Page 15 of My Forbidden Valentine

"This is the best Valentine's of my life."

"We haven't got to the best part yet."

"Oh really?"

We eat and play around with each other, his remarks making me giggle like a mad woman between each slurp. Who knew someone like August would be this funny? Throughout this year, I've learned that he is not the single layer guy I thought he was, the grumpy man. He is grumpy but there are reasons for his grumpiness, he is quick to solve problems because he can see all the possible paths to the best solution, he likes his alone time more than he likes to make small talk with other people and he cares so deeply about everyone around him. He is mine and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I eat until my stomach feels it's about to burst. August, seeing my inability to walk, carries me to our couch and I immediately snuggle against him, my heart feeling like it's bursting too, almost like it's possible to be loved too much.

I'm too full to even think about sex and August can tell, he brushes his hand against my hair and three minutes later I'm sound asleep. Running a business has been fun but also taxing, I'm constantly falling asleep whenever I get to the couch.

When I wake up the next morning, I'm in our bed, feeling his beard on top of my head and my right leg wrapped around him. I try to slowly untangle myself from him without waking him up, but he surprises me by pulling me closer instead.

"Morning." I still can't get used to how his voice sounds in the morning, it's one of the sexiest things ever. "Slept well?"

"Yes." I get closer so our noses are touching. "I'm so glad it's Sunday and I don't have to work today. Let's stay in bed all day."

"Sounds good to me." Something darkens in his eyes and with a flash, he wraps his arms around my waist and turns with me until his body is hovering over me. I glance at his shorts, showing me exactly how much he wants me. He starts to trail down his lips, lifting my shirt so he can kiss my breasts but he doesn't linger for long. Instead, he gets between my legs, putting his mouth on my clit and loves me over and over again until I'm screaming out his name. When I come out of my post-orgasm haze, he stands up.

"You know what happens when you ask me to stay in bed all day."

I smirk, of course I know, I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise.

I close my eyes again as he leaves our bedroom. I must drift off because when I open them again August is back beside me. A tray of food rests on his lap, and he's holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hands.

"You made me waffles?"

"You deserve the best." He says simply. Like it's the most natural thing in the world to be this attentive.

Suddenly starving, I grab one plate of waffles, and spread a dollop of peanut butter.

"It's been one year," August says as I grab my own cup of coffee after eating my waffles. "And it has been the best year of my life."

"For me too."

He rests the cup in his nightstand and turns to face me.

"You know how bad I am with words but bare with me for a second, I've been practicing for this," a small smile appears in his expression and I love how shy he is at this second but so earnest. "You're everything to me Emma. You've shown me love even despite my flaws, I never thought love could ever be this easy. I thought love was hard. But love isn't hard with you. You give me the space I need without resenting me and, even if that's easy for you, it's the biggest treasure someone has ever given me. And it seems incredibly privileged to have you for myself, to dare to have you at all." He shifts to grab something from under his pillow. "And I'd love for you to marry me and spend the rest of your life with me. No matter what comes our way, I want to be there with you. All the good things but the bad things too. Will you marry me?"

My eyes are fighting tears over his words and there's no doubt in my mind about taking this step with him. He is my person just like I'm his. Our age difference doesn't matter, just that we respect and love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together.

I close the distance between us and smash his lips with mine, accepting him fully with my heart.

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