Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
My voice was barely there when I whispered, “You want me to be your old lady?”
He shook his head with a chuckle. “Baby, you already are. This just makes it official.”
“Lucas.” His name was all I could get out. I was too full of emotion for anything else.
He cupped my jaw, tilting my face up with a tenderness that undid me, and his lips met mine in a kiss that didn’t take or demand. It was more of a promise.
When he pulled back, I gave him a watery smile, blinking against tears that didn’t fall. “You didn’t really ask a question…but yes. I want this. I want you.”
His thumb dragged lightly across my bottom lip, sending a shiver straight through me. “As long as you’re agreeing to a life-long commitment without me needing to ask…”
My head tilted in confusion when he stepped away. “Lucas?”
He turned back to the dresser and reached inside again. What he pulled out this time made me gasp.
Lucas didn’t say a word as he turned back to me, but my breath stalled when he flicked open a small black box. Then he plucked the ring out and caught my hand before I even thought to lift it.
I stared down at the diamond as the band slid onto my finger, stunned that in the middle of everything that had been going on, he’d gotten me a ring too.
“You’re gonna be my wife. Soon.”
A startled laugh burst out of me, shaky and completely helpless. It was the most Lucas proposal imaginable. No kneeling, no question, just a declaration that left no room for doubt.
And I loved him so much it made my chest ache.
“Well,” I breathed, trying and failing to stop my grin. “I guess it’s a good thing my parents will be back from Florida this weekend.”
His head tilted. “That's a yes?”
“I don’t know.” I bit back another laugh. “I didn’t hear a question.”
His eyes narrowed. “Didn’t stop you from saying yes to the property patch.”
“Touché.” I lifted my hand, admiring the ring he’d claimed me with. “Of course, yes, Lucas. You could’ve tied a string around my finger, and I still would’ve said yes. I love you too much not to.”
“Fucking hell, woman,” he growled, gripping my hips and dragging me flush against him. “I should’ve been the one to say it first.”
I couldn’t help myself. “You snooze, you lose, old man.”
His hands tightened. “Shh, baby. Let me get the words out before you earn yourself some spankings by being sassy while I’m trying to tell you I love you.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be turned on by the threat or swoon over those three little words from my gruff man. The mixture of sweet and heat was almost overwhelming. But I needed to hear them straight out. “Tell me. Please.”
“I love you so fucking much, Maren.” He brushed his lips against mine in the gentlest kiss he’d ever given me. “You’re mine. Now, always. And I’ll spend every damn day proving it.”
“Thank you.” I sniffled, tears starting to stream down my cheeks. “This is all so perfect. I love the property patch and the ring.”
“Good, baby.” He kissed away my tears. “Because you’re gonna wear them forever.”
A watery grin tugged at my lips. “Then I should probably admit something.”
His brows drew together. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“I wasn’t trying to leave you earlier.” I shook my head. “I was just asking about the lockdown in general.”
Heat flared in his eyes. “That right?”
I nodded.
“Then we’re gonna clear up any confusion right now.” His hand slid to the back of my neck, his thumb stroking over my skin. “Lockdown’s over, but you’re not going anywhere tonight ’cause we’re gonna be too damn busy.”
My mouth went dry, but my panties got wet. “Lucas.”
“Shh.” His smile was sinful. “Gotta reward my woman for saying yes.”
His palm swatted lightly against the curve of my butt, and a breathless sound escaped me.
“And remind her what happens when she’s sassy.”
EPILOGUE
KEVLAR
It had only been a month since we moved into the house, but it already felt like home.
Not just because of the furniture we picked out together, or the bedroom that smelled like us. It was home because she was in every corner of it—her soft touches, her folded laundry, her hairbands on the bathroom counter, and the scent of her perfume in the sheets.
Maren had been teasing me all damn day.
Wearing nothing but my shirt while cooking barefoot in our kitchen like she didn’t know what it did to me. Every time she stretched for something on a high shelf or leaned forward to grab a pan, I got a flash of her bare thighs and just the hint of where I wanted to be buried.
It had been like this since she rolled out of bed that morning—soft, happy, and glowing.
Now she was padding through our bedroom like she didn’t have a care in the world, humming softly as she dug through the laundry basket for something she never found.