There are probably a million reasons I should say no, and tell him this is too soon, too fast. We’ve only known each other for a short time. But as he stares up at me with love in his eyes, there’s only one answer that feels right.
“Yes,” I tell him. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
EPILOGUE
SAWYER
Five Years Later
Hudson’s strong hand glides along my hip and across my stomach, stopping just above my belly button. He gently strokes my flesh while his warm lips pepper kisses across the back of my shoulder. My eyes flutter open as I inhale the fresh scent of the salt water. It’s still early, the yellowish-orange sun barely peeking out from behind the ocean.
“Spread your thighs, baby,” he murmurs huskily, his voice laced with a mixture of sleep and need.
I set my foot on top of his thigh, giving him access, and he pushes into me from behind, filling me completely. His hand ascends to my breast, stroking my pebbled nipple and then pinching it hard. I moan in pleasure, loving how my husband always knows exactly what to do to make me feel good.
As he slowly slides in and out of me, making love to me, his mouth moves to the sensitive spot on my neck, between my ear and shoulder, suckling on my flesh. His fingers release my nipple, and he takes my hand in his, bringing it back up to my breast.
“Play with your nipples,” he demands tenderly, letting go and finding the sensitive nub between my legs. He massages my clit with gentle strokes while he continues to push in and out of me, his dick hitting me in all the right places. My orgasm is a slow build, little by little, until I’m teetering on the precipice. With a final caress, I fall into the abyss, taking Hudson with me.
He pulls out and rolls over on top of me, his arms caging me in. He dips his head and takes my bottom lip into his mouth, then my top, before he connects his mouth to mine in a passionate kiss. “Happy anniversary,” he whispers against my mouth. “I can’t believe it took us this long to get back here.”
Here being on the island where we met. It’s been a crazy five years between getting engaged, planning a wedding, building a house, and helping my dad modernize and expand the farm, all while raising three kids and me teaching full-time.
“It was worth the wait.” I lift up and peck his lips. “I can’t believe you bought this place.” As an anniversary gift, Hudson surprised me by buying us a beach house on the island with its own private beach.
“It’s the only way I could ensure I’d be able to sleep naked under the stars with you.” He glides his body downward, stopping at my belly and giving it a soft kiss. As his lips caress my flesh, the baby releases a strong kick, making us laugh. “I think that’s his way of saying it’s getting crowded in there.”
“Only a few more months, little guy,” he says to the baby, kissing my belly again.
My stomach rumbles in hunger, and Hudson glances up at me.
“I think he’s hungry.” I giggle.
“Oh, is he? And what is he hungry for?”
“Hmm…” I tap my finger to my chin and look up at the sky in thought. “Chocolate chip pancakes… with peanut butter on them, and bacon… mmm.” I groan, suddenly starved. “Watermelon, too,” I add, my mouth watering.
Hudson chuckles and sits up, grabbing our clothes. “Your wish is my command.”
Once we’re dressed, we head back up to the house. It’s quiet, the kids still asleep, along with my parents, who I convinced to join us on our trip. It’s their first time at the beach, and they’re already talking about where else they want to travel.
As Hudson sets about making breakfast while I sit on the stool and watch, the kids, one by one, wake up. Abby comes out first, going straight to the kitchen. She walks around Hudson, stopping only long enough to kiss him on the cheek and mutter, “Morning, Dad,” sleepily before she takes some chocolate chips from the bag and joins me on the stool next to mine, resting her head on my shoulder and popping them into her mouth.
The first time she called Hudson “Dad,” he glanced at me with glassy eyes in shock and awe. We’d been together for a few months at that point, and it came out by mistake, most likely because Lucas and Presley called him Dad all the time. She didn’t mention it, and he didn’t make a big deal out of it.
I honestly didn’t even think she realized she did it. Until later that night, while we were putting the girls to bed, Hudson kissed them both and Presley said, “’Night, Daddy!”