86
Candy and Isis got out of the car, heading into the beach house. Gage was leaning on the porch, looking amazing in his suit, smiling ear to ear at his fiancé while looking her over like she was a meal. He turned his gaze to Candy, and she looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
“What’s with, pinky?”
“It’s a long story.” Isis went up to him and kissed his cheek. “You look handsome.”
“Thank you. I clean up nice, don’t ya think? You both look amazing. Isis, we should get going. The captain is waiting at the docks.”
Isis turned to hug Candy. “Don’t worry, sweetie. He’s going to be thrilled. I just know it.”
Candy nodded. “Guess I should head in. It’s getting late. You two have fun tonight.”
Candy walked into the house, smelling the soft scent of roses filling the room. Candles were lit across the house, and a trail of rose petals led her into the living room. As she walked in she saw Slade smiling, holding a sweet heart-shaped balloon and a bouquet made of candy.
Candy giggled to herself at the sight of a balloon. It was such a sweet, innocent display and Slade looked so handsome in his black button-up shirt and matching dress slacks. His shirt slightly opened, revealing his hard chest underneath. He was the most stunning man she had ever laid eyes on.
Looking around, she noticed a table set with her favorite sushi and a bottle of wine resting in an ice bucket.
“What is all this?”
Slade walked over to her, kissing her on the cheek. “It’s for us. I wanted to show you how much you mean to me.” He handed her the candy bouquet and balloon.
“A get the candy, but a balloon?”
“It was Gage’s idea. I think he was trying to sabotage my date night. When you and Isis compare notes, he’ll look cool and I’ll look like an idiot. I should have not gone with the balloon idea. I know it’s cheesy.”
“It’s perfect. I love balloons,” Candy blushed, taking in all he had done for her. “The food looks wonderful. Did you call in a caterer?”
“I made all your favorites. Here, let me pull the chair out for you.” Slade helped her into her seat, being a total gentleman.
“Slade, this is all so wonderful. You cooked this?”
“Yep. I cook a lot. I bet you didn’t know that. I wanted to be a chef as my backup plan if I didn’t make it as a wrestler.”
“That’s amazing. It looks so yummy.”
Slade took a lighter and small cup of saki to flambe the sushi roll in the center of the table. The flames flickered across Candy’s smiling eyes. Watching Slade move around the table like a real chef was exhilarating and quite surprising.
He poured her a glass of wine and looked over with a coy wink. “Sorry. It’s non-alcoholic. Sobriety, ya know?”
“It’s perfect. This is so amazing. No one has ever done anything like this for me.” Tears welled up in Candy’s eyes. She couldn’t believe anyone would have gone to such trouble over her.
“I’ll always do things like this because I love to see you smile. I live to see those eyes light up. Try this. A little taste until the flames die down on the main course. Here. This is one of my favorites.”
He fed her a piece of a Japanese-inspired appetizer. Candy closed her eyes and hummed over the delicious flavors that enveloped her scenes. As she ate, Slade peppered soft kisses across her lips.
“Mmm. So good.”
Slade bit her lip and sucked it between his. “Mmm. It so is.”
Candy felt a warmth build between her legs as Slade ran his hand up her thigh as she moved into his ministrations.
“Let’s eat. If we don’t, I’m going to have to take you straight to bed, and I want you to enjoy tonight.” Lifting his hand to gently graze her cheek, he asked, “Candy?”
Her eyes slowly fluttered open, peering through her lashes. Batting her lashes, she playfully bit her lip. “Yes, Slade?”
“You’re my new addiction. One I never want to get over.”
He kissed her hand and went to serve the food, while she stewed over telling him her secret. Candy knew she needed to tell him, but she feared it would ruin a perfect evening and the more perfect relationship. Then again, maybe Isis was right, and it would make it that much more romantic and a deeper bond than she could have ever imagined.
As they ate and chatted throughout dinner, Slade couldn’t take his eyes away from her as the nerves were brewing up inside. He would ask her, and then on to dessert, where he would finish the night; making love to his beautiful fiancé.
“That was so good, Slade. You are an amazing cook.”
“Thank you, Sprinkles. I have something I want to say before we head into dessert. I have plans later that you are going to love, but I want to do this first,” Slade said as he got up from the table to kneel beside her.
Candy turned and smiled down at him, nervous about what she was going to say. She had to do it. Just blurt it out and get it over with. If not, she would lose her nerve.
Slade was shaking uncontrollably. Once he heard her say the words, he would be okay. For now, he felt like his heart was racing; he was sweating, and his mouth suddenly became unnaturally dry.
“Candy, I have been wanting to ask you something before we ever dated. I’ve known how I felt about you for a long time and —”
“Slade, I need to tell you something.”
They started talking over one another. Neither of them was listening and far too scared of the outcome of their revelations.
“When I thought you were in danger, I worried I could lose you,” Slade rambled on.
“I think there is something we should discuss.” Candy fiddled with the hem of her floral dress.
As Slade pulled the ring box from his pocket, they both blurted out the words in unison.
“Will you marry me?”
“I think I’m pregnant?”
Once again together they blurted out, “What?”
“You’re pregnant?”
“You want to marry me?”
Slade was stunned speechless as he looked up at her with his mouth agape. “A... baby? Our baby?”
Candy nodded. “Yes. I think so. I need to take a test. If you don’t want to marry —”
“Shh! Answer me.” Slade opened the box, revealing a beautiful heart-shaped engagement ring with pink and clear stones. He leaned over, pulling her to him to kiss her belly with the sweetest smile. Looking into her eyes, he reiterated his statement. “Marry me, Sprinkles. Be my wife and let’s start our family.”
“You aren’t mad?”
“Sprinkles, I’ve never been happier. We could have a baby. I have always wanted a child and now I have you and a tiny little hope growing inside you.”
“Hope?”
“Hope for our future.” Slade softly kissed her lips with a light chuckle. “Damn, woman, don’t you get it? I love you more than life itself. You just made me the happiest man in the world.”
Candy wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him hard. “Yes. I’ll marry you. I love you, Slade.”
“I love you and our baby.”
“What if I’m not?” Candy asked as she looked at the ring.
“Then we try harder next time. Tomorrow we’ll get a test and find out together. Okay?”
Candy agreed, still looking at the beautiful ring. It was perfect for his pink, candy-coated angel.
Slade sat watching her, knowing she was dying to put it on. He teased, “Oh, guess you want me to put this on you, huh?”
“It’s pink.” Candy batted her lashes with a gleaming smile.
“Just like my Sprinkles.” Slade slid the ring on her finger, sealed with a kiss. “Follow me. I have one more surprise.”
“There’s more?”
“So much more.”
