You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

 Easton

 I went up the day before and made sure the Lakehouse was perfect for the girls, I set the temperature so they wouldn't freeze their asses off, and I made sure that the fridge was stocked with all their favorite drinks.

Truly's Champagne, Diet Coke, Bottled Water, and in the freezer, I dropped in some Gin and Whiskey.

I had a chef prepare one of the best meals I could think of.

Mac and Cheese.

But not just a normal Mac and Cheese—one that had like a billion different cheeses in it along with bacon and cream, and let's just say it should give them orgasms bite by bite.

I added in a whole bunch of appetizers and even made sure to get the projector so that we could watch a movie on the side of the house with the outdoor fire pit going as they hear the lake wash up against the shore.

It's going to be perfect.

And I can't fucking wait for her to see it now that we're finally here.

I've never gone to this extent during Valentine's, let alone any holiday, not even for my parents, best friend, nobody.

It's all about her.

Ryan's lucky as fuck that I'm letting him barge in.

Then again, he is my best friend, and I know I'll have Harper all to myself later.

Besides, she's happy with her girl around, which makes me happy, which makes us both happy when I get her to myself.

She might even thank me with her mouth before I fuck her with mine.

I smile to myself.

"Stop it."

Ryan shoves me a bit.

"Still, my sister."

"Oh please, like I didn't bring earplugs because Sadie keeps going, oh fuck me, fuck me, Ryan!"

He clears his throat and looks around the kitchen while the girls get into their sweats because fuck, the last thing they need is to get all ready and stressed out.

No, this is supposed to be relaxing as fuck.

"We gonna talk about the ass—"

"—Never.” I interrupt him.

"Cool, good, awesome."

Ryan nods his head.

I nod mine.

Awkward as hell.

weird fist bump thing, run into each other before

A door opens.

I look up.

And there she is.

life, my soul, my

Harper.

my head through a wall when I think about all the time I didnt have

all of it just makes me sick because fuck, I could have

let myself be

HATE that

And I was him.

But now I'm hers.

damn, that girl

wearing a pair of black high—waisted sweatpants with a matching crop top sweatshirt, her hair is pulled back in a braid that I can't wait

"Hey gorgeous,” I whisper.

"Hey handsome."

toward me, like literally

do is pick her up and swing her around and wonder how the hell I got so lucky to be with this human, meanwhile panicking, can I keep her happy? I'm not trying to be insecure, but damn, this person is my person, and I want her more than anything all the fucking time, and I can't imagine a world without

"You happy?"

and setting her down on her

looks around

various colors placed strategically everywhere, along with the roaring fireplace giving us an ambiance that I hope makes her want to just sit with me on the couch and

and I'm totally okay with my

up at me with tears

I've always

I smile.

"The flowers? Food?"

"You,"

my head with possession, her hands on each

what I've always

You."

I know my voice is going to

is a special moment, and I can't get past the fact

I'm not thinking about having sex, stripping

thinking about holding my girl and

thinking about a future where we do have kids and still escape up to the Lakehouse

thinking about what happens when we graduate, but fear creeps in because what if

It must.

It has to.

of love is what people go to