Page 70 of Bad Run

I chuckle at the absurdity of our situation. “It’s Gwendolyn June Montgomery.”

“Beautiful name. Just like you.”

My cheeks flame at the compliment.

“Gwendolyn June Montgomery, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The seriousness in his voice gives me pause. I can’t put my finger on the undercurrent in his tone, but some hidden force in it wraps around my insides, putting them in a chokehold.

“What’s your full name?”

Lance smirks. “Lancelot Henry Taylor.”

“Why do I get the sense that someone in both our families likes English literature?”

He throws his head back and laughs. “I had the same thought.”

“Guess we have something else in common, huh?” I watch as his pupils dilate and he takes a deep breath.

“I can think of plenty more things we have in common,” he says, his voice dipping low and making me squirm in my seat.

Not wanting to pull on that thread, or dive too deep into the way my heart pounds inside my chest and my clit pulses with desire, I answer his question. “I’ll be your wife, Lancelot Henry Taylor.”

For as long as you’ll let me.

twenty-three

Lance

Present

Never thought hearing Gwen utter the words your wife would send my dick into overdrive, but here I am, hard as a rock.

As I make my way to the passenger door to help her out of the car, I pull my dick up, tucking it into the waistband of my boxers.

I need to get my shit together.

Gwen is freaking out, and I need her to stay calm. Getting through a meeting with my friends is going to be a cakewalk compared to the scrutiny we are going to be under with her family.

My boys already suspected something happened between me and Gwen months ago; this is just us confirming it.

Reaching for Gwen’s hand, I lace our fingers together as we walk the path to the restaurant entrance. Her small hand is hot and shaky, giving away her nerves. I run my thumb over the ring on her finger. My ring.

Fuck, I love the way it looks on her finger.

“Relax. The guys are going to be on our side,” I say, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Gwen exhales a deep breath as I push open the door and lead her inside.

From what I know, Nico’s mother and aunt co-own the restaurant. I’m surprised at how beautiful and modern the space is, while simultaneously giving off rustic, you’re-eating-at-home vibes. Cream walls boast distressed wood accents and black industrial metal finishes.

The bell above us rings, drawing every pair of eyes at the table.

“Hey, guys.” With a shy wave, Gwen greets my friends and their significant others first.

I hate that she’s self-conscious. These assholes wouldn’t say a damn thing. Well, Reed might, but I’ll punch him in the dick if he does.

Nico dives in without skipping a beat and welcomes us. “Nice to see you, Gwen. Come in, you two. Grab a seat. We still have plenty of food.”

I notice a variety of dishes on the table have already been tucked into. The food looks and smells delicious. My stomach growls from hunger and nerves. I suppress both feelings and clear my throat. “Actually, I was hoping you guys might be interested in taking a little road trip with us.”