Lead On (Complete)

~ Chapter 27 ~

She stared at him for a second, blinking once and then blinking again. She took in his features, the light in his eyes, the smile tugging at his lips, the way his dimple started to show, and she slowly shook her head at herself. She wish she could understand why his little demands, always done in the sweetest of ways though, made her smile and made her want to agree. That's even how he asked her to marry him. It wasn't even asking, so much as a little demand...

..."I love you," he whispered as his hand ran up and down her naked skin. She lay on her side on the blanket and was basking in not just the warm sun, but in the afterglow of their sweet lovemaking. Jeff had found a private piece of land off the river, had gotten a blanket, and treated her to a wonderful and romantic afternoon. It was moments like this that she loved to steal when their adult life was put on hold and they could just be the happy in love couple like they were as teenagers, with no cares or worries. Of course, as they crept up on 22, adult problems seemed to happen a lot more and outings like this were just about impossible to have.

"Mmm, I love you too," she whispered back. Her skin was breaking out in little bumps and she loved it, and she could feel his smile, so she knew he enjoyed it too.

"Always?" She slowly turned to look at him over her shoulder. He never questioned her or her love, so why now?

"Yes. Jeff, you know I do. I have fought my mom to be with you and you know she's not your biggest fan. Why are you questioning it?" Jeff smiled at her as he trailed his fingers over her shoulder and down her arm to grab her left hand. His thumb and forefinger played with her ring finger and her brows scrunched together. "Jeff, talk to me, what are you thinking?"

"Our future and our dreams. I want you as my wife."

"I know, we've talked about that before."

"Now, Rose, marry me now." She sat up, ignoring her nakedness, and stared at him, heart hammering in her chest. She really couldn't have heard him right, right?

"Do you mean that? We're young still, what if..." He stopped her with a kiss and a smile.

"No what if. Marry me." It wasn't a question, or a statement, it was that little demand that she loved. She beamed and nodded, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him again as she pushed him back to lie on the blanket...

... "Yes," was all she said. She didn't want to overthink it right now, or overcomplicate it. She would have time for regrets later, but right now, she was just into her feelings.

"Yeah? You sure?"

"Give me more time to think on it and I might say no." He laughed as he tickled her side, making her squeal and push his hand away, but her smile didn't fade.

"I think we need to get up," he told her, making a point at looking as the sun rose higher in the sky.

"You know, you really were always such a party pooper." She stuck her tongue out and rolled off of him, grabbing his tee-shirt and slipping it on as she went into the bathroom.

"Hey, what am I going to wear?"

"Your jeans," she called out, poking her head around the wall. "Your room is right next door. Don't be so dramatic." He laughed as he rolled out of bed as well and walked into his room.

-----

Rose walked down the stairs, smelling the coffee, and sighed as she smiled. She had packed up everything and Jeff said he would grab her bags to bring them down. She didn't want to leave, wanted one more day but she had to work the following Monday and her mom had an appointment she had to take her to. She grabbed a mug as she walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup, adding some creamer. She took a sip and walked out to the patio, sitting down in a chair.