A wicked smile tugged at Shadow’s lips. “You could do all the work.”
Ridge’s hand snaked its way out from beneath the hundred blankets Shadow needed to stay warm. He held an open ring box. “You couldmarry me.”
Stunned, Shadow stared at the most beautiful engagement ring he’d ever seen.
Ridge turned visibly nervous. “I know we haven’t really talked about it, but this is the life I’ve always wanted with you. In my heart, you’ve always been my husband.”
Shadow dragged his eyes away from the ring. “When did you have time to buy this?”
Ridge smiled. “Edge didn’t really want me to help him plan a surprise for Mickey. It was the other way around. I asked him to go with me to find you the perfect ring.”
Shadow went back to staring at the ring. He was blown away. Shadow licked his lips. He had dreamed amillion times about Ridge asking him this exact question. Every time, he hadn’t been down for the count. He could properly jump him. His gaze lifted again. There was so much hope in Ridge’s eyes and a little worry as well. Shadow couldn’t have that.
“The first time we spoke, I knew you were the piece of me I’d been missing my whole life. There’s nothing I want more than to be your husband, so yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
A bright smile exploded across Ridge’s lips. “Are you serious? You’ll really marry me.”
Maybe Shadow was still a little out of it. He couldn’t understand why Ridge sounded so blown away—like he didn’t know they were meant to be. They were written in thestars.
Shadow stuck his left hand out while trying to keep the rest of his arm covered. “You know I’m yours. You’d damn well better know you’re mine. Give me that ring.”
With a chuckle, Ridge pulled the ring from the box and slipped it onto Shadow’s ring finger. They both spent a moment eyeing it. The piece looked amazing on Shadow’s hand. They lifted their chins at the same time. Their gazes collided.
Shadow swallowed hard. He couldn’t look away from those sexy eyes. “You know, I was being serious earlier. There’s no reason you can’t do all the work, while I promise I won’t tax myself. It might be the most boring fuck you’ve ever had, but—”
Ridge overcame him, cutting off Shadow with his mouth coming down hard on Shadow’s. A moan escaped before Shadow could stop it. There was nothing better than Ridge’s mouth on his skin. If there was, Shadow never wanted to find out. His life was perfect with Ridge.
Nothing tasted better than Shadow. He was like an extravagant meal. Ridge couldn’t believe Shadow agreed to marry him. He didn’t know why. It seemed like the next logical step, but they had never been logical. They alwaystook the hardest path. Now, he felt higher than ever.
Ridge worked to pull Shadow’s pajama pants down enough to free his erection. Ridge had stripped nude in the middle of the night when cuddling with Shadow beneath a hundred covers had him frying. He refused to not have Shadow in his arms—no matter how hot he got. Ridge could just stick one foot outside the blankets.
Shadow wasn’t up to getting fucked. Ridge was a little surprised he was hard for him. Exhaustion radiated from him. But Shadow had asked more than once for Ridge to make love to him. Ridge would never make him beg.
Ridge’s fingers encircled Shadow’s cock. An unsteady breath escaped Shadow. Shadow had a way of taking him fromnothing to ready to fly in an instant with a single sound. The feeling never got old.
He held Shadow’s stare. “I want to watch you come.”
Shadow writhed against him at the claim. “Keep touching me like that and you’ll see it sooner rather than later.”
Air became scarce as Shadow acted as if Ridge had a magic touch. Ridge pumped Shadow’s cock. With his weight braced on one hand, Ridge stared down between their bodies and watched the way Shadow’s cock disappeared inside his fist over and over again. There was no way he could handle a long engagement. He was already dying to be Shadow’s husband. Ridge was also painfully aroused. He wanted to do all the bad things to Shadow.Possessiveness mixed with lust. Ridge tried breathing past the explosive combo. He had to make Shadow fly. Shadow’s fingers squeezed Ridge’s bare ass, as if trying to take what he wanted.
Ridge knew how to take a hint. He shifted positions so he could grind his erection against Shadow. His breathing turned labored as he enjoyed the sensation of his dick slipping and sliding again Shadow’s cock. He kept control while he stroked their cocks together.
Shadow held tightly to his ass and helped control the pace. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He couldn’t help but return Shadow’s breathless words. Ridge tugged at their dicks, causing the perfect friction between them. He threw his head back and sucked air while driving them both crazy.He massaged and humped, fucking Shadow with no penetration.
Shadow stared at him like he was transfixed.
Every ounce of Ridge’s focus remained zeroed in on the sensation of their erections moving against each other. He craved more, but then again, he was happy with any amount of Shadow. Even if he never got to touch Shadow again, there was nowhere he would rather be. There was no one like Shadow for him. As much as he craved burying his dick in Shadow’s hot ass, he was completely onboard with making love like this.
Ridge rotated his hips. His speed increased. Shadow’s low moans got louder as they raced toward the edge. Ridge couldn’t look away and miss a secondof watching Shadow relish his touch. The spring inside Ridge wound slowly tighter. His hand kept moving. He needed Shadow’s orgasm. Ridge knew it would be sexy as fuck. It always was. Shadow’s gaze hit his. His cheeks were flushed, making his gorgeous eyes seem even brighter than usual.
Shadow’s bottom lip was held between his teeth. Ridge had never seen a sexier sight. Then, a loud gasp escaped Shadow and hot cum coated Ridge’s fingers. The sight ripped an orgasm from Ridge with enough force it tore a cry from his throat. He claimed Shadow’s mouth. Their tongues battled as their greedy hearts fought to get closer to each other. The magnitude of Shadow agreeing to marry him landed on his shoulders. This man would soon be his husband. Their lives would likely barely change.They already slept together each night. They already had the same last name. But Ridge planned to make Shadow so goddamn happy that he saw the difference. For the rest of their lives, all Shadow would know was endless smiles and love. So much love.
Chapter Eight
Ridgeskippedacirclearound Shadow. He was more than a little giddy about Shadow finally being well. Their engagement had him over the moon. He felt like a kid again.
