Page 113 of Shots Fired

I can’t keep my mouth off this girl, and my cock stirs to life. “Remember when I told you confessing my feelings was brought forward when I found out you were pregnant with my baby?”

She rolls her lips together, nodding her head.

“Well, this dilemma we’re facing with your visa just sped up what I already want, but haven’t asked you yet.” My stomachswirls with anticipation and excitement as I pull air into my lungs. “Be my wife, Darcy. Marry me and wear my ring on your left hand. You already own my heart, so go ahead and take my last name too.”

For a couple of beats, she studies me carefully. “But there’s still a waiting period for marriage green cards to be accepted.”

I smile because, fuck, shehasthought about being my wife.

“Please don’t be mad at me …” I pause and dare a glance at her. She already looks pissed, but I continue anyway, “I spoke to Janine and told her everything.”

She gasps, throwing a hand over her mouth.

I pull it away, kissing her palm. “She told me she fell pregnant unexpectedly with her daughter, and it left her in a financial bind when she was younger, so she can relate to curveballs in life. She will talk to you about the logistics of maternity leave when you head into work on Monday, but the bottom line is, she isn’t terminating your contract early. There’s enough time for the green card to be granted.”

She puffs out a breath, and I spread my palm across her growing stomach.

“So, what do you say? Pip and I are waiting for an answer.”

Her eyes are glassy, and my breathing is ragged while I wait for her to speak.

“Yes, I’ll marry you, Archer.” Her face blooms into the smile I know and love, one that she saves especially for me.

I grip her tightly against my body as I roll us over so she’s looking up at me. There are so many words I could say in this moment. Lines about spending the rest of our lives together and growing old, watching our favorite movies in the back of packed theaters.

None of those could do justice to the euphoria as it washes over me.

I’m turning my dream girl into my wife.

My fiancée holds up a finger. “I have to ask, though, why Miami?”

I knew she’d be curious about that. “Because I want to take you away where it’s only the two of us. I’d take you to Paris if we had the time between our jobs.”

Her body melts into me and I consider the option of getting married in this bed and never moving.

If only.

“I love you—so fucking much.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “And when we get home, I think we should tell your brother. Shit is going down in the team right now, and I didn’t want to add to it, but I think it’s time we said something.” I hesitate. “If that’s okay with you?”

She cups my face in her warm palm, and my eyelids flutter close.Thisis what true love feels like.

“I agree; it’s time. Have you told your mom or family that you planned to propose to me?”

“I’ll tell my mom when we tell your family. Plus, my sister is coming to visit soon to watch our game against the Philly Bolts, so you can meet her then, and I’ll drop the baby and marriage bomb.” I chuckle. “Emma loves a good surprise. And Dad …” I blow out a breath. “I guess I’ll tell him when we next speak.”

“Is your sister as nice as your mum?” Darcy asks.

The way this woman is so keen to embrace my entire family. This alone is reason enough to love her for the rest of my life.

“She is, but we aren’t as close as you are to Jack. It’s just the way our family is.”

Darcy shifts slightly. “I’m not sure how close I am to Jack anymore, to be honest. I feel like we’ve drifted, and life has changed for both of us. He wanted to meet up for lunch, but that didn’t happen, and I didn’t push it either. It felt awkward to be around him with everything going on.”

I tip her chin up to look at me. “We can call and tell him right now if you want. Lay it all out for him.” My lip quirks up. “I’ll take the beating like a man and marry you with two black eyes if that’s what it takes.”

I can see that she’s considering my suggestion, but finally shakes her head. “No. It would be the worst timing; it needs to be face-to-face and …” Softness overtakes her eyes as she pauses. “I think I want just two more days like this.”

“Like what, Darcy Doll?”

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