Again, there’s a wave of gasps behind me, but I pay them no attention. I’m too busy having my chin tilted up by my giant, his disbelief radiating down at me. “Did you say you love me?”
I nod, tears falling from my eyes. “Yes.”
His exhale blows my hair back. “I guess flowers really are better than hair.” My laughter is cut off by Carver’s mouth, because he picks me up, laying a tongue kiss on me that is most definitely not appropriate for a family picnic. He seems to realize that, though, easing back with a growl. “I will plant you fields of flowers. I will love you and protect you until the end of time. You’re my girl, my obsession, my princess. I love you in a way they haven’t invented yet.”
Bliss and contentment explode inside me, and I want nothing more than to let Carver drag me off into the woods so we can express our love, but he seems determined to stay put. And I think I understand why. He showed up here because he wants a life out in the open. With me. I’m going to give that to him, the way he gave me peace and security.
I wiggle free of Carver’s hold and take his hand, leading him toward the picnic. A sea of startled and downright terrified faces part like the Red Sea, including the men whose asses Carver whooped last night. Children hide behind their parents. Mouths are agape but silent. So I take advantage, refusing to let him regret coming here for me.
“Aren’t we lucky to have a war hero among us, ladies and gentlemen?” I stop and lean into Carver’s side. “I’d like to introduce Lance Corporal Carver Shade. I’m honored to have him here as my guest.”
No one says anything, so I nudge Carver. “Hello,” he rasps. “Nice to meet you.”
Again, there’s no movement. Until one of our youngest campers ambles forward out of the crowd. “Are you The Butcher?”
“No, I’m just Carver.”
“You’re tall.”
“You’re observant.”
Laughter ripples through the crowd.
“Our Frisbee got stuck in the tree,” says the camper, pointing off at a spot in the distance. “Could you reach it for us?”
And so went the afternoon, Carver retrieving objects from high locations and demonstrating his ability to lift several children with one arm. Slowly but surely, the adults began to relax around him, and the children—obviously sensing Carver’s innate goodness—ended the day by placing a crown of flowers on his head.
Definitely fitting for a king.
Chapter Eleven
Carver
One month later…
Watching Lainey cross the street through the window of our apartment, I can’t help but fondle my stiff cock through my pants. My little princess has become my twenty-four-hour-a-day addiction, and the habit only grows more potent. More obsessive. I banged my sexy girl less than an hour ago, yet here I am, hating the fact that she’ll be out of my sight for twenty minutes. She’s only going grocery shopping, but I’m like a caged animal watching her walk farther away.
Knowing she needs the freedom, I drop my hand and force myself to leave the window, pacing the living room floor instead, careful to avoid the hanging light fixture. I focus on the fact that she’ll return to me shortly. I’ve found a way to make Lainey happy and I’m never going to stop.
Never.
A lot has changed in a month. One of the fathers who was present at Camp Brax’s visitor’s day offered me a job working construction. It only took a week to receive a promotion to foreman. After all, I can do the work of four men, a skill that tends to save money. The men I work with were wary of me at first. I kept waiting for one of them to pick a fight with me, the way males used to do in Detroit. It never happened, though. They became my friends instead.
Not that I’m friendly enough to bring them around my princess, though. No, that’s where the friendship ends. No amount of time is going to make me trust other males around what’s mine, which is why I’m wearing a path in the floor over her doing some simple shopping. Thank God she puts up with me.
Hell, she does more than put up with me, doesn’t she?
My gaze strays to the row of picture frames on our mantle, scenes from the last month. Since we moved into town, Lainey has made a point of us going out in public. We’ve gone to the park and lazed in the sun for hours. Restaurants, the library, festivals. Wherever we go, she keeps her chin up, her fingers twined with mine, daring anyone to comment on my appearance or size.
She’s…a gift from God. My gift. One I have the privilege of waking up with every day of my life. A compromise meant I’d leave the woods and live in town, as long as she slept in our home instead of at camp…and in nothing short of a miracle, she agreed. I’ll never stop being shocked when I open my eyes and find her smiling back at me. Soon I will have enough money in my bank account to purchase a diamond big enough to anchor a ship—only then will I propose. I know Lainey doesn’t care about material possessions, but I won’t allow anything but the best to rest upon the hand that holds mine with such sweetness. Such defiance, love and determination.