“That’s where you’re wrong, lips,” I stated firmly. “You won’t be a single anything. Every motherfucker out there is going to know it because you’ll be wearing my ring and have my last name.”
Madison’s mouth dropped open and she blinked at me owlishly for a moment. Then she shocked me when she let out a sob and tore herself from my arms, bolting from the room.
I hurried after her, catching her just as she reached the front door. Before she could open it, I caught her around the waist and swung her up into my arms. She turned her face into my chest and continued to cry as I stalked into the living room and sat on the couch.
I figured it wouldn’t do any good to try and get her to talk until she’d calmed down. So, I gently rubbed her back and waited. When she was more relaxed and softly sniffing, I lifted her face and wiped away her tears.
“What’s going on, lips?”
“Nothing,” she said with a hiccup. “The hormones must be messing with me already.”
“Madison”—I narrowed my eyes and studied her face—“Hormones may have intensified your reaction, but something still had to have upset you. Was it what I said?”
I held my breath while I waited for her answer. No matter what she said, I wasn’t going to let her go, but it would be much easier if I didn’t have to convince her.
“I—well, I”—tears gathered in her eyes again—“could I have a glass of water, please?”
I exhaled quickly and tried to be patient. “Sure, baby.” I set her on the cushion next to me and stood. Then a thought made me turn around and give her a stern look. “Don’t even think about running. If I have to chase you down, you won’t like the consequences.”
She rolled her eyes but stayed settled in her seat and waved me away. “I’ll be right here, caveman.”
A small grin stretched my lips as I turned and hurried to the kitchen. When I returned with her drink, she was still in the room but had moved to a chair where I couldn’t sit beside her.
Exasperated, I shook my head as I walked over to her. I set her glass on an end table, then picked her up and took her seat, returning her to my lap. She grumbled under her breath but didn’t try to escape.
“Spill it, Madison.”
“You can’t just announce that we’re getting married and expect it to happen,” she huffed, suddenly indignant.
“I beg to differ, lips.” I took her hands and kissed the back of each one. “However…would it have been better if I asked? Is that what upset you? You want a romantic proposal?” It seemed like a reasonable assumption to me.
She frowned. “I don’t care about that. Well—it would be nice but not from you.”
What. The. Fuck.
I was sure she’d developed feelings for me. Had I missed something? An idea occurred to me, and my arms automatically tightened around her as rage bubbled to the surface. “There better not be someone else, Madison.”
She glared at me and I practically heard her eye roll this time. “Exactly when would I have had time to meet someone else? We’ve spent every free minute fucking.”
The anger receded, replaced by pride, and I smothered a smirk. I couldn’t help inwardly gloating a little over keeping my woman satisfied and knocking her up.
“Seriously, Ethan?”
“What?” I asked innocently.
“You’re preening like peacock.”
I raised a brow and looked down my nose at her, pretending to be offended…mostly. “A peacock, lips? I think you mean cocky like a stud.”
“And that makes me what? A filly?” She wrinkled her nose, clearly not fond of that comparison, even as her lips quirked upwards the tiniest bit.
I smiled, glad that her spirits seemed to have lifted. Perhaps, she would be more amenable to this discussion now.
“What exactly is your opposition to marrying me?”
Her humor dissipated as quickly as it had appeared. Damn it.
“I think I’ve made it clear that I can raise this baby on my own. I’m not going to marry you just because you’ve suddenly decided you should do the noble thing.”
I scowled at her assumption. “I don’t want to marry you just because you’re pregnant, Madison.”
She bit her lip and shook her head. “Chemistry isn’t enough to build a marriage on either, Ethan. Our kid will be loved and taken care of whether we’re married or not. When and if I do get married, I want to be in love.”
My heart stuttered at the thought that Madison might not love me like I did her. No. I knew she had feelings for me. And, I loved her…well, fuck. That’s when I realized I’d never told her.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Apparently, I’m not being clear enough,” I sighed. “Let me spell it out for you.”
I stood and carefully deposited her on the chair before kneeling at her feet. “Madison, I’m not going to lie, our chemistry and baby are definitely reasons for us to be together. But, they aren’t the most important.”
Madison’s eyes widened as she studied my face. I took her hands in mine and tenderly kissed the tip of each finger. “I want to marry you because I am so very in love with you, lips. I’ve known you were mine since the moment we met.”
“You love me?” she breathed, her voice filled with hope.
I ran a finger down her cheek before cupping her neck and drawing her lips to mine. After a soft brush of our mouths, I pulled back and locked my gaze with hers. “Hopelessly.”
Her chocolate eyes filled with moisture. It would have worried me, except they were also sparkling. “I love you, too.”
I smiled wickedly. “Does that mean I’m not going to have to throw you over my shoulder, take you to the bedroom, and keep you tied to the bed until I convince you to marry me?”
Madison’s cheeks turned pink even as her eyes filled with heat. “I don’t know, Neanderthal. Maybe you should ask me and find out.”
“I don’t remember asking in the first place, lips,” I retorted. “But, if it makes you feel better…” I brought up one knee and cupped her face. “Madison, I love you and this little life we’ve created. I want nothing more than to be tied to you in every way. Will you marry me?”
“Hmmm.” Madison bit her lip and looked at the ceiling, pretending to be deep in thought. “I don’t know. Hmmm…”
I narrowed my eyes in warning and growled, “Madison.”
“I’m just not sure.” She smiled mischievously.
“I guess I have no choice then.” I shook my head with mock disappointment.
I stood and grabbed Madison, putting her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold. She squeaked, and I slapped her ass as I stalked to the bedroom, careful not to bounce her.
“Just remember, lips”—I grinned—“you brought this on yourself.”