Worth a Chance, page 26
I reluctantly switched my attention from Sophie and the mysterious man to Alisha Roberts. I chatted with Alisha and a news anchor from the local station, speaking briefly on camera about the break-in and the plans for Market Tavern.
By the end of the night, my feet hurt, and I was ready to be alone with Ben.
Gia pushed us out the door with promises to handle cleanup, and I left without a fuss because I had my own plans for the evening.
Ben drove me home and unlocked the door to his house. “I thought that went well.”
I slipped off my shoes and set my wristlet on the counter. “It was more than I hoped for. It seemed like everyone came out.”
Ben nodded, moving toward me. “Even one of my high school teachers.”
“Yeah, it was nice to catch up with everyone. I missed talking to my customers each morning.” A few still promised to come by in the mornings for coffee, but more were excited about stopping by for dinner or drinks.
He leaned a hip against the counter, his hand on my shoulder. “I think you’re going to have to hire more staff soon.”
I smiled, exhaustion threatening to pull me under in the car, but now that we were home, I was eager to put my plan into motion. “That’s a good position to be in.”
“You amaze me, Brooke. You could have stayed with the coffee shop, and we could have split our customers. But what you did was so brave.”
It was the perfect segue. “I realized I was afraid to take risks. The coffee shop was safe. I hadn’t done anything new or innovative since I opened. I was stuck.”
He brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “You had a solid business plan. You didn’t need to take risks.”
“Not until you showed up.”
He raised his brow but didn’t interrupt.
“You’ve always pushed me to be a better person. To challenge myself when it was necessary.”
“I like to think we challenge each other.”
“We do. I know you said you’d wait for me to be ready. That you’d be happy with just living together with Cammie, but I want more.”
His hand stilled where it was poised to sift through my hair. “What are you saying?”
“I want to marry you.” My heart was beating fast; my palms were sweaty, but if I didn’t get it out, I’d go crazy.
It was like I’d released something inside him. His lips crashed down on mine, and his hand tangled in my hair. Then he pulled back just as abruptly, searching my face. “You want to get married?”
I nodded, tears stinging my eyes.
He interlaced his fingers with mine and tugged me down the hall.
I lifted my skirt so I could follow him without tripping. “Where are we going?”
“I have something I want to show you.”
I was a little irritated because I’d expected him to lift me into his arms and take me against the wall, or even to bed, but I wasn’t sure why he was taking me to his office.
He dropped my hand to flip on the lamp on his desk, then unlocked the bottom drawer.
I stepped into the room. “Ben, what are you—”
Then I saw the black velvet box cradled in his hand. He strode toward me, his face overcome with emotion. He took my hand in his and sank to his knee. “I wasn’t expecting you to be ready this soon.”
“But you were,” I breathed. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was.
“I bought this when I realized I loved you, hoping you’d change your mind about getting married. I wasn’t exactly planning on proposing in my office.” His expression was sheepish, and I rushed to reassure him.
“This is perfect.” I wouldn’t change anything about our history, or even that moment.
I resisted the urge to pull him up and tell him yes. I wanted to hear what he had to say.
“You captivated me from the moment I first saw you behind that lemonade stand, and then when you confronted me at mine. You pushed me. You challenged me. You make me a better person.”
Tears pricked behind my eyelids. “You make me a better person.”
If he hadn’t come back into my life, I don’t know if I’d ever have taken a risk in my business or in my personal life.
“We’re good for each other.”
I nodded, and a tear slid down my cheek.
He reached up to wipe it away with his thumb. “You’re loving and kind. You’re amazing with Cammie, and I can’t wait until you’re officially part of my family, and Cammie is yours as much as she is mine.”
“I want that so much,” I said as a sob escaped me.
It was too much. I needed him close to me. I dropped to my knees in front of him, cupping his face. “I love you so much.”
He raised a brow. “You’re hijacking my proposal.”
“It was taking too long. Ask me to marry you.”
He smiled. “I should have known you’d take control of the biggest moment of my life.”
“You wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I dropped my hands to his thigh, waiting for his next move.
He cupped my cheek with one hand. “Brooke Langley, will you marry me?” His voice shook a little, even though he had to know what my answer would be.
My heart filled with tenderness. “Yes, I will.”
He kissed me like he couldn’t believe I’d said yes. I’d done that. I’d made him doubt my desire to marry him, and I never wanted him to feel that way again. I pulled away, feeling slightly breathless.
“Thank you for waiting for me. For believing in me.”
“Always,” he said simply.
We’d gone through so much to get to that place, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Our journey was perfect.
“I love you exactly how you are.”
“I love you.”
We took each other as we were, with all the baggage and trauma that life gave us, but in the future, we’d go through it together.
He tugged me to stand, kissing me as he lifted me in his arms, bridal style.
“Is this a preview of things to come?”
“Definitely.” He moved swiftly to his room, gently resting me on the bed and coming to one elbow next to me.
“I can’t believe you’re here. That you said yes. That you’re going to be my wife.” His tone was filled with awe.
“I can’t wait.”
He kissed me softly, his hands drifting over the neckline of my dress. His touch was feather light. He kissed me until my hips lifted off the bed, until I was dying for his touch.
“Ben, please.”
He shifted to his knees, tugging his shirt from his slacks and unbuttoning it with fumbling hands. I moved to kneel before him, brushing his hands away.
We had the night together and the rest of our lives. I couldn’t wait to get started on our happily ever after. I never thought I’d get one, so it made the moment so much sweeter.
I pushed the stiff shirt off his shoulders, kissing his bare chest, right above his heart.
His head dipped to mine, and he kissed the top of my head. Then he pulled my dress over my head, leaving me with just a scrap of black lace between my legs. He gently pushed me onto my back while making quick work of removing his pants.
He slipped my thong over my hips and down my legs before settling between my legs. I expected his mouth, but instead, he moved higher, lining up his cock with my opening. It felt so good, better than before somehow. Because we both knew it was forever.
I hope you loved Brooke and Ben’s story! Read about their proposal in their bonus epilogue.
Sophie and Mark’s story is next in A Chance at Forever!
Enlisting was one of my life goals, so was marrying my high school sweetheart, Sophie and escaping our small town. Nothing has ever hurt me more than when she turned down my proposal.
For the last few years I’ve focused on being the best father and soldier I could be.
I might not have made the right decisions all those years ago, but this time I’m going to prove to Sophie that I’m the right man for her.
Books by Lea Coll
Annapolis Harbor Series
Only with You
Lost without You
Perfect for You
Crazy for You
Falling for You
Waiting for You
Hooked on You
Second Chance Harbor Series
Fighting Chance
One More Chance
Lucky Chance
My Best Chance
Worth the Chance
A Chance at Forever
All I Want Series
Choose Me
Be with Me
Burn for Me
Trust in Me
Stay with Me
Take a Chance on Me
Mountain Haven Standalone
Impulsive Love
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About the Author
Lea Coll worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.
She currently resides in Maryland with her family.
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Check out Lea’s books on her website.
Lea Coll, Worth a Chance
