room, and Birch looked at her searchingly one more time before they entered the bedroom.
Her hands started moving over his strong broad shoulders, tugging at his shirt and trying to pull it over his head.
“Let’s take our time,” he murmured softly. “Come. Sit beside me.”
Slowly, he peeled away the t-shirt she had on staring at her body as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world as her jeans fell to the floor.
Ariella felt special. She felt loved.
Birch undressed, tugging her with onto the massive bed. Kissing her again, he murmured soft words of encouragement as she laid her hands over his shoulders, moving them down and running her fingers through the hair on his chest.
As he reached to unhook the bra she was wearing, Ariella had to ask a question. “Will it hurt?”
Birch stilled, finally emitting a long loud groan.
Reattaching her bra, he stared at her hard. “Ariella? What were you thinking? We can’t do this.”
Stunned, her jaw dropped. She’d never been so hurt and disappointed in her life, and she moved to get away from him and out of the bed.
Chapter Eleven
He could instantly see the hurt in her eyes. The fact that she’d never given herself to another man spoke volumes about her strength of character. He would protect her at all costs for the rest of their lives, and possibly longer.
“Ariella, stop. You’ve misunderstood. This is much more to me than having sex. We’re not going to taint the first time we make love by doing it before we’re married.”
She was definitely astonished by his words.
“I’d feel a little better if I was wearing my pants,” he muttered softly, pulling on his boxers and bending down on one knee.
It was strange how he felt like he’d already done this before when he asked, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife. I’ll do my best to make you happy for the rest of our lives and beyond.”
He was puzzled, because even the words he spoke were familiar.
She had tears in her eyes – something he’d never seen before – and he took that as a good sign.
“I will. Marrying you feels like it’s the right thing to do. Although I don’t understand in this day and age why we have to be married to be together.”
She sounded grumpy and it made him laugh because he was still feeling pretty hot and bothered himself.
“I want it to be special because you’re special, whether you understand it or not. I know that it’s something that I have to do.”
“How are we going to do it if we don’t feel safe leaving the island without a caretaker?”
“I’ll talk with my grandfather, and I’m friends with the police chief here in town. Maybe we get a license brought to us out here.” He was puzzled. “Is there some kind of hurry?”
“You mean besides what just happened tonight?”
Birch laughed.
“Yes. I’m not sure why, but I think we do need to marry right away.”
Birch studied the expression on her face. He had a feeling there was something she wasn’t telling him, but more than likely she couldn’t talk about what it was. Everything Birch did had to be free will.
“Can I tuck you in?” he asked.
When she tossed a pillow at his head, he started laughing loudly. “Goodnight, Ariella. Sweet dreams.”
“The same for you,” she growled, sounding surly.
* * *
Birch had tossed and turned all night, decided that Ariella had to know something that he didn’t. He would go into town right away this morning and do whatever he needed to do to acquire the license.
Ariella was already sitting at the kitchen table when he went downstairs.
“You’re up early,” he murmured.
“I didn’t sleep well,” she muttered.
Birch grinned. “Me neither. I’m heading into town to get started applying for our wedding license.”
She looked surprised. “You weren’t kidding?”
He blinked. “Why would I kid about something like that?”
“I don’t know,” she answered, looking puzzled.
“I think I understand. Who was he? I think I want to kill him,” he answered grimly.
“Oh, he doesn’t matter anymore,” she answered, suddenly smiling. “What about you?”
He grimaced. “I told myself I’d never get attached to a woman again, and here I am.”
When she started laughing, so did Birch.
A few hours later, Birch found himself at the gift store at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, standing beside his grandfather. “I feel like I need to get her a ring right away. I see one that I think that would be perfect. Hopefully, I can take it with me today.”
“Go with your gut, Birch,” Birch answered. “There’s a reason you’re feeling that way, so it must be important.”
“All Ariella has to do is go get the blood tests and head to the courthouse and sign the license. Sam Danielson said he would marry us and forego the waiting period.”
Gramps grinned. “Talk about taking action. I’m proud of you, Birch.”
“Truthfully, I’m wondering if I’m going crazy. You should have seen the way Sam looked at me when I told him what I wanted.”
“I only wish we could be at the wedding,” Gramps answered.
“Don’t worry. We’ll have a reception once we get rid of this dark evil cloud hanging over our heads.”