Hunter (The Untouchables MC 6)

We got her some brown suede knee-length boots that were styled like riding boots, although not all that sturdy. She picked out some new shoes that would work for nursing and a pair of thick leather boots that would be good for riding on the back of Hunter’s motorcycle.

Kelly insisted on visiting the makeup counter, which Claire poo-pooed at first. We wore her down enough to get a few things there, as well. But it was all part of our master plan.

Because the makeup counter was right near the jewelry counter.

“Which one do you like?” I asked with my usual lack of finesse. Michelle elbowed me. “Just for fun,” I added.

“It’s a good thing to think about,” Kelly hinted. “For example, I thought I liked this kind,” she said, pointing to a massive sapphire ring surrounded by tiny diamonds. “But when I tried it on, it was way too much.”

She thrust her hand out, showing us her engagement ring, wedding ring, and perfectly manicured nails.

“Claire would probably want something simpler,” Parker said with an eye roll. “Because she’s a nurse.”

“You probably couldn’t wear it at work, huh?” I asked, feeling sympathetic and impressed. Claire was really serious about helping people. I knew she’d make a fantastic nurse. We were lucky to have someone like her in our sisterhood.

I gave Claire a half-hug while we peered over the glass countertop. Her eyes met mine and I could see the panic. Not that she was scared. She was afraid to hope.

I understood immediately.

“What about that one?’ I asked, pointing to a very simple gold band with a flush-set diamond solitaire. “I think it wouldn’t even snag on your gloves.”

“It’s pretty,” she hedged.

“Try it on,” Michelle crowed, her normal composure slipping in her enthusiasm. Even Kelly gave her a funny look. Thankfully, the salesgirl pulled out the tray before Claire could protest.

“It’s modern,” I said as Claire pulled out the ring, “but still feminine.”

“There’s a matching wedding band,” the salesgirl cooed as Claire slipped the ring onto her finger. “And one for the lucky groom. With diamonds or without.”

“Can you imagine Hunter with a diamond ring?” I guffawed.

Claire’s voice was quiet and thoughtful.

“I can’t imagine him wanting to get married at all. He’s not exactly traditional.” We all exchanged worried looks as she put the ring back with a sense of finality. “It’s very pretty. Thank you.”

And with that, she walked away.

But not before we noticed the sheen of tears in her eyes.

“Oh, shit,” Kelly said as we all nodded. “She has no idea how he feels about her.”

“That’s an understatement,” I murmured, taking a quick photo of the ring.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Parker

“She what?”

“She doesn’t think you want to marry her,” I said, not at all intimidated by the big man blustering so loudly. We were at the Jar, having a strategy meeting about Claire and Hunter. Shane and I were in town for the surprise engagement party, if it ever actually happened.

I had to admit, I was feeling a little bit worried about Hunter pulling this off.

“This is the one she liked,” Cassandra said, thrusting her phone toward Hunter. Cain and Mason stood behind the table watching everything go down.

“She doesn’t think I want to marry her?” Hunter asked again, dumbfounded. The big guy looked crushed. It was pretty cute, actually, but I felt bad for him.

I felt bad for both of them.

Lord knows, Shane and I had suffered our own miscommunications and missteps. It was a miracle that we’d gotten together at all.

And not just because he’d thought I was a boy when we first met. Shane had a dark past. So did I. His tragic history had kept him from seeing what was right in front of his eyes for a while. I’d known I loved him from the get-go. It took him longer than I liked to realize that he deserved my love.

It hurt, that time when I was putting myself out there and waiting for him to notice. But now . . . I couldn’t imagine being any happier.

Shane was more than worth the wait.

I had grown up without a lot of love—or any love, really—but this one man had shown me so much tender loving care that it more than made up for it. My cup was overflowing.

“I think you’re going to have to make a grand gesture,” I said quietly. Everyone turned to look at me. Then one by one, the women nodded. Hunter looked terrified. Mason looked worried. Cain had no expression at all.

Connor and Shane, however, were smirking. They were loving seeing the normally unflappable Hunter sweat. It wasn’t super nice of them, I thought with a frown, giving my husband the stink eye.

He caught my gaze and his smile slipped. He stood up a bit straighter. The man looked ridiculously gorgeous with his mohawk and tats peeking out from an absurdly expensive handmade leather jacket which covered up a cashmere sweater and worn-in jeans. He didn’t dress like a biker anymore, not exactly, but the traces were still there.