Page 68 of Marry Me Tomorrow
I gently reach for her hands, freeing them from the grip of her apron, and hold them in mine. “Thank you. This is so thoughtful. And you’re right. I’m definitely in need of some real food.” I wrap my arms around Jenny’s waist, lift her off the ground, and spin her in a circle. I love the feel of her in my arms.
Her laughter fills the room, light and magical, like the sound of wind chimes on a breezy summer day. It’s a sound I could listen to forever, one that makes my heart feel too full for my chest to contain. When I set her down, I place a soft kiss on her forehead and pull out her chair.
“My lady,” I say, gesturing for her to sit.
Jenny giggles, her cheeks glowing pink. “Thank you, sir.”
We settle across from each other at the table. I take in the meal she’s prepared—golden baked chicken, vibrant green beans, fluffy mashed potatoes, and glistening rolls. It’s a feast, and my stomach growls again in anticipation.
Jenny watches me carefully, her eyes searching mine. “I hope you like it. It’s all things that I’ve noticed are your favorites.”
“They are. It looks amazing.” I grab a plate and start piling it high with food. Jenny follows suit, carefully spooning mashed potatoes onto her plate.
The quiet hum of togetherness fills the space between words. When we finish eating and Jenny gets up to clear the plates, I beat her to it, quickly gathering them and placing them into the sink. Together, we fall into an easy rhythm—her storing leftovers while I wash dishes. The domestic act of the whole thing feels intimate.
As I dry my hands on a towel, I glance at her wiping down the counters. Something stirs in my chest, a mix of love and determination.
“I want to show you something,” I say, taking her hand. She follows me out of our little apartment and into the open space of the attic.
She looks at me quizzically. “You didn’t even let me take off my apron. What do you need to show me all of a sudden? And why are we in the attic?”
I hesitate, my nerves threatening to get the better of me. Clearing my throat, I press on. “I was thinking . . . maybe we could turn this into an art gallery for you, a space to showcase and sell your work. And in the shop, we could display your marina-inspired pieces. Visitors could take a little bit of Chessie Valley Lake home with them.”
The thought had come to me on my drive back to the lodge from my parents’ place. As soon as it came to me, I knew I had to act on it. The passion Jenny has for her artwork is mesmerizing, and if I want her to see a life with me long-term, I know I have to show her that I am making space for her life with mine.
“This space has the bones for an art gallery, don’t you think?” I ask. “And once we are out of the little apartment, we could turn that into an office and lounge for you.”
Her eyes widen, but she stays silent, so I keep going.
I pull out my phone and show her architectural plans. “And here, I have plans for your own art studio that we’ll build next to the cabin. I figured we might as well have this built while we’re working on our house. This way your art studio will be a little closer to home. But you can always keep your painting cabin too, if you want.”
I ramble, gesturing around the attic and at the architecture plans, until I realize she hasn’t said a word. When I turn to her, her face is unreadable, emotions flickering in her eyes. Is it happiness, sadness, nervousness?
“Jenny, is it too much?” I take a step closer to her, my heart pounding. “Are you okay?” I wish I knew what was going on in that beautiful brain of hers.
She startles slightly, as if pulled from deep thoughts. Without warning, she closes the space between us, her arms wrapping around my neck as her lips meet mine. All thought leaves me as I’m fully engulfed in the feel of Jenny.
The kiss is intense, full of emotions I can’t name but feel to my core. Her lips are soft, warm, and insistent, and I’m powerless to resist her. My arms pull her closer, her body fitting perfectly against mine. Damn, I’ve missed kissing her. I’ve missed the feel of her in my arms.
Our kiss is intense. I still have no clue what Jenny is thinking or feeling, but right in this moment, I’m hoping a little bit of love is being expressed. Her lips are soft and warm against mine. The fluttering of her eyelashes tickles my cheeks.
When a needy moan escapes her, it stirs a desire that has been brewing inside me, igniting a fire. Without thinking, I slide my hands down her back to just below her butt and pull her up against me. She wraps her legs around me and clings to me tighter, her hands roving through my hair, sending glorious chills throughout my body.
I carry her back to our little apartment and shut the door behind us, the dusty attic space forgotten.
Inside, she clings to me, her whispered plea sending a bolt of desire through me. “Please, Trent,” she whispers against my neck. “I need you.”
That’s all I need. Rational thought fades, replaced by pure, unbridled love.
I walk us over to the bed and set her down. Her hands immediately start tugging at my shirt, untucking it from my pants and then bringing it up and over my head. Her hands explore and move all over my chest and abs.
I undo the apron and unbutton her shirt. The glorious sight in front of me causes my blood to heat. This goddess of a woman is my wife. Mine.
That’s the last rational thought that goes through my head before we both are fully undressed and everything else is forgotten. I look down at Jenny, her hair splayed out behind her on the bed. Her eyes are intense with want.
I have never felt so in love with someone in all my life.
Tonight, I’ll show her just how much she means to me.
