Boy Next Door (Parkside Avenue Book #2)
Page 14
“Which bit?”
“Vanessa.”
“And?”
“You’re right. It doesn’t seem to matter how much I try with her. I’m losing my grip. She doesn’t need me anymore. It’s time I accepted that fact.”
“You’ll always be her mother, and a girl always needs her mum. But you’re a woman too. One with needs of her own.”
She nodded. “I am. But I need to know you’re committed to us. I don’t want to be hurt again.”
Hearing the word hurt made me realise how firmly I was gripping her shoulder. I relaxed and let my hand fall to hers. “I’m committed. I’m so committed. Just let me prove it to you.”
“You’re really ready for this?”
“I’m ready.” How many times did I have to say it? “From the moment I met you, there has been no one else in my bed or on my mind. You got into my head and refused to leave. Your beauty and poise captured my heart. Sure, sometimes you frustrate the hell out of me, but I enjoy a challenge.”
“You enjoy a challenge?”
“Yeah.”
Cora inhaled deeply through her nose. “What if I said I was pregnant?” It came so out of the blue, it took me a second to answer.
“I’d say condoms are shit.”
“I’m serious. What would you say?” The way she held my gaze, tiny grooves forming between her brows, told me I had to choose my words carefully. The woman sure knew how to mind-fuck.
“Are you?”
“Answer the question, Johnny.”
Squeezing the square lump in my trouser pocket, with my free hand, I tested the waters. “I’d ask you to marry me.”
The grooves deepened. “Why?”
“Because I want to take care of you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Baby or no baby.” I paused. “Is there a baby?” I asked, heart pounding.
Her lips curled at the corners. “No.”
“Christ, Cora. That’s not funny.”
An evil smile plumped out her cheeks. “Your face was.”
“You’re a sick woman. You know that? Underneath your prim and proper exterior lies a wicked centre I can’t wait to see a whole lot more of.”
Cora was still smiling, as my words washed over her. “You want to marry me?”
I thought about the ring in my pocket. We didn’t need to rush things. Cora would wear it someday. “Someday.”
“Ah … someday.”
“Yes.” I pulled her close. Her breath was warm against my neck. “But until then, please say I can finally call you mine?”
“On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“No more gambling.”
“I can run with that. So we have a deal?”
“We do.”
“Promise?”
“I love you.”
“Love?”
“I said that, didn’t I?”
I always thought I’d be the one to say the words first, but she’d beaten me to it, and I couldn’t have been happier. “You did.”
“Then I must have meant it.”
“I love you too.”
When the time was right, I’d ask the question, but for now, we had each other, and that was all I needed.
THE END
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