Page 123 of Deceit

“So, just the normal guy stuff?”

I lift my shoulders. “I guess, but if you’re asking me to marry you, then the answer is yes.” Her brows furrow. “Does that not key you in on how I feel, Ems?”

“Not...really…?”

I take back the space between us and bend over her face, leaving an inch between our lips. “Then how’s this…marry me.”

“Why?” She blurts out through knitted brows. Her nose twists in, I hope, confusion and not disgust.

“I think you’d make me happy, and I swear to God fucking you every night would be the highlight of everything I’ve ever done in my life. I’ll protect and do my best to make you the most satisfied woman in the world. I practically drool the moment you walk into the room, Emmy. That’s pretty close to worship.”

Emmy smiles. “You’re crazy.”

“Glad you noticed.”

“Shouldn’t we go on a date first before you start poppin’ off insane questions?”

“Be mine, and I’ll take you wherever you want. Don’t you think calling yourself Mrs. Bishop for real is sexy as fuck.” I graze her lips with mine, feeling her exhale hitch off my mouth. “I think it is. Even better, wife.”

“You’re serious?” she breathes, her chest coming out in sporadic intakes of air.

“As a fucking heart attack.”

She searches my face for a lie. To probably see if I’m really serious.

I know I am.

I know this is a dumbass way to go about this.

I know that I’ll probably never get another opportunity like this ever again.

I have nothing but B723 in my life. I want to add to that. I crave a family of my own. I think I’m ready to let someone into all the darkness in my head.

And Emmy is nothing but sunshine and smiles. She’s kind and sweet, always looking out for everyone on the squad.

Yeah, she’s a little domineering at times. But I’m an asshole. We’ll balance each other out perfectly.

“You’ll regret it in the morning.”

I lift a brow. “Will I? I asked you to marry me, didn’t I?”

“But you’re drunk.”

“Buzzed,” I correct.

“I’m not pulling a Britney Spears.”

“A what?”

“She was only married for fifty-five hours.” She shifts her weight under my touch. “And I want to be married forever.”

“You can rest assured that when you give meyou, I’m never going to let you go.”

Emmy averts her gaze. “You don’t mean—“

“Have you known me to fuck around?” I brush my thumb across her cheek, feeling her hesitation. “Just tell me no, Em, and we’ll pretend this conversation never happened.”

“Yes.”

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