Stella squeezes my hand. “You already gave me everything by being mine.”
“But we don’t belong to one another properly yet,” I growl. “Not until we make it official. I want to stand up in front of my friends and family and tell them how much you mean to me. I want the world to know that you’re mine and I’m yours. Sure, some people will balk at seeing us together. They’ll only look at us from the outside and won’t understand what we share. They’ll see the age difference between us and judge us. But we’ll be happy and that's all that matters. In fact, I don’t give a damn what other people think. What we share is special, and I know it will last a lifetime. That’s why I have to ask you this question...right...now.”
Stella’s eyes widen as she realizes what I’m about to ask. I pull a ring from my pocket. I’ve been carrying it around for years, waiting for the perfect woman to give it to. Made of diamonds, it shines just like her eyes do in the sunlight. I take a deep breath.
“You’re mine,” I growl possessively. “And I want to prove it by putting a ring on my finger and promising you forever. Baby...will you marry me?”
“Yes! Of course I will,” she squeals. She doesn’t even hesitate for a moment. I slide the ring onto her finger and it fits so perfect, like it was made with her in mind. I lean in and kiss her hard, joy filling my heart as our bodies press together. Finally, I’ve got the kind of love I’ve been waiting for for so long. Finally, the happiness I deserve is in my reach. Finally, Stella is mine.
Our kiss is hot and passionate and says everything we haven’t had a chance to say to one another yet. My hands explore her sexy body and I find myself undressing her. I can’t help myself. My sexy fiancé has been clothed for far too long. Now, I’m going to fuck her right here on this beach and worship her body. I want our engagement to be a moment she never forgets. Anyone could come by and see us here, but I don’t care. I want the world to know she’s mine.
“I love you,” I growl as I push my cock inside her. She moans in delight as I go deep inside her pussy.
“I love you too,” she whispers. “I want you, Jaxson.”
I kiss her lips. “And I’ll give you anything you want.”
CHAPTER TEN
THREE WEEKS LATER
Stella
Tonight should be one of the best nights of my life. And it is, in so many ways. But something important is missing.
As Jaxson and I greet our friends and family arriving for our engagement party, I’m looking for the one guest in particular. The one person I want to turn up more than anything.
My Mom showed up an hour ago, but they split up a long time ago. They stay in touch and are friendly with one another, but I doubt she knows about what happened on our vacation. I doubt she knows that he’s not speaking to me.
Jaxson squeezes me close to him. “He’ll be here,” he says firmly. “I’m sure of it.”
“He cut me off, Jaxson. If he wanted to be here, surely he’d be here by now.”
“He said that in anger, baby. I don’t think he’d ever miss this for the world. His little girl is getting married and having a baby, he won’t want to miss that.”
It’s official now. We’re going to be parents whether my father likes it or not. I rest my head against Jaxson’s shoulder and grumpily allow him to keep greeting the guests for us. I suddenly don’t have the energy for this party. The only reason I wanted this big fuss in the first place was to show my father that I’m not backing down. I’m going to marry Jaxson no matter what. I’ve already started dreamily planning our future together, even though we’re only coming up to our one month anniversary. It doesn’t feel real, but it is.
But this perfect scenario still has one flaw. Without my father here, it’s not complete and never will be. Who will walk me down the aisle at my dream wedding? Who will help me raise my child as a grandfather figure? Who will be my dad if mine doesn’t want to show up anymore?
I know that in theory I don’t need him. The world keeps turning. Jaxson is willing to give me everything I need. But losing your father over who you fell in love with is an awful feeling. I don’t want to feel this way anymore. I just want him back in my life.
All of the guests seem to be here now. Everyone else is having a good time and making the most of the free bar, but I’m still standing by the door, sober and heartbroken. Jaxson kisses the top of my head.
“I’m sorry. I really thought he’d come. I called him and left a voicemail.”
“You did?” I say in surprise. Jaxson insists he’d do anything for me, but he’s kept his distance a little from the issue between my father and me, despite my encouragement for him to try and fix things too. It’s all because
