Page 32 of Hire A Cuddler

He cuts me off. “The only people I care about is you, peaches.”

I search his eyes and see the sincerity on his face, but I still feel uneasy. I can feel the people watching us and no doubt talking. “Maybe we should put off the wedding… I just caused a scene, and maybe we should see if it blows over… maybe….”

I stop and blow out a breath, overwhelmed by it all.

“Marry me tonight, Haven.”

“Tonight?” I exclaim.

He nods and puts his hand over his chest pocket. “I’ve been carrying around your rings. I wanted you to be wearing it when we got here tonight, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate me asking you with my sister and an audience.”

I tilt my head back to look at him. “You should think about this.”

“There’s nothing to think about. I want you to be my wife.”

I don’t know what to think about any of this. The night has been a roller coaster of emotions. First seeing him with Chrissy and the jealousy that raged inside me. It was Chrissy in all the pictures with him. It was his sister that I was jealous of and have been stewing about. Then him coming backstage and automatically knowing how I’m feeling and putting me at ease. The way he’s held my hand or touched me all night is making me want all kinds of things.

He crowds against me. “I’m sorry for leaving you… I shouldn’t have.”

“I can take care of myself, King. It’s not your job—”

“You don’t have to take care of yourself anymore. I know you can, I know you’re self-sufficient and you don’t need me, but I still want to be the one that’s there for you.”

I lean into him. “How can I say no to that, King?”

He leans down and whispers to me, “I hope you can’t, Haven. Be my wife.”

Oh God, there’s something about the way he says my name. “Okay.”

His eyebrows raise. “Okay? You’ll marry me?”

I go up on my tiptoes to whisper to him, “If you’re sure.”

He doesn’t wait to seal the deal. He puts his hands on each side of my face and leans down to kiss me. This is all going so fast, but it feels right. When he pulls away, he takes out his phone. “We’ll give Callan your key; he’s going to grab some of your clothes.”

“But why?”

He smiles and pulls me to his chest. “Because we’re getting married tonight.”

“Tonight? But how?”

He anchors his hand around my neck and leans down, pressing his forehead to mine. “Let me take care of it.”

There’s no way I can tell him no. “Okay…”

He kisses me again and then starts making phone calls.

18

KING

Everything comes together easily.

People don’t tell me no, and when I call in favors to pull this off, everyone steps in to offer a hand.

Now here we are, standing in my living room, and I’m looking into Haven’s eyes.

She’s nervous, that much is true, but she’s brave, and she’s standing here with her hands in mine, looking into my eyes.

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