She tightened herself around him, adding a swivel each time she took him into her completely. She knew he wasn’t lying when he said he was almost there, his thighs trembled. Satisfaction that he’d been so aroused by her so completely roared through her.

Bending to him, she kissed his upturned lips. “I love you, Marc. For seeing all of me and loving me anyway.” She increased her speed. “And for saying I was a rock star in bed.”

His laugh died into a gasp of her name as she felt him come, his fingers tightening on her hips just this side of pain.

Standing, he took them both to the bed and they collapsed in a heap. “I can’t do anything else but love you, Liv. I was meant to do it. Born to.”

Chapter Fourteen

Liv and Marc walked into the Chases’ front foyer the next evening. They hadn’t told anyone they were back and they’d had a few errands so they’d returned from Atlanta the day before to finish them.

Polly came around the corner, distracted, reading glasses perched on her nose. She stopped when she caught sight of them both. “Oh! You’re back. Honey, welcome back.” She rushed to Liv and hugged her tight.

“Thank you. It’s okay that I’m here?”

Polly frowned a moment. “I can’t believe you’d ask that. Of course. It’s more than okay. You’re supposed to be here. It’s Sunday night and that’s family dinner and you’re family.” She grinned at Marc. “I’m going to go add two more places to the table. Go on through, everyone’s in the living room.”

Marc winked at Liv as they walked back and into the room where the rest of the family had gathered.

Maggie called out a pleased hello and Liv was engulfed by hugs from Shane, Kyle, Edward, Matt and Cassie. Nicholas made piercing cries, demanding her attention and she got to all fours next to where he’d rolled over and pushed himself up on his blanket.

“Dude, you’re an amazing little genius aren’t you? Rolling over and pushing up!

Pretty soon it’ll be eating your first Cheerio and sitting up. Then college.”

He grinned at her as he lost his balance and rolled back over. Sitting up, she picked him up and rained kisses all over his face.

“I think I’m jealous,” Marc said as he dropped a kiss on the top of Nicholas’

head. “She likes you more than me, kid.”

“Uh, Liv?” Maggie moved closer.

“Don’t, not yet. Wait until Polly gets in here or there’ll be hell to pay,” Liv murmured.

Maggie just kissed her square on the mouth and grinned.

“Wait, can we see that again?” Matt said and Edward bopped him with a pillow.

“Lamb? I think you need to come on in here,” Edward called out. Polly click-clacked into the room and smiled at the sight. “What is it, Edward?

The potatoes are done and I was getting ready to smash them.”

“You were supposed to tell me so I could do it, Mom.” Cassie frowned at her.

“Oh I was right there. But you can now.” Polly laughed. Liv handed Nicholas to his mother and let Marc pull her to standing.

“We have an announcement to make.” Marc put his arm around her waist. “Liv and I are engaged.”

Polly whooped so loud Nicholas began to cry but only for a moment as every adult within reach swooped in to kiss or comfort him. Assured he was the center of the universe again, he calmed down.

Polly hugged both Marc and Liv to her tight, followed by Edward and then everyone else.

“I can’t believe I didn’t even see that ring,” Polly sniffled and looked at the pretty diamond engagement ring on Liv’s left hand.

“We just got it this afternoon. I moved into Liv’s house last night. Well mostly. I figured you all could help with the big stuff.”

“Into our house you mean.”

Marc smiled at Liv and she felt like a princess.

“When’s the wedding?”

“Christmas Day. I know it’s an odd day but I like the connection to tradition and I’ll never forget our anniversary that way.” Marc laughed.

“Christmas? That only gives us eight weeks!” Polly looked aghast.

“We want it simple, Momma. We’d like to do it here if that’s okay with you. Just family, like we’d do anyway. We don’t need catering except for the cake because we’d have dinner here as it is.”

“Is it okay? Of course it’s okay! My goodness, congratulations to you both. Olivia, welcome to the family, honey. And Marc, you’ve done well.” Edward nodded at his son.

“I owe it to you, Dad. You raised me right and gave me some great advice.”

“He did, did he? And what advice was that?” Liv grinned.

“To never share his advice with my fiancé.”

* * *

After dinner when the women were all chattering about wedding details, Marc sat with his brothers and his father, watching a football game.

“You chose well, son. I mean that. Olivia is a good woman. She’ll be a fine wife and keep you on your toes.”

“Thank you, Dad. I think so too. I hope you know I’ll be coming to you for advice lots and lots.”

Edward laughed. “Marc, I still go to my daddy for advice about your momma.”

He looked to Matt. “You’re next. I had a dream about you last night.”

Matt looked surprised. “Well is it going to be one of their exes? Because we sure do seem to find women for each other in this family.”