After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(58)

He rests his forehead against mine. “Say you love me again.”

“I love you.” I tip up my chin, kissing him thoroughly. “With all my heart.”

“We’re going to get married.”

“Yes.” It’s not a proposal exactly, but I’ll take it.

“We’re going to have lots of babies.”

My laughter fills the room. “Absolutely.”

“I promise to protect your life with mine.” He gazes into my eyes. “I swear to never harm you, to make you smile, and to give you orgasms every day of the week, plus twice on Sundays.”

I bite my lip as emotions overwhelm me. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“You don’t have to say anything but I love you, Hunter.”

I swear I melt inside. “I love you, Hunter.”

“And I love you, Evangeline.”

—

One week later, Hunter, Jake, and I are eating tacos by Domingo’s truck. It’s almost like our life is back to normal…with the exception of the investigation of Hunter’s role in forcibly removing Penn from my apartment.

At least Penn’s parents don’t seem to be involved this time because I’m pretty sure that they would have called for someone’s head. Namely Hunter’s.

His phone rings and he picks it up from the picnic table, answering it and slipping Jake the special treat Domingo makes for him.

“It’s Dwight,” he mouths at me.

I want to ask if he has news, but I keep quiet because I don’t want to get my hopes up.

Hunter’s dark brows draw together. “Are you sure?”

My heart starts to pound in my chest so hard that it actually hurts a little.

“Okay, then.” He nods. “I’ll let her know. Thanks for calling me, man, instead of making me wait.”

As soon as he ends the call, I’m half out of my seat. “What did he say?”

“That I acted in self-defense and that your ex clearly violated the restraining order that was in place. He’ll have to go to court for it, and eventually, I will, too, but Dwight says there is nothing we have to worry about.”

A shuddering breath leaves me. “I’m so happy.” Tears pool in my eyes and I grab a napkin to blot them away. “You have no idea how worried I’ve been.”

“I don’t know about that, angel. You tend to wear your feelings where only I can see them.” He smiles gently. “It’s one of the things I love best about you.”

Jake noses between us. “Look who wants more treats from Domingo,” I say with a laugh. “I’ll go get him some more.”

Hunter stops me with a hand on my arm. “He still has two left. Why don’t you feed him one.”

Nodding happily, I reach into the bag and come into contact with something hard. “What in the world?” I pull it out and stare at it, nonplussed. “Why is there a jewelry box in my—”

Hunter takes me by the hand as he gets down on one knee. Jake sits beside him, his tail thumping. “I didn’t do this right the first time, but since then I talked with your parents and let them know my intentions toward their daughter.”

“You did?”

“Will you marry me?” he asks, then uses his free hand to flip open the dark blue box. Nestled inside is a diamond ring. It sparkles in the sunlight and puts rainbows on our skin.

“Yes,” I say, throwing myself against him, kissing him with all the love inside of me. When I hear people whistling and cheering, I pull away, my cheeks heating a little.

“Jake wants to know if you’ll come live with us since you’re going to make an honest man out of me.” Hunter’s green eyes are so full of hope and love as he places the ring on my finger.

“Can I move in tonight?”

His fingers caress my cheek. “Absolutely.”

Suddenly, Jake starts barking…at his shadow.

“That dog sure knows when to add to the mood, huh?” Hunter asks with a laugh.

These are the sounds of my heart, the sounds of my future, and the sounds of my home.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”





Epilogue


Hunter


Today is our wedding day. Exactly one year to the day since I first met Evangeline. While I didn’t wait very long to pop the question, I did think our engagement would be longer than four months, not that the amount of time mattered to me.

My concern was for Evangeline. For her to have time to do all the things she didn’t get to do with her first engagement, like parties and showers. For her to shout it to the world, instead of keeping it a secret that could only be spilled after the deed was done.

Apparently, I had nothing to worry about. Right after we announced our news to our families, our respective mothers joined forces and planned more parties and showers than the world had ever seen.

Or at least it felt that way to me.

Glancing at the clock on the wall of the groom’s dressing room, I rub my hands together in anticipation. In T minus fifteen minutes, I get to marry the love of my life. I get to make babies with her, although we already started on that front since she stopped taking the pill last month.

Memories of being inside Evangeline that first time without protection threaten the fit on my suit. I exhale, trying to will my erection down. Nothing says romance like a hard-on in front of two hundred guests.