She managed to nod. “What do you want?”
“You.” He winced. “That’s not it. I mean, I do want you but that’s not why I’m here.”
This was beyond weird. Derek was never flustered and he certainly never misspoke. Words were his thing.
“Derek?”
“I love you, Bree. I’m sorry, but I love you.”
Her breath caught. “What?”
He started to pace, dragging his fingers through his hair. “I know we talked about this and you don’t want a relationship. I was ready.” He stopped and faced her. “I was ready to walk away but I can’t.”
She brought her hand to her throat, taking in shallow breaths as she tried to wrap her head around his words. “Derek, what are you saying?”
He came over to her, standing close but not touching her. “I don’t want to just float, Bree. I don’t want to lose what we have.”
“I don’t either.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“I don’t want to lose this either, Derek.” She sucked in a breath. “I love you, too.”
He waited a beat, and then grabbed her in his arms. “Ah, Bree. That makes me so happy.”
His voice was thick. Emotional. She leaned back and looked into his face. There was no mask there. No coldness. Just raw and wonderful affection heating his eyes and curling his lips at the corners.
“Oh, Derek.” Her tears started, and she couldn’t stop them if she tried. “I’m so happy.”
He brushed a thumb over her cheek. “Don’t cry, baby. Don’t cry. I might not know just how to do this, but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to cry.”
“How to do what?”
“Commit to this relationship. Make a life together. Be together forever.”
“Forever?”
To her shock he fell to one knee. “Marry me, Bree. I don’t have a ring yet but I want to be with you forever.”
Her heart danced all around in her chest as she laughed through her tears. “Okay, forever. I can do that. Yes.”
He smiled up at her and stood. “We’ll be happy. It won’t be perfect. I’m sure I’ll make mistakes. But we’ll be happy.”
“I don’t want perfect, Derek. I just want you.”
He held her close again, his every breath matched to hers. This was what she’d wanted. For weeks now. Derek might not think he was perfect but he was perfect for her. Forever.
Epilogue
Derek sat on the balcony off the master bedroom, a bottle of Sam Adams in his hand. The Adirondack chair was a little hard but the pillows at his back cushioned the wooden slats. It was just past eight o’clock on a Friday, and sunset wasn’t far off. The sky was growing darker as the stars began to blink into view.
His feet were bare. His collar was undone and his sleeves and pant cuffs were rolled back. He was rumpled. Comfortable. Totally Cypress Derek.
The day had been a hot one, even for late June. He knew it would only get hotter in the coming weeks, it was Central Florida after all, but he wouldn’t trade the heat for the more temperate weather in Boston this time of year. Not for any amount of money, much to Bill’s dismay. His old boss and surrogate father had been right after all. Derek had come to Cypress and never gone back.
When Bill had been down for Memorial Day he’d pointed out that forecast with a smile as they’d played their promised round of golf. He’d seemed more comfortable with his kids on that visit too, but Derek still felt that fatherly concern in his direction.
There had been no word from his real father since last month, but he knew better than to think Eddie wouldn’t show up again like the bad penny he was. Derek and his mother were braced for him, though. That restraining order he’d prepared was ready to go at any moment.
“I knew I’d find you out here.”
He turned his head to find Bree walking toward him, a wineglass in her hand. She wore another worn FSU T-shirt and a pair of denim shorts that showed off her long smooth legs. She kicked off her sneakers and padded over to him.
“Where else would I be?” he asked.
“At my house.” She laughed softly, tapping his bottle with her glass. “Helping Abby move in.”
He shook his head. “No way. Between you and my mother, I’m sure you had everything handled.”
“Oh, we did.” She sat down and crossed her ankles. “That was a great idea you had, moving the two of them into my house.”
“It was purely mercenary on my part, baby.”
“Oh?”
“Mmm-hmm. I wanted to make sure you had no choice but to stay here with me until the wedding.”
“You’re pretty sneaky,” she said. “At least we’ll have more room for my grandmother’s things. I see another trip to the storage unit in our future.”
“Yes.” He drained his beer and peeled at the label on the neck of the bottle. “By the way, when is the wedding?”
Bree shrugged and sipped at her wine. “I’m leaving that completely up to my mother.”
He didn’t see any sign of the strain any conversation about her parents used to contain. It had only been a few weeks since they’d announced their engagement but everyone in their ever-widening circle seemed really happy, her parents especially.
“We’re expected for dinner on Sunday,” she added.
He groaned dramatically. “Please tell me Kip, Skip and Muffy won’t be there.”
She laughed. “Not on a bet. It won’t be as fun as Rick and Harmony’s picnic last week, though.”
“Not likely, no.” He set his bottle on the plank floor. “We don’t have to have the wedding in Orlando, do we?”
“No. In fact, I’d love to have it out at the far lakeshore and then have the reception at the Clubhouse. Jessie and Noah’s wedding was just beautiful.”
“It doesn’t matter to me either way. I just want it done.”
She arched a fair eyebrow. “In a hurry there, counselor?”
“Yes. I don’t want you to come to your senses.”
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. Lettie is taking credit for this, you know,” she went on.
“Why, or do I even want to know?”
“It seems she mentioned me to you months ago, Derek. Put a bug in your ear, or something folksy like that.”
Derek smiled. “I think we were fated to be together when you slapped me and I kissed you.”
The sky grew darker, the stars brighter, and she set her glass down. “You were such a pain that day.”
“I was a dick.”
She shook her head and settled herself on his lap, her arms around his neck. “You just hadn’t realized what was happening to you.” She kissed his cheek. His throat. “What you were getting into.”
He settled his hands on her waist. “I’ll concede you that point. I wasn’t prepared, but I made up for that.”
“Mmm.” She brought her face to his. “Did you, Due Diligence?”
“That’s my job, baby. It’s what I do best.”
“I like the way you do your research, Derek.”
He stood, carrying her through the French doors to his bed. Their bed, now. “Then let me be thorough.”
He soon had her panting and sighing, and he loved her completely until they were both satisfied. He held her close after, happier than he’d ever been.
Eddie had been right about one thing. Bree had fallen into his lap. He’d stumbled into a relationship with the most beautiful girl he’d ever known. The girl who would be his wife. The perfect girl for him. His forever.
He would never hold back from her, either. Not his feelings and not his love. He’d sealed his fate that day he’d kissed her.
And he was the lucky son-of-a-bitch who would kiss her forever.
About the Author
JoMarie DeGioia is a bestselling author of Historical and Contemporary Romance. She’s known Mickey Mouse from the “inside,” has been a copyeditor for her tiny town’s newspaper, and a bookseller. A hybrid author, she also writes Young Adult Fan
tasy/Adventure stories, New Adult Romance and Paranormal Romance. She gets lost in DIY projects around the house and works out plot ideas during long runs. She divides her time between Central Florida and New England.
Discover other books by JoMarie DeGioia
The Gentlemen Undercover series, including
A Hero and a Gentleman
The Shopgirls of Bond Street series, including
That Determined Mister Latham
The Dashing Nobles series, including
More Than Passion
Pride and Fire
Just Perfect
More Than Charming
The Gentlemen Undercover series, including
A Hero and a Gentleman
The Cypress Corners series, including
Finding Harmony
Taming Jake
Loving Cassie
Winning Ben
Showing Jessie
Seeing Shannon (Barefoot Bay Kindle Worlds Novella)
Dreaming Eli
Giving Chase (Barefoot Bay Kindle Worlds Novella)
The Gifted YA Fantasy/Adventure Trilogy, including
Gifted
Braunachs of the Dell series, including
Luke’s Gold
Patrick’s Promise
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