Page 68 of Wild Ride

I want it all with her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

BULLET

Driving toward the gas station,where I know everyone is likely waiting for us, I glance over at Dakota, who is staring out of the passenger window. Pulling over to the side of the highway, I shift the truck intoParkbut don’t kill the engine.

Slowly, she turns her head, her eyes finding mine, and I watch as her brows knit together in what I assume is confusion.

“Why did you stop?”

“Because you don’t look okay, and I’m not going to meet up with everyone else until I know you’re good.”

I think, but don’t say,And I’m pretty sure that I fucked you to feeling good, so I’m confused as fuck why you’re over there looking so goddamn sad. Her gaze searches mine for a silent moment, and I’m about to ask her just what the fuck she’s got rolling around inside that pretty head of hers because I’m going to run on the assumption that it’s complete bullshit.

“What happens when the dust settles and you realize I’m not that special?”

Her words cause my entire body to jerk. I’ve never had a physical reaction like this before, so my body moving startles me as much as it does her. She leans away from me as if I’m going to hurt her in some way.

“What the fuck?” I hiss. “What the actual fuck?” I say, my voice climbing with each word I say.

“I just—” she begins, but I shake my head once, and she thankfully snaps her lips shut.

“You just nothin’, baby,” I murmur, trying not to scream in her face, but every part of me wants to do just that. “You’re talking complete and total bullshit is what you’re doin’. You’re fucking special. Even if you weren’t Shade’s daughter.”

“But you wouldn’t even know I existed.”

That’s when my lips curve up into a grin. “Dakota,” I say, my tone no doubt sounding much like a warning. Her breath hitches, and I can’t help but let out a slight snort.

“Baby,” I say softer, almost like a purr, because apparently, she needs gentle right now.

Although, I don’t blame her for feeling a million different emotions because she’s been through something seriously fucking traumatic. And I hope to fuck that she never has to go through anything like this again.

“Shade sent you to me, but make no goddamn mistake, I would have found you anyway.”

Her eyes widen at my declaration. It’s true, too. I would have found her. It might have taken me a while, but I would have no doubt had this woman in my bed and by my side before I took my last breath here on Earth.

I watch as her tongue slips out of her mouth and slides across her bottom lip, and I want nothing more than to sink my teeth into that sexy lip. I don’t, though, only because she’s still working through what I just said.

“You would have found me anyway?” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, baby. I would have found you anyway.”

My voice is rough with every word I say, feelings swirling inside of me that I’m not sure I want to consume me, but here they fucking are. I decide that I’m going to allow myself this with her—only her. Because if you can’t feel something for and with your old lady, then what is the goddamn point of it all?

“Then I’ll stay, and I’ll marry you, and I’ll give you those babies. I’m crazy for thinking any of this, let alone saying it. I know I am. But I’ve never felt anything as intensely as I do with you, Bishop. I know we haven’t known one another for long, but I love you.”

My entire body relaxes. I know without a doubt that she’s mine and that I am going to keep her no matter the fuck what, but knowing it’s not going to be a fight fills me with a relief that I didn’t know I needed.

“Let’s go home, baby,” I murmur as I lift my hand to the gearshift, but before I can shift out ofPark, her fingers curl around my forearm. Turning my head, I look at her, arching a brow.

“Where is home?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, her face etched with concern, and I’m not sure why because there can only be one answer to that question.

My lips twitch into a grin, and then I lean forward, touching my lips to her forehead before I whisper against her soft skin. “Home is wherever we make it, baby. But you got a house, and we can either sell it and I can buy you something else, or we can move into it. That is up to you.”

“Okay,” she exhales. “Wow.”

Leaning back slightly, I look into her eyes, searching her gaze with mine. “Wow?” I ask.

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