He holds his hand out to me, and I shake it out of respect for him and Coral. “You have my word, sir. I won’t let you down.”
“Good. Good.”
“I want to marry her.” It shot out of my mouth before I could stop it. Now wasn’t the right time, but I couldn’t help it. Don’t dad’s like to be asked for their daughter’s hand in marriage? Jack told me that once. He told me how he asked Taylor’s father if he could marry her. Makes the father know you respect him and his part in his daughter’s life. “I would like for your permission to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Pretty crazy, right? A biker asking his girl’s old man for her hand in marriage. I might not have been raised right, but Taylor taught me that manners cost nothing. Asking Coral’s dad for her hand in marriage was the right thing to do. Old-fashioned, but right.
He slaps his other hand over mine. “It really doesn’t matter what I say, son. If you want to ask her and she says yes, whether I like it or not, you’ll still marry her.”
“True. However, it would mean a great deal to me to have your permission.”
He looks me in the eye for a long moment. I almost think he’s going to take a swing at me. However, he smiles and nods his head. No verbal permission is given, but I don’t need it, that nod said it all.
Chapter Eighteen
Coral
I can’t believe how proud I am of my sister right now. She stood on that stage and gave her speech like a pro. She was valedictorian. We watched her with such pride in our hearts that I felt it seeping from all of us in the bucket load.
We spent a few moments talking with her friends. She’s planning to meet up with them as soon as dinner is over. She’ll be partying the night away, but I’m leaving in the morning, so this dinner is important to me because I won’t see her again for a couple of months.
It hurts, I don’t really want to leave so soon, extending our stay would be nice, but my mother still isn’t talking to me, so what would be the point? She hasn’t said one word since I arrived at her house. Even when me, Cindy, and my mother left the house to get in our cars, she didn’t say anything to me. She just made some snide comment about the car I hired for while I’m here. It’s black, and mom hates black. It’s a Volkswagen. She hates Volkswagen’s, they’re too big, to vile. Cindy just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Me? I said nothing and got in the car.
I guessed that my dad wanted to talk to Stryker alone. They seemed to take forever to come out of the house. I thought they might kill each other, but I didn’t move, I knew my dad needed to say his piece to the man I love. Don't all dad’s?
When they came out of the house, both had smiles on their faces. I was so shocked I couldn’t close my mouth for five minutes. When I asked Stryker what they talked about he told me that everything would be okay, my father is a good man, and he’s proud of me.
He didn’t go into anything, but I guessed the talk had done them both good. My dad has been great all day, talking to Stryker like they’re friends of old, much to my mother’s annoyance. She’s not going to give Stryker a chance, I just know it. She won’t even try for me, and that hurts so much.
“I’m so proud of you, Cindy.” I squeeze my sister’s hand from across the table. She smiles at me so wide. I do love my sister. She’s my best friend.
“Thank you. I’m proud of you, too, and it looks like dad is friends with your man.” She nods towards them. Stryker is sitting beside me, my dad on the opposite side of him in between my mom and sister. They’re rooted in conversation, laughing at whatever they’re talking about.
It makes my heart swell to see them getting on like this. All through dinner they talked like they’d known each other for years. They’ve become friends today, and that makes me so happy. My father is trying for me because he wants to see me happy.
Unlike my mother, who is staring at me like she wants to kill me. I’ve never seen her look at me like that before. Is she really so angry with me for bringing Stryker with me? For even being with him?
Apparently so.
A squeeze to my hand draws my eyes to my sister. “Don’t worry about her; she’ll come around.”
“Somehow, I can’t see it.” I smile slightly. My sister blows me an air kiss, making me laugh. Stryker kisses my cheek, making me smile shyly. It’s been a wonderful day. Stryker has been amazing to my family, and they’ve been just as good to him. Except for my mother, of course. “I’m just going to the bathroom,” I tell Stryker with a kiss to his lips.
After I’ve peed, I wash my hands while humming to myself happily. I’ve never felt this happy in my whole life. Being here with my family, with Stryker by my side, even though my mother is giving us a hard time, has been so special.
“I see he’s sweet talked your father.”
“Jesus Christ!” I spin on the spot. I didn’t even hear my mother come in. She startled me!
“Language!” Typical Mother. “I’m not happy about this, Coral.”
“I know you’re not, Mom. My intention wasn’t to upset you, but I love him.” I walk up to her and take her hands in mine, a smile on my face. My mother has soft hands for a woman of forty-six. People have told me once or twice how much I look like her. Cindy does too, but you can see a lot of my dad in Cindy.
I never wanted to hurt my mother with this. She might sound like a horror right now, but she’s a frightened mother. She still sees the little twelve-year-old girl who was hurt by a biker around her age. She was scared, sad, angry, didn’t know what to do for me. All she wanted to do was protect me, as a mother she felt like she failed me.
She didn’t fail me. She couldn’t have stopped it, no matter how many times she went over the, “What if I’d just done this?” But she can’t blame Stryker for what someone else did nine years ago. It’s not fair. She needs to learn to separate one from the other because I’m not leaving Stryker, not for anything. I want my mom in my life, and I don’t know what I’ll do if she walks away from me because of this.
“I love you, Mommy, I am so grateful for everything you’ve ever done for me. But I love Stryker. He makes me so happy, he keeps me safe, supports my dreams. He’s everything I have ever wanted. I know he’s not whom you wanted for me, but Mom, he’s not that monster. Please don’t tarnish him with the same brush. Please?”
My mother has tears in her eyes. She’s only ever wanted the best for me. I know that. “I don’t want to hurt you, Coral,” Her hand comes against my face, cupping my cheek gently. This is the mother I remember as a child, the sweet, gentle mother who always took care of me. “I love you so much. You’re my baby. I only want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, Mom. Mark makes me so happy.”
“Mark? That’s his real name?”
“Yes, but don’t tell him I told you.” We both laugh. She knows how it goes. She hugs me tightly, and I squeeze her to me. “I love you, too, Mom.”
“I know you do. Now, let’s get back out there to your man.”
My man. I like hearing that from my mother’s mouth.
When we get back to our table, Stryker is nowhere to be seen. I narrow my eyes at my smiling father and sister. What the hell is going on?
As my mother and I take our seats, I ask, “Where’s Stryker?”
“Right here.” I jump and giggle at the fact he startled me. He’s crouching down beside me, his hand in mine. He kisses my knuckles and smiles at me. He looks so handsome. He tried so hard to look nice for today. He didn’t dress like a biker. He’s wearing black trousers, a black button down shirt with the top two buttons open. His long hair is slicked back, and his face is cleanly shaven. He's perfect.
However, I don’t get why he’s crouched down beside me.
“What are you doing down there, you crazy man. Come sit back down.”
He shakes his head, and I narrow my eyes.
“There’s something I need to say. I’ve already spoken to your father,” He looks over at my dad, who winks at me. “I asked his per
mission to do this,”
“His permission?” My mother is as confused as I am.
“Shh.” My father takes her hand and winks at her.
I don’t think I like this very much, I’m beyond confused, and my sister is practically wetting herself with excitement.
“I know we’ve only been together a few short months, but they have been the best months of my life, Coral.”
“And mine,” I tell him honestly.
“You changed everything about me. You made me see that I am something,” I swallow back the emotion clogging my throat. I hate that Mark ever thought he was nothing. “You’re my best friend, my soulmate,” I smile at that. “I love you like I ain’t never loved another human being in my life.” I giggle. I’m nervous, but I love it when he tells me how much he loves me, because I know he means every word of it. “You’re the light in my life, Coral, and I never want to lose you. That’s why...”
My jaw drops to the damn floor as he reaches into his trouser pocket and pulls out a small black box. Oh god, I think I’m going to pass out! This can’t be what I think it is. No. It can’t. Tank and Jett told me plenty how Stryker is a loner, will never settle down.
However, here he is, my hand still in his as he flips open the box to reveal the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. A silver band with a clear-cut diamond smack in the middle. It’s gorgeous, and I can feel the tears welling in my eyes.
When did he buy this ring?
How long has he wanted this?
I know a man like Mark would like a family of his own. He’s never really had one. Yes, he’s got the Snakes, but this is different. He wants me to be his family. I could cry with happiness.
“I make this promise to you. I promise to love and protect you, nurture your hopes and dreams, be right by your side when you reach each and every goal you have. Because I love you so much and I want you to be my wife.”
I’m not looking anywhere but at Mark, but I know my family are holding their breaths waiting for me to answer him.
“Coral, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man on earth in becoming my wife?”
I can’t see for the tears falling from my eyes. I never dreamed this would happen to me. I never thought for one moment he’d have something like this planned, and I never thought he’d ask my father’s permission and that my father would grant it because it’s evident that he has.
The way he just proposed to me was so romantic, here in front of my family. He could have waited until we were back home and done it in front of his biker brothers, but he didn’t, he had so much respect for me that he gave me this.
God, I’m crying like an idiot!
Happy tears, of course.
“Yes!” I yell and wrap my arms around his neck. He's on his feet, and I’m off mine in less than a second. I can’t let go of him just yet, but I do kiss him long and hard.
Everyone in this beautiful French restaurant is clapping and cheering at what just when down here, how romantic it all was.
When he finally sets me on my feet, he slides the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly, and I am so happy I could burst!
I’m suddenly pulled away from him and into my mother’s arms where she tells me how proud of me she is. She even hugs Stryker and tells him, “Welcome to the family.” I can see how much that means to him, even by the shocked expression on his face.
My father hugs me and shakes Stryker’s hand. Cindy screams while bouncing on her feet and hugging me like crazy. She embraces Stryker and quietly asks if he has a friend for her. He rolls his eyes playfully but doesn’t answer her question. He knows my mother would have a heart attack if he did.
Nothing could be as perfect than this. We have a lot to talk about, where we’re going to live because we can’t stay with Denise, it’s already hard with her and Ice fucking like rabbits left and right. We can’t stay with BlackJack, although I know he’d let us. We can’t live at Mark’s place because it’s too small for one person, let alone two.
No, we need our own place. Somewhere we can call home because I am going to be staying in Tennessee with my man for the rest of my life. He’ll never leave the Snakes unless it’s in a pine box, and I would never ask him to, even if I am scared he won’t come home one day. They’re all he knows, the family who took him in when he thought he had nothing left to live for, and I will always thank them for that. Plus, I love Shepard, he’s my second father. I know I’m safer with them than anyone else. Life will be just perfect. I can be anyone I chose, and I know my man will be proud of me.
Christ, I’m getting married!
We said goodbye to my parent’s and sister with a promise to be back for a visit soon. My mother swore when we left that she’d never set foot in Tennessee ever again, but she’ll have to get over that because I’m getting married there and she promised to be at my wedding.
My wedding!
I look down at my ring as I sit on the edge of the hotel bed. I can’t help smiling. I feel the bed dip beside me, a kiss to my head, and the smell of my man freshly showered make my eyes roll a little. “It looks perfect on you, little bird.”
I turn to look at Mark and smile. He’s so ruggedly handsome, and I love him so much. “You made my dreams come true today. I’m going to be your wife!”
“I know!” He mirrors my excitement, and it makes me laugh.
We’re both naked beneath the towels wrapped around us. We’ve already had sex twice today, so why do I feel so horny all of a sudden?
My eyes travel the length of his chiseled chest. He’s full of muscle, tight in all the right places, tattoos covering those muscles. I can’t stop my hand wondering over his abs. Six pack and perfect.
How did I get so lucky?
This man is every woman’s fantasy, and he’s all mine.
I don’t care what others have told me about him not having relationships in the past because he’d rather fuck and move on. He hadn’t met me then. I don’t claim to be anything special, but to Mark, I am special, and that’s all that matters.
“You’re hard.” Yeah, I just pointed out the obvious, but I can’t help it. The towel isn’t big enough to hide his massive erection.
“You’re touchin’ me. I can’t help it.”
I giggle. He always says that to me.
“I can’t help touching you when you’re next to me practically naked.”
His hand slides against my cheek, pulling me towards him. I laugh nervously – I don’t know why I’m nervous! – before his lips hit mine. My eyes roll, his tongue makes love to mine and I’m moaning so loudly they can probably hear me in the next room. He does that to me, makes me lose my mind, and I don’t care about being quiet. I want him to know what he does to me.
I yank on his hair; we’re frantic, we need each other so badly right now. I pull the towel away from my body before tearing away his. He laughs as I straddle him, laughter dying on his lips as I stroke my wet pussy against his erection.
His hands slide up and down my back, his mouth latching onto my left nipple. I groan loudly because he knows how hard I come when he plays with my nipples. They're always so sensitive when he touches me.
My head falls back. I grind on him harder. “That’s it, little bird, use me, get yourself off.”
“Mark...” I’m about to come, and I can’t stop it. My pussy is throbbing so hard, the feeling of his hard length, my clit scrubbing against it is too much. “I’m… Coming!” So. Fucking. Hard!
I clutch at his neck, my forehead against his, my hips still slowly winding against him. I kiss him softly. He nips at my lips. I’m throbbing all over.
“That was so fuckin’ hot, darlin’.” I smile against his mouth. He always makes me feel good about everything we do together. “I need you, little bird.” He always calls me little bird. I still don’t know why. Maybe I’ll ask him soon.
I lift my hips, take his thick, hard cock in my hand and line it up with my opening. I smirk at him. I’ve grown so bold thanks to Mark; he
’s made me see that I don’t need to be shy with him. He loves my body as much as I love his.
“Now, baby.” He pleads, and it makes me so hot. I lower myself onto him slowly, eyes rolling as he fills me. There is no better feeling in this world.
After everything I went through as a child, I never thought I’d be here, in a relationship with a man who means the world to me, a man who loves me, a man who took away all of my fear about being with anyone in this way.
I lean my head against his, moving my hips back and forth, up and down. His hands clasp my shoulder blades as he thrusts upward fast and hard.
I can’t take it. It’s too much. I’m so close. “Mark, I can’t take it!” I throw my head back, his mouth latches onto my beast, and I come so hard I can see stars behind my eye!
I groan as he lifts me off of him and throws me onto the bed beside him. He gets to his feet, grabs my hips and spins me around. I try to get to my knees, but he holds me down. “Stay on your stomach, little bird. It’s my turn.”
Oh god!
With my ass cheeks in his hands, he spreads them, looking at me, all of me. I turn my head just enough to look at him. I’m scared. I can’t explain it. Okay, I can. When that man raped me, he raped me just like this, in this position.
He raped me missionary. He raped me while he choked me with his big hands. He held me down as I lay on my stomach and he raped me like this.
I choke back a sob when Stryker slides his cock over my ass. He instantly freezes, climbs off me, grabs my arms and yanks me to my feet in front of him.
I close my eyes, trying not to cry. I didn’t mean to ruin this. I didn’t mean to let that pig into my head. It has been nine years, I should be over it by now, and I am for the most part, but some things still frighten me, things I haven’t gotten past.
Stryker takes my face in his big hands. “Coral, look at me.” I do. His eyes search mine, and he’s so smart because I can tell he knows exactly what just happened. “Baby, I would never hurt you. You know that, don't you?”
Strike Fast: Prequal (Snakes Henchmen MC) Page 13