Page 94 of Biker's Tribute: Property of Bear

The tone isn’t exactly how I planned on saying it, but Amanda has a way of pushing my ass to the edge once in a while. She clasps her hand over her mouth, not so much in surprise but embarrassment at not ‘getting it’.

“Oh my goodness, Ethan!”

“Listen, I know I’m a dirty ass biker with one felony charge – that I beat – and a whole bunch I never got caught for. And I know you’re a fancy doctor. But I love you. I love you more than medium-rare steak and Patrick Mahomes combined. I want to marry you and give you at least three kids and never let you out of my sight. I want to commit to you. Forever. In the way a man ought to commit to a woman. I can’t live without labels anymore and I can’t live without you… ever.”

Her eyes bulge out so wide, I swear they’re going to fall out.

“Ethan…”

“Stop saying my name and just… end my damn misery. However you choose to do it. Please.”

“Yes,” she gasps. Her hand shakes in mine and I use the opportunity to slip the ring on her shaky finger before this beautiful woman I snared by total accident changes her mind on me. I can’t stand the thought of her changing her mind.

She can’t help taking her hand away from mine and admiring the ring. Without looking at me, she asks, “How did you know?”

“Because the right man knows the exact ring that’s going to make his girl happy.”

“I never told anyone,” she stammers in disbelief as the glinting from the gemstones sparkle around her dark brown eyes. I love the way she looks at the ring so proudly, as if I plucked it straight from her childhood fantasies about getting married. It feels good to know that I really do know her as well as I think.

“You didn’t need to tell me,” I reassure her, still desperate to get closer to her. First step, getting off my knee.

I stand up, because thirty-seven is a tough age to stay on one knee for long, and Amanda nearly knocks me over when she flies into my chest with the biggest, warmest embrace I could ever hope for from her.

Our lips find each other and I kiss her like I mean it. My heart pounds aggressively. I want her. I want this. I want our happily ever after.

I also don’t want to stop kissing her. I need those lips against mine. I need her chest against mine. I need our skin to touch until we both get so hot from each other’s touch that we have no choice but to jump into bed again.

She kisses me back and then pulls away.

“Wait. Was the office thing just a trick?” she asks.

I grin, excited to give her even more of what she deserves from me. “Nope. All part of your sweet deal.”

“Ethan…” she says, about to rebuke me, as if I haven’t bet more on card games or –sadly– Chinese goldfish betting.

“Don’t you dare protest. Did you like the place or not?” I ask her firmly. She has no choice but to give me a straight answer.

Amanda nods.

“Then it’s yours.”

“Ethan… why?”

“Because you took a chance on me. Even if I was a complete… animal. And you’ve never given up on me, Amanda. I don’t think you will. I piss money away gambling. I’d much rather give you the life you deserve… as much as I can.”

“Ethan…”

I interrupt her last attempt at protesting my proposal. “I’m not perfect. But I love you.”

She finally relents, “I love you too.”

Yes.It still feels so fucking good to hear her say that.

“Then… let’s just do this. You and me.”

“Okay,” she says. “Yes. Yes… This is… everything I wanted. Except…”

“Except?”

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