Page 41 of Hunter

“I told you I wasn’t going anywhere,” he said, slipping the vest over my shoulders as though he was wrapping me in armor. “This makes it official.”

It was everything I’d never even let myself hope for. And he didn’t stop there.

Wesley cupped my face with both hands, his thumbs sweeping along my cheeks as though he needed to feel me breathe.

“You’re mine, Sadie.” His tone was soft but fierce. “Not just today. Or until this shit blows over. Always.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I want that, too.”

His gaze dipped, then rose to meet mine again. His amber eyes were determined. “I want you to be my old lady.”

My breath caught.

“My wife and the mother of my kids.” His hands slid down to rest on my waist, then lower. One of them flattened over my stomach. His palm was warm and steady. “Hopefully soon.”

My knees nearly gave out.

“You—” I swallowed again, heart thundering. “You think I could be?—?”

His deep chuckle rolled over me, sending goose bumps in its wake. “Hell yeah, you could be. I sure as fuck have done my best to make it happen in the short time I’ve had you in my bed.”

He reached into his cut and pulled out a small black box. It was plain but perfect.

I gasped as he flicked the top open with his thumb. Inside was a delicate diamond ring, sparkling in the sunlight as though it had been waiting for this exact moment.

He plucked the ring out of the box. “I’m not waiting to make you mine.”

It wasn’t a question, but I still whispered, “Okay. Yes.”

His eyes flared as he slowly slipped the ring on my finger. I watched it settle into place, feeling as though the beautiful diamond had always belonged there.

My fingers curled over his as I admired the ring, heart still racing. “My parents are going to want to know right away.”

He smirked. “Another reason to call them soon.”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“If they want to see us get married, they need to start making their way back to Tennessee because I’m not waiting for our wedding. No dragging this out. You’re mine, sunshine. And I want it official.”

I laughed, my heart so full I thought it might burst. “Okay, then. Let’s do it.”

The kiss he gave me wasn’t sweet—it was a promise.

And I knew my parents needed to hurry home because I’d be wearing white before the end of the week if Wesley had his way.

EPILOGUE

HUNTER

The sun was just barely peeking through the blinds when I woke up. My arms instinctively tightened around Sadie, and I tucked her even closer against me. She sighed, and when she brushed some hair out of her face, her ring caught the light.

Satisfaction and a contentment that I didn’t even know existed settled in my bones.

Everything I loved in this world was lying in bed with me. And today, I was gonna bind her to me in one more way. All that would be left was putting my kid inside her. I grinned as my hand moved down to splay over her stomach. Probably had already, considering how hard I’d been working at it.

Sadie yawned and opened her eyes, the sky-blue orbs sleepy but sparkling with happiness.

“Happy wedding day,” she giggled.