When we walked back in, we both collapsed onto the sofa.

“Motherfucker, that was emotionally exhausting,” I said as I peeked over at Brad. He had his eyes closed but nodded his head. Then he snapped his head over to me and gave me the biggest panty-melting smile I’d ever seen. I swore I was wet between my legs within seconds.

“Your gift,” he said, in the sexiest damn voice I’d ever heard. I was practically panting just from the sound of his voice.

He got up and reached down for my hand.

“But what about the mess?” I asked.

“Screw the mess,” he said as he kissed the back of my hand. He began walking backwards as he led me through the house and up to our bedroom.

“Sit down on the bed, baby.” His voice was so deep my whole body trembled. He walked into the closet and after a few seconds he came back out with two boxes.

I bit down on my lower lip and said, “Do I get to pick?”

“Sure,” he said with a laugh.

I looked at both boxes. One was big, like it contained maybe lingerie. The other was smaller.

I pointed to the smaller box and said, “Bigger is always better, so I want to save that one for last.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Good choice, baby.” He handed the box to me and stood there with a goofy grin on his face.

I began to slowly take the wrapping paper off. I opened the box and a piece of paper was folded up in the box. I glanced up at Brad, who had a smile from ear to ear. I set the box down on the bed next to me and began opening up the piece of paper. It was a real-estate listing. Fifty-five acres in Fredericksburg. I glanced up and looked at Brad, confused.

“What is this for?” I asked.

“Well, I know how much you love being close to our friends, I know how much you love Fredericksburg, and now with my new promotion…” he said with an evil grin.

Oh. My. God. Is he saying what I think he is saying?

“Brad…are you saying…”

He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into a standing position. “Yes baby, I’m saying what you think I’m saying. I want to have your dream home built on this piece of land. I want to raise our children there and I want to be closer to our friends. They’ve been through thick and thin with us and I don’t want to be so far away from them.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes. “Do they know? I mean, does everyone know?”

He let out a small chuckle. “Just Josh and Heather. They’ve been keeping an eye open for us. I do know that they have been talking about moving to Mason, but I don’t think I could go that country! I mean, Fredericksburg has everything, but with that small-town charm.”

I threw myself into his arms and began crying. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!” I pulled back and laughed. “And we can build a house? Our own house how we want it?”

He nodded. “Yes, pumpkin. However you want it.”

“When? When can we buy the land?”

He looked away for a brief second before turning back to me. “I um, well, I kind of already bought it. I hope you’re not mad.”

I shook my head and wiped away my tears. “No…God no, Brad. I’m not mad at all. I want to scream I’m so happy! When can we start planning? I want to design the house ourselves!”

He reached down and picked up the other box. “How about we start planning after you open your next present?”

I grinned and took the box from him as I sat down again and began opening it. I took the lid off and moved the pink tissue paper out of the way and revealed a beautiful red silk and lace gown. I took it out of the box and held it up.

“Oh, Brad. It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

“Go put it on,” he said in a low voice. I snapped my head up to him and jumped up as I quickly made my way into the bathroom. I’d never stripped out of clothes so fast in my life. I ran over to my dresser in the closet and pulled out a pair of red lace panties and then grinned. I put the panties back in the drawer and slipped the gown over my head. I stood and looked at myself for a brief second. I pulled my unruly red curls up and let a few fall down around me face. One quick spray of perfume and I was ready.

I slowly opened the door to the bathroom to see Brad lying in bed. When I stepped out he sat up. Did he just make a growling sound?

“My God, Manda. You look…you’re…you are breathtakingly beautiful.”

I smiled as I placed my hand on my stomach. I felt the butterflies dancing in there and I had no idea why. Brad got out of bed and my hungry eyes devoured his naked body. I bit down on my lip and had the incredible urge to drop to my knees and take him in my mouth. I slowly licked my lips as he moved closer to me.

“Amanda…” he whispered as he leaned over and brought his lips up to mine. The way he moved his lips against mine—teasing me with the kiss I so desperately wanted—was driving me insane.

“I want to lose myself in you, Manda,” he whispered against my lips as he moved his hands along the silk gown. It felt like he was poking me with a thousand little needles as his hands traveled along my body. He began gathering up the material and smiled.

“I hate that you only got to wear this for a few minutes, but I need to be inside you, baby.”

I dropped my head back and whispered, “yes,” as his lips moved along my neck. When he lifted up my gown and noticed I didn’t have any panties on, he dropped to his knees. He lifted my leg and put it over his shoulder.

“Brad…oh God!” I said, and I felt his tongue teasing my clit. I pushed my hips into him…I needed this more than I thought. I wanted to beg him but ran my hands through his hair. With each tug of his hair he moaned and I about fell apart.

Then I felt it building. I grabbed onto my breasts and let out a gasp. Shit! They were so sore it was unreal. I slowly began playing with my nipple through the delicate fabric. Then it hit me as he moved his tongue in just the right rhythm.

“Brad! Yes! Ah…oh God…yes…” I felt like I was having one of the most intense orgasms of my life. I felt my one leg wobble as I tried to remain standing up. Before I knew what was happening I was on the bed and he was on top of me. The silk gown was still on and he was teasing me with his tip. I shook my head to clear my thoughts…it felt like my body was still trying to come down from my orgasm.

“Manda, I’m going to make love to you,” he whispered. He lifted the dress and I barely moved so he could lift it over my head.

“Yes, Brad…please. I need to feel you.”

With that, he entered my body in one swift move. I let out a scream and grabbed onto his ass as he began to move in and out of me. The way he was moving his hips and kissing on my neck was more than I could take.

“Brad…oh God! I think I’m going to…yes…oh God, don’t stop what you’re doing.”

“Manda…baby, come for me, ’cause I can’t hold off much longer. You feel fucking amazing.”

Shit! Him telling me to come pushed me over the edge. I began calling out his name over and over as he began going faster.

“Harder, Brad! Shit, go faster!” I called out.

The next thing I knew he was biting down on my shoulder as he fell apart.

Oh. My. God.

He steadied his breathing and moved his lips up to my ear and said, “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, Manda. I love making love to you more than anything. I love you so much.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes as he moved his forehead up to mine and looked into my eyes.

“I love that you say that to me. It makes me feel so special.”

He smiled as he kissed me lightly on the lips.

“I love you, Brad.”

“I love you too. Thank you so much for loving me. For believing in me.”

I pulled him to me and began kissing him with as much passion as I could. I needed him to know how much I loved him and how much I did believe in him. How much I believed in our love and in our future.