Too Much to Lose
Page 23
She tugs on my hand. “Jess, what the h—”
“Ta da!” She points to the motorbike parked in one dark corner so that I didn’t see it when I came in. My motorbike.
“What the hell?”
I let go of her hand and stride over to the bike. Sweeping my hand over the seat, I try not to gape. I didn’t think I’d see it again and I’d come to terms with that. Being with Jess is a clean start for both us. No more baggage from the past, even my Dad’s bike. As far as I was concerned it was going to get crushed after being written off. And that was fine now I have Jess, but I can’t say I didn’t miss riding, especially with Jess wrapped around me.
“I kind of talked to Connor and got him to fix it. It’s not all your old bike. He had to bash a few bits together but a lot of it is still there.”
“Princess, you are really something.”
A flash of teeth. “I believe I said the same thing about you once.”
“Fancy taking a ride with me, Jessie?” I crack a grin, hold out my hand and lean back against the seat.
Her cool fingers slip into mine and that familiar thrill shoots up my arm, sending my thoughts a little hazy. I tug her close and she reaches up to rake her nails across my chin. “I’d ride with you any day, Hunter.”
“Even after the accident?” I skim my hands down her back and cup her rear.
“Of course.” Green eyes sparkle under the overhead light, lit with love. “The accident wasn’t your fault and I know you’d never hurt me.”
My heart stretches and squeezes at the idea of being loved by this woman. I hold her fiercely to me. “Never,” I promise. “I will do everything I can to make you happy. To protect you from this world. I don’t know what’s around the corner but I’ll always be here to defend you, you know that, right?” I draw back and hook one finger under her chin to raise her gaze to mine. “Whatever we face in the future, we’ll do it together. I’ll always be by your side.”
“I know. And I’ll always be by yours.”
“No more running?”
“Never. Only into your arms.”
“Good.” I nod. “Then you had better marry me, princess.”
“Is that a proposal?” Both of her brows rise.
“Shit.” I let go of her ass and push my hands across her cheeks so I’m cradling her face. “I meant to do it properly. The ring is upstairs,” I admit.
Truth is, I’ve had that ring for a few weeks now. I knew she’d say yes but I was looking for the perfect moment. I intended to make it amazing. But as I stare down at this beautiful woman, I realize that every moment with her is perfect. Whatever shit we’re dealing with, as long as she’s by my side, we can’t go wrong.
“Well?” I prompt as silence reigns. My mouth dries a little. Maybe she did need roses and candlelight and stuff. “We’re practically married already. Hell, we bought an apartment together.”
Her lips tilt. “Hunter—”
“And you’d look amazing in a wedding dress.”
“I—”
“Plus Connor and Mitch need a wedding to hook up with some hot bridesmaids.”
“Hunter—”
“Don’t forget the honeymoon. I’ll take a break after this next job and take you somewhere warm where I can see you in a bikini all day long.”
“That sounds wonderful but—”
“And I won’t have to worry about men drooling all over you if you’re wearing my ring.”
“That’s a terrible reason to get married,” she scolds. “Anyway, no one drools all over me. Not since leaving Murphy’s.”
“That’s not true. You still look hot in your buttoned up little suits,” I grumble.
Jess laughs. “Hunter, I—”
“Okay, how about this? Marry me because I can’t get enough of you. Marry me because I love you and need you by my side forever. Marry me because I’ll do all I can to make you happy. I can’t bear the thought of not having you as mine.”
“I am yours.” She skims a kiss across my lips and when I go to speak again, she presses harder, silences me. Against my mouth, she says, “I love you, I’ll marry you.”
The words take a moment to sink in. She’s mine. Well and truly. Almost, anyway. Just need to get that ring on her finger. I draw back to eye her. “What in the hell did I do to deserve you?”
“I was thinking the same. Now are you going to take me for a ride or not?”
I glance at the bike and back to her. Holding her firmly against me, I flash a grin. “Princess, I’m going to take you for the ride of your life.”
The End
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Other titles by Samantha Holt
Contemporary
Not Another Soldier
Historical
To Steal a Highlander’s Heart (Book 1 of the Highland Fae Chronicles)
To Dream of a Highlander (Book 2 of the Highland Fae Chronicles)
The Borderland Legacy Series
www.samanthaholt.org.uk