Taken Hard (The Hard Boys 2)

Tears filled her eyes. “You love me?”

“More than anything. You own me, Lilly. All of me, and it’s yours.” He reached into his jacket pocket. “I wanted to ask you this days ago, but I didn’t have the ring. I finally picked it up this morning.” He pulled out a small velvet box. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“You love me?” she asked, repeating his words.

“More than anything. I’ve loved you for a long time, but I’ve been too scared to say the words. I didn’t want to scare you off.”

She covered her mouth. “I … I love you too, so much. I’ve wanted to tell you so many times, but I’ve been afraid.”

“Will you marry me?” he asked for a second time, and she nodded.

“Yes, please, yes.”

He slid the ring onto her finger, and it was the perfect fit.

Caleb got to his feet and pulled her into his arms, kissing her lips.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, not caring the town saw. Across Caleb’s shoulder, she saw Edward.

Her father struggled with social events but for her, he’d been trying. She offered him a wave and he stuck his thumbs up and she laughed.

Caleb pulled back, and she pointed toward her father.

“I asked for his blessing, and he gave it.”

“He did?”

“At first, he didn’t think it was his place, but I finally got him convinced that he needed to step up in all areas.”

“I can’t believe you love me.”

Caleb stroked her cheek. “I can’t believe you said yes.”

She pressed her face against his chest.

During his proposal, Tiffany had been moved along. With his very public proposal, for the rest of the day, she and Caleb were congratulated.

“I don’t suppose we could start not using condoms now,” Caleb said, whispering against her ear.

No one was close to them, and she slapped his chest. “Be careful, anyone could hear.”

“I don’t care. Do you think we can leave them out?” He pulled her in close, his hands resting on her back.

“What about kids?” she asked.

“I want a whole flock of them.”

“A flock.”

“Don’t you want a bunch of kids running around our feet?” he asked.

“Why don’t we start with one and see how we go?”

“So no condoms?”

“Kiss me and we’ll see.”

He slammed his lips down on hers, and she knew deep in her heart, no matter what he asked, she’d give it to him.

****

Three months later

“You’re nervous,” Rome said.

“Shut up, I’m not nervous.” Caleb glanced at the time, aware of the church full of people. Time was ticking on by.

“You’re jumping around.”

“I’ve got some energy.” He tapped his fingers against his pant leg and waited. Rome had been left with him at the altar while James went to go see what the delay was. It was no problem. His future wife who was rarely late hadn’t shown at their allotted time. She was currently ten minutes late. No call from Edward who was with her, or Eliza.

He wanted to hunt her down himself.

“Do you think she’d made a run for it?” Rome asked.

Caleb turned to his baby brother. “Fucked your teacher lately?”

“Someone’s being an asshole.”

“Yeah, and for a change, it’s not me.” He shook his head. “You’re the only single Hard boy left. Make the most of it. One day, you’re going to be standing right here.”

Rome smiled at him.

“You’re supposed to be making me feel better, not wanting me to murder you.”

“But I am making you feel better. Rather than wonder where Lilly is, you’re plotting my death. I’m being the perfect distraction.”

Fifteen minutes.

In the past three months, Lilly hadn’t displayed any worries or fear. They’d been happy, content to plan their wedding together. Neither of them was in a rush to waste their day.

So long as they had each other, they didn’t care about anything else.

“You don’t think she’s gotten cold feet, do you?”

“Lilly, no. Of course not. She wouldn’t do that to you.” Rome stood close beside him. “So, your proposal, did you do it how you planned?”

Caleb glanced over at his brother. “You were there.”

“I know I was there, but I also know you’d been practicing it for a little while. Did it go how you hoped?”

He rolled his eyes. “Totally. I hoped the woman I loved would be insulted in front of everyone, just so I could turn the moment into a good one.”

“That’s sarcasm.”

“I always knew you were the clever one.” He checked the time and still no show. This was starting to make him nervous.

Glancing back, he saw people were watching him.

“Can you go and check on James?”

“He told me to stick with you.”

“I need to know what the hell is going on,” Caleb said.

He was about to go himself when the doors of the church flung open. “Patience, everyone. It will be just a few more minutes.”

Caleb turned toward his brother, who headed down the aisle.