Page 70 of Weston’s Treasure

He tried, really he did, but the shock in her voice was too much. It started as a chuckle but when Silver grunted and unsuccessfully tried again to pull her hand from his, Weston erupted into laughter.

“I don’t see what’s so funny.”

“I know you don’t,” he said through his hilarity. “That’s what makes it funny.”

“So it’s funny because I’m nervous about meeting your parents? It’s funny I want them to like me? But more importantly, I want them to like me for you? It’s funny because I’m scared if they don’t like me then that means you’ll stop liking me, because they’re important to you? All of that is funny, Weston?”

He sobered immediately. There it was—the root of her concern. No bullshit. No hiding.

“Babe, I don’t know how to make this any clearer to you. I know they’ll love you simply because I do. But also, it will take them all of five minutes to figure out all the reasons I do, and see you for exactly who you are. A beautiful, challenging, intelligent woman who makes their son happy. They’ll get it and they’ll like that for me. They’ll like it for you. Neither are dumb and it takes less time than you think to see the hurt you guard. Both will see that and both will move in to give you what you need to stop guarding it and start healing it. That’s the type of people my parents are.”

“Love me?”

It took Weston a moment to understand what she was asking. And when he did he smiled. Of course that was what Silver would hone in on and he wondered if she’d heard anything else he’d said after that.

“What exactly do you think’s going on between us?”

“Um…I…well…”

Damn, his Silver was cute when she was clueless.

“Straight up. We had a conversation less than twenty-four hours ago about there being a possibility I planted my kid inside of you. Not long after that, I took you again bare. No protection. I spilled inside of you, uncaring that if I hadn’t knocked you up the first two times, I could’ve that time. During that conversation, I thought I made myself pretty damn clear I wasn’t freaking out because there was nothing to freak out about. I thought I was also clear that I wanted kids, and I wanted those kids to look like you. So with all of that, you’re seriously asking me if I love you?”

“Well, you never said you did, so how was I supposed to know?” she shrieked.

“I don’t got a bunch of kids roaming the streets and baby mamas I pay child support to, so I think it’s a pretty safe bet, I’m damn careful. And the fact that I was not careful with you, should be a pretty fucking big indication you mean something to me. But if that wasn’t, me taking you again after I knew you weren’t on birth control and still let loose inside of you should’ve been a huge, flashing, red neon sign that said I loved you.”

“That’s crazy. And you having sex with me without a condom doesn’t say I love you, it says you’re a man and wants himself some and doesn’t have time to roll on a condom.”

“Never in my life have I been so turned on I didn’t have time for a condom.”

“Well, maybe I’m just special that way, you were more turned on with me.”

“You’re special all right,” Weston blurted through his amusement.

“You’re laughing again,” she angrily noted.

And he was, his body shook with it, the sound filled the SUV, and try as he might he couldn’t stop it.

“I am,” he unnecessarily confirmed.

Silver made a strangled sound and muttered, “You’re an ass.”

“Stubborn,” Weston returned.

“I’m not being stubborn, Weston Beil, but if you don’t stop laughing when I’m having a mild freak-out you’re gonna see stubborn in a way you’ve never seen it.”

“Right.” He chuckled.

“And don’t you even wanna know if I love you?”

It took Herculean effort not to bust a gut at her annoyed question. Only Silver could fight about them loving each other.

“I know you do,” he told her.

Silver’s hand in his spasmed before she growled, “Arrogant much?”

“Nothing arrogant about it.”