“Okay.” Dash tucks the card in her clutch, then asks, “When are we telling our parents?”
I swallow the sip of champagne I took, then answer, “Tomorrow? Then afterward, we can move your personal belongings over to the penthouse.”
“Sounds good.”
Enjoying the champagne, we stare at each other and seeing Dash happy means everything to me.
This is how I want to see her every day for the rest of our lives. She deserves nothing less.
“What are you thinking?” she asks, her lips curving in a soft smile.
“How lucky I am to be the one who makes you happy,” I answer honestly.
Her lips curve more. “To think how much everything has changed the past week. It feels a little surreal.”
“No regrets?” I ask.
She shakes her head, her blonde hair falling softly over her shoulders. “None. You’re, Mr. Right.”
I let out a chuckle, then tease her, “Glad you finally realized that.”
She tilts her head. “Finally? What does that mean?”
“I would’ve married you five years ago. I only waited because you weren’t ready yet,” I admit.
A slight frown forms between her brows. “I really thought you were joking back then. If I knew you were serious, it would’ve changed things.”
This time it’s my turn to frown as I lean forward. “What are you saying?”
Her eyes narrow slightly, and her lips curve into a seductive smile. “It’s been a constant battle to not fall in love with you.”
“So we’ve wasted five years,” I mutter.
“Basically,” she agrees.
Sitting back in the chair, I shake my head. “New deal.”
“Let’s hear it.”
My eyes lock with hers. “Open line of communication from here on out. We don’t assume anything.”
“Deal,” she says as she picks up a menu.
Once we’ve placed our orders, Dash begins to twirl the ring on her finger with her thumb. She leans forward and whispers, “Now that we’re engaged and I’m moving in with you, how are we going to approach having sex?”
I let out a silent burst of laughter. “We’re definitely not going to approach it. When you’re ready, it will happen. Leave that to me.”
She stares at me for a moment, then she submits. “Okay.”
The corner of my mouth curves up with satisfaction. Dash doesn’t know it yet, but by the time I’m done with her, she’ll be begging me to fuck her.
God, this is going to be so much fun.
Her eyes keep flitting to mine, then she says, “You look predatory. Should I be worried?”
Slowly, I shake my head. “Not at all.”
Our food comes, and while enjoying the meal, we discuss what Dash wants to move to the penthouse.
“What do I do with the rest of the stuff?” she asks.
“Either put it in storage or sell it,” I answer. “You could also donate it.” She scrunches her nose, and it has me saying, “Let me deal with it. Okay?”
Her mouth instantly curves up. “I’d appreciate that.”
“I can handle the renting out of the apartment as well,” I offer.
Dash’s features soften with something akin to love. “You’re really good at being a husband.”
“I had a good example,” I chuckle.
“Remind me to thank your father,” she laughs.
When we’re done with our meal, and I’ve paid, I take hold of Dash’s hand, and linking our fingers, we walk out of the restaurant.
A man almost bumps into us outside the exit, and as he steps back and my eyes focus on him, the blood chills in my veins.
His gaze locks on Dash before they snap to me. “Dash, Christopher.”
“Josh,” I mutter. I tug Dash closer to me as his eyes turn back to her.
“Hi,” Dash whispers, her face pale. Her grip on my hand tightens.
“How have you been?” he asks her.
Dash is still stunned from running into him, so I answer for her. “We’re well.” Wanting to bring the fucker down a notch, I add, “We’re actually celebrating our engagement.”
His features harden as his eyes snap to Dash’s left hand, then he mutters, “I always knew it was only a matter of time.”
Letting go of Dash’s hand, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pin her to my side. “We’re heading home. Enjoy your meal.”
I steer her down the sidewalk, and when we reach the car, she turns her body into mine, bringing her arms up between us. I wrap her against me, knowing all she needs now is to feel safe. I press a kiss to the side of her head and leaning down, I whisper, “I love you.”
Dash lifts her head, and then her lips are on mine. She pushes her arms around my neck as she deepens the kiss. Unlike the night before, where she was tentative, she doesn’t hold back. She instantly ignites a fire inside me as her tongue brushes against mine.
Taking control of the kiss, my teeth tug at her lips as a possessive growl builds in my chest.
When the kiss finally ends, Dash smiles against my lips. “I love you.” She pulls back until our eyes meet. “Thank you for handling Josh.”
“I’ll always protect you,” I murmur.
She presses another kiss to my mouth before her eyes lock on mine again. “I had my worries about us, but after tonight I’m hundred percent certain I want to marry you.” Her gaze is filled with emotion as she whispers, “I want to have your children and build a life with you.”
My lips curve up as I take in how beautiful she looks right now, and then I murmur, “My Dash.”
Chapter 9
DASH
I’m so excited to share the news with our parents, I’m a second away from bouncing in the seat as Christopher pulls the car up to my parents’ house.
Wanting to surprise them, I only said we were coming over for coffee.
We climb out of the car, and I grin up at Christopher as he takes hold of my hand. Using my key, I let us into the house, then call out, “Mom. Dad.”
“Kitchen,” Mom answers.
The instant we walk inside the kitchen, I can’t keep it in anymore, and I lift my left hand for my parents to see. “We’re engaged!”
Mom’s the first one up from where they’re sitting at the table, having breakfast.
“Oh my God. Let me see.” Mom takes hold of my hand, and then a happy smile spreads over her face. “I was hoping this day would come.” She hugs me, then moves to Christopher, and when she wraps her arms around him, she says, “Finally, I get you as a son-in-law.”
Dad takes hold of my left hand, and I watch as emotion washes over his features. His eyes lock on mine, and seeing how happy he is for me, makes me feel overwhelmed. I throw my arms around his neck, and when Dad holds me tightly, I struggle to keep the tears back.
“I’m so happy for you,” he murmurs. “You chose a good man.”
When I pull back, I smile at Dad as I swipe a single tear away from the corner of my eyes. “Just like my dad.”
Dad and Christopher shake hands, but then Dad tugs him into a hug. Patting his back twice, Dad says, “I’m glad you’ll be the one taking care of my little girl.”