I want to spend the rest of my life showing him that.
“Can’t marry me if you aren’t breathing, Oaklynn.” Colter laughs as he jumps out of his truck, slamming the door behind him.
It takes a minute before his words register and the air is knocked from my lungs. Who the hell can breathe with a proposal like that?
“What did you say?” I breathe out when he opens my door.
“If you plan to say I do, you have to be alive. So breathe.” He has a funny way of asking me things.
“Yes.” I say.
“Didn’t ask you a question, baby. Just giving you the facts.”
“You mean, you weren’t going to give me a choice?” I say as he helps me down.
“Nope. Not after I’ve spent the last two days inside your body. You’re mine, nothing is going to change that.” I’m speechless. I should be insulted with the way he said it, but oddly, I just want him inside me again.
“Oaklynn!” I hear my mother yell from the porch. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“I’m fine. Colter took good care of me.”
She eyes him up and down, like she knows. “I can see he did.” And I’m pretty sure she knows. “Your father isn’t pleased.” She whispers in my ear as she drags me inside. “Come on in Sheriff.”
“Just Colter, ma’am.” I can hear the amusement in his voice. He knows she knows we’ve been naughty, and he just doesn’t care.
“Sheriff!” Daddy comes to greet us in the doorway. “Thanks for taking care of our girl.” He pulls me inside, putting himself between Colter and I.
“I’d do anything for her.” The love in his tone has mom sighing and placing a hand over heart. She knows everything. And if I had to guess, she’s plotting a wedding in her head right now.
“Come sweetheart, lets, grab the coffee and let them talk.” I don’t get a choice as she drags me behind her. “Tell me, was it wonderful?” She whispers as we enter the kitchen, out of my dads ear shot.
“Uhm.”
“You’re glowing dear. I know you had sex.”
“Uhm.” She rolls her eyes at me as she busies herself making the coffee.
When she doesn’t probe for more, I find myself confessing, “I thought it was going to hurt, the first time, I mean.” I can feel the blush lighting my face up.
“Not with the right man. When’s the wedding?” Her change of topic is rapid.
“Wedding?”
“He hasn’t asked you?” She seems shocked by this.
“Well, he sort of just told me it was happening.” Her grin is huge. “I love him.”
“I knew you did along time ago dear.”
Masculine laughter precedes both men before I can respond to her statement. “Well little lady, I guess I approve of your choice of man.” Daddy says as he walks over to me, kisses my head and strides to my mother to stand beside her, one arm wrapped around her back.
Smiling, I can only nod. They’ve always been so in love. It’s why I’ve always wanted it. Their kind of love for myself.
As I look over at Colter, I know I have it.
His cocky grin and sexy swagger as he slowly walks to me has my heart melting all over again. Wrapping both of his arms around me from behind, he grips my wrist and brings my hand up to slip a ring gently down my finger.
My eyes water as I see it’s my grandmother’s engagement ring. It’s simple with its princess cut diamond and white gold band, but so beautiful. “Marry me, Oaklynn, make me the happiest man in the world. Call me your husband so I can call you my wife.”