8. Ryan

"Ineed to tell you something, angel."

She sits up and studies my face, her own serious. "What?"

"I love you but if there's one thing I need from you it's complete and utter honesty. After my fiancé slept with my best friend and we broke it off, I just can't take not knowing what's going on in your mind. I need complete honesty. Or I will not be happy."

"I was honest with you. Did she ever tell you why she did it?"

I shrug. "The same old story. I was working too many hours and he was staying with us. They spent more time together than they should and just…got involved."

"Like what? I slipped and fell on his dick? I don't think so. There's no excuse for that. She wasn't honest with herself let alone you."

"She fell out of love. I get it. But I think when that happens, you tell the person and you both call it quits and you see if you can work things out with the other person."

She smiles. "That's very sensible of you, Ryan. It's hard for me to believe that you can be that sensible."

"I'll go home and cry in my beer later."

"Okay. Well, just so you know. I won't ever cheat on you. I'm a one-man woman. That was part of the problem with my ex, Ben. He liked to flit around the flowers and spread his pollen around."

I choke on a laugh. "Whoa! I won't do that."

"And he liked to boss me around."

"Well, I am kinda bossy but it's usually for a good reason. And often in bed." I waggle my brows. "I think you'll like those days."

"I've got to ask you a question. I'm assuming you won't move in with me right away. How long do you think you want to wait?"

"I think I want to wait until the end of the year. I feel like we've jumped into this but it feels right too."

"How can it not? We're meant to be. But I would wait until the end of time to be with you forever."

I would wait forever to have her as my wife. To claim her before all our friends and family and make her mine forever.

"I know you think I'm being silly but…"

"No." I shake my head and hug her close to me. "I know that you need time. As long as you love me, that's all that matters. I can wait."

"I do love you." I smile and she grins at me. "How could I not? You're you and I'm me. We belong together."

"This is what I've been saying. I'm glad you finally caught up." She giggles and I sigh, holding her tight and letting the soft, sweet smell of her comfort and soothe me.

Letting her entwine with me and become one with me. Like our bodies belong together. Like we're one.

She's my perfect puzzle piece and she fills the empty space in my heart that I felt would stay that way forever.

This is my sanctuary. Here in her arms.

My sweet angel. My forever angel. My Anna.

"You're my perfect angel, you know that."

"I'm not perfect. Neither are you. But together we just might be."

"Wise words, my love."

The woman's too smart for me but I'm never letting her go. She's mine. And I'm a greedy bastard that will never let her go.

But she'll love every minute of it. As will I.