Mr. Denver: The Version You Didn't Hear

Chapter 30

I woke up to the soft sounds of morning. The first thing I saw was her — Catherine, peacefully asleep beside me. After two years of longing, doubt, heartbreak, and a million what-ifs, she was finally here. With me. I watched her for a moment, memorizing the way her hair spread across the pillow, the way her breathing slowed in her sleep. God, I missed this.

She stirred, kissed my cheek, and got up. I stretched out, debating between letting her have her peaceful moment alone or joining her. A few minutes later, I followed her to the bathroom and grinned when I saw her relaxing in the tub.

“Morning, beautiful.” I slipped into the warm water behind her, earning a splash and a mock glare for making it overflow. She softened almost instantly as I pulled her back against my chest. The scent of her hair, the heat of her skin, the way her body fit into mine — all of it felt like home.

"So... what's the plan today?" I asked lazily, nuzzling her shoulder.

She shrugged. “Just want to spend time with you.”

I smirked. “I’m a busy man, sweetheart. You’ll have to pay.”

She spun around with a pout and sass. “I have a black card. I can afford you.”

God, I loved that fire in her. “Fifty dollars an hour,” I joked. As we bantered, my eyes drifted down to the scar on my leg. The reminder of that stupid accident, I got into after she left. She saw me looking down to my leg. Her fingers gently touched it, and I could feel her guilt before she even spoke. She told me that she saw it on the news and cried that day.

“It’s not your fault,” I said softly, pulling her hand to my lips. She cried. Silent, trembling tears that broke me all over again. I wrapped her in my arms, murmuring things I didn’t plan but felt down to my bones.

“I love you. I never stopped.” She looked at me with a thousand apologies in her eyes, but I didn’t need them anymore. I just needed her. I suggested Toronto, next week. A small wedding. Family and close friends only. She said yes. Then, of course, she had to bring up Eden and I had to bring up Amanda.

We teased each other about it, but it was harmless now. That past didn’t matter. What mattered was now. Just as things got heated, kisses turning deeper, her straddling me, her moans echoing in the bathroom, someone knocked on the door.

Perfect timing.

We scrambled, laughing and groaning in equal measure. I threw on a towel and stepped out while she quickly cleaned up. I barely had time to breathe before I heard her about to leave.

“Where are you going?” I asked, still half-damp, watching her slip her shoes on.

“The door,” she said casually and then the nightmare began. Her grandfather. My grandfather. Both of them standing in the hallway staring at us like we were hormonal teenagers caught in the act.

Which... wasn’t that far off. Catherine froze. I facepalmed.

“Are you two back together or not?” Joe demanded.

Before I could answer, Catherine threw out, “We’re just playing around.”

“A one-time thing,” she added. My jaw almost dropped. I wanted to throttle her and kiss her at the same time. Joseph and Tim looked at each other in disbelief.

“You did it! You’re getting married. I don’t care!” Tim snapped. I tried not to laugh at how seriously they were treating the whole situation.

Then Catherine leaned toward me, whispered, “I’ll see you tonight, bad boy,” and strutted off.

What a woman.

Joseph was yelling. Tim was trying to calm him down. I stood there smirking, knowing full well that the chaos had just begun but this time, it was the kind of chaos I wanted. The kind I’d never trade for anything.

Catherine was back. And she wasn’t running this time.

Neither was I.

***

Catherine just got home after going shopping with Crystal, Crystal’s friend just opened a new boutique and she invited Catherine to check it out. As soon as she came home, the first thing she did was throw herself at me. “I missed you!” she squealed, wrapping her arms around me like we’d been apart for years. I laughed, hugging her back.

“I missed you too,” I said honestly, pulling back just a little to look her over. She was wearing a dress — form-fitting, stunning — and every inch of her screamed temptation.

“Are you going somewhere?” I asked, curious but mostly trying not to get distracted. That plan failed fast. She kissed me, her hands already working to take off my jacket, and I had to stop her. Gently, I pushed her back and saw that slight fire of frustration in her eyes.

“I can’t wait... will you cooperate?” she asked bluntly.

I smirked. “I could tear that dress right now if you keep tempting me, Catherine. But not yet. We have somewhere to be.”

“Somewhere more important than this?” she gestured to herself and pouted, trying every trick in the book. I pulled her toward the elevator, ignoring her teasing hands all over me. I was hanging on by a thread, but I needed this night to be perfect.

“We’ll tumble in bed later. I promise. As many rounds as you want,” I said with a wink. That got her to giggle, and she finally followed me into the lift. We took it to the rooftop — her favorite spot in the city. She’d once told me it gave her peace. When the doors opened, I led her to the balcony, the lights of New York painting the sky in gold.

“This view... it never gets old,” I said, trying to steady my nerves.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly. I turned to her. God, she was glowing in the city lights, and everything in me screamed that this was the moment.

“I’ll give you the world, Catherine,” I started, and her brows lifted slightly.

“Hm?”

“I’m ready to give you everything. My heart, my life, my name. I have no doubts. It was always you.”

She hugged me, tears already falling. “Why are you so sweet?” she whispered.

I pulled her close, holding her like I never wanted to let go again. “Let’s build our life together. Let’s have kids, grow old, argue about nothing, and love each other through all of it.” Then I let her go, only to drop down on one knee. Her reaction? She squatted right down with me, crying, laughing, hugging me before I even opened the damn box.

“Yes! Yes!” she cried.

“I didn’t even ask yet,” I chuckled, overwhelmed.

“I don’t need to see the ring. I just want you,” she said, voice trembling. When I finally showed her the ring, she stared at it like it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. I slipped it onto her finger, perfect fit. She hugged me again, her tears soaking into my shoulder.

“I love you so much,” she whispered.

“I love you more,” I replied, truthfully. “Being apart was the worst thing I’ve ever felt.” Then she dropped the real surprise.

“I’m moving my company to New York. Bought a building three blocks from yours.” I stared at her like she’d just told me she could fly.

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah. My dad’s in on it, but Grandpa doesn’t know yet.”

I kissed her hard. “That’s... wow.”

She teased about her new name. “Catherine Williams. Has a nice ring to it, huh?”

“The best ring,” I said, holding up her hand with mine.

And then, of course, she had to ruin the sweet moment by asking, “So… are you still up for the tumble in bed?”

I laughed. “You were the one begging earlier. Are you sure now?” She didn’t answer with words, she unbuttoned my shirt right there on the rooftop.

“Babe… are you serious?” I asked, slightly taken aback but very intrigued.

She grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.” Yeah, I was marrying this woman. No doubt about it.