Page 43

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

ARCHIE

The last few weeks have been pretty busy.

Emma and I made it down to my parents’ ranch and have settled in the best we can under the temporary circumstances.

My mama hasn’t scared her off yet with the way she’s excited about the baby.

And I have to admit, the nursery looks awesome. I think Emma likes it too.

Emma had to stay back for about a week to wrap up some things and pack up some of her stuff from her parents’ house.

While we were apart, we tried the FaceTime sex, and I got her to use that pink vibrator while I watched and jerked off.

It’s definitely something we’ll be doing again when I’m on the road. Ten out of motherfucking ten.

She was able to get approval to take two of her finals online, and she had already turned in three of the papers that counted as her final, so for all intents and purposes, she’s been done with her school year.

We did have to get a referral from our doctor for an OB down here and a high-risk doctor, but really, we’re in good hands, especially considering one of Emma’s top choices in schools is where our doctor’s office is.

It’s a little bit of a trek into the city from the ranch, but I don’t mind because I get to have Emma all to myself.

It’s the morning of the draft, and I opted to be at home.

My entire family and Emma’s parents are waiting for us at the main house.

But I want a little more time with my girl before I have to share her with our families.

I mean, my entire family is here, and the news crews are already parked outside the house.

We’re a good mile from the main house, but there’s nothing between us but wide-open space.

I can see everything happening there from the window.

I’m too anxious to sleep, but not ready to go, so I do the only thing that can settle me. I strip off my shorts and crawl back into bed with my girl.

Emma’s lying on her side, naked, her hand cradling her face. She looks so peaceful and calm. I snuggle in behind her and wrap my arm around her waist. I kiss the back of her neck, which makes her stir. When I lick a path from her neck to her earlobe and then bite down softly, she moans.

I drift my hand from her waist, over her belly, and in between her legs. She opens her legs just enough for me to get my hand between them. Her pussy is slick, and my fingers slide from her tight hole to her clit easily.

Her hips start to rock, and she moans my name. “Archie, what time is it? Do we need to get up to the main house?”

“We have time, darlin’. Just relax. Let me make you feel good.”

My fingers move faster, and her hips buck against my hard-on.

“Babe, I don’t know if we have time this morning. Maybe we should put this on pause until later.”

“How about we just cuddle and if it slips in, it slips in?” I can’t help the laugh that comes out of my mouth.

I absolutely intend to slip it in, and she knows it, which is why she laughs too .

Bringing her arm up, she wraps it around my head, and she grabs on to my hair. It’s not painful, but just enough pressure to spur me on. “Just give me enough time to shower.”

“You got it, baby.” I trail kisses on her neck again, then suck as I flick her clit faster. I can tell by her breathing that she’s getting close, and it’s not going to take much for us both to come.

I take my hand from her pussy and pull her hips back a notch, then move her thigh so her pussy is exposed to me. With her hips tilted, I can push right in from this angle, so I do just that.

My dick is rock hard and takes no guidance sliding into her tight heat. With her legs closed like this, it makes her pussy practically choke my cock. Yeah, I’m not gonna last long.

“Archie, that feels so good. I’m so close.”

“Me too, darlin’.” I move my hand back between her legs and slide my middle finger back and forth over her clit. “Get there, baby. I can’t hold it much longer.”

“So. Close.” Her hips stop moving as I feel her pussy begin to contract around my cock.

“That’s it, baby. Come for me.” My own orgasm erupts, and I pump into her harder.

“Fuck, Arch. That was the best cuddle we’ve ever had.” Then she bursts out laughing, which makes me laugh.

After our breathing calms from our orgasms and laughing, I pull out.

“I guess we should get cleaned up. Mama should have some food put out for everyone soon, if not already. I saw my dad go into the house from the barn around six a.m., so she’s probably on breakfast, round two.

And I have no doubt she’s offered those news crews food too. ”

“Okay, babe. Let’s get moving. My parents are probably waiting for me too. They aren’t used to all this noise. Which I say with love.” She laughs. “What time is Scott going to be here?”

She shifts and moves her legs to the edge of the bed and stands. Her arms lift in a stretch above her head, and I stare in awe at this beauty that’s mine.

When I don’t reply, she turns to face me. “Arch. Focus. Scott?”

“I can’t help it, darlin’. You’re just too pretty.”

I move off the bed and wrap my arms around her waist. Her belly is getting bigger and rests between us. I lean in to kiss her and feel a swift kick from her belly.

“Nugget is excited for today too, I think.” She brushes her hand over her stomach.

“Nugget is about to be a very spoiled baby with all the money Daddy is about to get, so I would be excited too,” I grumble into her neck.

“All right, hotshot, let’s get ready, but don’t distract me with your big peen. We have to get going.”

I reach down and tap her between the legs with the head. “This big peen?”

“Archie, seriously.” She pushes me away.

“Okay, okay. Let’s get going.”

While we get ready, I think about what part this draft plays in our future. Then I think about us, the baby. All of it. This life we’re going to be living together as a family, and I feel a sense of urgency to make it official.

After I put my best jeans, shirt, and boots on, I grab my phone and my girl’s hand. “Let’s roll, baby.”

A few thoughts on how to propose run through my mind.

Maybe I should take her back to Walker since that’s where we met.

Or maybe I should wait until the baby is born and propose with our little nugget in the room.

I can’t decide. Yet, now, with her hand in mine as we walk on my parents’ ranch, a strong wave of serenity weaves through my bones, and I know this moment is the right one.

“Emma, stop.”

“What’s wrong? Did you forget something? ”

I grab her hands in mine and pull her in closer. “No, I didn’t forget something. Or, well, shit. I guess I did.” Fuck. A ring.

“Okay, we can go back and get it.”

She tries to let go of my hand to start walking, but I hold on tighter.

“No, darlin’. I didn’t forget something at the house.

I just want to tell you that you being here with me today is more special than me actually getting drafted because I feel like I’ve already gotten the best of this life.

You are everything to me, Em. Every. Thing.

Over football, all of it. And I don’t want to do anything in this life without you by my side. ” I drop to one knee.

“Archie, oh my God. What are you doing?” she cries, but has a watery smile on her face.

“Emma Grace Tucker, love of my life, mother of my baby, I would be honored if you would agree to be my wife. I love you, baby. I love you so much. Will you marry me?”

“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you! I love you so much!” She pulls me up and wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me.

This kiss is a promise. This kiss is a symbol of our commitment to each other and the love we feel. It’s tender and sweet, and I don’t want it to end.

She breaks the kiss first. “We’d better get inside. I can see the family watching out the window. They’ll come out here if we don’t get in there.”

I look over at the house and see the family, my mom literally bouncing up and down. “Okay, so I don’t have a ring yet, but I’ll get you one first chance I get.” I give her one more kiss before we start walking.

“Ha! Okay, babe. Now, let’s go!” She leans up and kisses my cheek.

When we reach the house, my family erupts in cheers. My mama is sobbing and laughing. My brothers all come up to us and congratulate us.

For the next few hours, Scott and I have a lot of conversations about what’s going to happen. It looks like I’ll get my wish and go to Dallas. Stranger things have happened at the last minute though, so I’ll be holding my breath until that call actually comes through.

Just as it’s about to start, I talk to my friends, but honestly, I don’t even know what’s being said. It’s so loud in here, and my mind is racing.

Aiden comes up to me and puts his arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I mean, this is pretty crazy in here. I can’t even focus right now.”

“Well, I mean, you proposed to your girl today—I’m guessing on the fly—and you’re going to be getting the biggest chance of your career, so I can’t imagine why you can’t focus.”

“Okay, funny guy.” I wrap my arm around his neck and pull him in. “And, yeah, the proposal was on the fly, but I meant it. That girl is it for me.”

We both laugh, and it sounds the same.

“Oh, I had no doubt about the sincerity of the proposal, but the fact that you did it just before you walked into this madhouse was so typical Archie. You should have seen Mama. We were all standing around the kitchen, eating, and out of nowhere, she starts screaming. I thought Pops was gonna have another heart attack, and Dad belted out a, ‘Jesus Christ, Alicia.’ But when she started jumping up and down, we all ran to the window to see what she was looking at, and we all saw your ugly mug kneeling on the ground.” He hits me lightly in the chest.

“Hey, if I’m ugly, you are, too, since we look alike, dickhead.”

“No, but seriously, I’m happy for you, man. Love you.” He pulls me in for a hug.

“Love you too, Aiden. You’ll be doing this in a few months. You think you’re ready for it?”