Princess and the Cowboy (Justice)

“You spoil me in things that matter.”

“But you should be covered in diamonds.” I love that he wants that for me, but his love and our families are really all I'll ever need to be rich in life. All of the other things are disposable. Don’t get me wrong; they’re nice to have, but they are not necessary to live a happy life.

“You act like you’re not already trying to do that.” I laugh. The man is always buying me shiny things to wear. I think he’s compensating because he hasn’t gotten to put a ring on my finger yet. It drives him a bit crazy.

My Sterling can be the jealous type. He thinks any man within ten feet of me is trying to steal me from him. He got into a few fights that almost got physical in college. Most learned to look the other way when I was around. It should probably annoy me, but it was adorable for the most part.

It helps that he would be the same way when a woman would hit on him. He’d get almost as worked up. The worst was when it was my sister, Glorianna. I’d been stupid and tried to give her a second chance. I’m always trying to see the good in people.

Papa had ended up staying on the ranch for a few weeks that first time he’d come out. He loved it so much he bought himself a piece of land not far from it. Pretty sure he has plans to build a more permanent place in the future. I think he could see I wasn’t going to go far from the Justice family. He’d also gone and filed for divorce. That had sent Glorianna rushing back into my life. I should have known it wasn’t with good intentions.

She suckered me for a bit. I know I can be too soft-hearted at times, and she played that against me. Luckily I have Sterling to help protect that. She was stupid to try and make a pass at him. He’d lost it. That had been my final straw. I could forgive a lot of things, but mess with my man, and all bets are off.

I cut her off immediately, and even though she still bears the same last name as me, I don’t acknowledge her as being a part of my family. My papa cut all ties as well. I wish her the best and hope that one day she can fill the void inside of her, but it will have to be without me in her life.

“We’ve been here for two hours,” Sterling points out.

“And?” I laugh.

“Can we leave now?”

“Why are you in such a rush?”

“I’m always in a rush to have you all to myself.” He leans down and nibbles at my neck. I fight a moan. “Come with me.”

“Don’t I always?” I tease. He locks his fingers with mine and starts to pull me toward the back of the yacht. Cam and Birdie both give me a knowing look. Papa pretends not to notice.

He’s cuddling up close to Cam’s mom. Pretty sure the two have a thing going on. It wasn’t long after she met my father that she broke things off with the man she’d been dating. For the past few years, she’s been very secretive when it comes to her love life. Which makes me think that it’s my papa. He seems rather smitten. So much different than he was with his ex-wife.

“I can’t wait anymore!” Sterling half shouts the second he closes the bedroom door behind us.

“What?” I ask, confused for a second. That is, until he drops to his knees in front of me. All the air leaves my lungs when he slips the ring onto my finger. It’s not just any ring. It’s my mama’s. The one my papa gave her. “Sterling.” Tears slip down my cheeks. I knew this moment would be special, but this has made it more than I could’ve ever imagined.

“Your papa gave me this ring years ago, but I’d made him a promise, and I wanted to prove to both of you that I will always be a man of my word. I give you my word that if you marry me, I’ll spend my life loving you and making you happy.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” He stands, lifting me into his arms and kissing me. “I have to tell you something,” I get out between kisses.

“You can tell me anything. You know that.” He must see the bit of worry in my expression. The man can read me so well.

“I know we have plans to see the world and everything. And I want that so much, but…”