Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31116 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31116 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
He’s constantly showing me that he’s thinking of me and trying to make my life amazing. Which is a pretty tall feat considering that it’s already amazing with him in it and a baby on the way, and yet every day I feel more grateful for him than I thought possible.
In the thirteen months I’ve been pregnant and we’ve been together, he’s never once pressured me about a future for us and the baby. Most girls might worry that it means he’s not intending to stay, but I know Ainar. He’s giving me the space to make the decisions. He’s content to let me lead on this, because he trusts me.
Of course, if he asked, I’d say yes. But I also like that he hasn’t asked, because it’s just another small way he shows that he trusts me.
And now this. He really is the most amazing man. “Ainar,” I breathe, beside myself with emotion. “You really are the most thoughtful—”
“Open it,” he nudges again, smiling at me.
“Oh, I’m going to demolish these, have no fear,” I tell him, the side of the box pressed against my belly. “But have I told you today how much I love you? How happy you make me? How safe I feel when you’re around? I didn’t think I needed a guy in my life for that, but when you’re with me, I just feel like everything’s going to be fine. That even if we don’t have the answers, we’ll figure it out together. That I’m not alone in any of this. That—”
“Naomi,” Ainar says in that patient way of his, tail moving back and forth behind him like a pendulum on steroids. “Please quit telling me how much you like me and just open the box.”
Oh. I eye him and the nervous, eager look on his face. The smile that’s beaming wide. Oh. I know what this is. Before I even pull the lid off the box, I know there’s going to be a ring there. Sure enough, nestled amongst the sticky honey glaze and salt crystals atop the buns, there’s a simple, plain metal band, sized for a human finger. Or at least, a human finger that’s not puffy with pregnancy. “Oh Ainar.”
He gets down on his knee, and I want to swoon.
“You’ve been talking to Lucy, haven’t you?” I ask him as he takes the treats box out of my arms and sets it back down on the desk.
He takes my hand in his, rubbing my knuckles. “I have. And she said this is the proper way to do such things. I wish to mate you, my Naomi. To mate, to marry, and to raise our family together. You are my sunrise and my sunset. I am the Rodeo to your Juliet.”
“Romeo,” I murmur. He’s definitely been talking to Lucy. “But yes, you are.”
“I know you wished to remain in control of the situation,” he tells me. “And I want you to know that you are yet in control. Even if you cannot accept this ring yet, I wish to give it to you so you know that I am ready, and I am content to wait for the day that you are.”
“Even if it takes ten years?” I ask, knowing my answer already.
“Even if it takes fifty,” he tells me solemnly. “I am content to remain at your side as your boyfriend, so long as you want me.”
Tears prick my eyes. That’s one of the things I love most about Ainar. He’s content to give without asking for anything back. He just wants those that he loves to be happy, and nothing more is required. He’s the most selflessly sweet man I’ve ever met, human or alien.
So I take the sticky ring from him and slip it on my finger. “What if I’m ready now?”
His grin could put the sun to shame with its brightness. “Then I would take you to City Hall and ask for them to marry us in the human fashion today.”
“Can it wait until I have one of those buns?” I lick the honey from my ring and want to moan with how good it tastes. “Actually, can it wait at least an hour?”
Ainar gets to his feet, cupping my face in his big hands. “Of course, my love. What happens in an hour?”
I lick my fingers again, this time with lascivious intent. “An hour should give me enough time to have my way with you in the supply closet.”
His tail smacks against the desk with a resounding series of thuds. “I think I would like that,” he tells me in a hoarse voice. “I would like that a lot.”
So will I.