by Shyla Colt
Sunlight kissed her brown skin and she lay on her back. His white t-shirt rode high up on her thighs, and he licked his lips. He walked over to the bed, set the bag on the dresser, and sank down on the edge of the bed. She rolled to the side toward him. He ran his fingers down her back, soaking up the warmth pouring off her skin.
“Mmm?” She nuzzled her face into the pillow.
“Wake up, baby.”
“No.” She moaned. “So tired.”
“Open those eyes for me.”
She grunted. Her eyelids fluttered open and she wrinkled her nose. “Well, you’re here unmarred so I take that as a good sign.
“We have some things to talk about. I don’t apologize much, but keeping this to myself was a shady move. You were worried about me having feelings for Angelina.”
She tensed and he massaged her neck. It’s time to speak unfiltered. She deserved that.
“The truth is, this has always been about Joel. I trusted him, he was my best friend, and in the blink of an eye all that changed at the worst possible time. It was easier to see him as my enemy than to deal with it. What I did in the Corps took everything I had. Being a sniper is hard on the sanest person. So you have to put the outside world in a box. It was a bad habit I carried with me after my release.”
“Shooter,” she whispered.
“No I don’t want your pity. I want to be honest. I refuse to let anything come between us, Juliette.”
“What happened last night?” She sat up.
“I did what you suggested. I spoke with him, let go of the past.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why now?”
He offered her the black and silver cup and she took it with a small smile of thanks. Grabbing the brown paper bag off the dresser he shook is playfully. “Because I want to move forward with you. There’s no room for bullshit weighing us down. I never want you to doubt me.” He looked away.
She opened the bag. “You got me beignets?”
“From your favorite coffee shop.” His hands grew clammy. Blood rushed in his ears. Fuck. I’m lightheaded. “I will always do whatever it takes to make you happy.” His hand shook as he reached inside the pocket in his cut. “If you say yes, I promise I’ll bring you tea and sugary ass breakfast pastries after every fight.”
“Shooter?”
He opened the black case to reveal the two-karat princess cut diamond Joey had helped him pick out. “When I said you were mine, I meant that shit forever. Not only are you my heart. You have mine. I never thought I’d fully trust someone again, but you crept in under my radar and changed everything.” He laughed, thinking of the progress they’d made over the past eight months. “I’m not going to be completely satisfied until you’re wearing my ring, sharing my last name, and one day growing my baby.”
“I didn’t expect this.” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“Baby, the only thing I want to hear come out of your mouth right now is ‘yes’.” Nerves flared. Did I misread her?
“Oh my god, yes! Of course, yes.”
He breathed a sigh of relief and slipped his ring onto her finger. “I’m not a patient man, baby. You have six months to plan this shit and we’re walking down the aisle.”
“You know I love it when you take control.”
“Eat your breakfast, so we can celebrate properly.”
She bought the powdery dessert to her lips and he moaned.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. “Son of a bitch.”
He dug it out and put it to his ear. “Hello?”
“I hate to call you this early, but I found out our boy Peter just got taken out in jail,” Moose said.
“What the fuck happened?”
“You know the drill, no one saw anything. Someone didn’t want him to talk. All his transactions and clients have been wiped.”
Shooter whistled. “I want to be happy about this, but I don’ think it’s over.”
“No, but your girl should be safe at least. That’s something.”
“That’s everything, man. Thanks for the heads-up.” He disconnected and turned to Juliette. “We got an early wedding present, Stant is dead.”
“What? How?” she asked around a mouthful of food.
Shooter shook his head. “Someone in jail, whoever he’s in bed with doesn’t want anything getting out.”
“Is it over?” she whispered.
He took the bag and the mug from her hand and set them on the night stand. “It is for you, baby. You’re finally free.”
She pulled back. “But what ab—”
“No baby, right now is for us.”
He leaned over and captured her lips. The sweetness of her mouth and the unexpected gift of threat removal brought him peace. He couldn’t predict what the future held, and they still had a lot to work out, but he knew who’d be beside him, and for now that was enough.
About the Author
Shyla Colt is the sassy international bestseller of the popular series Kings of Chaos and Dueling Devils M.C. This genre-hopper’s stories feature three of her favorite things: strong females, pop culture, and alternate routes to happy ever after. Listening to her Romani soul, she pens from the heart, allowing the dynamic characters, eccentric interests, and travels as a former flight attendant to take her down untraveled roads.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, this mid-west girl is proud of her roots. She used her hometown and the surrounding areas as a backdrop for a number of books. So, if you’re a Buckeye, keep an eye out for familiar places.
As a full-time writer, stay at home mother, and wife, there’s never a dull moment in her household. She weaves her tales in spare moments and the evenings with a cup of coffee or tea at her side and the characters in her head for company.
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Twitter: @shylacolt
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Other Books by Shyla Colt
Kings of Chaos
Spun #1
Lighter Shade of Blue #2
For the Love of Dixie #3
Resurrecting Ghosts #4
Wesson Rebel MC
Always #1
Forever #2
Resurrection #3
Lords of Mayhem
The Biker’s Librarian #1
One Wild Ride #2
Live Free #3
Final Ride #4
Jinx Tattoos
Enzo #1
Broken But Breathing #2
Singles
A Lakota Claiming
Love From the Wreckage
Left