You’d think I’d be appalled at such behavior, but instead, I was so hot for him we found a nice, deserted hallway to have a quickie in.
“What are you thinking about?” Link asked, pulling me back into the present.
“I’m thinking I love the way you don’t care what people think.”
He tapped me on the nose. “You gotta stop looking at me like that, or I’m never gonna get through this.”
“What exactly is this?” I asked.
He let out a frustrated growl and dipped his hand into the paper bag, pulling out black leather. “I had this made for you,” he said, shaking it free so I could see the patches on the back.
“Property of Link,” I read aloud, expecting the title to feel demeaning, but it didn’t. Not after spending the past three months with old ladies and seeing the way their men treated them. I understood what all the fuss was about now, and I’d been waiting for Link to give me one.
This was what he was so nervous about? I glanced at him and his eyes were heavy with worry. Did he think I wouldn’t wear it? Determined to set his mind at ease, I slipped it on over my blouse and smiled at him. “How does it look?”
“Later, I’m going to fuck you while you’re wearing just that,” he said.
“Later?” I asked, reaching for his cock. “The lasagna won’t be done for a while yet. Why wait?”
He blocked my groping hand. “We’re not done here, Emily.”
His hand dipped back into the bag, retrieving a small jewelry case and set it on the table.
My heart jumped into my throat.
“I know it’s only been four months, and you’re probably in your own mind right now, listing off all the reasons this is a bad idea, while pushing aside the way it feels right. I have good instincts, Emily. I can read situations and people and I know you can, too. So, before you freak out about this, I need you to know that I’ve been dragging my feet about this because I didn’t want to scare you off. But I know what I want. I want my property patch on your back, my ring on your finger, and someday—if you’ll have it—my baby in your belly.”
Baby? He and I hadn’t talked about kids, but him mentioning them now had my ovaries singing his praises. Yes, I would definitely have Link’s babies.
“I want a life with you,” he said, popping open the box.
It was a ring.
Not just any ring. It was a giant round diamond in a platinum setting.
It was an engagement ring.
Holy crap.
“Say something,” Link said, his eyes pleading. “Don’t you dare chicken out on me now, baby. I need you.”
Too soon. It was such a bad idea, and yet…
“We can wait if you need to. I’ll give you more time.”
“Yes,” I blurted out.
His expression fell. “Okay. We’ll wait.” He closed the box.
“No.” I shook my head as tears stung my eyes. “I don’t want to wait. Yes, Link. The answer is yes. I’ll marry you.”
He stared at me, his expression blank. “Are you shittin’ me?”
I giggled as a happy tear fell down my cheek. “No. I want to marry you. You’re right. Despite all the reasons we should wait, this feels right. I love you, and you need to put that ring on my finger before we both come to our senses.”
He removed the ring from the box and eyed my finger. He slipped off the fake gold band I’d worn since college and slid his rock over my knuckles. “Pretty sure this is the smartest thing I’ve ever done, sweetheart.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, admiring it. “Thank you.”
