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Chapter Twenty-Three

Olivia stared blankly at Nick. Was he proposing? He went to Olivia’s father and asked for Marshall’s permission to marry his daughter.

“You what?”

“I asked him if I could have his permission to ask you to be my wife.”

“And he said yes? He said yes knowing you were my teacher, knowing we had been sneakin’ around?”

            Nick nodded.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Olivia whispered.

“Olivia I—I didn’t mean to upset you. I just . . . I just wanted to know that your father knew what you mean to me. I wanted to make sure he was okay with it because even though I don’t know him well at all, his opinion of me matters so much.”

            Nick squeezed Olivia’s hand and she looked up at him with red eyes.

“I’m not upset. I’m in shock that you were a man about it and asked my father for something so important. I’m shocked that he—that he said yes.”

            Nick slid off the couch and pulled a box from the pocket of his faded blue jeans and knelt down on one knee. He opened the box slowly; aware of how hard his heart was beating. Olivia felt like all the air had been sucked from her lungs as she watched Nick.

“I know we’re young. We don’t have to do this anytime soon but there is nothing in this world that would make me happier than having you to share my entire life with. Let me make you happy, let me dry your tears, let me give you the life you’ve always wanted. Let me have fun with you and laugh with you. I wanna have a family with you and watch our children grow up to be just like you. I knew from the very first day we met when you spilled my coffee all over the place that there was somethin’ about you. I couldn’t get you out of my head no matter how hard I tried. You are what has been missin’ in my life and I can’t let you go. Will you marry me, Olivia?”

            Olivia looked down at the ring and then back up at Nick a handful of times unable to speak. It was a gorgeous white gold diamond band that would compliment her grandmother’s ring impeccably. She wiped her raw eyes and wrapped her arms around Nick’s neck.

“Yes,” she smiled. “Yes a million times. I would be honored to marry my best friend.”

            Nick kissed Olivia gently and she melted into his arms. He took the ring out of the box and it slid on smoothly onto her finger and kissed her fingertips. Olivia stood from the couch and grabbed Nick’s hand and led him into the bedroom. He stood at the doorway and she stood in front of the bed. He watched as she removed layer after layer, revealing her striking body.

            He walked slowly towards her and put his hand on her bare back, sliding it downwards sending chills down Olivia’s spine. He kissed the tip of her nose before making his way to her mouth. His bottom lip was pursed tightly over hers, causing Olivia’s skin to flush. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. The heat from his body alone was enough to make Olivia’s desires go wild.

            He laid her on the bed and she watched as he removed his shirt, then his pants, and finally his boxer briefs. Olivia touched the inside of her thigh waiting for him to make his move. Nick climbed back onto the bed and brushed his lips over her ear before tracing his tongue on her neck. She squeezed tightly onto the back of his neck, pulling him into her. Their tongues met, smashing wildly into each other. Olivia playfully bit Nick’s lower lip and he grabbed onto her hips tighter, thrusting himself into her. Olivia dug her fingernails into Nick’s back leaving traces of fire burning on his already warm skin.

            The feeling of connection was so undeniable. It was so powerful that it made her completely forget about every problem that had been plaguing her.

            Once they had finished, Nick lay breathlessly next to Olivia and wiped the sweat from his brow. He had his arm wrapped around the back of her neck and she laid on her side, draping one leg over top of his. She circled his muscular chest with her fingertips, wondering how she had become so lucky to find the one man that she was destined to find.

“I love you, Olivia. With all of my heart.”

“I know.” She looked up at him and kissed his neck. “I love you too.”