Page 75 of Hot Shot
“I think I was scared of this. Scared of giving in and having you. I knew I’d never survive losing this. Losing you.”
“Love is the greatest risk of all.”
“She used to say that all the time.”
“She knew what she was talking about.”
“She also used to say only the brave receive the ultimate prize.”
“Your mother was a very wise woman.”
“She would have loved this for us.” He lifts his head to look at me, his eyes shining with love. “She knew. Told me I shouldn’t waste my time going after a prize that was fleeting, not when I already had the ultimate prize.”
Loretta Lattimer had never spoken to me about Bran’s crush when we were kids but I’d known she could see it. Everyone could see it. “I want to name our first daughter after her.”
“I... What?”
“We just had unprotected sex, Bran. I’m not on anything. No need.”
“So we—” His gaze drops between us. “Wow.”
“You said you wanted to get married tomorrow.”
“Can we sneak off now, take Mr. James’s jet to Vegas and get married tonight?” His eyes are back on mine, excitement making them sparkle. “I don’t want to wait. And if we didn’t hit the jackpot tonight, we’ll keep trying.”
“Bran, we’ve got?—”
“I know. A lot going on. A lot to do. I need to get in game shape, you need to build a team. We’ll do it together while we build our family.”
“We should wait until?—”
“No. I don’t want to wait for any of it. I learned a lot in the few weeks I had with Laura. I want to be a dad again. I loved it. I’m good at it. And I want to hold a piece of you and me. The best piece of you and me. Our child will be visible proof of our love. I want to show that to the world.”
“I’ll talk to Mom and Dad in the morning. See if we can go somewhere local tomorrow, and if we can’t get married right away, we’ll get things sorted so we can do it as soon as we can. I want to get married in Canada. It’s the only thing I’ll ask for.”
“As much as rushing out of here right this second appeals, I want to give you what you want. I don’t care as long as I get my ring on your finger.Oh!”
Before I can ask what’s wrong, Bran has disengaged our bodies, slipped out of bed, and run from the room. His actions should make me panic but I know he’s not running away and my belief is confirmed a minute later.
“Here!” He rushes back into the room. Drops to his knees beside the bed and grasps my left hand. “It was the ring my dad gave Mom. She never wore it after we came here. Told me where she kept it so when the time was right, I could give it to the love of my life.”
“Oh, Bran, it’s beautiful.” The cool metal slides up my finger, the solitaire winking and flashing as the overhead light hits it.
“I know it’s not big, the diamond, but it would mean the world to me if you wore it. I’ll buy you something?—”
“Don’t you dare. This is perfect. I’m not a jewelry wearer, I don’t own much, and I can’t tell you how honored it makes me feel to have this on my hand.”
“It never entered my mind to give it to anyone else. It’s always been yours. In my head. My heart.”
“I’ll take care of it. Of you. Of us.”
“Is it weird that I want to fuck you while you wear nothing but my ring?”
The shift from sentimental to sexual has me laughing.
“I want to claim you with my ring on your finger. I just blew my load, and my dick is hard as a rock again.”
We both glance down at his cock where it stands from between his legs. “That looks painful.”
