Rugged Guard - Jason Collins Page 0,75
should definitely make reservations ahead of time.”
“Hmm.” I thought over the question as I tilted my head to the side. “Have you ever heard of that restaurant? Diana’s Garden?”
“Is that the one where everything on the menu is clean and organic?”
“That’s the one.” I smiled. “We could go there, if you don’t mind. And she has a small selection of ciders, too, if you still have drinking too much on the agenda.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Parker returned my smile. “And yes, enjoying ourselves for the night is still on the agenda. But if you’d like to add anything else, feel free—”
“Marry me.”
“What?”
“You can add it to the agenda, right after going out to celebrate,” I went on. “If you don’t mind updating the calendar, that is.”
“Derek… did you just ask me to marry you?”
“Do you already have another wedding on the calendar?”
“I don’t. I just—” Parker shook his head in disbelief. “Derek Lavine, this is the second time you’ve asked me to marry you without even getting on one knee or having a ring.”
“You said yes, the first time, though.”
“And I’m saying yes, now, too.” Parker smiled. “I just think it’s funny that you always ask me that question like it’s just another question people ask each oth—oh.”
Parker’s words were interrupted by me walking across the room to him before I got down on one knee, right in front of him. I also pulled a ring box out of my pocket and gently placed it into Parker’s waiting palm.
Parker looked down at the box, his fingers slowly opening it, the ring inside bouncing light off of its diamond. He reached for the ring, opening the box even further as he quietly slipped the ring onto the right finger.
“I think this might be too nice of a ring…” Parker’s words trailed off as he spoke. “I think I’m supposed to tell you to take it back and get something less pricey—”
“Three months’ salary,” I interjected. “That’s all it was. That’s what it’s supposed to be, isn’t it?”
“I think so.” Parker’s voice was low as he brought a hand up to his eye, discreetly trying to wipe away his tears. “Derek, this is so… I don’t even know where to start…”
“You can start right here, Parker,” I murmured. “You can start with me. We can start something new together.”
“We can start something new together…” Parker nodded before he bent toward me on the ground, his lips soon crashing into my own.
And as we kissed, I would’ve sworn that I was able to catch a glimpse of our future. Parker and I growing old together, while he ran the Bed & Breakfast, while I spent my days protecting the forest. Parker and I taking mini-vacations all around the world, a scrapbook of our own making soon filled with photographic evidence of how happy we were together, how much time we spent in each other’s arms.
And last but not least, I imagined Parker walking down the aisle toward me, his brothers and Iris cheering him on with every step, my heart beating so fast with nervousness, with excitement, that I worry it’s going to beat right out of my chest.
But then, I catch a glimpse of Parker’s smile as he walks down the aisle.
And in that same moment, I know that I never need to be worried about anything, ever again.
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From the moment Damien walked into my gym, I knew he was trouble. But I couldn’t resist when he gestured for me to follow him to the locker room. I watched as his workout clothes dropped from his perfectly-toned body, but I couldn’t keep my distance for long. Little did I know, we’d met before, but this time he made it clear he wanted to show me something I’d never forget.
Also by Jason Collins
Close Quarters Series:
Suddenly Daddy (Close Quarters Book 1)
Suddenly Royal (Close Quarters Book 2)
Suddenly Stranger (Close Quarters Book 3)
Femme Fox Series:
Pretty (Femme Fox Book 1)
Beautiful (Femme Fox Book 2)
Gorgeous (Femme Fox Book 3)
Fairview Single Dads Series:
Dads with Benefits (Fairview Single Dads Book 1)
Fixer Upper (Fairview Single Dads Book 2)
The Millionaire’s Nanny (Fairview Single Dads Book 3)
Worth the Weight Series:
Weight for Love (Worth the Weight Book 1)
Hard Tackle (Worth the Weight Book 2)
The Bodyguard (Worth the Weight Book 3)
Submission Series:
Obedience (Submission Book 1)
Once Burned (Submission Book 2)
Defiance (Submission Book 3)
Standalone Novels:
My Sister’s Boyfriend
Beast
Destination Wedding
Pink
Protecting the Billionaire
The Weight is Over
Three
His Submissive
The Boyfriend Contract
Chasing Heat
Hard to Know
Hightower Heat Series:
Private Eye (Hightower Heat Book 1)
My Bounty (Hightower Heat Book 2)
Guarded (Hightower Heat Book 3)
Island Resort Series:
Perfect Fit (Island Resort Book 1)
The Deep End (Island Resort Book 2)
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