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The days were warming. Inevitably, I would end up on the back of that death trap because I couldn’t tell him no, and he knew it. Not when the motorcycle was one of the few things that made him smile. Not when my goal in life was to help Aslan heal from the events of two months ago.
He tried to free his hand, but I wouldn’t let him go and tugged him closer, stealing a kiss. He melted against my mouth, sighing and kissing me back. “What’s this for?” he mumbled, our lips never parting. “Because I love you.” He found my hand and pressed it over his heart. It was Aslan’s wordless way of telling me he loved me too.
“There is not a single meal we’ve eaten together where you haven’t bitched about something or other. I truly believe you have a little Gordon Ramsay inside you that can’t be pleased. He’s calling me an incompetent arse right now, isn’t he?”
“You’re such a shit. I fucking love you.” Aslan was smiling. A real smile. That was all that mattered.
Wait. Our baby. He’d called Oscar our new baby. My insides turned to goo. The kitten was a member of our family. It wasn’t a child, but it was something. Our family. Aslan had made us a family. Without warning, my vision blurred. A hand squeezed around my heart, and I swallowed a lump. Oh god. I was such a sap.
I smiled to myself. So that was it. My use of the word family had lit a fire in Quaid’s core. It made sense. He was a man who dreamed about the future. Someday, I wanted to make all his dreams come true. Marriage, kids, the whole shebang. We hadn’t discussed it, but maybe a kitten was a good launch point. Maybe it would set the ball rolling. I hadn’t told Quaid that I dreamed of those things too, and in my dreams, it was him by my side until we were old and gray.
Before I could squirm free, Quaid slipped his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me against his mouth. I closed my eyes, stifled a whimper, and kissed him back.
Careful not to disturb the cat, I tugged Quaid on top of me. Our mouths came together, tongues lacing, bodies heating. I gripped his waist, sliding my hands up and down his sides, his skin warm to the touch.
Next, you’ll want me on my knees.” “Annnnd there it is. You always gotta squig me out.” “I think you mean squick. Squig isn’t a word.” “I like squig better. You’re flirting, Valor. You know I hate that shit.” “I can’t help it. It’s your ravishing good looks. I have many fantasies.” “Please don’t share, or I won’t sleep tonight.
Without warning, he fisted my tie and yanked me forward, slamming our mouths together. His tongue lashed out when I tried to speak, seeking mine in an aggressive war of dueling swords.
“Okay fine. I’ll ride. But if I die, I’m going to kill you.” He chuckled by my ear and hugged me tighter. “You’re the most precious thing I own. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.” I pulled from his hold and mock-sneered. “You don’t own me, Doyle.” He winked and fit his helmet over his head. “That’s what you think, hot stuff. You’re mine.”
“And you’re not as unlikeable as you come across. First impressions are a bitch, but anyone who gets to know you can see you’re a decent person underneath. You have a big, tender heart in there. You care deeply for people. Ask Eden. Ask my sister. Ask Allison because she sees you. Heck, even Torin and Ruiz can see past your prickly coat of armor.” He hooked a finger with mine and drew me closer. “You might be hard to like, Quaid, but you’re easy to love.”
“Because you’re a Brillo pad, and I’m a soft fluffy kitten.” “Did you just indirectly call me abrasive?” “Yes, I did. I love your smart brain.”
Love wasn’t meant to be shouted from the mountain tops. Love wasn’t supposed to be loud and showy and exuberant. To me, love was quiet and intimate. Love was shared privately between two people. It was an undercurrent. Quaid understood, and he’d learned to read my love in the silences between those words.
“I’m also not the confident prick I’m used to being.” “I think you’re pretty confident with your prick. If you weren’t, I don’t think I’d bottom as much as I do.”
Quaid: Have I mentioned you’re the best? Ruiz: Enough it’s concerning. Have I mentioned I’m married with kids?
Savoring his warm skin, I leaned in and kissed him. First on his smiling lips, then the tip of his nose, then by his temple, all while backing him up to the bed and encouraging him to lie down.
He let me wash him, and I took my time, drawing the loofah over every inch of his body as he watched with sleep-heavy eyes. Suds rolled down his chest, and I chased after them with a hand, taking hold of him and stroking languidly.
I pulled him to his feet and caught his mouth in a sweet, tender kiss that went on for a long, long time. There was no doubt in my mind. I wanted this for the rest of my life.
Quaid made a sound of pleasure in the back of his throat and rutted once against the bed. I lightly smacked his ass. “Don’t you dare. I’ll get to that. It’s called a happy ending because it happens at the end.” The sleepy smile that graced his lips was gorgeous.
I’m looking for a ring. An engagement ring. For my boyfriend.”
