Page 129 of Heist

Chapter Thirty-Eight

“That was fucking intense, Sir,” Austin whispered against Patrick’s chest.

He grinned down at her. “I’m glad you thought so.”

They were curled up under a suspension frame in a pile of his rope after he’d put her in the air and brought her to several orgasms.

“I love you, baby girl. Thank you for trusting me again. I can’t promise things won’t ever be complicated for us again, but I can promise not to be a jackass and walk away again.”

Austin giggled and he loved the feel of her shaking in his arms she did. “You were kind of a jackass,” she said teasingly.

“Watch it. I have something for you. I would hate to have to pull my hairbrush out before I give it to you.”

When her demeanor shifted to appropriately submissive, Patrick stood and pulled a naked Austin up with him.

They had played near the stage by design, though she didn’t know that.

Patrick tossed her a silky orange and white robe to put on before he pulled her up the steps of the low platform.

“What’s going on?” she asked as he secured the robe in a knotted bow.

He smiled and gave her a flirty wink. “I was wondering if I can take the bracelet off your wrist and replace it with this.”

She opened the slender velvet-lined box he handed her and gasped.

“It’s gorgeous,” she murmured, her eyes darting to his.

“Is that a yes? Be mine, Austin. I want to share this world, this life, with you by my side and at my feet.”

She didn’t respond right away, but after a moment that felt like an eternity, she handed him the box and dropped to her knees. With her head slightly bowed, she offered him her wrist as she brushed her hair off her neck with her other hand.

He made quick work of the bracelet, tucking it into his pocket before he stepped behind her and placed the collar around her neck.

Tears were spilling down her cheeks when he pulled her up and into an embrace.

Around them, the crowd that had gathered cheered and whistled.

“Don’t cry, baby girl. I’ve got you. We’ve got each other.”

Her fingers traced the collar he’d placed around her neck, and he knew he’d made the right choice.

They shook hands and hugged all those approaching them to offer congratulations, and Austin giggled. “Is this what it feels like to get engaged?”

Patrick shrugged. “I don’t know. You’ll have to compare the two when I ask you to marry me.”

Austin beamed. “I’ll say yes, you know.”

He smiled. “Good. But would you say yes to me becoming Patrick Yates?”

Her eyes flew to his. “Seriously, Sir?”

He nodded. “I’ve given it a lot of thought. Holly is taking Elijah’s name. I think I’m done being a Sutton. That name has never been anything but trouble.”

“I would be honored to share my name with you, Sir. My name, my life, everything I have, I’ll share it with you.”

As his mouth closed over hers for a kiss, he knew his life was starting over tonight and it was shaping up to be the life he’d always wanted.

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