Page 57 of Naughty by Nature

Beowulf bumped her leg and she made room to pat him as well as his plume of a tail swept back and forth. Daisy seemed highly unconcerned.

“You guys did great. I’m so proud of you.”

When Sheridan returned, his lips bloody, he had to reassure them he was okay. After he’d cleaned up they crowded around him as well, needing the reassurance.

It was a long time before the house finally settled down.

* * *

They were lyingin bed three nights later when Sheridan asked her to marry him again. Cheyenne chuckled, her hand brushing over his pecs. “I thought you already decided we were engaged?”

“I did? No. I offered an engagement but you didn’t say yea or nay.”

“Hmph,” she murmured. “My bad. Yay.”

Sheridan craned his neck to look at her in the light from the moon outside. “Yay, as in hoorah? Or Yea as in yes, you accept my engagement?”

“Yeah, that one,” Cheyenne said, giggling. “Although we may have to wait to get married after Chad and Lora do. I don’t think Daddy can handle more than one wedding at a time.”

Sheridan chuckled. “That’s fine. I’m not in a rush. It’s a formality to me anyway. I won’t love you any more just because we’re married.”

Cheyenne glanced up at him. “I might love you more.”

Sheridan laughed, tickling her side. “You haven’t even told me you love me yet.”

“Whaaaat?” she drew it out playfully. “My bad again. I love you, Sheridan.”

He looked at her as if debating the truth of her words. “You sure?”

She nodded. “Positive.”

Sheridan leaned down and kissed her, deeply, before pulling back. “Glad I don’t have to deal with the crazy ex, though.”

They laughed together, but it was very true.

Wade had tested positive for opiates, so with the violation of parole charge, menacing, stalking, two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and more, there was no way he was going to be bothering them for at least the next ten years.

Cheyenne had cried when he’d read her the laundry list of charges, then kissed him soundly.

“I’m so ready to live our lives the way we’re supposed to,” she admitted.

“Hmm,” Sheridan murmured. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”

“Eventually,” she confirmed.

There was sudden cheering from the other side of the bedroom door, then the pounding of retreating feet. “You sure you want to take all of us on?”

He pulled her tight against him. “Absolutely.”

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