Page 26 of Bought By Torch

“Thank you for keeping your promise.” I run my fingers along his scruffy jaw. He’s so handsome. He barely broke out in a sweat while he was fighting. He still smells like his cologne. Rugged and masculine.

“Always, baby. I will always keep my promise.”

“So, we’re really doing this?”

“You bet this cute little ass we are. It doesn’t have to be now, but you are definitely going to be mine.”

“I’m sorry about my dad.”

He was acting like a jerk. Treating him the same way he treated Caleb.

“One day, I promise to earn his respect.”

Torch doesn’t have to earn anything. It’s my dad who needs to apologize.

“I hope you know that no matter how he feels about us, you’re the one I want. But speaking of my dad, what deal did you make with him?”

His lips tip up into a smirk, and now I’m more than curious.

“If I won the fight, he had to give me his approval and support you in your decision.”

“So, you’re trying to buy my hand in marriage?” My brows rise at the wagering man.

“Oh, you’ve been bought, baby.” He carries me off the elevator. Straight to his place. And straight to his room. “I won. And now, I’m collecting my prize.”

I feel like I’m the winner. No one and nothing could keep me away from this man. My father can take his trust and shove it up his ass.

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but I never imagined when I got on that flight, that I would be the one staying in Vegas. I never imagined I’d win the ultimate jackpot: LOVE.

EPILOGUE

Torch

Five years later….

“Lola!” My wife practically bum rushes the woman as she comes through the door, wrapping her stepmother up in a big hug. “I’ve missed you so much. You guys have been gone for too long.”

“We’ve missed you too, sweetie. And I told your father that we’re staying put from now on. I’m not going to miss a moment of my grandbaby’s life.”

My heart goes out for her. She never got to have kids of her own on account of what the monsters of her past did to her, but if my wife has her way, Lola will be a permanent fixture in our daily lives. Helping her care for our child once the little tyke arrives. I’ll be happy knowing Evie will have someone to keepher company while I’m working during the day. Though, as soon as my kid arrives, I’m taking a long leave from the Vegas life.

“What about me?” her dad asks, feeling left out. But his daughter is quick to turn her loving attention in his direction.

“I missed you too, Dad. I’m so glad you guys are back. Now, come. I want to show you the nursery.”

She drags them off before I barely get my own hugs in, but she is beyond excited.

I leave them be and go grab the plate of burgers to grill. I light the grill and then grab a beer, waiting for the fire to get up to temperature.

“You need any help out here?” my father-in-law asks as he comes up to my side.

“I could use the company. Just waiting for the grill to heat.”

He takes a beer and takes a seat next to me. It looks like Lola’s rubbed off on him. He’s dressed in shorts and sandals, not pinched tight in a suit. And the wrinkles around his mouth show how much laughing he’s been doing. I never thought those two would ever get together, but they seem to be the perfect fit. How he cracked her tough shell though, I will never know.

“Congratulations, Torch. I’m really excited for you guys.”

Me too. I can’t wait to meet our little one. Adding to our family is going to be a miracle come true.