This made her laugh. Tears filled her eyes, and she gasped as he tore up the letter.
“You’re not my kid’s nanny, and I’m not your boss. You’re my woman, Jasmine, and the only people who matter are me and Bethany. Not them. Ignore them. You’re my woman through and through, and I will be the one to take care of you. Forever. Now tell me what I want to hear, baby. Tell me.”
Staring into his eyes, she knew without a doubt what he wanted to hear.
“I love you too.”
He cupped her face and slammed his lips down on hers. This felt so right. She couldn’t be in a world that didn’t have him in it. He’d awakened a part of her soul and now there was no turning back.
Hawk broke from the kiss. “Wait, wait, let me do this.”
She watched as he went down on one knee and held up a ring.
“Hawk?”
“Jasmine Clark, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“You want to marry me?”
“I want to fucking own every part of you.”
“This has to be the most beautiful proposal.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes, a hell yes.”
He slid the ring on her finger, and she cupped his face, kissing him. Just as he lifted her up onto the counter, Bethany’s cries came over the speaker.
“Typical,” he said. “Girl’s a cock block.”
Jasmine cupped his face. “It doesn’t matter because we’ve got the rest of our lives to look forward to.”
“You’re right. Come on, let’s go and see our little girl.”
Epilogue
Five years later
“Happy anniversary, baby,” Hawk said, holding up his beer bottle.
“It has been quite an anniversary,” Jasmine said, clinking her water with his bottle. They snuggled in against each other beneath the tree, watching all the kids and the club as they partied. They still only had Bethany. It had taken them some time to finally get pregnant, and as he placed one hand on her stomach, he felt the little sucker kick. Jasmine was eight and a half months along. She wouldn’t be able to get up, but he’d help her. He loved being there for her every need. When she got pregnant, she’d freaked out, worried about losing it, but he knew they were going to be fine. They had each other, so nothing else was worth worrying about.
This was one of the reasons they’d stayed home. He could have taken her anywhere, but their place was here, at home, with their family. Also, he’d practiced the route to the hospital so when her waters broke, he could get her there in ten minutes flat. All the boys were on standby for that moment. Running his fingers through her long hair, he smiled.
Five years.
Five fucking years he’d been married to this woman.
“You know, I can still remember that smile on your face when you saw me at the grocery store,” he said.
“I was more interested in your screaming baby. I thought you were hot, though.”
Bethany was sitting at one of the benches, her hair in ponytails as she drew something in her book.
His little girl was one fine artist. Their house was completely covered in all of her creations.
He’d married Jasmine as soon as it could be arranged, which was within the month. Neither of them wanted a fancy wedding. The club had been present, and that was enough. Jasmine didn’t have any family alive, so his club had given her the family she missed out on.
Some of the club whores—no, other women—were there, and he was surprised to find out that Jasmine even befriended them. She was nice to everyone, but she had no problem telling a woman to stay away from her man.
He rather liked being Jasmine’s property, especially knowing she belonged to him.
They had each other, and that was enough.
“When do we think this little guy is going to pop out?” he asked, touching her swollen stomach.
“Like his daddy, when he’s good and ready.”
She tilted her head back, and he smiled down at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He leaned down and claimed her lips. She released a moan and then a gasp.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Erm, I think he wants to come now. Hawk, my water just broke.”
All of his well-laid-out plans … shattered.
The next hour was the longest of his life, and by the time he arrived at the hospital, she had already started to push. With no time to get her to the labor ward, she gave birth in the emergency room.
His little boy arrived on their anniversary, and he knew now there was no way he was ever going to have an excuse not to remember this day, not that he’d ever forget it.
The End