Page 94 of Tied Up in Riches

“A private jet bed?”

“You.” Without giving me time to respond he kicks off his shoes and crawls until he’s hovering over me. “You spark joy every time I see you. Think about you. Remember that you exist.”

I smile as he brushes his thumb across my cheek, then rolls to his side, not taking advantage of me yet. I turn toward him, my hand landing on the hem of his jeans where his black tee rides up a bit.

He kisses me softly, pulling me closer. “These past six months with you make me angry that I didn’t find you sooner.”

“I know,” I tell him, running my hand up his back and down his side until it’s resting on his hip again. “But it’s better this way. Everything has fallen into place, you know? I don’t think that would have happened if we weren’t ready for it–if we hadn’t experienced life and lessons the way we did before we met.”

“You’re right. I’ll just have to appreciate all the time in the rest of our lives.”

I pause, not concerned about the conversation I’ve been wanting to have but not exactly jumping to have it. Though, a wedding seems like the perfect excuse to bring it up. “Do you remember what you said to my mom? That day you met her–at lunch.”

His thoughts drift back in time before he quickly snaps back to the present with recognition. “About marriage.”

I nod.

“What about it?” he asks slowly.

“Do you mean it? That you don’t want to get married. That you want to wake up next to someone because you want to, not because you’re supposed to.”

He searches my face like he’s afraid to give the wrong answer. “I do. How do you feel about that?”

“I think that was part of the reason I left Beau. I’m not afraid to commit to someone. The right someone.” I pause, deciding to take a leap. “To you. It’s just . . . what you said really resonated with me.”

“I meant it. It’s something I’ve thought about a lot since I first heard it. I would reconsider if it’s something you wanted, though.”

I smile at the consideration and him holding true to no kids being his only non-negotiable when it comes to me. “I’m so happy Maci and Dean are taking this step. I think it was almost,” I search for the right word, “necessary? Because he didn’t commit to her for so long, you know?”

He nods in agreement.

“And Lexy and Troy. Marriage is everything they didn’t think they’d ever have. Now that they get to see it in a new light–that it can be something healthy–I think it means so much that they get to live happily ever after that way. But me? When I was supposed to marry Beau, it was a contract. I was signing up to act a certain way, be a certain way. I know it wouldn’t be like that with you. But I don’t feel pulled to try it any other way. I like how we are now.”

“I love how we are. I’d marry you in a heartbeat, love. But I don’t need to sign a piece of paper to stick around. I want to continue to grow with you, learn new things, try new things.” He wiggles his eyebrows at that. “Be whoever we want to be with trial and error until we find versions of ourselves we love in whatever season of life we’re in. We don’t need a couple of rings to walk that path.”

“Or a prenup.” I make a face.

“I would never make you sign a prenup.”

“I thought you were a smart businessman,” I tease. “I would make me sign one.”

“Well it’s a good thing we aren’t getting married then, isn’t it? Plus, you’re not doing too bad yourself.” He grins, proud.

Last month, I secured a deal with the cancer wing of the hospital. Through donations, family members can fill out the forms for their sick loved ones. One company downtown hired me to make boxes for over one hundred of their employees, loving the idea that they can show they aren’t just another corporation that treats all their workers as replaceable and the same. It’s better than I ever dreamed when I initially had the idea to make my first boxes for Emma and Charlotte.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Yes, you could have. But I’m so damn glad I get to do it with you. Best investment I’ve ever made.”

“Because your stake in my company is paid out in sex?” I ask, teasing him. Of course he’s a true shareholder.

He chuckles. “I hope you don’t give the bonus you give me to any of your other investors.”

“Lucky for me, my boyfriend is rich.” My playful grin widens. “I don’t need any other investors.”

He goes serious. “You know, even if I didn’t earn another penny, I’d still be rich. I’ll always be rich as long as I have you.”

I roll my eyes even though I love his cheesy lines. “I love you.”

He leans in, pressing his lips to mine, then only pulling back marginally. “I love you.”

“Good.” I grin. “Now let’s join that mile high club you were talking about.”