Quinn sits up straight, her face twisted in shock. “What?”
“Marry me. I promise never to touch another drop of alcohol again. If I do, you can leave me and take every dollar I have.”
She closes her eyes and shakes her head, then reaches out and cups my face. “Don’t you get it, Xander? I don’t want your money. The only thing I want isyou.”
I stare into her loving, genuine gaze, and I know I’m going to spend the rest of my life with Quinn. I meant what I promised,but I’m not worried about it because, as long as I have her, I don’t need anything else. My therapist would tell me that it’s not healthy to replace one addiction with another, but she isn’t something I’m willing to give up.
Not now. Not ever. Not even in the afterlife.
CHAPTER 46
Quinn
UNEXPECTED SURPRISES
“You have me,baby girl. Every part of me. You own my heart and soul. I want to give you the life you’ve always dreamed of, and I want to be part of that, every day, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy… or thatI’mgoing to be easy. But I’ll never stop loving you. I’ll never stop obsessing over you. And I’ll never, ever stop choosing you.”
Tears roll down my cheeks. That’s been happening all morning. Even while we fucked, I cried as we stared into each other’s eyes. “Sorry.” I use the back of my hands to wipe my cheeks. “I’ve been such a crybaby lately.”
He smiles and strokes my face. “You can be my crybaby. I’ll hold you whenever you need it and kill anyone who causes it. I love you, sunshine. Today, tomorrow, and in the afterlife.”
That makes me smile, and I lean into him again, snuggling against his warm chest. He wants to marry me. And I want nothing more than to marry him. We only knew each other for a few weeks before he left for treatment, but I knew, even in that time, that there is no one else out there for me in this life. Even if Xander died tomorrow, he’s it. I don’t want anyone else. Not now. Not ever. He makes me whole.
“You’re supposed to ask,” I whisper into his ear, grinding my hips against him.
A smirk plays at his lips, and he leans back, watching me as I start to ride him. “If I ask, it gives you the chance to say no, and I don’t plan on giving you up, baby girl. That’s my only limit when it comes to you.”
My chest tightens, and I lean forward to meet his kiss, his hands wrapping around my hips, gripping them almost painfully. I love every second of his possessive touch.
“Will you be my wife, sunshine? The mother of my kids? My whole world? Will you make me the happiest man in the universe?”
My orgasm rolls over me, and I bob my head, moaning, “Yes, Daddy,” into his ear as he falls apart with me.
“We can stay home.Stay in bed and shop for furniture for our new house.”
I smile up at the hottest man I’ve ever seen, and a lightness fills me. He told me a lot about his treatment today. He’s going to continue to see a therapist once a week. Even though he hasn’t had any cravings for alcohol, he’s still going to virtually meet with someone from the treatment center on a regular basis to check in.
When he told me he was leaving to get help, I had no idea if the same man I fell in love with would return. I knew it was possible he might resent me or have had a change of heart after going through therapy. But what I didn’t expect was this man, who is still very much possessive and protective, but he’s softerand more talkative. I swear there used to be an invisible rain cloud that followed him around, but it’s not there anymore. I’m so proud of him for the obvious hard work he put in on himself and his recovery.
I hope like hell he’s proud of himself, too.
“No. I’m good. I got to spend all day with you. I don’t mind sharing you with your family for a few hours,” I tell him, grabbing my purse and checking my reflection in the mirror one more time.
Even multiple coats of concealer can’t hide how tired I am, but I already know I’ll sleep like a baby tonight with Xander next to me, so I’m sure I’ll bounce back to myself within a few days. Especially since Xander informed me that I can work as many jobs as I want, but I’m not to work more than forty hours a week. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be able to fight that too much, considering he’s my boss. But also, I don’t want to because it makes me all warm and gooey inside that he’s taking care of me in his own, over-the-top, bossy way.
“We need to decide on a date.” He holds the passenger door open for me in the parking garage. “I’m thinking tonight. We could get married Vegas style.”
I laugh and roll my eyes, though I don’t hate the idea. I couldn’t care less about the wedding. It’s our marriage that matters to me.
“Yeah? And what about rings? Clothes? Not that I need a fancy gown, but I don’t know about getting married in my leggings and sweater.”
Xander grins and brings the back of my hand to his mouth to press a kiss to it. He looks so damn light and free. It’s a beautiful sight.
“Baby girl, you just worry about saying ‘I do’ and let Daddy take care of everything else.”
Butterflies erupt in my stomach as excitement washes over me, but at the same time, I relax against the seat and let out a deep breath.
Beckett and Kian are already at Cash and Jordyn’s when we arrive. Caleb is here, too, though he’s quieter than the rest. I get the feeling he’s the silent-but-deadly type.
