Page 123 of The Men of Summer Collection

A smile spreads across my face, radiates through my body, lights up my very soul.

How is it possible to have everything and then, impossibly, to have even more?

To have a man who wants me, just me, no matter what?

I’m amazed. Awestruck. I grab the back of Grant’s head with my free hand, curling my palm over his hair.

I am desperate to touch him. I can’t keep my hands off him, but it’s not sexual, this deep need. It’s emotional. Hell, it’s goddamn spiritual.

I keep my gaze locked on Grant. “I need you too. I love you. I want a life with you. Only you. Always you.” My voice trembles with emotion, but there’s certainty too. My fingers play with the ends of his hair. Touching him is everything good in the world. “And I’m all in with you too, Grant Blackwood. And my answer to kids is yes. Someday, down the road, I want to have kids with you. I want to have a family with you.”

Before I can ask him to be my husband, I need him to know that he’s getting a partner who’s all in. Who wants the same things he does.

Who wants a life, and love, and a family someday.

I want it all with Grant, and I want him to know I’ll be by his side no matter what.

Grant’s blue eyes spark with happiness and joy. He parts his lips, takes a shaky breath. “For real? You do?” His voice pitches with so much hope and wonder.

I nod, barely able to contain all these emotions. All of this... everything. My heart beats harder, trying to make more room for itself in my chest. “I do. I want it all with you. You’re my person; you’re my home. You are my happily ever after.”

Grant sways closer to me, his forehead pressing against mine. “You and me.”

“Me and you,” I whisper, then I brush my lips to his.

He sighs happily, humming as I give him a tender kiss, one of the many kinds of kisses he likes and deserves.

When we separate, Grant’s breath comes out shaky, and he pulls back, blinking. “Did you really just say you want a family with me someday?”

I laugh from deep within my heart. “I did.” I run my fingers through his hair. “And did you really just say you want a life with me no matter what?”

“I sure as fuck did,” he says, beaming.

“Then I’ll say this”—I stroke his jaw with my thumb—“I am never letting you go.”

With a sexy groan, he hauls me close, plants a needy kiss on my lips, then murmurs, “Same, Deck. Same.”

We kiss again, sealing this fresh promise to each other. That this is the start of the rest of our lives.

Then, we go inside and eat pie.

It tastes delicious.