Page 32 of Bonita Brynne

“I’m nervous.” She looked at the piece of jewelry between her fingers.

“I haven’t had time to go shopping. If you want a diamond engagement ring, I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

She stared at me. “Is this an engagement ring?”

“It’s my mom’s wedding band. She was a simple woman, and back when my folks got married, my dad couldn’t afford anything more, but I can.”

“I don’t need anything more except one thing.”

“What’s that, Bonita?”

“You need to propose and not just put a ring on my finger. I need to sayyes, first.”

I gave her a chaste kiss and took the ring from her. She stood and took a couple of steps back with a brilliant smile on her face.

The scene was more perfect than I could have dreamed up. Wennberg Pond shimmered as the sun reflected on it. White fluffy clouds dotted the blue sky. My girl’s whiskey-colored eyes were full of love and anticipation.

I lowered to one knee and took her left hand. “Falling in love wasn’t ever part of my life goals, but I am desperately in love with you. I never wanted kids, but I want our baby more than anything.” I kissed her stomach. “I promise to protect both of you with my life. I promise to be faithful and trustworthy. I promise to do everything in my power to make you happy. Shit, those sound more like vows than a proposal.”

“Keep going.” She bounced a little, her smile growing wider.

“Will you marry me, Bonita, and let me love you for the rest of our lives?”

She sucked in a ragged breath and teared up. “Yes, Joseph Montez, I will marry you.”

I slid the ring onto her finger, stood up, and smashed my lips to hers. “God, I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too. I said I needed time, but I only said that to guard my heart. I didn’t want to pressure you into being with me.”

We kissed wildly, both smiling, her crying—it was everything and more than I could hope for. I felt my mom’s love wrap around us from the heavens. She was happy for us and approved.

I just prayed my dad and Tina would give us their blessing. Whether they agreed or not didn’t matter to me. Nothing and no one would stop me from marrying Brynne.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Dodge’s annoyed voice came from behind me. “Raul and Tina just arrived.”

Brynne tried to pull away but I wouldn’t release her.

“Thanks.” I glanced back at him. “We’ll be up in a few minutes.”

He left without a word.

“Do you think he saw you propose to me?” Worry marred her once happy face.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. Nobody is going to dictate to us how to live our lives. We’re gonna do what’s right for us.”

She exhaled and smiled. “As long as you’re with me, I’ll be okay.”

“Bonita, I’m not going anywhere.” I wrapped her in my secure embrace. “I still need to claim you in front of my club.”

“I need to meet Valerie first. What if she hears about us from someone else?”

“Okay, I’ll do it tonight.” I kissed her once more, then we returned to the clubhouse.

We entered the building through the kitchen and followed the noise to the bar. Again, Brynne tried to pull away from me, but I wouldn’t allow it. I was fucking done hiding how I felt about this incredible woman from the world, from my MC brothers. They’d have to accept us. I wouldn’t allow anything less.

“Not like this.” She elbowed me. “Let’s see our parents before you announce our engagement.”

“That’s not going to happen, baby.” I tugged her against me. “I’m proud as fuck to call you mine.”

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