Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Later, during the reception, Dante finally makes his way over to me, having fulfilled his obligations as best man. He pulls me onto the dance floor and holds me tight.
“I’m keeping you forever,” he murmurs near my ear. “Even if I have to tie you up.”
I pull back and kiss his lips. “I have handcuffs in the Tahoe.”
“The good sheriff has a naughty streak.” His grin is wicked.
“You corrupted me with your villainous ways.”
If you’d told me six months ago I’d be walking into a gay bar proudly with my boyfriend at my side, I would’ve laughed at the craziness of such a thing. I was buried in the closet beneath a mountain of insecurities and fear.
But a devilish B&B owner crept into the closet with me, and slowly, piece by piece, he uncovered the man hiding and brought him out into the light.
God, I love his man.
We make our way through the throng of dancing men and a few women until we reach the bar. Kian is mixing up a drink, laughing at something Keith, who’s bartending with him, says. When Kian sees me, his smile is bittersweet. He’s a good guy who finally found someone deserving to be with him. As much as I pined over him over the years, I realize now it was the idea of him and me together as a couple that I was clinging to.
“Hey,” I greet as I take a seat on a stool and pat the one beside me, motioning for my man to sit next to me. “Can you grab us a couple of beers to start?”
Kian winks. “Sure thing.”
After Kian drops off our beers, I turn to face Dante, still amazed by the fact I not only accepted my sexuality, but I landed such a hot, charming man too.
“What?” Dante asks, smirking at me. “Remembering the first blowjob I gave you?”
I laugh, rubbing my palm up his thigh. “I think I fell in love right then.”
“My magical mouth has that effect on people.”
“Not people. Just me.”
“What if our longest weekend fling ever finally ends?” he teases, his hazel eyes dancing with mirth.
“Impossible.” I grin at him. “But, just in case, I have a plan.”
“Do tell, Sheriff.”
“It involves you on your knees later in the bathroom,” I say as I slide off the barstool and take his hand. “But it involves me on one of mine right now.”
His eyes widen as realization sinks in. Love shines back at me—bright and brilliant and unwavering. I’m thankful his ex let such a beautiful, wonderful man slip through his fingers because I was able to catch him and never let go.
I retrieve a ring from my pocket and drop to my knee, only vaguely aware of a wide-eyed Kian with a hand over his mouth gaping at us from over the bar.
“Dante Kincaid, you came into my life like a storm, crumbling everything I’d carefully constructed over the years.”
He arches a brow. “Great start there, boy.”
“I’m not done, big city man.”
Several people nearby laugh.
“Go on then,” he teases, a sexy smile curving up his lips on one side.
“And from the wreckage, you pulled me out, dusted me off, and showed me just how wonderful life could be. Without you, I’d be lost, never brave enough to go after my own happily ever after.”
“You done now?” His thumb strokes over the top of my hand. “Because I really want to kiss you.”
“Almost.” I slide the ring over his finger. “Please marry me, Dante. I need you in my life in a forever sort of way. No weekend flings. No secrets. Just us, together, forever, and for all to see.” I stand up, leaning my forehead on his. “Will you marry me and finally give me the family I never thought I deserved?”
His free hand finds the back of my neck, caressing my nape. “Absolutely, Jax. I’m going to make you the happiest man alive.”
“You already do,” I choke out.
We kiss long and passionately despite the cheers around us or the way the music blasts around us. Our kiss continues for what could be seconds or minutes or hours before it finally ends. And it’s okay when it finally does, because I know I’ll get more every single day until the day I finally leave this earth.
“You ready to consummate this engagement by recreating our first hookup?” Dante waggles his brows at me. “Or would you rather play cop versus criminal?” His eyes gleam with hungry intent.
“Maybe a little of both. Mix shit up and make it interesting.”
Cato pops up, grabbing onto each of our shoulders. “Did someone say threesome?”
“Not that interesting,” I growl, ignoring my best friend while my fiancé howls with laughter.
“Come on, Sheriff,” Dante taunts. “Don’t be such a stick in the mud.”
“Yeah, Sheriff,” Cato parrots. “I’m wearing my lucky undies.”
Before I can throw back any sort of witty reply, Cato’s eyes narrow and then he’s off stalking a good-looking guy with a dark beard.