…In the living room, Journey flipped off the television. She’d never realized there were so many dang infomercials on TV. “Mindless entertainment doesn’t entertain me,” she grumbled as she threw the blanket away from her knees. “I need to use the bathroom.” Standing up, she tested her footing. “Reno, I’m going to use the restroom!”
When he didn’t answer, she decided to go on her own. There was nothing really wrong with her. She was merely pregnant, that’s all. Stepping over Blackie, she padded toward the hall. If she hurried, he might not even realize she was gone.
Upon making it to her room, Journey decided to make the trip count. Stripping off her clothes, she took the world’s fastest shower. Once she was toweled dry, she used some of her special lotion, then slipped a fresh, clean gown over her head. Not anything too sexy, just feminine with lots of eyelet and lace.
“Journey!”
She made a face. “Busted.” Taking one extra moment, she brushed her hair, and dotted on the minimum amount of makeup. “Now, I’m ready for anything.” Starting to the door, she answered him. “I’m here, Reno. Just needed to go to the little girl’s room.”
When she entered the living room, she found Reno waiting for her. In his hands was a huge bouquet of roses from Myra’s garden. She recalled the last time he’d picked flowers for her. Something told her he had more in mind than a courtship this time. “Those are beautiful.”
“For you.” He gave them to her, pointing at a vase he’d already filled halfway with water. “I thought you could look at them while you rested.”
“How thoughtful.” She lifted them to her face and inhaled deeply. “Old-fashioned roses have the best fragrance.”
“Would you like to sit down?”
“Do I need to?”
“I don’t know. You might.”
As Journey took her seat, she almost felt sorry for him. He looked like he was going to a hanging. “Are you nervous?” To see this brave proud man so apprehensive just melted her heart.
“A little. Yea, I am.”
“You don’t have to be. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.”
He went to one knee before her. “Oh, I want to do this. More than anything.” He opened the box to show her the plain gold band. “I wish this was a big, fancy diamond. This was all I could afford.”
“It’s beautiful. Classy. Timeless. I love timeless.”
He wiped his own eye. “Lucky for me.”
“I know this isn’t an engagement ring, but…will you marry me, Journey? Will you be my wife?”
Journey didn’t hesitate, the moment just expanded and grew and built – until it was the brightest, shining moment in history. Reno Black, the love of her life, was asking her to marry him. Talk about dreams coming true. “Ummm. Let me think. Was the courtship satisfactory for me?”
Reno laughed, then reached up to frame her face. “You’d better say yes.” Holding her gaze, he lowered his face until their lips touched. Then – he kissed her with all the love in his heart. Showing her through the perfect, age-old expression of devotion how very much she meant to him.
When his lips finally stilled on hers, he rubbed them back and forth gently. “Ah, I love you. I love you so much. Will you marry me?”
“Reno. There is nothing I want more in the entire universe than to belong to you. So, yes. Yes! Absolutely. I want to be your wife forever.”
With tender feeling, he slipped the ring on her finger. “We’ll get married as soon as it can be arranged. Before I leave.”
“Yes. A small ceremony before we leave. I know Aunt Myra and Lou will want to be there.”
“I think that would be wonderful. Let’s do it the night before the fundraiser. That will give your aunt as much time as possible to spend with her brother if he is still lingering.”
“I’ll make the preparations. Nothing fancy. A small cake. A justice of the peace?”
“Sounds perfect.” He cupped the side of her face, drowning in her eyes. “Now, for the main event question. Do you feel like making love?”
His question was almost her undoing. “Please. I need you so.”
Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her to bed. With reverence, he slipped the gown from her head, going to his knees once more to worship at her feet. He placed his face to the place where their child lay sleeping. “I am the luckiest man in the world.”
She wasn’t inclined to argue, she felt pretty damn lucky herself. “Come up here so I can touch you.”
He stood and she took her time, undressing him slowly – kissing every luscious inch of him she uncovered. “You have a beautiful body, Mr. Black.”
“It’s pretty scarred up and callused.”
“I fell in love with a man. I wouldn’t want some soft, smooth pretty boy.”
“You don’t think I’m pretty?”
He asked this about the time she pushed his jeans to the floor. “Oh, there are parts of you that are very pretty.” She reached out to cover the huge ridge of his manhood with her hand.
“You’re making me blush.”
She tugged down his briefs. “This part of you maybe.” Inspired by what she saw, she went to her knees to love on him. Grasping his thighs, she took him deep, giving him the gift of her acceptance and her love.
Reno held her head in his hands, his hips, bucking slowly. Unable to contain a moan of pleasure, he threw back his head in enjoyment.
Journey indulged herself until he lifted her to her feet. “I want to come inside you. My turn now.”
He kissed her until she sank to the bed and he followed, easing her to a lying position. With exquisite attention to her needs, Reno kissed her breasts. Lifting
