Austin - Piper Stone Page 0,92
when he announced Bryce was having a baby brought both happiness and haunted memories. I want to make good ones. With you.”
She bit her lower lip, tears forming in her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere. No one is pushing me away from the city and state I love, no matter how many threats I receive.”
“That’s good cause it’s hunting season and if another asshole threatens you, I won’t be held accountable for what I do,” I teased, although I was serious. No other motherfucker was going to attempt anything to hurt her or they’d face my wrath. “I had a thought. Maybe you don’t have to worry about changing your name, at least right now.”
“What do you mean?”
I took a gulp of my drink then rose onto my knees, reaching into my pocket. I couldn’t look at her until I’d wrangled the small box out of my pocket. “I’m not very good at this. Hell, I’m not a romantic.” As I opened the box, the sound of her gasp sent a powerful set of shivers shooting down my back. “Francesca Reynolds, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Her entire body trembled, her mouth twisting. “Are you serious?”
“There’s nothing I’d like more than for you to be my wife.”
“Then yes. Yes!” As she threw her arms around me, I was surprised at the level of happiness that I felt, the emptiness gone. Maybe I was taking a chance, but in my gut, I knew she was the one. The one I’d fight for.
The one I’d die for.
“Which means I have to follow all those rules?” she asked, tears streaming down her face.
“I might let you slack from time to time, but yes. You know what happens if you break them.” I slipped the ring on her finger, bringing her hand to my mouth, pressing my lips across her knuckles.
She wrinkled her nose, giving me a pouting look. “But I’m such a good girl.”
“You mean other than risking your life on purpose?” When I yanked her over my lap, her squeal gave me a huge smile. “You can’t do those kinds of things, Franny.”
“This isn’t fair. You know exactly why I did.”
“Who said life was fair, little brat?” I smacked her bottom several times, making certain they were slaps she’d remember while spending time in DC.
“Ouch. That hurts.”
“Spankings are supposed to hurt. If you’re not careful, I’ll be forced to rip off your jeans.”
“You are one mean cowboy.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.” As I brought my hand down several more times, my cock ached to be inside of her.
But I continued her spanking, adoring the way she writhed in my arms, her moans floating into the wide-open space. There wasn’t a cell in my body that hadn’t reacted to having her in my arms. I’d fallen into such darkness for so long that being with someone, sharing even the smallest moments meant more to me than I would have expected.
The way I felt about her continued to grow along with my burning desires. She was mine. All mine. And no one was going to fuck with her as long as I was alive.
“Oh! Such a bad man.”
As I brought my hand down six times in rapid succession, she rocked against me, driving me to the point I could no longer concentrate. I rolled her over, yanking her arms over her head, keeping her pinned to the floor. “When you return, we’re going to spend some quality time together. But in the meantime, I’m going to remind you why you belong to me.”
I captured her mouth, sliding my tongue inside.
At that very moment, I sensed the demons slipping away.
“Would you stop freaking pacing?” Hawk hissed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the one getting married.”
“He’s more nervous than I’ve ever seen him,” Mustang laughed.
“Maybe he thinks Franny left him,” Scorpion added.
Reaper snorted. “Let him alone. He’s in love.”
“We’re getting married soon,” I barked, realizing within seconds that all four men had stopped moving, staring at me intently. I’d spent the last fifteen days working on the house from early morning light until long after dark, returning to sleep and start all over again. I hadn’t breathed a word of my proposal to anyone. While I wasn’t the kind of man for the pomp and ceremony bullshit, I’d wanted Franny by my side when they found out.
“Wait. What?” Hawk inched closer, tilting his head. “Did you ask Franny to marry you before she left?”
I shrugged, stalking toward the window