“Wait…” She slips from my grasp, turning to stare at me and she’s every bit the lady of the house in her light grey dress that hugs her body in the mostdeliciousway.
“What is it?”
“I have something for you.” It’s burned a hole in my pocket ever since the attack and it entertains my thoughts late at night with the wonder if it ended up saving our lives. After all, stopping to buy it had given Dante and Sienna more time to contact Feliks - if they hadn’t turned up when they did, we all would have died.
The promise ring.
I dig the small box out of my back pocket, turning it over in my hands for a moment before holding it out. Her eyes widen, brow meeting her hairline before a tinkling laugh escapes her.
“Killian, we’re already married. It’s a little late for an engagement proposal,” she teases, taking the box after a moment.
“Open it,” I say, immediately kicking myself right after.
As if she’s going to do anything else.
Cara’s gaze lingers on me for a few seconds before dropping to the box, then she opens it slowly to be greeted by the rose gold, gem-set ring I had purchased for her. Her ruby lips part as she stares in silence and my heart leaps under my tongue.
“It’s a promise ring,” I explain lamely. “To… to swear that no matter what happens, I’ll be there for you. It’s to represent our new life together, me and you and the baby. Our new home, peace between the families, everything.”
She’s still silent.
Oh God, did I fuck up? Is this wrong in Irish culture? Should I have gotten something else?
“The you that I first met would never have been caught dead doing something like this,” Cara whispers as she digs the ring out of the box and holds it. Then, a moment later, she slides the ring onto her finger and it settles perfectly, as does my heart back in my chest.
“The you that I met would never have orgasmed from being spanked either but here we are, growth and development,” I shoot back with a smirk.
Cara laughs, bright and loud before she throws herself off the second step and into my arms. Our lips meet with a clash, Cara’s breath ghosting hot over my skin as she circles her arms around my neck and pulls me in deep.
I give myselfgladly, holding her close and kissing her with every ounce of love that I can muster. Muscles, physical and mental that had worried over that gift, slowly begin to relax as her hand clasps my neck and the contact of the new cold ring sings against my skin.
“Look at you,” Cara murmurs against my lips, “turning into quite the romantic.”
“Careful,” I reply immediately, “I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Mhmm.” She purrs against me, her warmth seeping through my clothes and soothing deep into my bones. I linger not a second longer. Dipping slightly, I scoop Cara up into my arms and she squeaks in delight, breaking the kiss to lean back slightly and study my face.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“Of course you do,” I remark, carefully carrying her up the steps. “Ready to see the inside of your new home?”
35
CARA
Killian’s thick, strong arms wrapping around me as he carries me into our new home has me never wanting to leave them. The world is different when he’s right here with me and each night since the hostage situation, I’ve only found comfort in his arms.
It seeps into me now as we cross the threshold and he sets me down gently on a fluffy mat that readsHome Sweet Home. My heart warms immediately. There’s something so fucking adorable about Killian house hunting to find somewhere safe and gorgeous for us to live together.
A place untainted by cruelty or blood. A place that’s just for us.
“Wow,” I breathe out as I’m greeted by warm, golden oak paneling on the walls and a large staircase in the center of the foyer that sweeps up and around out of sight. There are rooms on the right and the left and for a moment I can’t settle on where to go first.
“It’s huge,” I murmur and Killian takes my hand, his lips finding my ear.
“Why thank you,” he smirks.
“Oh God,” I groan softly, rolling my eyes as he begins to lead me through the house and I’m more than happy for him to take the lead. I’ve lived in small houses and apartments. This place? It’s triple what I’m used to and yet Killian leads me with a practiced ease. His life has been richer than mine of course.