by Ivy Nelson
Patrick reached for her hand and she let him take it in his.
“Baby girl, you didn’t do anything wrong, though I appreciate the introspection that must have been required for you to come to that conclusion. I’m the one who royally fucked up and stomped all over your insecurities and broke your trust. You were right when you said you’ve always given me anything I asked for. If you’re willing to have me back, I’ll spend as much time as it takes making it up to you.”
A sob escaped her throat, and he couldn’t hold back anymore. His arms wrapped around her and he crushed her to him.
“You kept fighting for me and my freedom even after I walked out. Why?” he asked when she relaxed into his arms.
“Because you’re worth it,” she whispered, “You’re worth more than every diamond in the collection combined. I wasn’t sure what would happen with us, but I knew you needed someone fighting for you.”
“I love you,” he said, tilting her chin up so she met his gaze. “I hope you know that. I’ve loved you since our first kiss, I think.”
Her response was to press her lips to his.
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, where he’d lowered her 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 as 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 she 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.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“How does it feel to be a married woman?” Austin asked Holly as she hugged the blushing bride.
“It’s about damn time,” she said with a giggle. “I’m so glad we’re going to be sisters-in-law,” she said, lifting Austin’s hand.
Patrick had proposed a few nights earlier, though they weren’t announcing it to the world until after Elijah and Holly’s wedding was out of the news.
“I don’t know how I feel about him moving to New York though.”
“We’ll see each other a lot. I promise I’m not stealing your brother just because he’s taking my last name.”
Holly hugged her tight again. “I’m actually really excited that he’s becoming a Yates. He needs to get away from the Sutton name. It will be good for him.”
“New York will be good for him too. David is moving the diamond production portion of his business completely into Patrick’s hands and letting Patrick run it out of the New York office.”
“Mind if I steal your bridesmaid?” A voice from behind her said, causing her heart to skip a beat.
Holly grinned. “Go for it. Just leave the diamonds alone.”
Austin turned to find Patrick scowling at his sister. “Not funny, Mrs. Barrett. Not funny at all.”
Austin laughed. “Actually, that was a lot funny, Sir.”
“I thought we could sneak off and make out in the broom closet, but I guess I could spank you instead,” he said as he pulled her away from Holly who’d already been swallowed up by another group of guests wanting a selfie with her for their Instagram.
The wedding was the event of the year if you believed the tabloids, and everyone was there.
As they were looking for a quiet corner to snuggle in, Austin caught a glimpse of Garrett Oliver in the corner.
“He’s been really down the last few times we’ve seen him. Do you know what’s going on?” she asked.
Patrick shook his head. “Not sure. I’ve noticed it too though. Maybe we should go cheer him up.”
As they moved in his direction, a couple stepped into their path.
“Patrick, good to see you again.”
Austin felt Patrick stiffen as Grant Sterling greeted them. “Grant, good to see you as well. I wasn’t sure if you would be here.”
“This is my girlfriend, Sarah.”
Austin held her hand out and shook the woman’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you. Looks like a lot has happened since we last saw you, Grant.”
The man gave her a wide grin and wrapped an arm around Sarah. “It sure has. I suppose I have Patrick to thank for it in some ways.”
Austin looked at her fiancé, not understanding what Grant meant, but Patrick didn’t elaborate.
“Well congratulations,” she said as Patrick tugged her to step around them.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“I’m honestly not sure. I’m still suspicious of him since we don’t know who paid Tim Reyes. Everything Jax has dug up checks out though, so I can’t prove anything. I just wish I knew what his angle was because he’s definitely got one.”
Austin laid a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s try not to dwell on it tonight. We have a friend to cheer up.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips, and she sighed. She would never grow tired of kissing him.
As they approached Garrett, Austin watched as he plastered on a fake smile.
She opened her arms for a hug, and he accepted. “You look a little glum, Master Garrett,” she whispered, knowing his title would at least put a little gleam in his eye.
It worked, and he tipped back his glass after flashing her a genuine smile. “Sorry. I should probably leave, I know I’m b
ringing the party down.”
“Nonsense,” Patrick said. “What’s on your mind?”
Garrett dragged a hand through his hair.
“One of my manufacturing facilities is bleeding funds, and I can’t figure out why.” His index finger traced the rim of his nearly empty glass.
“Technically the numbers make sense on paper, but they shouldn’t. It’s putting me in a really tough position where if I don’t figure it out, I’m going to have to lay some people off.”
Patrick frowned. “I’m no financial expert, but sometimes having a fresh set of eyes helps. Is there anything I can look at?”
Garrett shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’ve got forensic accountants digging through the books trying to find where the issue started, but none of it adds up. Well, it adds up, but again, it shouldn’t. I’m not a suspicious man, but it feels like someone might be sabotaging me.”
He sighed and shook his head. “This is no place for this conversation. Apologies for unloading on you. It does make me feel better having gotten it off my chest though. Just do me a favor and keep it between us, please.”
Patrick clapped him on the shoulder. “You got it, friend. Let’s plan to talk next time we’re all in the same place. Lance cleared everyone we thought might have outed Austin, but something isn’t sitting right with me. It might be time to start being a little more suspicious.”
He winked at Austin and said, ‘For now, though, I’m going to take my fiancé for a spin around the dance floor before I take her home and remind her, that she may have stolen my heart, but I still own all of her.
• • •
I hope you enjoyed this installment of the Diamond Doms series. If you want to read Garrett’s story, you can find out how to preorder it here. Bling will be out in Spring of 2020. If you loved this book, I would love a review. Reviews are a great way to help indie authors out and cost nothing.
Want a FREE Diamond Doms novel? Hard, the introduction to the Diamond Doms series is FREE here!
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About the Author
Ivy Nelson is an emerging contemporary romance author, hopeful romantic, and passionate advocate, who is versed in all things steamy, sultry, and sensual. It all started back when she read her first steamy romance novel at the age of fourteen. From that point forward, it became her favorite genre—one she wanted to write in herself someday. Sylvia Day’s writing style cemented that passion and gave her just the inspiration she needed to be an author herself. In December of 2018, Ivy published her debut novel, Power Desired at the age of thirty-two.
Most recently, Ivy completed the “D.C. Power Games” series and the prequel to her forthcoming “Diamond Doms series” titled “Hard”. In a not-so-distant past, she was a student-affairs professional at a university and earned her political science degree, which explains her politically driven romance debut.
When she isn’t penning steamy scenes or attending writing/kink/BDSM conferences, you can find this contest-winning karaoke singer and bookworm passionately supporting human rights or growing her Sims 4 empire. She is also a wine aficionado and certified whiskey taster (no, really, she has the certificate to prove it). All that aside, Ivy loves spending quality time with her amazing son and husband of three years at their home in Houston, TX.
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