Page 24 of Filthy and Fierce

Dixon pulls me against him. “I knew. I knew the first second you walked back into town how I felt about you. I knew my life would never be the same.”

I lean against him. “Dad, I want to build a family with Dixon on our ranch.”

My dad looks between Dixon and me. He glares at Dixon. “You hurt her…”

“I won’t,” he promises.

He nods. “Fine.” He opens his arms, and I look up at Dixon. He smiles at me, and I release his hand so I can go hug my dad. He squeezes me tighter than he ever has before. “I love you, Faith. I’m sorry that I’ve pushed you away.” He loosens his grip and then looks down at me. “I wanna be called Pop Pop.”

I roll my eyes. “Dad, I’m not pregnant.”

He looks over my head at Dixon. “Yeah, well, I’m hoping you’ll be married before you make me a Pop Pop.”

I’m about to argue with him when Dixon assures him, “She will be.”

My mouth drops, and I turn to look at Dixon, but he just shrugs. “Honey, you had to know that we’re getting married.”

I put a hand on my hip. “Well, I hope when you ask, you do a better job than that.”

My dad laughs and then points at Dixon. “I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t beat your ass. You have a competition coming up.”

I pull Faith into my arms. “If I win or lose, I’m going home happy. I love you, Faith Allen, soon to be Faith Chase.”

I laugh up at him. “I love you too. Now let’s go shower and then win you a trophy.”

My dad groans. “Ugh, are you two going to be all lovey-dovey and stuff?”

I’m happier than I’ve ever been. “Yes. Get used to it, ol’ man.”

We talk a little longer. I tell my dad bye, and Dixon waves as we walk hand in hand into the hotel. It feels good that we don’t have to hide this.

Dixon leans down and whispers to me as we’re walking through the hotel, “So hear me out. We can probably save time if we shower together.”

I laugh. “You know what, that probably would save a bit of time.”

He picks me up, twirls me around, and then puts me on my feet again. There’s cowboys everywhere watching in surprise.I’m sure they’re used to the reserved cowboy that Dixon is well-known as being, but now they’re seeing a man in love.

As we step into the elevator, I lean into him. “I’m sure we’re going to be the talk of the circuit after that little display.”

“Good,” he answers, kissing me on the nose. “I want the world to know you’re mine.”

I lean into him, and already I’m thinking about a future of us building our home, having a family, and living the life I’ve always wanted. I turn in Dixon’s arms and put my hands on each side of his face. “You’re making all my dreams come true, cowboy.”

“And you are mine,” he says before lifting me up in his arms. The elevator door opens, and he carries me out and down the hall.

I hold on to him. “Shower and then you need to get ready for the event.”

He kisses my shoulder. “I know.”

“No sex,” I tell him.

He just chuckles.

I lean back and look in his face. “If you lose or you get hurt?—”

He just laughs again. “I won’t.”

“Dixon,” I say softly, worried.

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