Tears filled her eyes and she bit her lip to keep them from flooding out.

“She said she’d worn this ring for almost sixty years. It’s a little worn and scratched, but the marks on the band were all caused by love. By keeping a home and raising children and loving her husband. By living life to the fullest. She said if that’s what we planned on doing, she thought she should pass the ring on, so it could continue to enjoy what family is all about.”

He smiled at her, waiting, and she took a deep breath. Her heart filled to the top and overflowed. “So, are you going to ask me?” she teased quietly.

“You’re so impatient, just like when we make love. Give me a minute, we’ve got plenty of time.”

Maxine laughed and hit his shoulder.

He swallowed hard and stared into her eyes. “Maxine Adele Turner, will you marry me?”

She threw himself at him. Her plaster cast stuck out to the side but she still managed to get a grip on him, draping her good arm around and pulling in tight to drop kisses on his face. Her injuries responded with a twinge but the delight pouring through her far outweighed the pain. He stood and lifted her until they reached lip to lip, the long broomstick skirt she wore riding up to let her legs wrap around his torso. Mouths met and his intoxicating flavor rolled over her tongue, his hands caressing and supporting her and igniting her desire.

They pulled apart breathlessly and Maxine smiled at him sweetly. “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, and you can’t back out later, the official answer is yes. Now let me know which one of my family told you my middle name, so I can go kill them.”

Ryan laughed. “Oh no, I like your brother too much to let you hurt him. I need to warn you, Gramma will be joining us for breakfast tomorrow, along with your parents. Junior, Natasha and the baby are coming as well. Afterward I’d like to go visit Carl.”

“An engagement celebration?” she asked. “What if I’d said no?”

“I had all night to convince you. I figured you’d say yes eventually, if only to get me to leave you in peace.”

He moved to return her to the recliner but she clung tighter. “Take me to the kitchen, please.”

Confusion slid across his face but he obeyed and carried her through the living room. He opened the door to the kitchen with his hip. “Where now, sweetheart? You want to inspect the pantry, or have a snack?”

Maxine grinned. “You’re getting warmer. Put me down on the island.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A flurry of kisses landed on her lips and neck as he lowered her. Maxine was reminded of their first kiss, pleasure at how far they’d come in the past months filling her soul. She’d taught Ryan about the importance of family. He had taught her about embracing her passion for life, in and out of the bedroom. She reached under his shirt and slipped her uninjured hand up the solid muscles of his torso, dragging her fingertips over the firm ridges of his abdomen while she kissed along his jawline hungrily.

“Hmmm, sweetheart. I like what you’re doing, but you’ve got a cast and—”

“I don’t want you to make love to my elbow, Ryan.” She rubbed her palm briefly over the erection swelling behind his jeans. Then she caught his hand in hers and dropped it on her thigh, inching up the fabric of her skirt until his fingers touched bare skin.

He slid closer, his groin rubbing against the fabric covering her pussy and she moaned in delight. “Maxine, are you sure? You’re not too sore?”

“Wait!” She tapped her lips with her finger, like she was considering hard. “You forgot something.” She held out her left hand, wiggling her fingers.

He pulled out the ring again and slipped it on. It sparkled in the sunshine and she admired it, the sentimental value of the ring adding to her delight. There were many good memories in her past. She laughed. So many new memories to create, starting right now.

“Much better. Now, where were we? Oh yes. You were going to…” she rearranged his hands carefully so he held one thigh in each hand, “…explore.” A quiver of delight shook her as Ryan took control of her lips, biting and nibbling, licking her teeth. He massaged her thighs, inching ever higher until he froze, his thumbs touching the wet curls of her body.

“Holy fuck, you don’t have any panties on,” he gasped against her lips.

“Really? How forgetful of me,” she whispered.

He growled and ripped open his jeans. Maxine wiggled forward, bracing herself with her one good arm. She watched with delight as his turgid cock burst out and thrust toward her. There was no hesitation in his response as their need to be together grew overpowering. She opened her thighs as far as possible, eagerly waiting as he lined up the mushroomed head of his erection. He stared into her eyes and slowly buried himself in her depths. It felt so good she whimpered, letting the explosion of sensation sweep over her. He moved lethargically, stroking in again and again. His girth spread her wide and fired nerves that thrilled on each pass. He took her lips with his, holding their bodies close as he rocked his hips, driving his cock deep. Kisses consumed her like wildfire, branding her by his possession. Maxine closed her eyes to everything but the rising passion racing through her body. And when they both cried out, crossing the precipice at the same time, she knew it was another event to lock away in her treasure trove of memories. Another of many in the legacy they would build together.

About the Author

Vivian was playing hooky the day they taught about the importance of getting a “real” job; she was hiding out at the local library rereading everything for the fifth time. Since then she’s become a Jack-of-all-trades with a job-experience list only slightly smaller than the average phone book.

She’s hiked, biked, canoed, kayaked and camped throughout Canada, Europe and the States, including Hawaii and Alaska. All these adventures have now become settings for her overactive muse to wander through.

Vivian lives in Western Canada with her longtime sweetie, two wonderful kids and a dog that looks like a stuffed toy.

To learn more please visit www.vivianarend.com or you can send an email to Vivian at vivarend@gmail.com.