“Trust me,” he says, his husky tone setting me alight.
We continue walking, and when my bare feet touch the soft grass, I instantly feel a sense of freedom. Being outdoors helps remind me that I’m merely a speck in the grand scheme of things, and what I choose is my choice alone.
And I choose Punky—always.
We come to a stop, but I don’t open my eyes. I wait for Punky’s command. But he doesn’t speak. We simply stand together, savoring the quiet.
I’m almost asleep on my feet when Punky kisses my cheek. “Ye can open yer eyes.”
I don’t straight away. I appreciate this moment because I sense I will remember this for the rest of my life. Being here with Punky just feels so right.
Opening my eyes slowly, I blink quickly, certain I’m seeing things, but when the view in front of me of twinkling fairy lights and a table filled with delicious food doesn’t disappear, I know my eyesight isn’t deceiving me.
Punky did this. He did it for me.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, unable to look away.
The table is set exquisitely, and the candle in the middle adds to the romantic vibe. I wonder when he did all this.
“I owe ye a date,” he says, which touches me as he still remembers the promise he made to me all those nights ago. “I hope I did it right.”
His concern is clear, and it actually makes me love him all the more as he rules with such confidence and no apologies, but when it comes to this, he is so unsure.
“It’s perfect, Puck. I love it. I love you.”
“Say it again.” He nuzzles against my cheek, turning me into mush.
“I love you. So much…but I’d love you even more if you let me eat all that food.”
His husky chuckle threatens to distract me from the spread in front of me and feast on something more delicious—him. But I manage to control myself for now.
He leads us to the table, where he pulls out the chair for me. I accept, smiling up at him. He sits across from me, reaching for the bottle of wine. He pours me a glass while I stare in awe, taking it all in.
“I can’t take all the credit,” he reveals. “Aine helped. Even though she hates my guts.”
I can’t help but laugh. “She’s just protective. She saw what I went through when you were gone. It was my refuge from the real world.”
The mood soon changes when I mention why I came here.
We don’t speak and decide now is a good time to try all the appetizing foods in front of us.
I don’t realize how hungry I am until I take my first bite of food. Eating has been the last thing on my mind, but the moment the Irish stew hits my mouth, it’s the only thing I can focus on. I’m gulping down my third spoonful when I notice Punky looking at me with a huge grin.
“What?” I ask, my mouth full.
Punky shakes his head playfully. “Nothin’. I just like seein’ ye eat.”
“Well, give me food like this every day, and I will continue eating until I pop.”
Something passes over Punky, and just when I’m about to tell him I’m only joking, well, not really, he stuns me into silence when he slides a small blue velvet box across the table. I peer down at it and then quickly back at him.
“Open it.” He smirks when he takes in my stunned expression.
I don’t want to make any assumptions, but my hand trembles as I reach for it.
“If ya don’t like it—”
But I don’t hear another word because the moment I open the box, there is no way I cannot like what I see because it is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Settled amongst the white silk is a white gold engagement ring. It’s simple—a thin white gold band with a round diamond.
I know Punky is waiting for me to say something, but I am literally rendered speechless because this is too much.
“I know we didn’t discuss the ring ye wanted, but when I saw this, I knew it was perfect for ye. My ma’s ring was similar. I remember that. And when I asked the jeweler about that ring…” He pauses, needing a moment, and when he continues, I understand why. “He told me it was called Cara.”
Tears sting my eyes because this means so much more than merely a beautiful piece of jewelry. This signifies our future—forever.
“I can take it back, though, if ya don’t—”
“I love it,” I interrupt softly, fingering over the sparkling diamond. “It’s perfect.”
A sigh of relief leaves Punky.
He comes to a stand and gently removes the ring from the box. He reaches for my left ring finger and drops to his knee. He then slides the ring on. It’s a perfect fit.
We both stare at the ring, marveling at what it represents, at what we’ve overcome to be here. I never thought I would ever find happiness in this sometimes-cruel world, but right now, I’m the happiest woman alive.
I can’t help but wriggle my finger, the dim lighting catching the sparkle of the impressive diamond. “Forever yours,” I whisper, those words pleasing me in ways I never thought possible.
“Always,” he replies, tonguing over his bottom lip. He’s taken out his lip ring but still wears his nose ring. A heat spreads from head to toe.
I want him. And I want him now.
My arm is still in a cast, but I don’t care if I have to break it again to touch him, to have him touch me in the depraved, wicked ways that I want him to.
“Babydoll,” he warns, reading me like a book.
I know he’s treading with caution because he doesn’t want to hurt me, but I am hurting right now with him being so far away.
Fisting his T-shirt, I pull him toward me, and I slam my lips to his. He kisses me back just as hungrily, revealing he wants this as much as me. When we made love last, he was cautious, worried because I was wounded, but not tonight.
I want him to lose control.
We can’t keep up with the ferocity of our kisses, and when he bites my bottom lip, I almost beg he takes me right here, right now.
However, not wanting to disrespect Aine that way, I stand, taking Punky with me. Our lips never lose contact. We continue kissing under this serene glow.
Pulling away, I pant, “Come with me.”
He nods, and I know he would follow me into the depths of hell if I asked him to.
Taking his hand, I lead him toward an isolated place where I found peace when things became too much. That was often. But now, I can replace sadness with contentment as I lead him toward an unused shed. I push open the door, and we are on one another before it closes.
I’m tearing at Punky’s T-shirt, desperate to feel his warmth against my tongue. The moment his chest is bare, I bite over his throat, leading downward. I lick his pectorals, relishing in the animalistic growls leaving him.
When I get to his taut abs and run my tongue over each hardened bump, I almost come right here and now because his body is muscled, lean, and drives me fucking wild. My fingers caress as my mouth kisses and licks, and when I get to his belt, I grin.
His V muscle is carved from granite, and I intend to devour every inch of him because he is mine…mine…mine.
Unbuckling his belt, I unfasten his jeans, and the moment I lower them and his heavy cock springs free, an untamed growl escapes me.
“Baby—” But he doesn’t get to finish because now, it’s my turn to drop to my knees.