Page 14 of Choosing Forever
“I’m going to give you everything, Elle. There isn’t anything I’m not ready to do to make sure you get the life you’ve always dreamed of. Football is just another way for me to get us there.”
Delaney pushes off the truck bed and shoves my thighs flat before crawling on top of them. When she sits again, we’re so close she can easily press her forehead to mine as she asks, “What about your dreams? You need to make sure you’re leaving room for those too.”
“The only dream I have is you.”
I lift my chin and kiss her. Her skin is hot in my hand as I guide her closer and palm her hip, getting a handful of thick wool. My girl smiles against my lips and leans forward, using her soft lips to drive me wild. When I open my eyes, hers are the first thing I see.
“I love you, Darren.”
“And I love you, Delaney.”
Slowly, I release her hip and pluck at the chain I’ve been wearing around my neck for a few days now. She watches as I pull it out from beneath my shirt and tug it hard enough for the clasp to break. It was cheap and simple, anyway. Just something I needed to carry the real reason why I insisted we spend ournight here when she nearly wavered and encouraged us to head to the party with our friends.
The ring dangling from the chain snags her attention. She squeezes my shoulder and tucks that lip back between her teeth.
“I knew it,” she whispers.
“Your dad would kill me if I asked you to marry me already, so this is the closest I can get right now. One day, when we’re both finished school and we’re back in this town, I’ll give you the real thing. Then, you’ll be my wife,” I declare, trying not to grin.
Her hand is warm in mine when I pull it from my shoulder and hold it between us. She flicks her eyes up to hold mine, even as I slip the silver ring from the broken chain and slide it onto her finger. The full weight of her attention makes my heart soar the way it does every day I get to spend with her.
“What do you think?” I ask softly, stroking the band.
Without looking at the ring, she says, “I love it. I love you.”
“You don’t think it’s too simple?”
She steals a look at the ring for half a second before staring at me again, shaking her head. “A piece of string would have been enough to make me happy.”
“And are you happy, Elle?”
Pressing her lips to mine, she gives me the answer I need. I guide her hand to my chest, over the thin material of my tee and the thrashing heart beneath it. She spreads her fingers and leans into the touch, her kiss growing fiercer.
“Yes. I’ve never been happier,” she declares against my lips. “You’re my forever man.”
I lean back an inch and dart my eyes between each of hers. “When did you first see the ring, you beautiful little snoop?”
“You had it on when you were running laps on the field yesterday.”
“I knew you weren’t on the bleachers just to study. Did you even get any work done with your creeping?”
“I’m surprised you noticed me amongst all your admirers.You should have heard the things the girls were saying about you.”
I take my hat off her head and put it on mine backward before running my fingers through the full length of her silky hair. “I hope you told them to fuck off.”
“And ruin their day? No, I don’t mind it, really. Not anymore.”
“Good. The only girl I’ve ever noticed is you. On and off the field,” I say.
Delaney rubs her nose against mine. “Besides, they don’t know that you won’t be pursuing football as a career. It sounded like they were interested in finding a pro.”
“They don’t know me at all, baby.”
“Your sister said something along those lines to me the other day, you know? She’s going to freak out when she sees the ring.”
“Oh? She’s playing matchmaker again, then. I was threatened that if I messed up and lost you, she’d disown me.”
Poppy’s a spitfire. Yeah, she’s only fifteen, but she’s got the spirit of a grown woman. My sister isn’t afraid to speak her mind to anyone about anything. I’ve always loved that about her, but shit, good luck to the man she marries. He’s going to need a spine of steel to avoid being railroaded by her.
