Page 96 of The Keeper

“Marry me,” I whispered, craning my neck to look up at him.

He gave me a confused look, his dark brows scrunching together. “Darlin’, we’re already engaged. Did they give you the good drugs? Should I call the nurse?” He glanced at my IV drip with mock suspicion.

I exhaled a laugh, wincing at the resulting twinge of pain. “No, I mean, marry me now. I don’t want to wait.”

“What brought this on?”

I took a slow, deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into words.

“Let’s just say my brush with death put things in perspective for me,” I said. “I don’t want to wait or plan some big, elaborate ceremony. I want you, me, our babies—oh, and a justice of the peace, obviously. I’m ready to start the next chapter of our lives.”

A slow smile spread across Dane’s face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You sure about this, darlin’? You’re not gonna regret skipping out on the whole white dress affair?”

I met his gaze steadily. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I don’t need a fancy dress or some overpriced venue. I need you. We’ve already done everything backward anyway—baby, then love, then marriage. Might as well keep the trend going, right?”

Dane’s smile widened, his dimples deepening. “Well then, I guess we’re getting hitched, Mama.”

Happy tears spilled down my cheeks as I leaned up to kiss him,ignoring the protests of my battered body. He cupped my face in his hands and moved his lips against mine like I was the most precious thing in his world.

When we broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Riggs.”

I grinned up at him like some love-struck idiot. “Piper Riggs. It has a nice ring to it.”

“Hell, I’d marry you right here in this hospital bed if that’s what you wanted.”

“Hard pass on that one,” I replied, wrinkling my nose. The weird, medicinal stench was not one I wanted to associate with my wedding day. “I want to be wearing something other than a hospital gown when we tie the knot.”

Dane’s eyes darkened as he leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. “Doesn’t matter what you wear, baby. It’s all coming off again as soon as we say I do.”

My face heated at his words. “Such a sweet talker.”

“Must be doing something right. Knocked you up twice now, didn’t I?” he asked with a challenging smirk.

“No, I let you knock me up because of your irresistible charm and rugged good looks. The dirty talk was just a bonus.”

Dane laughed, the deep rumble vibrating through his chest. “Oh, I see how it is. You only want me for my body.”

I brushed my lips against his and murmured, “That, and I’m really into the whole protective daddy vibe thing you’ve got going on.”

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “Didn’t realize your praise kink was really a daddy kink in disguise, darlin’. You should have said something sooner.”

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones. But the thought of calling him Daddy in a completely different context sent a shiver of desire down my spine. Feeling bratty, I murmured, “Sorry, Daddy. I’ll be sure to remind you next time.”

Dane’s eyes darkened to a molten amber as he leaned in closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Keep calling me that, baby girl, and you’ll be pregnant again before this one’s even born.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips, my heart rate picking up speed on the monitor. “Is that a promise or a threat…Daddy?”

He chuckled. “Both, darlin’. Definitely both.”

Despite my injuries, his words sent a fresh wave of heat flooding through my core. I shifted restlessly against the hospital mattress, trying to ease the ache building between my thighs. “At the rate we’re going, we’ll have our own little army.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he murmured, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. “Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing you all round and glowing with my baby in your belly.”

“I’d like to see the terms and conditions around middle-of-the-night diaper changes and feedings before I sign anything,” I said, fighting back a yawn.

He chuckled, his hand lazily stroking my stomach. “Oh, I plan on being right there with you for every single one, darlin’. No way I’m missing out on a minute of it this time.”

“I’m holding you to that.” I couldn’t help the soft smile that tugged at my lips as I snuggled into his side as much as my aching body would allow. The adrenaline from earlier was wearing off, leaving exhaustion in its wake.

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