Naughty or Nice

by Jennifer Hanks

  And there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I finally had.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Taylor

  Fiddling with the bracelet on my wrist, I watched while the last of my things were moved into my new house. I’d decided to do some renovations and updates before I moved in, and they took almost three months. When Aaron suggested I use Jake and Ben, who owned their own construction business, to do the remodel, I instantly said yes, and they agreed even though I suspected they already had a lot on their plates.

  I met with Jake and Ben frequently, and on those days, I made sure Aaron was a part of every decision I made for a few reasons, one of which I planned to surprise him with later today. I looked down at my bracelet, the one I’d worn every day since Aaron gave it to me when we were finally alone and back in bed on Christmas night. I’d given him a new pair of ear buds because he’d mentioned to me that the sound on his were awful, but they were nowhere near as thoughtful as the bracelet he’d given me.

  I waved to Luke, who had somehow gotten roped into the move, when he walked toward me and grinned. He’d just gotten to me when he pointed at the truck. “That’s the last of it.”

  “Thank you so much for helping me move.”

  “No problem.” He gestured back toward Aaron. “Your man did most of the heavy lifting.”

  I knew that. I’d watched Aaron bust his ass all day to move the heavy stuff I couldn’t help with into the house. I thought of Luke’s words and smiled, knowing only about six months ago, the words, “your man,” would’ve sent me into a small panic attack, but not anymore. He’d found a way to break through all my insecurities and all my doubts until all I could see was him and what he saw in me.

  “Your brothers did an amazing job on the renovation.”

  Luke nodded. “They did. I’d always known they would be good running this company, but I never knew how talented they were or what a force they’d be as a team.”

  I laid my hand on his arm and he looked down, nothing but admiration for his brothers in his eyes, but then he smirked and pointed at Jake. “But don’t tell that one I said anything. His ego already has problems fitting through the door with him.”

  I laughed and turned when I heard a car pull up. We both watched Kate step out and Luke’s smile grew wider the closer she got. He pulled her to him as soon as she was close enough and whispered something in her ear before she faced me.

  “This looks amazing, and I’ve only seen the outside.”

  “You’ll have to come over for dinner this weekend, and I’ll give you the tour,” I said, surprised and excited that over the past few months, Kate and I had become friends because I’d finally allowed myself to be open to it.

  Thanks to Aaron.

  Also, with both Aaron’s and Kate’s help, I’d been making progress on developing a friendlier relationship with the other agents. All but a few, including Tricia who seemed to be unhappy with me dating Aaron, but as long as she did her job, we would be fine. After all, I could still pull out the ice queen when I needed to.

  “We’d love that,” she said.

  “You can even bring Cookie.”

  They both laughed, and Kate nodded. “That’s good. You know Andy doesn’t go many places without him.”

  I did know that, and I thought it was sweet. I’d been to the Dimarco’s house and to Luke and Kate’s since Jack’s birthday and very rarely were either of the homes not filled with kids and dogs. I loved it and only hoped I could fill this house with my own kids and pets someday.

  Luke hugged Kate tight against his side. “You ask him yet?”

  I shook my head, but did it smiling. “No, but I’m doing it today.”

  Luke smirked. “Then I bet I’ll be seeing you again tomorrow.”

  Laughing, I said good-bye when they started to walk away, happy I’d shared my plan with Luke, Jake, and Ben so I could make sure we were doing everything just the right way. They’d been incredible at keeping it to themselves, but after today, they wouldn’t have to do that anymore. I was putting myself out there in a way I couldn’t have imagined even a few months ago, but it felt like it was time, and more importantly, it felt right.

  I made my way to the house, waving good-bye when I passed Jake and Ben who were heading for their trucks too, and just in time to see Aaron step out on the porch. He slung his arm around my shoulders when I made it to him and led me inside. Looking around the kitchen, I smiled at the updates we had chosen, including adding a large island in the now much larger kitchen.

  “It looks incredible.” Aaron squeezed my shoulder. “You happy?”

  This was my chance, and I was taking it, so I looked at him and frowned. “No.”

  His smile dropped. “You’re not?” He glanced around the kitchen and living room that were now completely open to each other. “What did they get wrong?”

  I dug my hand into the pocket of my jeans, pulled out a key, and placed it on the island. His eyes flicked down to the key and then with a look of confusion, back at me. He was patient and waited for me, like he’d proven, since we began this relationship, that he would always do.

  I swallowed hard and gestured toward the key. “That’s yours.”

  “Mine?” His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. “For your house?”

  “For our house.”

  I watched as the confusion slowly cleared from his expression and a grin spread across his lips. “Are you asking me to move in with you, baby?”

  I gestured toward the house. “This was always our house. It doesn’t feel right without you living here too.”

  He put his hands on his hips, and his smile grew. “Is that why you asked my opinion on every fucking decision?”

  I nodded and giggled when he moved closer to me. “Yeah. Why did you think I was asking?”

  He chuckled. “I just thought you were really indecisive.”

  I laughed when he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me from the ground, burying his face in my neck. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes.” He pulled back but didn’t put me down. “I’ll move in with you, but when it comes time to propose, I’m gonna be the one asking.”

  A warmth I’d never experienced rushed through my body at his words. “Okay,” I answered quietly. “Just don’t wait too long.”

  He pressed his lips to mine and smiled. “Deal.”

  He deepened the kiss until we were both out of breath. “Put me down. I have another surprise.”

  His eyes widened, but he let my body slide down his. “Another surprise?”

  Nodding, I dug another key out of my other pocket before putting it on the table next to the house key. He glanced at the key, once again confused, and then back at me. “What’s going on?”

  I gestured toward the key. “That’s a key to the office. I was hoping you’d agree to become my official business partner.”

  He stared at the key for a moment before his eyes came back to mine. “Partners?”

  I nodded. “I want to have the life we’ve been having the past few months, and the only way to do that is to share the responsibility of running a business.” I laid my hand on his chest and leaned in. “I want it to be our business. I want to be your partner in everything.” I swallowed hard, unable to read his expression. “But only if that’s what you want.”

  His eyes moved slowly over my face, and I waited, hoping he was in the same place I was and wanted the same things I did out of our relationship.

  “I want that, baby,” he answered quietly. “But only if you’ll agree to marry me.”

  I leaned in and laid my other hand on his chest so my face was close to his. “Any time, any place.”

  He ran his hands over my hips. “I love you, Taylor.”

  I smiled because I already knew that. He’d told me on Christmas night when he’d given me the bracelet, but I hadn’t been ready to say it back. I wanted the first time I told him I loved him to be standing in our home.

  “I love you, Aaron.” I rubbed my l
ips across his softly. “I have for a long time now.”

  He pulled me tight against his body and kissed me hard and deep. I knew he was waiting to hear it, and I was so happy he waited until I was ready to tell him. He never gave up on me, and somehow, I knew he never would.

  He pulled back and dug his phone out of the pocket of his jeans. I just watched as he tapped something and then held it to his ear. “Hey Luke, you able to help me move tomorrow?”

  I heard Luke laughing on the other end of the phone and smiled when they talked for a minute more before he threw his phone down on the counter. He squatted, grabbed me around the legs, threw me over his shoulder, and headed straight for the master bedroom and the king-sized bed we’d picked out together.

  I already loved living together.

  EPILOGUE

  Aaron

  “I can’t believe you’re engaged already,” Kate teased. “I mean, when you want something, you really go for it.”

  “It’s been seven months,” I said. “Didn’t you know Luke for like a day before he practically moved himself in with you?”

  She threw her elbow back until it landed in my side. “It wasn’t a day, and besides, our circumstances were extreme.”

  I snorted. “Luke Dimarco would’ve found a way to move his ass into your house with or without extreme circumstances.”

  She laughed, but she couldn’t deny it. Theirs was a love story for the books. They were made for each other, and after watching them together, I knew what I wanted, and more importantly, what I was looking for. I was lucky enough to notice it was literally in my space every day and had been for a few years. I just had to find a way to get her to open up to me, and once I did, I knew she was everything I’d always wanted.

  I looked across the yard at Luke’s brother, Jax, who was squatting down and talking to his daughter Mia. We were here celebrating her birthday, along with over fifty other people, all of who were mostly her immediate family. I chuckled to myself when I thought of my birthdays consisting of a few relatives and my sister. But I’d come to know the Dimarcos over the past year, and when they did something for someone they loved, they did it big.

  My eyes snapped toward Jack Dimarco when I heard his voice call out over the crowd. “Hey everyone, gather around!”

  We all quieted down and faced him, people moving to stand with their significant others, and it wasn’t long before I saw Luke and Taylor making their way toward where Kate and I still stood. I grabbed Taylor around the waist as soon as she was close and pulled her to stand with her back to my chest, pressing a kiss against her neck. She sighed and leaned back against me while we waited for Jack to tell us what he so obviously wanted to share.

  Jack stood with Anna by his side, where she always seemed to be, while his eyes moved over the crowd of people watching him. “There are a couple of announcements to make and what better time to do that than when we’re all together with the ones we love.”

  He lifted his glass in the air and smiled at me and Taylor. “Congratulations to Taylor and Aaron who are now engaged.”

  Cheers rang out through the yard, followed by congratulations from everyone who hadn’t already known, and Taylor looked up at me over her shoulder. I leaned down for a kiss, which incited more cheers and a few catcalls from Ben and Jake. Taylor’s shoulders shook with laughter when we broke apart and faced the crowd again.

  Jack nodded at us and continued. “Anna and I also wanted to congratulate two of our children on their good news.” He looked around the yard but didn’t focus on anyone. “We’re going to be grandparents again.”

  All heads spun to look at Brody and Gia who already had three girls, all under the age of five, but Gia laughed and shook her head. Brody grinned down at Gia before he looked at Luke and gave him a chin lift.

  Jack once again lifted his glass, but this time in the direction of Luke and Kate. “Congratulations to Luke and Kate.” Everyone cheered while Jack spun his attention across the yard and faced Jake. “And Jake and Lanie for bringing more babies into this family.”

  Cheers again went up, and I looked over at Jake who was looking down at Lanie like the sun rose and set on her, which, in his world, I’d always thought it did. They were lost in each other, so I turned to face Kate and Luke who were wrapped around each other and talking to Ben.

  Kids raced across the yard, dogs hot on their heels, and my eyes continued to scan across the faces I’d come to know over the past year. People who had become my family when I least expected it and welcomed Taylor with open arms. We had a huge extended family that I’d never expected to find when I asked and took Kate out on our one and only date.

  I was so fucking happy that hadn’t worked out.

  I looked down at Taylor when I felt her eyes on me and nodded toward the yard in front of us. “You want that?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Kids?”

  “All of it. Kids, dogs, chaos.” I smirked when she giggled.

  She turned and wrapped her arms around my waist. “I want all of it.”

  “Then we’d better get busy.” I leaned down and nuzzled her neck, knowing everyone was distracted with each other.

  “I don’t know.” She sighed and tilted her head so I had better access to her neck. “I think I may want a little time so we can break in our house the right way.”

  “I like the sounds of that,” I agreed.

  “Hey, you two, this is a kids party, you know?”

  Taylor giggled when I chuckled against her neck, and we both turned to face Luke and Kate. We’d already known they were expecting because Kate had a hard time keeping the news to herself, and we’d celebrated by having them over to our house for dinner.

  “This is a Dimarco party, which basically means anything goes,” I replied, making both Luke and Kate laugh.

  “You got me there, man,” Luke admitted.

  I looked around the yard before focusing back on Luke. “Lots of exciting things coming.”

  He smirked. “Never a dull moment in this family.”

  I snorted. “That’s true.”

  He slapped his hand against my shoulder and looked at Taylor and me. “And now you’re a part of it.”

  I laughed. “I’m not even sure how that happened.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “Once you’re in, you’re in.”

  “That sounds terrifying,” Taylor said while laughing, “and at the same time, incredible.”

  Luke and Kate turned when Andy called for them, and I once again shifted so I could wrap my arms around Taylor.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “For what?”

  She smiled sweetly. “For bringing all this into my life.”

  “All of this”—I paused and pressed a soft kiss to her lips—“is only better with you by my side.”

  “Then that’s where I’ll be,” she promised, and I kissed her a little harder and a hell of a lot longer before pulling back and resting my forehead against hers.

  A year ago, I was kicking myself for missing out on another opportunity with an incredible woman, but I never expected that a missed opportunity could bring me exactly what I wanted and needed.

  I just had to open my eyes to the possibility.

  Whoever said nice guys finished last never met the right woman because, as far as I could tell, I was in the lead.

  And with her by my side, I always would be.

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  Want to read more about the Dimarco family?

  Continue reading for a peek into their series.

  KASEY

  The Dimarco Series Novella

  JENNIFER HANKS

  PROLOGUE

  Jax

  The wheels of the plane touched down, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before exhaling slowly. In a few minutes, I would walk outside and come
face to face with my family. I didn’t feel like I thought I would after so many years in the military. I always thought I’d be excited, and that I’d have a sense of relief knowing I’d be able to see my parents every day, have a beer with my brothers, and hug my baby sister, but instead, all I felt was uncertainty.

  I ran my hand along the back of my neck and sighed, rising from the seat I’d maneuvered my six-foot-two-inch frame into when I boarded. Ducking to avoid the overhead compartments, I reached up and grabbed my bag before following the crowds of people from the plane. Weaving my way through the airport, I stopped when I reached the doors leading outside to the parking area where I’d agreed to meet my dad and stared. I’d been in the States for weeks, going through a debriefing with my SEAL team, but today, looking out the doors, it finally hit me that I was no longer a SEAL.

  I wish I knew who the fuck I was supposed to be now.

  Pushing open the door, I moved along with others all heading for their cars and scanned the area until my eyes landed on my dad standing with my brothers. Or at least some of them. I knew not to expect Brody because he was still enlisted in the Navy and on a mission with his own SEAL team. My younger twin brothers both joined the Marines, so I knew not to expect to see Cam or Chris. The last I’d heard, they’d been separated into different teams to take advantage of their strengths.

  My gaze settled on Luke, Jake, and Ben, and I saw their eyes scanning the crowd, looking for me. I braced myself when Luke’s gaze landed on me, not at all surprised he was the first one to see me. He’s a cop, and even if he hadn’t chosen that as his career path, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind he would’ve spotted me first. I didn’t have to hear his words to know he’d told Jake and Ben because their heads turned quickly. Once their eyes found me, they charged, bringing to my lips the first real grin I’d had in weeks.