Page 94 of Silver Brewer

“Fuck that,” I bark.

“Excuse me?” Her hands come to her hips, standing off with me, and I see a hint of the woman I first met, the one who sparked my interest to play with her and dare her to go camping with me.

“You are not renting a house in Georgia.”

“And why not?” Her eyelids flutter as her face pinks.

“Because if you’re going to live anywhere, it’s with me.” I don’t know where the demand comes from, as I should phrase it as more of a suggestion, but I’m finished suggesting ideas to this woman.

“Well, aren’t you presumptuous? Or do I seem like a foregone conclusion?” Her smile grows, and her cheeks brighten. Damn, she’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. “You think you can smile pretty at me with that sweaty back and heaving solid chest.” She points at my waist. “With your manly hairs dipping into your pants and I’ll just do as you say.”

I look down at my bare chest, noting how my pants sit a little lower on my hips. My head lifts, and I meet her glowing blue eyes, matching the sky above us.

“Does that work for you?”

“If the price is right.” She pauses. “But I have a price, too.”

“Because everyone does,” I mock. Aw, shit. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride, holding my breath on the ups and losing my stomach on the downs.

“No. But. Well, my price…is…I want you to love me and adopt Finn. Once you marry me.”

We stare at one another.

Did she just say what I think she said?

Is she…?

“Cricket?” My voice strains as she lowers to one knee, digging for something in her pocket.

“Giant Harrington—”

I hold up a hand to stop her. I don’t want to stop her, but this isn’t how it should be. I’m prepared to do the asking. In fact, I’ve been prepared for months and have just been waiting out the time.

“Will you do me the honor of marrying me and accepting my son as your own?”

One finger covers my lips to hold back the laughter rumbling up my throat.

“What?” She stares up at me from her kneeling position, holding a thick dark ring between her fingers. I reach down for her elbow and tug her upward to stand before me.

“Woman, I’ve wanted to marry you since I saw you in Chicago in that hideous dress at your sister’s wedding.”

“Really?” Her eyes widen as her hand lowers, but I catch her wrist, holding the ring-supporting fingers between us. My eyes remain on the thick band.

“Actually, I take that back. It was the night in the ranger station.” I tug her to me, her breasts knocking into my chest with the ring still in her fingers. “When I took you from behind during a thunderstorm.”

“And that sealed the deal?” She giggles while an admonishing brow tweaks upward in question.

“Knew I’d never be able to live without you from that moment forward,” I say, swearing it’s true as I dip my forehead to meet hers.

“You had me at ax throwing,” she teases, and I wrap an arm around her, pulling her even closer, still keeping her hand with the ring between us. “I’m sorry for what I did. I should have never broken up with you. I’ve missed you every day and—”

Her chattering stops the second my lips meet hers. Her tongue slips along the seam of mine, and I open, allowing her in, so happy she’s home with me. My home. Our home. We savor one another, feeling as if it’s been years yet only yesterday. I don’t want to ever lose her again.

“Is that a yes?” she asks, pulling back from me and glancing at the ring still braced between her fingers.

“Let’s have you hold that for a bit,” I say. Her lips fall, and then a squeak comes from the vehicle.

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