I clear my throat and wait patiently for her to look up before dropping down onto one knee.
Libby's eyes widen and she lets go of her camera, letting it dangle around her neck.
"Tony, what are you doing?"
I reach into my back pocket for the velvet ring box I've been carrying around with me and flip it open, showing her the princess cut diamond in the centre of the ring. She deserves so much more than just a jewel, it's a marriage I'm offering, and a lifetime after that with me by her side.
"I'm asking you to be my wife, Libby. There's no other woman in the world who makes me feel the way you do. I wanna be your husband and the father of your children. I wanna make a home with you, and give you everything that's mine. Because you deserve it...and I gotta let the world know."
Libby's hand covers her face and her eyes well with crystalline tears but I can tell she's smiling through them. "Oh, Tony. Everything I’ve ever wanted is to be right by your side."
"Then say yes."
She lets out a laugh like she can't believe it's that simple, but it is. When it comes to me and her it always will be. "Yes," she breathes, sniffing away her tears. "Yes, yes, yes!"
I get to my feet, pulling her in close to slip the ring onto her finger. Libby flings her arms around my shoulders, drawing me down to her level and I kiss her hard, with all the promise of all the kisses to come.
"Oh Tony, I love you." There's a rush of relief and triumph in her voice matched by the excitement that rushes through my veins and straight to my ever-eager cock, hearing her say that for the very first time.
"Libby, I love you. Always, and forever."
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
Libby
Dad's putting the finishing touches on our anniversary cake, doing the frosting and the final details. I can't believe it's been a year since I married Tony. Once we realized I was pregnant we decided to wait to get married and these two years have been the best of my life. So much has changed in my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I shift Kurt onto my other hip, wary that his sulky suspicion of his grandpa has vanished now that he's realized there's cream cheese frosting on offer, and that he can almost reach it, and Dad laughs.
"See, he's just like me. He likes his food. Give him a year or two and I'll teach him how to bake."
I roll my eyes, but I'm not really annoyed. Kurt is only fifteen months old, but Dad has loved him since the day he arrived. It's almost a competition between him and Tony to prove which one of them loves him more.
But that's so silly, because nobody could love his family more than my Tony does.
"What are you three doing in here?" My husband appears in the doorway, dressed sharply in a suit that makes him look like the wise guy that he is, and I wouldn't have it any other way. "We got guests. Libby, my gorgeous wife, come out here with me. Let your Dad do the cake."
"What did I tell you honey? I got it under control. Go out there, let them all look at your pictures. It's meant to be your day, isn't it?"
Tony slips his arm around my waist, leaning down to let his lips brush against my earlobe and just like that I'm thinking about how soon we can have some time to ourselves. "You should listen to your father, Libby. The man speaks a whole lotta sense."
"Is that right?"
"Today he’s right. Come out here with me. Celebrate a whole year of us being married."
I shake my head, laughing at his determination to make this as big a deal as he can. Tony always says he has so much to be proud of when it comes to me and him, and our son, and any opportunity he gets, he's all for celebrating it.
"Here she is!" he says as he leads me into the room. "The woman who you all owe a debt of gratitude, because I'd be spending a whole lot more time busting your balls, if she wasn't around to distract me." He takes Kurt out of my arms and our son hides his face against his broad shoulder, wary of all the strangers assembled in the lobby of the hotel, ready to toast us.
All around the walls are the pictures I've been assembling for the past year or more and finally everything has come together, just like our life together has.
"I'd like to remind you all that this is the same talented lady who put together the exhibition today, not only of her work, but also of some very talented young people in the neighborhood. Which just goes to show how much she cares. My gorgeous wife, the best person in the world."
A cheer goes up, and I cover my face with my hand, so embarrassed by his praise and all the attention.
It has been an amazing two years. Because of him I've done so many things I never thought I'd be capable of doing. I'm heading up the community art space now, I'm starting to spend a little time away from Kurt, and best of all, I'm a mom.
"Thank you everyone. I'm not one for speeches, but I guess I'm gonna return the compliment. I wouldn't be here right now if Tony hadn't seen something in me, and I'm so glad he did, because he really is the love of my life and I'm looking forward to so many more years like this, spent right by his side, in this amazing city."
Tony starts clapping, but he doesn't keep it up for long. Instead, he pulls me into his arms alongside Kurt, nibbling a kiss along my neck.
"You're beautiful, Libby. My wife, my woman. And I can't wait to meet Kurt's little sister when she comes. But right now I'm thinking we should make a start on number three."
I laugh, leaning in to brush my lips against his, enjoying his silliness and the fact that he never seems to get enough of me. No matter what kind of day I'm having, Tony acts like I'm a goddess he can't wait to get his hands on.
"I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that, baby." I tell him, smoothing my hand over my tight, rounded belly that's just starting to show. "You gotta wait for the next one to come out."
"Oh, you think so? I reckon I'm getting a head start, fertilizing every single egg that's gonna come out of you in the next ten years."
"That's a lot of babies, Tony."
"I know. It's gonna be amazing."
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER
Tony
Every time I look at Libby, I'm so thankful that we were brought together. Every time I think she couldn't be more attractive, she goes ahead and proves me wrong. After all this time together, she's still the only one who sets my pulse racing and my libido hasn't aged a day. When it comes to her, just one look is enough to get me hard enough to drill through concrete.
I never thought I could love her more than when I saw her with our first child, but now I'm holding her hand, sitting in the darkened scan room of the hospital, watching a little fuzzy picture come up on the screen while the technician waves a wand over her belly.
The woman smiles at the pair of us. "Did you want to know the sex?"
Libby nods. "Tony always wants to know."
"It's important," I protest. "How are we gonna figure out a name, and how are you gonna know what color to paint the nursery otherwise?" Every one of our five kids has been a blessing, and I know that this one will be no different.
The technician laughs. "Well, it looks like you've got a little girl in there kicking up a storm."
Libby's smile widens. I know that's what she'd been hoping for. In a few month's time we'll have three of each. The perfect family, although if I have my way, we will keep adding to it. After all, can you really have too much of such a good thing?
"We're going to need a bigger house at this rate, Tony."
I snort, shaking my head. We already moved out to the suburbs when Kurt's first sister came along, and I made sure we had more than enough space for everyone. "Our house is just fine, baby."
"You think?"
"I do. Just as long as you're there and I'm there, and we've got the kids, we don't need anything else."
"And Dad around the corner."
I shrug. "Only if he keeps making those donuts. Otherwise I'm gonna have to convince him to move to another part of town."
Libby's Dad and I joke like that all t
he time, but despite everything that's happened, we're still the best of friends, just like we always have been. Only now we're one big family, and I know that means the world to Libby. As for me, I could never have asked for anything better.
The ultrasound finishes up, and the technician hands us some print outs of our newest baby from the black and white screen while Libby wipes the gel from her belly and I help her up from the table.
Back out in the hall, everyone is waiting for us.
Kurt's standing beside his grandad and every time I see him, I'm taken aback by how much of a man he's turning into. He'll be shooting up like a beanpole soon, and turning into a proper teenager, although he's always going to be respectful of the ladies if I've done the job to bring him up right.
The girls are sitting on the floor playing Go-Fish. Jonas and Liam are playing tag between the chairs and the vending machine and they screech to a halt when we come out.
"What is it? Is it gonna be another boy?"
Melissa wrinkles her nose, clearly unimpressed by the idea and Gretchen, always in total adoration of her older sister, copies the expression far more clumsily. "We don't want another boy. You can tell the stork to switch it, right?"
I laugh, and Libby gives me a long look. "No one's switching anyone. But anyway… You're going to have a little sister. What do you think about that?"
Gretchen squeals, jumping to her feet and clapping her hands together and my heart swells with love for my family. The family that Libby has given me.
Her Dad takes the pictures to show the kids the tiny baby curled up tight in Libby's belly and I turn to my wife, pulling her in close against me for a deep, possessive kiss that suddenly some part of me needs to lay right on her.
"I ever tell you how lucky I am to have you?"
Libby bites her lip, breathless and flushed just like she always does when I show her just how easy it is for her to turn me on. "Only every day."
"Good,” I say. “I'm never gonna stop telling you. Now let's go home. Maybe your Dad can babysit so I can remind you just how well we fit together, huh?"
Libby leans in to kiss me again, up on her toes, and she lowers her voice softly. "You're going to be a daddy again, Tony."
I let out a low, animal rumble of a growl for just her to hear. The thought of that always drives me wild.
"Right. Everybody home. Now."
NEWSLETTER
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
&
nbsp; Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger
Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia
Book 155: Dad’s Fireman Friend
Book 156: Russian Mountain Man
Book 157: Possessive Italian Doctor
Book 158: Dad's EMT Best Friend
Book 159: Claimed By The Publisher
Book 160: Mr. CEO
Book 161: His Curvy Castaway Obsession
Book 162: Claiming His Reunion Obsession
Book 163: Claimed By Dad’s College Friend
Book 164: Dad’s Detective Best Friend
Book 165: Attending The Russian Mafia
Book 166: Dad's Biker Best Friend
Book 167: My Dad's Russian Mafia Friend
Book 168: Possessive Landlord
Book 169: Possessive Fighter
Book 170: Gardener For The Mafia
Book 171: Claiming Her Sweet Curves
BRATVA BEAR SHIFTERS
Book 1: Dad’s Russian Mafia Bear Best Friend
Book 2: Babysitter For Dad’d Russian Mafia Bear Friend
Book 3: Dad’s Bratva Bear Friend
Claiming His Sweet Curves: An Instalove Possessive Alpha Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 171) Page 5
