walked through the living room to where she stood at the edge of the kitchen.
“Well, yeah. I mean, I think so?” She gave me an awkward smile that would have made any rom-com director proud.
“But you’re not sure?”
Her eyes ran down my chest and back up, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of pink. “No, I’m sure. It’s a good morning.”
Holy crap, she was embarrassed. My Ella, who didn’t care what anyone thought of her, was all sorts of discombobulated in my kitchen at seven in the morning.
“Coffee?” I asked, letting my hand slide around her waist to her back as I passed by her.
“Oh. I have to get home. I’m sure the kids are up and…all that.” She started looking around the counter, moving the coffee maker to the side.
“Ella, what are you looking for?” I asked.
“My keys? I know I had them, right? Because I drove over, but I don’t remember what happened to them once I walked in. I got distracted, I guess.”
I reached for her hand, taking hold of it and turning her to face me. “You didn’t have them when you walked in. My guess would be that they’re in your car.”
“Oh no! What if someone stole it!” She started to move, but I blocked her path with a side step.
“Honey, we’re in the middle of nowhere. No one stole your car.”
Her eyes closed. “Why would I leave them in the car? Because that’s what mature adults do, right? They leave their keys in the car while they run off and do whatever it is they want.”
She was so flustered and cute, but I knew what was triggering the minor meltdown, and we had to sort it out. Now.
“Open your eyes. Ella. Please.”
Slowly her lashes fluttered, and those baby blues looked up at me. “What?”
“I’m in love with you. I was in love with you before we slept together, and I’ll be in love with you for the rest of my life if my heart is any indication. Nothing about last night changed that. I’m me. You’re you. We’re…whatever you want us to be.”
“What are we?”
“What do you want us to be?” My chest tightened, waiting for her to answer. Whatever she wanted, I’d give her.
“What do you want us to be?” She turned the tables.
Suddenly I saw every discussion over what we’d be having for dinner for the next fifty years. “I want you. I told you that last night.”
“You wanted sex. It’s daylight now, and I’m not holding you to whatever you said last night. And I know this has got to be the most awkward morning-after ever, so I’m sorry, but I don’t have a lot of experience in this department.” She pulled her trembling lip between her teeth.
“I want you. All of you. Trust me, getting to put my hands on you is a pretty big perk, because I’m not sure if anyone told you or not, but you’re incredibly gorgeous. But I want more than a night of you in my bed. Or on the kitchen counter.”
I guess she really could turn a deeper shade of pink. I hadn’t thought it possible.
“So where does that leave us?”
“Well, my day is clear. So I figured we’d pound on the clerk and recorder’s office until they opened on Monday, and then we’d immediately marry.” Her jaw dropped, and I couldn’t help but continue. “Unless you’re more of a hop-a-flight-to-Vegas girl, in which case, I’m down. Then we’re moving to my small yet loyal cult of doomsday followers. I’ve already made preparations for you and the kids in the fallout shelter, where you’ll tend grapes.”
She blinked, her mouth still agape.
“Unless you’d rather be assigned to the goats.” Thank God for all the nights Ryan had made me play poker; I was able to keep a straight face.
“You’re kidding.”
“Yes.” I took her face in my hands.
“Oh, thank God.” Her entire frame relaxed.
“I figured we’d date. Like normal people. Look, you waited for marriage to sleep with your first, so I know what it means to you. And if you wanted to go get married today, I would absolutely—”
“Don’t finish that!” She put her hand over my mouth. “Dating is good. I like dating.”
I kissed her hand, and she let it fall away.
“Okay. Then we’re dating.” My smile was so wide it hurt my cheeks.
“Exclusively,” she said with a nod.
“Twist my arm, why don’t you?” I bent for a kiss, and she stepped back with that don’t-mess-with-me look she was so fond of. “Exclusively,”