I buried my face in my hands. I could feel my chest tightening as I struggled for air.
My mother pulled my hands away from my face and held them. “Is that why you’re so on edge? You’re worried about him flying up there?”
I couldn’t hold the secret in any longer. “That’s part of it, but I’ve been keeping a secret from you.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh. Okay . . . well let me get myself ready for this.”
She licked her lips and then pressed them together as she closed her eyes. Was she saying a prayer?
Oh. God. She thinks I’m pregnant!
“I’m not pregnant, Mom.”
Her body slumped over as she sighed. “Thank God! Your father would beat Jase’s ass.”
Trying not to giggle, I shook my head. “Well . . . he still might, if I know, Daddy.”
Her eyes lit up and she smiled from ear to ear.
“Jase asked me to marry him.”
She yelped as she slammed her hands over her mouth. Then her hands dropped and she started crying.
“My baby is getting married!”
I quickly glanced around to see who was witnessing her breakdown. A few older ladies smiled and gave me a polite nod. “Okay, Mom . . . maybe we should grab lunch.”
She jumped up. “Lunch? We have to start thinking about the dress! Let’s go.”
And just like that, I created a monster I was positive I wouldn’t be able to contain.
“Where are we going?”
Looking over her shoulder, she laughed. “Home, of course. We need to make a game plan!”
Rolling my eyes, I moaned. Maybe this was the perfect distraction I needed. My mother on a mission.
Yay. Me.
Once I was safely in my car, I dragged in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Holy hell. I’m not going to make it.”
My phone rang in my purse as I quickly dug it out. Seeing Jase’s name, I smiled.
“Hey.”
“Hi there, beautiful. How was your day with your mom?”
Dropping my head back, I moaned. “I caved.”
Jase laughed. “Was she happy?”
“So happy that I just spent the last two hours mapping out a detailed plan on what wedding dress shops we were going to visit. Of course, it all depends on what time of year the wedding is.”
“Why?”
“I asked the same thing! I did tell her it would be by the lake on your family’s ranch. She loved the idea.”
Jase chuckled again. “Hey, can you meet me where we decided to have the house built? Gunner is wanting to finalize a few things so we can get started building the house.”
My stomach fluttered. “I can’t believe we’re building a house together.”
“You don’t think we’re moving too fast, do you?”
Staring straight ahead, I smiled. “It feels right.”
“So right. But you know I can sell this land and we can build anywhere you want. It doesn’t have to be here in Llano.”
My chest expanded as Jase spoke. He was so caring of my feelings about everything. It made me love him even more. “No. I want to live where you grew up. The idea of raising our kids in your backyard makes me happy.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
Jase cleared his throat. “The way you love me leaves me breathless.”
With a chortle, I shook my head and started my car. “I feel the same. I’m leaving my parents’ house now. I’ll head straight to the land and meet you there.”
“Sounds good. Be careful driving, sweetness.”
“Will do. See ya in about forty minutes.”
When I drove down the dirt road we had made coming out to the land, I couldn’t contain the excitement building. Jase and I were building a house. We were getting married.
I reached over and pinched myself.
“Still not dreaming.”
Pulling in behind Jase, I quickly jumped out of my car and made my way over to the site we had picked to build our two-story house. I wasn’t sure what Gunner needed. I thought we had signed off on the plans last week.
My eyes danced between the little table that was set up and Jase who stood there holding a box.
“Wh-what’s going on?” I asked as I walked up and saw the picnic basket on the table.
“I thought maybe you’d like to have a picnic.”
My entire body tingled. “Jase! This is so wonderful!”
His face beamed with pride as he pulled the chair out for me to sit down. “But first . . . you need to open your gift.”
“What’s the gift for?”
“No reason other than I love you.”
My heartbeat quickened. I’m living in a fairytale. “You’re spoiling me!” I said with a slight giggle.
He set the box down on the table. Before I had a chance to open it, the lid popped open and the cutest boxer puppy tried to jump out. There was a pink bow tied around her neck and she barked as soon as she saw me.
“It’s a puppy!” Jumping up, I swept her up into my arms.
“It’s a girl,” Jase said.
Holding her up, I looked at her adorable white and black face. “She’s beautiful.” Turning to Jase, I reached up on my tippy toes and kissed him. “I love her already!”
“Sit down and let her run around.”
I did exactly what he said. “Oh my sweet little girl. What should I name you?”
Jase sat down next to me as the puppy jumped all over both of us.
“Bella! I’m going to name her Bella!”
“I think that is the perfect name for her.”
Bella ran up and jumped on me and that’s when I saw it. My breath hitched as I grabbed onto my new puppy to keep her still.
“Oh my gosh. Jase!”
Reaching over, Jase untied the bow and took the ring off. He took my hand in his as tears rolled down my cheeks.
“I want to dance every dance with you for the rest of our lives. Every breath I take is for you, Taylor.”
A loud sob escaped from my lips as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It was a beautiful princess-cut diamond flanked by smaller diamonds. It was breathtaking.
“This ring was given to me by my father. It was his mother’s.”
Knowing how much that meant, I cried harder as I got on my knees and threw myself into Jase’s arms. “It’s stunning! I love it and I love you so much.”
Pulling back, his hands cradled my face. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long.”
Narrowing my eyes, I looked at him confused. “Some people would think we were rushing this.”
He looked down at the ground and shook his head. “If I hadn’t been so stupid, I would have made you mine a long time ago.”
My arms wrapped around his neck. “None of that matters. All that matters is we’re together and everything is amazingly perfect.”
Bella barked, causing Jase and I to laugh. “I think your baby girl wants some attention.”
After playing with Bella and wearing her out, we ate the sandwiches Jase had made and snuck off to the truck while Bella was sleeping in the little doggy playpen Jase had set up.
The anticipation of what was to come had my lower stomach pulling. Jase picked me up and pushed me against his truck.
Moving my panties out of the way, he pushed himself into me as I dropped my head back.
There was nothing I loved more than Jase buried deep inside me as he whispered my name against my lips.
This was beyond perfect.
It was heaven.
Jase
Bella ran around as Taylor sat on the edge of the bed watching my every move.
“I’ll only be gone for a few days, sweetness. You won’t even know I’m gone.”
She pouted and pulled her knees up to her chest. My heart was aching. As much as I wanted to go . . . I didn’t want to go. “You could come, you know.”
Chewing on her lip, she contemplated it again. “I can’t ask for ti
me off. Even though it’s Scott, I still can’t do that. I feel like I’m still too new.”
“It’s only for four days.”
Her legs dropped to the ground. Standing, she walked up to me. “I want to, but honestly the small plane scares me.”
I tried not to laugh, but it was cute how worried she was. “It’s not that small. It’s a private jet yes, but that damn thing is huge.”
“Are you sure Nate is okay to fly it?”
“Yep. Plus, there will be another pilot. He was a navy fighter pilot, baby. If I’m not safe with him then I’m really fucked.”
Frowning, she snapped back, “Don’t say that, Jase.”
My arms wrapped around her while I pulled her closer to me. “Everything is going to be okay.”
Her eyes searched my face. “Promise?”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “I promise.” Slapping her ass, I stepped back. “We better head out so we make it to the airport in time.”
“Meagan’s coming with us, if that’s okay.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled. “Of course it is. I’ll put Bella in her crate.”
Right as we were putting my luggage in the trunk of Taylor’s car, Meagan pulled up. “Wait! I want to see, Bella!”
Dashing into the house, Meagan gave Bella a few quick hugs and put her back into her crate. “All right. Let’s get the show on the road. I’ve got some shopping to do while in Austin.”
Taylor’s mouth dropped. “What? I don’t want to go shopping, Meg.”
With a quick shrug of her shoulders, she got into the backseat. “Too bad. I’m taking full advantage of no kids.”
We stood in the airport and kissed one last time.
“Have fun. Be careful and don’t make any cows mad,” Taylor said with her hands on my chest and tears pooling in her eyes.
“I’ll be back before you even miss me.”
Her lips trembled. “I should be going.”
My hand slipped behind her neck as I pulled her lips to mine. I didn’t care that people were walking by; all I cared about was her knowing how much I loved her.
Slightly pulling back, I spoke against her lips. “I won’t be gone long.”
“O-kay,” she whispered between sobs.
“I’ve got to go.”
Nodding, she took a step back and tried to give me a smile.
“Taylor?”
Her eyes brightened up as her breath caught. “Yes?”
“I love you.”
Her body hit mine, knocking me back a couple of steps. “I love you too.”
“Taylor, he’ll only be gone a couple of days. You’re starting to look desperate,” Meagan said as she pulled on Taylor’s arm.
With a chuckle, I kissed her quickly on the lips and quickly headed to where Nate would be waiting for me. I looked back to see Taylor watching me. She quickly wiped her tears away and smiled a brilliant smile. Lifting my hand, I waved while she waved back.
“Jase, how’s it going?” Nate asked as he gave me a slap on the back.
“It’s going good.”
“We’re out of Gate Two; let’s head on down.”
Thirty minutes later I was sitting in a jet with a flight attendant taking my drink order. I took a picture and texted it to Taylor, hoping it would calm her worrying down if she saw it was a bigger plane.
Me: Look. I have my own personal flight attendant.
Less than a minute later, she responded.
Taylor: Wow! That’s bigger than I thought. Are you sure Nate can fly it?
Me: Yes, and if not William the fighter jet pilot is co-piloting. Stop worrying, baby. I’ll call you when we land. Nate said it will be about a three hour flight.
“Mr. Morris, we’re getting ready to take off.”
“Thanks!”
Me: Got to go, getting ready to take off. Love you!
Taylor: I love you too!
Tess, my overly-attentive flight attendant, offered me another drink.
Lifting my hand, I politely said, “No thanks. How much longer?”
“We’re almost into Wyoming, so not too much longer.”
We hit turbulence and Tess went flying up and off the floor. “Shit!” I shouted as I unbuckled to help her.
“I’m okay, Mr. Morris, I need you to buckle back up. Please! Now, sir.”
Doing as she asked, I watched as she quickly made her way to the front of the plane.
We hit more turbulence, but this time I swore the plane rocked from side to side.
A feeling of dread washed over me as Taylor’s words replayed in my mind about how worried she was. “Oh God. Please don’t do this to me. Please don’t do this to us.”
Tess came rushing out. “A storm just developed in our flight path and William is now at the controls. We’re going to try and . . .”
The plane jerked and Tess went flying again; this time she hit even harder against the ceiling of the plane.
“Tess!” I yelled out as the plane shook harder.
“Don’t. Get. Out. Of. Your. Seat,” she said as she crawled along the floor to her seat and buckled in.
Nate’s voice came over the intercom. I could barely hear him as he shouted, “Jase, we’ve hit a storm that came out of—”
A loud bang rang out as the plane bounced again and Nate’s voice disappeared. My heart was pounding so loudly it was drowning out the sound of the plane. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I pulled up the picture I took of Taylor and Bella this morning.
The plane rocked again and this time felt like it did a free fall for a few seconds. Tess gripped her seat, but still tried to give me a reassuring smile. There is no way this is good. No way at all.
Closing my eyes, I attempted to breathe normally while picturing Taylor’s beautiful smile and her soft skin. What I wouldn’t do to have her in my arms right this second.
Another bang caused me to jump and Tess to scream.
When I saw the tears streaming down her face, I had to keep from throwing up. The fear in her eyes was evident.
We were going to crash.
Tess covered her mouth and cried harder as she leaned forward and took the position for a crash landing.
Where in the fuck is he going to land the plane?
I looked around the plane as if searching for answers somehow. In that moment I closed my eyes and thanked God Taylor hadn’t come with me. My heart had never ached like it did right then. The thought of never seeing her again tore me apart, but the idea of her never living out her dreams killed me.
The plane felt as if it was in a nose dive as my chest tightened and I pulled up my message to Taylor and typed out a quick text.
Me: I’ll love you forever, Taylor.
The noise grew louder and the oxygen masked dropped from the ceiling. Tess yelled for me to put it on while she did the same. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nate trying to make his way over to me.
“We’ve been hit by lightning and we’ve lost all power.”
“Holy fuck,” I mumbled under my breath.
“The plane is equipped with a drag chute. William is having to glide it in and also find a flat area to land!” Nate shouted.
Jesus. Taylor.
Tess lifted her oxygen mask and yelled, “Mr. Montgomery! Please sit down and buckle up! Put your oxygen mask on right away!”
I couldn’t think straight as the plane dropped again, causing my heart to accelerate even faster.
Nate quickly did what he was told as he took the seat across from me. Grabbing the oxygen mask, he fought to get it on as the plane bounced all over the damn place.
Shit started flying everywhere.
I caught Nate’s eyes and they said everything. Lifting his mask, he yelled, “William’s . . . trying to get us . . . into Wyoming. To find . . . a place to land.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jase.”
I tried not to let Nate see the fear in my eyes as I snapped my head forward.
I was never going to see Taylor again.
Th
is was it.
Our whole future flashed before my eyes as I tried like hell to take in air. My chest felt as if someone had set a hundred pound weight on it.
I brought my phone up and looked at the picture of Taylor while leaning back over.
Tears stung my eyes as I finally let them fall.
“I’m sorry, Taylor. I’m so sorry.”
Taylor
“Meg, please. I don’t want to be in this store another second. The smell is making me sick! Plus, I have to get back to Bella.”
“I thought Colt was letting her out?”
I rolled my eyes. “Ugh. I’m going outside.”
Meagan had begged me to stop at some stupid bath bomb store. My nose and eyes were burning. I got that she was excited to get away for the afternoon and be on her own, but why at my expense?
Pulling my phone out, I looked at the time. Jase should be landing soon. My chest felt tight as the weirdest feeling came over me.
Meagan came out the door with a huge smile on her face holding up four bags. Not being able to hold it in, I laughed. “Holy crap. Did you buy enough for a year’s worth?”
She pinched her eyebrows together and looked at the bags. “I bought some for all the girls. Including you. It will do you good to sit in a hot bath and relax.”
We started toward the car and I couldn’t shake the weird feeling I had. Pushing it away, I tried to focus on Meagan going on and on about the sexy lingerie she bought for Grayson.
“He’s going to come just looking at me. I swear we haven’t had hot crazy sex in months. We are so overdue. Mom and Dad are watching the twins tomorrow night and I plan on being fucked six ways to Sunday.”
Snarling my lip, I made a gagging sound. “Gross. The image alone makes me want to hurl.”
Meagan bumped me with her shoulder and wiggled her eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you haven’t let that hotter-than-hot fiancé of yours have his wicked way with you.”
The heat instantly hit my cheeks as Meagan gasped. “Oh. My. God. My sweet little innocent sister is not so innocent anymore.”
Deciding to give her a taste of her medicine, I replied, “No, she is far from innocent.”
Meagan stopped walking. Glancing over my shoulder, I winked.
“Holy shit! Tay, what have you let that horny bastard do to you?”