Page 55 of Never Wed an Outlaw

Thankfully for her, I was in so deep, so real, second guessing didn't have any place, and never, ever would. “Why you gotta doubt everything, darlin'? Think everything's a fuckin' prank?”

Her face softened, cheeks blushing red. “Maybe because I know who I'm dealing with. You're a strong man, Dusty, and you have a good heart. But you're also the oldestbachelor in the entire MC. You're telling me – no lies – that you're honestly planning to settle down? Withme?”

She practically squeaked the last word. As if her own disbelief and fear reached up, caught her around the throat, and refused to let go.

“I'm done telling you anything with words, darlin'. Brought something better to do the talking for me today.”

The sun came out behind the clouds just then, shining down on us. Like I needed another sign the time had come.

She watched me reach into my pocket, clench the little black box tight against my palm, and drop slowly to my knees. I grabbed her hands with mine, bringing them to my lips. I kissed each one before I said anything else, wondering why the fuck I had this bitter lump building in my throat when I'd reached the happiest moment of my life.

“Marry me, Hannah Davis.” My thumb popped the box open. I let that antique gold with the diamond in the middle shine on like a crazy star sent to earth. “Whatever else happens, I want you wearing my ring, calling me your man. I want you sharing my bed every damned night, on the back of my bike when I remind the Smokies who owns 'em. I want to see you smiling like that when you're carrying my kid. Want you to say 'I do,' darlin', and know it'll make me the happiest man in the world.”

I watched her stand there for several seconds, too shocked for words. Didn't think we were in trouble 'til her knees began to buckle, and she came crashing down into my arms.

Fuck!So much for that yes I'd staked everything on.Hannah couldn't tell me anything because she'd passed out cold.

The prospects came runningwhen they heard me swearing up a storm. I motioned them to stay behind the screen door, leaving me to hold her, press her tight against me, measuring her breathing.

It was shock. Nothing life threatening. She'd simply overloaded, and I needed a little time to bring her back.

“Darlin'...wake up. Open those sweet eyes, and tell me you'll be mine.” I moved her face softly to mine, kissing her lips.

The old Dust would've rolled his eyes at this scene, like watching a twisted fuckin' fairy tale where the Prince wore leather and his damsel in distress wasn't even officially saved yet.

“Dusty?” Very slowly, Hannah's eyes fluttered open. It was my turn to hold my breath, anticipation strangling me by the throat.

Had she blinked out because she loved the idea of us getting hitched? Or did she want to head for the hills, screaming?

“Hannah, if you ain't feeling up to it, you don't have to answer me now. I think you oughta –“

“Kiss you?” she said, her energy returning, folding her hands tight around my neck. “I will, because that's the only thing I need right now. I want my fiance's lips on mine, and I don't want to wait.”

Couldn't remember the last time I wore such a shit-eating grin before I took a woman's mouth with mine. Our lips collided like runaway trains. Crashing, rolling, fire in every movement, fueled by the happiest words I'd ever heard leaving anybody's mouth.

When I looked up, we both noticed the noise. The prospects stood behind us, roaring while they slapped the glass and the walls, ready to bang my fist as soon as I came through the door.

“Do we really need an audience?” she asked, flashing me a wink.

“Nah. They're for part two of my master plan.”

“Part two?” I helped her up into my arms, making sure she was steady on her feet, before I said more. “When I asked you to marry me, darlin', I meanttoday.I've got the same man who married the rest of my brothers and their girls waiting out front. He's ready, if you are.”

“You're insane,” she said, laughter breaking through the huge smile on her face. “How did you know I wouldn't insist on having a huge ceremony with all our friends and family?”

“Because if you gave me a yes, it'd be because you want it as bad as I do, babe.” I pulled her to my chest, planting another kiss on her hot, wanting lips. “When I make decisions, I don't fuck around. We'll have the reception later, once we're out of this mess, and the brothers are ready to come pay their respects to my wife. Today, Ineedthat ring on your finger to mean what it says in gold and jewels.”

I grabbed her hand, twined my fingers in hers, andsqueezed. I studied her, hoping she wasn't about to collapse again.

No, those big blue eyes in her pretty face were steady. True. Still smiling, she shook her head, giving her body a sweet, sexy ripple. My cock stood on end, ready to consummate our vows upstairs, soon as they were done.

“You're lucky you're so right about me, Danny.” My real name slipped out, and it sounded damned good hanging on her lips. I led us inside, turning an ear to her as she whispered a little more. “Guess the fact that you know me so well means it's meant to be.”

“Yeah, darlin', we are. I'll kiss fate's ass all day if it means kissing you every night,” I thundered in her ear, moving a possessive arm around her waist while we headed for the huge library in her house, where I'd told preacher man to wait. Apache passed my orders to the prospects ahead of us, and they were waiting.

“Careful, Dusty. Poets aren't supposed to ride motorcycles,” she warned, her sassy little tongue protruding through her teeth. “You can kiss the devil himself if it'll keep us like this forever, just as long as you clean your mouth first before coming to me.”

We both laughed. I pulled her closer, stopping in the library once we'd arrived, while preacher man jerked up from a nap in the big office chair and walked to the desk, getting his shit together.

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