by J A Fielding
The Proposal
His woman deserves a ring, and he's going to give her one!
Part 4 in the Homes And Hearts series, each can be read as a stand alone story but they're best when all read together. Other parts include:
Home Is Where The Heart Is.
Jealousy And Trust.
My Man, My Family.
The Proposal.
The Other Man.
The Wedding.
A follow up to top 5 African American romance 'My Man, My Family'. Can be read as a stand alone story.
Julie Parker and billionaire Steven Davenport have been dating for a while now. While there have been ups and downs, the two have remained a strong couple and overcome all obstacle they've faced.
This gets Steven thinking; is he ready to make her Mrs Julie Davenport? He certainly is, and he's going to make a big deal out of it!
Join Steven and he prepares to ask his Nubian queen the most important question she's ever likely to hear. The tale of a couple who will do anything for each other.
Brought to you by respected BWWMRomance.com author J A Fielding; please only read if you've over 18 and enjoy sizzling, passionate romance and sex scenes.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
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Chapter 1
When Julie got to work on Tuesday morning, she felt a little groggy. Given a chance, she would have wanted to go back home. There was nothing more appealing than a lazy day in bed especially on that particular day. She walked into her office with her coffee in hand sniffing every so often. She had barely sat down when Dana poked her head through her door.
“Morning,” she greeted cheerfully. Julie looked up and grunted.
“Morning,” Julie replied. Dana smiled and walked into the office.
“You don’t look like you’re having a very good morning,” Dana said as she walked towards Julie’s desk. Julie looked up and pulled out a box of Kleenex from her bag before she pulled a tissue. Dana frowned at her. “You are going back home,” she demanded as she leaned back. Julie looked at her boss and shook her head.
“I have two meetings today,” she said in a lazy groggy voice.
“Well, delegate that…better yet, let me do that for you. You need to have some rest,” Dana said. Julie sneezed and then blew her nose. “Scratch that, a lot of rest,” she added as she looked at her. Julie lifted the cup to her lips, but she had barely taken a sip when Dana pulled the cup away.
“What?” Julie asked as she looked at her.
“You know what? I’m taking you home,” she said helping Julie to stand up. Julie looked at Dana and rolled her eyes.
“It’s just a flu,” she groaned.
“I know. I can’t risk the entire workforce just because you don’t know when to take a break,” Dana said as she grabbed Julie’s keys from the table. “Give me your phone,” she ordered. The two were now making their way down the hallway to the elevator. She handed her the phone.
“I’m fine babe. It’s just the flu,” Julie argued, hoping that Steven had heard her. Dana gave her a judgmental look and put her hand up, then went on scare mongering on Steven. Anyone who listened to Dana would have thought Julie had cancer or even something more serious. When they got to the parking lot, Julie looked at her boss. “I can drive myself home.”
“Are you kidding me? You think I don’t know about the pill you popped earlier?” Dana asked. Julie raised one eyebrow over the other.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said innocently. Dana smiled.
“Everyone knows about Marge’s magic flu pill. And we’ve all had it,” she winked. Marge was the company secretary and probably the oldest employee at the realty. She was always out to help and when she saw Julie walking in sniffling a sneeze and blowing her nose on a dozen Kleenex tissues, she had given her one of her flu medication she always kept handy.
“You have?” Julie asked.
“Girl, you haven’t worked for me until you popped one of Marge’s pills,” Dana said smiling. “And we all know how drowsy it can make you. Matter of fact, I am guessing you are pretty darn sleepy now.”
“My head does feel kind of heavy,” Julie admitted as she rubbed her temples. “But I only took that pill like ten minutes ago,” she added as she got in the passenger seat of the car.
“I know,” Dana said. “Sometimes I wonder if that stuff is actually FDA approved,” she added. Julie wanted to smile but she couldn’t.
“Tell me when we get home,” she yawned before she rested her head on the seat. Dana smiled at her and started the car before she drove to Julie’s place. Julie didn’t even realize when they got home. She could somehow feel herself being helped into bed by two people, two people she couldn’t really make out. What she didn’t know was that Steven was already at her place by the time she and Dana got there. When Julie was all tucked in, Steven and Dana walked out of the bedroom to the living room.
“All she needs is some rest to sleep off Marge ‘magic’ pill,” Dana explained as she sat down. Steven smiled and walked to the kitchen. ‘
“Coffee?” he offered as he held up two mugs.
“Sure,” Dana said. “So, how is the business coming along?” she asked. Steven smiled as he poured the coffee into two mugs and then walked back into the living room.
“Pretty damn great, thanks to you,” he grinned as he handed her one mug. “I mean, where did you ever find Julie? She has literally been my golden goose,” he added as he sat down next to her.
“Oh, I know all about her golden eggs,” Dana replied smiling. “Matter of fact, I have her and this other guy at the office rocking waves in real estate. I am surprised they have never considered moving to a bigger realty,” she added. Steven smiled at her.
“I think she feels at home with you,” he confessed.
“Well, I like to think that I am a good enough boss,” she laughed.
“She wouldn’t even consider working with me so I guess you are doing a great job so far,” Steven said with a smile. Dana looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
“Work with you? Or work for you, mister?” she asked. Steven looked at her and laughed.
“I wouldn’t feel right having her as a subordinate. Besides, she is far too talented,” he said. “And I have a strong policy against being a little more than friendly with my staff,” he added with a smile. Dana looked at him and laughed.
“Look at you being so modest about everything,” she joked. “If someone heard you, they would think that there is nothing more between you and Julie except for the usual working thing,” she said. Steven looked at her and smiled.
“What can I say? I try,” he teased. Dana smiled at him and then took a sip before she leaned back against the couch.
“So, Steven. When are you planning on making an honest woman of Julie?” Steven smiled and took a sip of his coffee.
“Actually, sooner than you think,” he told her. Dana’s eyes grew wide.
“Wait, are you serious?” she asked in a whisper. Steven nodded and smiled. “Holy shit!” Dana shrieked. Steven shook his head and pressed his index finger to his lips.
“Not too loud. You’ll wake her up,” Steven whispered.
“Oh relax. That pill still has a few hours to do its damage,” Dana said with a smile. “So, who else knows?” Steven shook his head.
“I’ve been looking to have a sit down with Meg for a long time, but she has been on quite the busy streak for the last few weeks. So I guess right now, you are the only person who does know,” he said. He rose an eyebrow at her. “I hope I can trust you to keep it between us,” he said. Dana smiled and nodded.
“Of course. I wouldn’t ever dream of ruining your surprise,” she promised. “But I have to admit, I am a little jealous.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Well, I knew you first. And my employee has to bag the hot Brit on my watch,” Dana said smiling.
“Are you trying to do an impression of some Kardashian?” Steven asked.
“Actually, yeah. But I haven’t decided which one,” she joked. Steven laughed.
“Maybe you and I were never really meant to be, my love. Your lover would have gutted me with his bare hands,” he said in a theatrical voice. Dana laughed and shook her head.
“You are crazy,” she giggled as she picked up her bag. “I need to go back to the office. But when she wakes up, let her know I’ll come by to check on her later,” she said standing up. Steven looked at her and smiled.
“Thanks for calling me. I don’t understand why she likes pushing herself so much,” he said.
“That is the one mystery we will never be able to solve,” she said as she walked to the door. Steven smiled at her as he walked her to the door. “Trust me. Don’t rack your brain too much. This one time, she had a stomach bug but she had to close a deal,” she started.
“Don’t tell me she still went to work,” Steven groaned.
“I think your girlfriend is the reason we have so many tissue rolls in open houses,” Dana said as she walked out. Steven laughed and closed the door before he walked back into the house. He walked to the bedroom and then felt Julie’s forehead for a minute. A smile formed on his lips when Julie stirred in bed a little. He bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead before he walked out into the living room and sat down thinking of his grand gesture proposal.
*****
When Julie woke up, her head was still a little heavy. She turned her head and looked at the clock on her night stand and gasped.
“What the hell?” she gasped as she jumped out of bed. She saw the living room light on and she half ran, half waked there to find Steven sleeping on the couch. The TV was still on. She touched his cheek softly and his eyes fluttered open. “Hey there,” she said. He smiled and pulled himself up to a sitting position.
“Hey yourself. How are you feeling?” he asked as Julie walked round the couch to sit down. “You are still a little warm,” he frowned as he put his hand on her forehead.
“My nose is still a bit stuffy,” Julie said. Steven smiled.
“You bean your dose?” he said. Julie looked at her and playfully hit his arm.
“Stop making fun of me,” she said. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” she asked. Steven smiled and shook his head.
“That pill Mary gave you…” he started.
“Marge,” Julie corrected him.
“Yeah, right Marge. Well that pill should be banned,” he said.
“I know. I have been out for ten straight hours,” Julie gasped. Steven smiled and stood up. “Where are you going?”
“I want to get you the flu kit I prepared for you,” he said as he walked to the kitchen.
“Please. No more pills,” Julie pleaded.
“Just the night pill. You need as much rest as you can get,” he ordered as he put some soup into the microwave and set the timer.
“Like I pointed out, I have just woken up from a ten hour nap,” Julie retorted. Steven smiled and put the bowl on a tray that had a bottle of water, some orange juice and vapo rub. He carried it to her and set it on the table in front of her. “What’s all these?” Julie asked as she blew her nose on a Kleenex.
“Chicken soup, freshly made. Water, juice and the vapo rub my mother swears by,” he said. Julie looked at him and smiled.
“So, you are going to be rubbing this on me?” Julie asked frowning.
“You act like having my hands on you is a bad thing,” he winked. Julie smiled and shook her head.
“No, it’s the smell that puts me off,” she said. Steven moved closer and kissed her lightly.
“The way I do it, you won’t even notice,” he said when he pulled away.
“Baby, I’m patient zero right now. You need to keep your distance,” Julie said. Steven shook his head and kissed her again.
“It’s flu season. I already got my shot,” he said. “How come you are down with the flu anyway? Didn’t we get the shot on the same day?” he asked as he put a fluffy cushion behind her. Julie looked at him and frowned.
“Actually, I never got mine,” she admitted. Steven looked at her.
“What?” he asked.
“Yeah, I was in the waiting area and then I got a call from the office. I just walked out…I planned on going back, but I guess I just never got round to it,” she said. Steven shook his head.
“You need to take better care of yourself,” he said. Julie nodded.
“I know. I’ve just been so busy lately…” her voice trailed off. She was not sure what she wanted to say.
“So busy you forgot about your health?” Steven asked. Julie had a guilty look. “Your health should always come first,” he added as he picked up the bowl.
“Are you seriously going to feed me?” Julie asked.
“Well, it depends. If I leave you to it, are you going to eat it all on your own?” he asked. She shrugged and shook her head a little guiltily. “Well, that settles it then. You are eating this even if I have to force it down your throat.”
“Sometimes you are so mean,” she said.
“Well, I did slave over it. I think this has to be the best soup I have ever made,” he said smiling as he lofted a spoonful of soup to her lips. “Trust me, Betty Crocker has nothing on me,” he winked as she took the spoon into her mouth.
“Oh my God,” she moaned when she swallowed. “Even in my state, I agree,” she laughed before he gave her another spoonful. She then took the bowl from him and smiled. “I think I’ll take it from here,” she said before she took another spoonful. Needless to say, she was done in a matter of minutes.
“There is more if you want,” Steven said as he looked at her. “You sure were hungry,” he said smiling. Julie looked at him as she put the bowl on the table.
“Ten hours,” she reminded him. “And I didn’t even have breakfast this morning,” she added as she took the bottle of water.
“By the way, you need to finish the juice. You can go slow on the water,” he explained. She smiled and put the bottle down and then picked up the glass.
“I think you were a doctor in another life,” she teased. He put a hand on hers and smiled.
“I have been a lot of things in past lives,” he said. She looked at him and shrugged.
“So, what next? I finish up and go back to bed?” she asked. He smiled and then put her legs on his lap.
“Now, you get a relaxing foot rub and then you take the night time medicine and finally, yes, go back to bed,” he responded as he began rubbing her right foot.
“And then what?” she asked as he looked at him before she sneezed. He looked at her and handed her a box of tissues that was on the table.
“And then you take a few days off work because it wounds to me like you’re getting worse,” he said.
“How many days?” she asked frowning.
“A couple. Maybe three,” Steven said as he rubbed her foot. “Dana said you should take as much time as you can,” he added. Julie smiled and leaned back against the couch. “Are you comfortable? Need me to get you another pillow?” he suggested. Julie looked at him and smiled.
“I only have a flu. You are acting like I have cancer or something,” she laughed.
“Well, the bottom line is that you are not feeling okay. And I am supposed to be here for you,” he said as he switched to the other foot.
“I wonder how over protective you will be when I get pregnant,” she said. Steven looked at her and smiled.
“When?” he asked. “Not if?”
“Yeah, when,” she confirmed. “Or am I the only one who thinks we are going to have great looking babies?”
“Oh, I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while. I just didn’t think you had the same thoughts,” Steven told her as he looked into her puffy eyes. Even then, with her face all red, he still thought she looked sexy.
“I’ve thought about it,” she said with a smile before she sneezed again.
“You should really take the night medicine now,” he demanded. Julie shook her head and frowned.
“I want to hear more about our babies. Like how many have you thought about?” she said.
“Four, maybe five?” he said. Julie’s eyes grew wide.
“Out of me? Are you kidding me?” she shrieked.
“How many did you have in mind?” he asked.
“Two. Three max,” she said. “Why would you want five children? Are you trying to make some kind of team?” she asked. Steven looked at her and smiled.
“Three’s a good number,” he said as he leaned forward and took the night medicine from the table. He took a pill out of the bottle and placed it in her hand. “Time for your pill, babe.”
“I wanted to stay awake a little longer,” she frowned. Steven smiled.
“You have exactly twenty minutes before it kicks it. We can snuggle until then,” he promised. She smiled and popped the pill into her mouth before she took large gulps of water and then leaned back. “You want to go to bed?” he asked. She looked at him and shook her head. He smiled and stood up before he lay next to her holding her close to him.
“Hey babe,” Julie whispered.
“Yes,” Steven said as he ran his hand up and down her arm.
“I think you’ll make a really good dad,” she said before she closed her eyes. He smiled.
“Are you just saying that or is the pill already taking its effect?” he asked but she never answered. He looked at her and smiled. Maybe the residual effects of Marge’s pill were still in play or she was just tired. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead and then pulled the blanket she kept on the couch before he draped it over them.
