Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Dad sends back a text, telling me I’m being ridiculous, so I block him, and my brother texts that once the election is over, he’ll reach out so we can talk. I roll my eyes and don’t bother responding.
When I get up to our suite, Kira has changed into dry clothes and is lounging on the couch, watching a show.
She glances up at me and smiles softly. “Your grandfather is a good man.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agree. “He said something today that made me think. He said I deserve to be happy. To marry you and start my own family.”
I pull her into my lap, and she straddles my thighs as she wraps her arms around my neck.
“That’s exactly what I plan to do, baby. And I know I should wait. Hell, you’re still legally married to another man. But I can’t.”
I palm her backside and carry her into our room and set her on the edge of the bed. Then, I go to my suitcase and pull out the ring box I packed.
“I’ve been carrying this with me everywhere in case the perfect moment arose,” I tell her. “But I’ve realized that there will never be a perfect moment, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”
I get down on one knee and look up into her soulful blue eyes. “I need you to know how much I love you and that I want to spend the rest of our lives together. I know you can’t marry me until you’re divorced, but this ring symbolizes so much more than just marriage.”
I pop it open, and the diamond glitters in the light. “This ring symbolizes my commitment to you and your daughter. I love you both and want to spend my life taking care of you, the same way you take care of Addie and me. I want you to look at this ring on your finger and know that you’re loved unconditionally. That you have a family. You’re not alone anymore, and no matter what happens, you have me.”
“Ryder,” Kira breathes, swiping a tear from her cheek.
“I love you, and I want to make you mine in every way I can. Kira Miller, will you wear my ring and one day marry me?”
I barely finish before she’s nodding and jumping into my arms. I tumble back onto the floor, and she straddles my hips, landing on top of me, giggling with happiness.
“Yes, Ryder,” she says through her laughter. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I grab her left hand and push the ring onto her finger, taking a moment to admire it on her hand. “The sales associate said it’s a pear cut,” I tell her. “But when I saw it, all I could think of was that I wanted to put this ring on your finger and make you happy every day for the rest of your life. The ring reminded me of a teardrop, and I want this to be the only tear you wear.” I chuckle, hearing myself. “I know that sounds cheesy but—”
“No,” Kira says. “It doesn’t sound cheesy at all. I love it, and I love what it represents. I spent many days trying to be tough for Violet, only to spend my nights crying … until I met you. I never knew love could feel this good, and I hope five, ten, hell, twenty years from now, it still feels like this.”
“It will,” I promise, sitting up on my elbows so our faces are close. “It will because we’ll work every day to make sure it does.”
I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and pull her face down to mine. Our mouths fuse, and our tongues unite. I kiss her hard and deep, hoping to convey every emotion I feel for this woman, knowing nothing I do or say will be enough. That’s how much I love her.
Our clothes quickly come off, and then Kira is sinking onto my cock right here on the floor. We kiss while I massage her clit, and as she rides me with everything she has, I whisper against her lips how much I love her and can’t wait to marry her. And as I come deep inside her warmth, I remind her that I’m going to give her the entire fucking world. And unlike the asshole who lured her in with false promises, I mean it—starting with making sure she gets that goddamn divorce as soon as possible so she can put that entire fucked-up situation behind her.
“Guess what today is.” Violet skips into my office and grins.
“Um …” I put my finger on my chin and pretend to think hard. “Wednesday?”
“No, silly!” She giggles. “Today is—”
“Your birthday!” I finish before she can. “How old are you now? Seventeen?”
“No!” She laughs again. “I’m five! And you know what that means? I get to go to school!”