Jennifer Gracen - #DFQWBS Entry

Can’t Wait Another Minute
Jennifer Gracen

Soft, golden sunlight awakened him, splashing gently across his face. He opened his eyes and turned his head. Inches away, she lay sleeping, serene and so beautiful among the tangled white sheets. Her long, honey blonde hair was strewn around her face and shoulders, and he reached out to brush it back so he could stare at her without impediment. Her deep, soft breaths were like music to him. He was that much in love with her. Helplessly, completely in love with her.

His fingertips danced along the side of her face, stroking her skin with adoration. The night before had been a passionate romp, the kind of fun hotel sex he used to dream about. He didn’t have to dream anymore, not since he’d found her. He’d found The One. Of that he was certain.

So he’d whisked her away to this little bed and breakfast, nestled in the mountains, with a plan. The ring was burning a hole in the hidden pocket of his suitcase; he was sure he could actually feel heat coming from it if he concentrated. Later that day, they’d take a long, romantic walk along the hiking path he’d read about, and somewhere stunningly gorgeous — he’d know it when he saw it — he’d present her with the diamond ring and ask her to marry him.

He’d been planning it for weeks.

But now, as he watched her sleep, a wave of love and affection washed over him. It crashed over him like a tidal wave, battered him, and almost choked him with its power. God, he loved her. She was everything he’d ever looked for in a woman. In a friend. In a partner. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her… and suddenly, his careful plan went up in smoke. He couldn’t wait another minute. Not even another second.

“Hey,” he whispered. He trailed his fingers down her naked back, like feathers along her spine, then up again. Pushing her lustrous hair back from her face once more, he leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Wake up, sweetheart.”

“Why?” she mumbled, half asleep.

“I need to ask you something,” he said.

She stirred slightly, snuggled closer into his side, and let out a tiny moan of protest. “Can it wait?”

He put his arms around her and caressed her smooth skin. “No,” he said.

Something in his voice must have gripped her, even through the filmy veil of sleep. Her eyes fluttered open and she leaned up on one elbow to look at him. “Are you okay?”

“More than okay. I’m fantastic.” He kissed her lips tenderly, lingering, savoring the moment. “I love you so much, you know that? More than I ever thought possible.”

She smiled. “I love you that much too.”

He took a deep breath, played with her hair, and stared deeply into her eyes. Those dark brown eyes he adored. The eyes he wanted to wake up to every morning. “Marry me.”

Her breath caught in her throat and her body stilled. “What?” she stammered.

He kissed her again, brushed her hair back from her face, and repeated softly, “Marry me.” He looked into her eyes and saw her shock, but the words came pouring out. “I want to wake up with you like this every day for the rest of my life. I love you more than I can put into words… you’re everything to me. I’ve never been as happy in my whole life as I’ve been with you for the past year. You’re the best person I know, the one I like more than anyone, the one I want to spend time with and talk to more than anyone. And you’re so damn beautiful.” He cradled her face in both hands. “You have my heart. I want to spend my life with you, every day for all of our days. Marry me.”

Her eyes, round with astonishment, welled with tears. She drew a shaky breath. “Oh, my God… I… wow.”

He didn’t move, just kept gazing at her.

“I want to remember every word you said,” she whispered, her eyes shining. “That was the most beautiful… I just… wow.”

“So… is that a yes?” he asked tentatively.

“Oh! Yes! YES!” she cried, laughing at how her shock had short circuited her brain. “Of course it’s yes. I’d love to marry you. I love you so much. So, so much.”

They kissed over and over as the room flooded with golden sunlight, holding each other close and laughing with joy in between kisses.