“You okay?” he asks.
The concern in his voice is clear. He’s worried. I don’t blame him. I’m worried too. I’m terrified. I’m excited. I’m everything all at the same time. I never really thought about children. When I was younger, I never wanted them.
Then, I just kind of accepted that I would have them, but it wouldn’t be with any man that I loved, it would be with whoever my father or brother sold me to. Then, after moving here, after Gator and everything else that’s happened, I just thought that it wasn’t in my cards.
Now it’s really going to happen and I can’t wait. I really just cannot wait.
“I’m pregnant,” I breathe.
There’s a pause, a long pause as we just stare at one another. Then, as if something snaps between us, his body jerks backward before he takes a step toward me and sinks to his knees. His hands wrap around the outsides of my thighs as he looks up at me, an expression that I can’t quite read.
“Daniel?”
“You’re havin’ my baby?” he asks, his voice hoarse and barely above a whisper.
Licking my lips, I nod my head. “Yes,” I whisper. “I am.”
His hands grip my thighs before he sits up a bit higher on his knees, then his mouth is on mine. His tongue fills me in one swift motion, surprising me. I moan as he consumes me. He always consumes me, every single part of me.
He was made just for me, I’m convinced. I’m not sure how I thought there could ever be anyone else for me, how I thought that there could ever be someone who could fit right where he does. I love him. With every fiber of my being, I love this man. This beautiful, perfect for me, man.
DUTCH
Taking the box out of my pocket, I open it for the millionth time in the past six months. This is how we were always meant to be—together. Ana was meant for me, it’s why she ended up here of all places instead of being sent off with her sister to New York.
“Dutch?” a voice calls out.
Lifting my head, I look to the side before I shove the ring into my pocket. Tonight is the night. I don’t want her to think that I’m only asking because she’s knocked up, but the news has propelled me to get off of my fucking ass about it.
It’s been far too easy to fall into this comfortable lifestyle that we share. We’re in a routine and I can’t deny that I was a bit afraid to rock it. But it looks like it’s been rocked for me, so it’s time to get off my ass and bind us together in another way.
“Asking Ana to marry me,” I murmur. “She’s knocked up.”
There’s a moment of silence, then I feel his hand clamp down around my shoulder before he gives me a squeeze and a shake. “Good. I like the two of you together. Shit’s been good.”
I turn to look at him, my lips curving up into a grin. “You know now that you’ve said that, shit will inevitably go down, don’t you?”
Bones chuckles. “Maybe club shit, but not the two of you. You’re solid.”
“Yeah,” I rasp. “She’s it, knew it the moment I saw her in Colombia.”
“Yeah.” Bones chuckles. “Why do you think when I got the chance, I said we’d protect her?”
“What?” I ask.
He shrugs a shoulder, his hand falling from me and to his side. “Saw her. Knew she needed to be one of us. It was just there, a spark, intuition, or whatever you want to call it. Ana was a Skull.”
“She is,” I agree.
Bones hums. “Make it official, then.” Laughing, I turn away from him. He calls out to me, causing me to pause as I look over my shoulder at him. “This, what’s happened between you, I couldn’t imagine anything better for one of my oldest friends, my brother.”
Gulping, I nod my head once. “Bones?” He jerks his chin before I continue. “Your life, your woman, your baby. Fucking bliss, right?”
“More than you could ever know.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine a life any better than that for you. I want it, and I’m going to have it too. We’re just two old sentimental fools, yeah?”
“Who the fuck you callin’ old?” he barks.
Shaking my head, I jog away from him, past the partygoers, past everyone, and toward the bar where I know my woman is no doubt posted up and taking care of her friends. She doesn’t have to work tonight, but I know Ana, and that’s exactly what she’s doing.
Walking into the bar, I see her sliding a beer across to someone. I can’t even see who it is, because I honest to fuck don’t care. Wordlessly, I make my way toward her, ignoring everyone else around me.
When I finally arrive in front of her, I don’t say anything. Instead, I pick her up, throwing her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She cries out before she laughs and slaps my ass. I lift my hand, doing the same, except a helluva lot harder.
Once we’re in my room, I tug her down my front, letting her body slide alongside mine until her feet touch the floor. Not able to wait another minute, I sink to my knee immediately. I hear her intake of breath as I speak.
“I love you, Ana. You’re mine. Always have been, even when we didn’t quite know it. There’s no one else, never will be.” Reaching into my pocket I take the box out, turning it toward her, I open it. I watch as she lifts her hands to her lips, her eyes watering almost immediately. “Marry me, baby.”
“A million times, yes,” she gasps. “A million times.”