Page 29 of Stone

My hands slid around her tiny waist, and I inhaled her sweet jasmine scent, committing it to memory. “You’re welcome,baby.” Pulling back, I took her hand before lacing our fingers together and leading my girl toward the tree.

Elise squeezed my hand. “How did you do this? We’ve been together most of the day.”

I glanced down at her. “As soon as we left, Abe and Mammoth came down to herd everyone away. The guys set the lights up, and Iris came down with the food while Mom helped you get ready.”

She beamed. “It’s the best birthday gift ever.”

Helping her down onto the blanket, I laughed at her teasing tone. Reaching over and pressing play on the cassette player. ‘Is This Love’ by Whitesnake—our song—began to softly fill the night air.

Her green eyes darkened. “Every time I hear this, I think of you. It always seems to play for us in beautiful moments. Who knew the town’s bad boy could be so romantic?”

“You must’ve put me on the right path, Duchess, ‘cause I’m no bad boy when it comes to you.” I touched my mouth to hers, whispering against her lips, “I’m a damned pussycat.”

Elise let out a soft moan before deepening our kiss. Soft fingers trailed across my jean-clad thigh, moving dangerously close to my hardening cock.

I’d never kissed much before—honestly, it didn’t turn me on with other women—but as I inhaled her peppermint and cherry Chapstick taste, it hit me that kissing Elise was a way to connect on a deeper level. Something about her just did it for me. I couldn’t put my finger on what. Perhaps it was simply how she made me feel like I could rule the world as long as she stood by my side.

Everything inside screamed at me to snake my hands up her dress and taste the rest of her, but I wanted to eat, talk, smile, and laugh. Tonight wasn’t just about sex; it was more about conveying how much I loved her.

Breaking our connection was one of the hardest things I’d had to do, and my dick certainly didn’t thank me, but I pulled back regardless and nuzzled my nose against hers. “Love you, Leesy. Happy birthday.”

Her jade-green eyes, heavy with desire, darted between mine. “Love you too, Johnny.”

Leaning toward the cooling bag, I snagged a couple of cans of soda from inside, opened one, and handed it to Elise. “Steve called while you were with Mom freshening up. We’ve got an appointment at nine-thirty to view the warehouses and the land.” Opening my pop, I took a swig before looking thoughtfully at the land all around us. I swept an arm out. “All this could be ours tomorrow if we agree to buy it.”

I caught a flash of panic behind Leesy’s wide-eyed gaze. “John. It’s your decision. I won’t tell you what to do with your money, and I don’t want to be named on the deeds. Eventually, it will be your club and businesses, not mine. If you want the land, buy it. I’ll support you either way.”

“But we’ll be in it together,” I protested. “If anything happens to me, I want you to be looked after.”

“The club and business will go to our kids,” she argued. “Later, when you build me that house you talked about, put me on those deeds.”

“What if something happens to me at boot camp or when I go into my platoon? I need to know you’ll be okay—”

Leesy flung herself at me, effectively cutting me off. “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.” Her hands framed my face, and she glared at me with tears in her eyes. “Don’t even think it.”

“We have to be practical, baby,” I explained. “Anything could happen.”

“No, John!” she exclaimed vehemently. “You’ll do your three years, learn your trade, and come home to me. Promise me now.”

“Leesy. I—”

“Promise me, John,” she demanded.

My chest tingled with warmth because as much as I hated seeing Leesy upset, I loved how she loved me so desperately. She was a part of me now. I wouldn’t be the same man without her.

I touched my mouth to hers, never breaking eye contact. “Whatever happens, wherever I am in the world, baby, I’ll always come home to you.” I fished inside my pocket and pulled out a small box. “This is for you, Leesy. Happy birthday.”

Her forehead furrowed as she took the gift. “What’s this?” She opened the lid and gasped.

“It’s a promise ring, Duchess,” I explained as she took the white gold ring out of the box. “See that knot?”

Elise nodded, running her finger over the curved loop the ring had been shaped into.

“They call it an infinity knot. Or a Celtic love knot. It’s the symbol of never-ending love and unity. It represents us.” Gently, I took it from her and slid it onto her ring finger. “When I come home, I’ll ask your dad for permission and replace the knot with a diamond. It’s my promise to you.” I tilted her chin up with a finger and stared into her beautiful eyes. “In the meantime, I wanna ask you a different question, one just as meaningful for me. Will you be my ol’ lady?”

Elise’s eyes widened. “Really?”

I rubbed the ring on her finger with my thumb. “Yeah. Really.”

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