Page 103 of Beautifully Broken Control

I didn’t wait to see what the box held, I launched myself at him, sobbing into his chest and nodding.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes! Of course, it’s a yes.”

Cain stroked a hand down my back, pulling my hair away from my face. “You haven’t even looked at the ring.” It could’ve been made of barbed wire, and I still would’ve said yes. But, of course, it wasn’t. Cain slipped the ring onto my finger. It caught the light, sending rainbows dancing on the wall.

“Cain…” It was breathtaking. Too large, but I knew better than to argue the point. I had to let him have his way here. Compromise. I looked up to meet his gaze. “It’s perfect.”

He let out a breath. “I thought you might fight me on it.”

I laughed. “I’m getting better. I did get a car.”

Cain rolled his eyes. “One of the cheapest you could find.”

I pinched his nipple. “A Jeep isn’t cheap. It’s practical.” I was never going to be into all the fancy gadgets he was, but I also wasn’t punishing myself for someone else’s deeds any longer.

He grinned and placed my jar back on the nightstand, then rolled me to my back. “I’m glad you’re reasonable, Mrs. Hale.”

My eyes welled again. “I can’t wait to make it official.”

His mouth swept across mine, tongue darting in. “Let’s do it soon.”

“Next month?”

Cain pulled back. “You sure?”

I nodded. “Something small. Simple. Just our family.” Our family was one and the same already. Our perfect small circle of loved ones. “Chuck can be the ring bearer.” A snore of agreement sounded from his bed on the floor.

Cain shook his head as his mouth lowered to mine again.

“Hey, guys. You up? I’m going to make breakfast.”

Cain scowled. “You have got to be kidding me.”

I dissolved into laughter. “You’re the one who decided to propose when you knew my brother was here.”

“He’s such a cock-block.”

I kissed Cain slowly. “I’ll make it up to you, future husband. I promise.”

“Damn right, you will.” He groaned as he rolled his hips against me, just once. “We could always take a shower…”

“A really long one.”

In a flash, Cain was up and had me thrown over his shoulder. I shrieked as he headed for the bathroom.

* * *

Cain liftedone of the half-dozen cakes out of the trunk. His eyes traveled over the rainbow sprinkles dotting the frosting. I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Do you think she’d like this?”

Cain’s voice was thick when he answered. “Kiara would love that we’re celebrating her birthday this way.”

I squeezed his waist. “She’d be so proud of you.”

He nodded, shifting the cake to one hand so he could wrap an arm around me. “I know she would. And this place, it’s keeping a piece of her alive.”

I looked up at the brand-new building where the community center used to be housed. After the dust had settled from my mother’s attack, I’d found out that my grandmother had indeed left me an exorbitant amount of money. More than I had any need for. I’d struggled with it at first, but Cain had been there, helping me process it all and deciding what to do.

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