Diary of a Bad Boy(111)
“What?” I ask at the same time as my father, causing Roark to roar with laughter.
“You two, swear to God, like two peas in a pod.”
“Uh, what happened to you’re mine forever, Sutton?” I ask, getting my horse to catch up to Roark.
He turns in my direction and his eyes soften as he says, “You are mine, forever. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten.”
We reach the barn after a good half hour walk around the property and Roark hops down first before helping me down. He insists even though I can do it myself. I think he wants to do it just because he saw Josh help me down that one time. Hand in mine, he says, “Can I take this girl away for a bit?”
“Have at it. I’m going to go see how Whitney is doing. This pregnancy has taken a toll on her. The only reason I went on the ride was because she wanted to get some sleep after throwing up all morning.”
“Do you need us to pick anything up for her?” I ask, concerned for my stepmom.
“I think we’re good, thank you, sweetie.” Dad places a quick kiss on the top of my head and then turns toward the house with a quick jog. They married about a month ago. It was small and private, just Roark and I were invited, and then they spent two weeks in Tahiti. Dad has a couple weeks before he has to be back on the field, so he’s trying to soak up as much private time with Whitney as possible.
The sun starts to set, casting an orange glow over the land, making it a beautiful night on the ranch. As Roark leads me to the fire pit, I lean in to him, loving that I can be natural with him around my dad. The last time we were on the ranch together, I had to hide my feelings not only from my dad, but from Roark as well, that was until the one fateful night by the fire pit when he finally succumbed to his feelings.
Roark takes a seat on a wide Adirondack chair around the perimeter of the already lit fire pit. He pulls me down on his lap so I’m sitting sideways. I lean in to him, cuddling closer to his side as he links our hands and entwines our fingers.
“It really is beautiful here. I don’t think I was able to appreciate it last time because I was so distracted by you, and hungover for what felt like the first few days.”
“You did not look good when you fell out of that car. It was hard to not run to your side.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” he says, his voice soft. “I had to learn to stand on my own two feet before I was able to truly take you as mine.”
“And now that you have me?”
“I’m wondering how serious you are about marriage.”
My heart skips a beat. “Serious about marriage?”
“Yeah.” His thumb rubs over the back of my knuckles and casually plays with my ring finger. “I want to know what you really think about it. If it’s something you can see yourself doing . . . with me.”
I lift my hand to cup his cheek and force him to look me in the eyes. “I only want you and I want everything. The marriage, the house, the kids. I want it all.”
“Even with this old man?”
I chuckle. “Especially with this old man.” I press a kiss against his lips and marvel in the way he casually runs his hand up my back, sending goosebumps across my skin.
“Thank fuck your dad was a good man and gave us the guest house.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’m going to have a lot of fun fucking my future wife tonight.”
“I’m going to need a ring before you can call me that,” I say, my forehead pressed against his, our lips inches apart.
“It will come, lass. Patience.”
“So there’s nothing hiding in that pocket of yours right now?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah, I have to ask your dad for permission first then find the perfect ring. That’s going to take time.”
“I don’t need the perfect ring. I just need you.”
“And that’s why I love you, and why I want the perfect ring.”
I sigh and lean my head into the crook of his neck, letting him stroke my hair as we enjoy the different colors in the sky.
“But you are going to propose?”
“I am, because there’s no way in hell I’m ever letting you go again.”
Little does he know, even if he tried, I wouldn’t let him.
Epilogue
Dear Diary,
We’ve been through a lot, name after name, after name, and what it comes down to is . . . I’m going to act like a besotted teenager with heart beams spewing from her hormonal eyes.
I’ve learned a lot over the course of this year, but one of the most important things is that I have worth. Not because of the millions in my bank, not the woman by my side. Me. My ma hasn’t given up chasing me for money yet, but I’ve stood strong and not relented once. Her comments don’t have the same damaging effect any more, which is grand. A sign of healing, I’ve been told.
This might come as a shock to you, after everything I’ve written, but guess what? I proposed to Sutton, my girl. And do you know what she said?
She said yes!
Talk about instant pride filling a man’s chest. It might be an odd thing to say, but I’ve never been more proud of myself than when the girl of my dreams looked down at me with tear-filled eyes, hands clasped over her mouth as she nodded her head, agreeing to marry me.