Page 83 of Cowboy Devil's Embrace

His humility and perseverance were positively inspiring. And his heart was so good.

So honest and true.

So good at loving me and holding all my pieces together.

“See that? It’s your belief in me that makes me want to succeed, Sugar. And well, I was wondering if maybe you want to stand with me? To be by my side on this journey?”

“What are you saying?” I whispered, afraid to break the spell he was weaving with his words.

“I am asking you to be mine in every way. Will you marry me?” he asked.

I bit my lip, holding out my left hand.

Tears blurred my vision, and I nodded my head.

“Yes. yes, I will marry you!” I said and allowed him to slide the cool piece of metal onto my finger.

“It’s platinum, magicked to stretch when you shift,” he murmured against my neck as I hugged him tightly.

“It’s beautiful.” I sighed, looking at the blood red ruby in the center of the band.

Red always was my favorite color, but I shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d figured that out. Over the last week, while I’d called in sick and had my best employees running the bakery for me, Max had spent almost every waking moment with me, helping me adjust to my inner Devil.

It was like a dream come true. I never imagined I could find a love like Max. But of course, that was probably because I couldn’t have imagined real magic existed in the world.

Magic and supernatural forces, too.

The entire thing seemed like fiction. Something out of one of my fantasy books. It was easy to fall into this lifestyle with him. Easier than I could have imagined adjusting to the realities of being loved so thoroughly by one man.

I forgot all about Burt the Dirtbag and all the troubles he brought with him. The seven years I’d been married to him were so damn forgettable compared to one week with Max.

All my troubles, every problem I had in my life before he claimed me, seemed so very mediocre. Average. Uninteresting. Forgetting them was a pleasure.

But there was something very important I should have remembered. Or rather, someone.

“Open that door and release my friend or I swear I will use this!” I heard my best friend shout from outside and I sat up in bed, my eyes wide.

“Oh my God,” I said, shooting up and out of Max’s embrace.

Avery. I should have remembered Avery.

I raced to the window and tossed it open, forgetting for a moment that I was naked. Avery was standing outside her tiny little compact car brandishing a metal softball bat.

“Oh my titties! Rosalie, cover your eyes!” Avery screeched.

“Hi Auntie Penny! Your chickees are out,” my cutie pie niece observed with a mischievous grin.

“Aghhh!” I yelped, turning around in time to catch the robe Max tossed towards me.

“Thanks, Baby,” I told him with a grin.

“Mm,” he said, nodding at the window while he tugged on some briefs and a pair of jeans.

Goddamn.

The man was fine. His muscle definition was ridiculous, and I forgot what I was doing for a moment.

“Penelope!” Avery shouted my name.

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