He looked at me with so much devotion in his eyes.
“I love you,” I said and leaned across the seat to kiss him.
He grabbed my hair and pulled me against his lips. I melted into it, and realized that I could taste this as much as I wanted for as long as I wanted from now until forever.
We broke apart. “I love you too, little princess. Now, where do you want to go?”
“Let’s take Connor to Seattle, get him set up, and then after that? I think you promised me somewhere warm.”
Mack grinned savagely. “Sounds like a plan.”
He put the truck into gear and we left the city.
25
Fiona
One Year Later
Cool wind whipped through my hair as I leaned against the balcony and stared out at the ocean. The sunrise glittered red off the waves and I breathed the salt air deep into my lungs. I hugged myself and stared at the rhythmic water beating against the sand, and didn’t turn when I heard the door slide open behind me.
“You’re always up so early.” Mack joined me at the railing.
“Can’t help it. I keep wondering when this’ll all go away.”
“When you decide it’s time for us to move on.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. We’d been in Mexico living in a small ocean town for the past three months. He bought a beautiful house in cash from a very shady American guy that seemed more than happy to let it go for a good price.
From what I could tell, the cartel wasn’t too happy with him.
But fortunately, we knew someone on the inside, and they didn’t bother us.
“I don’t know. I’m tempted to put down roots.”
He chuckled and nuzzled my neck. The warm spot between my legs ached from the night before, and the night before that, and the night before that, and he still was insatiable, like I was a feast and he hadn’t eaten in years and years.
It was like we had both been emotionally stunted and broken, but now we were whole and the floodgates were open.
“It’s a big world. How much of it have you seen?”
“None, honestly.”
“Then let’s travel for a while.”
I turned my head and kissed him softly. “You’re so convincing.”
“I don’t care where we are, little princess, so long as I get to please you.”
“What a man.” I laughed and took his hand between mine. “Can you promise me something?”
“Of course.”
I stared into his eyes and he looked like a stallion with that thick hair and those dark brows and his full incredible lips. I wanted him to pin me up against the balcony and fuck me wildly until everyone within a thousand miles could hear my cries of pleasure—
But I had to take care of business first.
“Make sure Connor’s taken care of.”
“Done. What else?”
“I mean it, Mack.”
“His house is paid for and I know people in the city. I’ll make sure they check in on him, make sure he’s safe.”
I nodded and let out a breath. “And money.”
“And money. But not too much. You don’t want him to become spoiled.”
“Whatever you think is best.”
He kissed my neck. “What else?”
“I’ve been wondering something.” I chewed my lip. “About, you know, a family.”
“You really are thinking about setting down roots.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not.” He pulled back and his eyes were filled with desire. “You want to have my children? You mean that?”
I looked away, blushing slightly. “We never talked about it, I know, it’s just I always imagined having children and since I love you—”
“Of course I want to get you pregnant. I want to have as many babies as you want.” He pulled me tighter against him. “Only I thought you wouldn’t want that. You wouldn’t want children— like me—”
I touched his cheek. “What Evgeni did to you, you’d never do to our babies.”
“No. Never.”
“Then give me a family. When you’re ready.”
“I’m ready right now.”
I laughed as he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. His fingers gripped my ass and kept me up in the air.
“Easy, easy. I need one last thing.”
He growled and carried me inside. The room was airy and light with a big four-poster bed and handmade wooden furniture. He tossed me down onto our plush mattress and loomed over me. “Stay there.”
“Where are you going?”
He disappeared out the main door and into the hallway. I watched him go, frowning, but he returned a minute later.
“I’ve been keeping this hidden since the day we got into Seattle.”
“Keeping what hidden?”
He dropped to his knees in front of me, spread my legs—
And held out a massive diamond ring. “Marry me.”
My eyes went wide. “Holy shit.”
He smirked. “Yes, I know. I hope it isn’t too much.”
“No, holy crap.” Tears flooded my eyes and the rock broke into a thousand pieces as I blinked them away. “How did you know?”
“I know you, princess.” He slipped the ring on my finger. “Well? You’ll be my wife?”