Hotter (Bad Boys of Texas 4)

“Enjoying the night air, relaxing, thinking, all of the above?” I’m sitting on the back step, a blanket on my lap, not because I’m cold, it’s there as a comfort.

“Anything in particular you’re thinking about?” Creed sits behind me. His legs shift so they’re on the outside of mine, his arm banding around my torso, taking my weight.

“Anything and everything. The sheer excitement of bringing a baby into our world, the scary side of how things will change.” I tip my head back, his lips grazing my forehead.

“Sugar, it’s going to be amazing, all of us together, creating our life. The sky’s the limit in the Montgomery family.” That hits home. We’re not married, and yet he includes me with his last name, not just the child who’s safely inside of me.

“It sure is.” I get lost in the moment secretly hoping for a little boy who will look just like his father, have his work ethic, love relentlessly like both of us do, and be the happiest child there ever was. Though, if it’s a little girl, I already know that she’ll have her daddy wrapped around her finger and she’ll do no wrong.

“That’s why we’re making this right. Your last name needs to be Montgomery, and not because you aren’t mine or because you’re pregnant. You and I both knew this time would come regardless. Call it kismet, destiny, whatever the hell people these days say it is. Laney Marie Spencer, I love you with every fiber of my being. There isn’t a time in my life I didn’t think we’d be right where we are, even if I was a complete jackass at times. I’m not asking you to marry me, simply because I know the answer already.” My head has been tipped to where I can watch as Creed said everything and more that any girl would love to hear.

“Creed.” My lips quiver, tears threatening to fall. I’d have gone through the months of misery time and time again if it meant this was where we landed.

“You like that idea, sugar, the two of us married, a bunch of kids running around this small patch of land?” I don’t even get a word out. My head is nodding in response, and I’m turning fast, on my knees, and crawling into Creed’s lap.

“I want that, so much. Thank you for never giving up on us. I know it wasn’t easy dealing with me and not responding, or with my practically throwing myself at you when I thought the power company was taking you away from me. Apparently, I’m irrational and dramatic. Yet you somehow love me anyway. I love you, so freaking much.” I barely get the words out before Creed’s lips are on mine, his hands delving into the strands of my hair. My body doesn’t stop moving until I’m firmly planted on top of him, my arms looping around Creed’s neck. Our tongues entwine, both of us so deeply in love with one another I’m not sure anything could stop us in this moment. The stillness of the air surrounds us, the only noise our panting, showing the need we both feel tonight. When we pull apart, the tears I was holding at bay are streaming down my cheeks. Even when Creed’s work-roughened thumbs slide along my skin, it doesn’t stop them. If this is what happiness and pregnancy do to me, it’s going to be a long nine months.

“Love you, Laney. You want your ring now?” he asks once I settle down a bit.

“I love you. I’d love to, but even if you didn’t have a ring, being your wife, that’s all I’d ever need.” Creed’s eyes close, calmness enveloping him.

“Fuck, sugar. I like the way you say that.” His hand reaches into the pocket of his shirt, a cotton one at that. I don’t know how I didn’t notice something like that, but then again, I was wholly into the moment.

“Oh God, Creed, it’s beautiful!” The band has turquoise stones leading up to a diamond round in shape and so unique.

“Knew it was yours the moment I stepped into the jewelry shop.” He slides the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly. Just like Creed and I are perfectly imperfect for one another.

Epilogue

Creed

One Year Later

“I can’t believe you’re allowing me to do this to you. Never in a million years did I expect this.” Laney has my hands tied above my head. I’m not telling her that it’s a slipknot. She’ll have my ass for it later on today, but it’ll be worth it.

“I figure I’d give you some tit for tat. Though, I know how much you like my rope around your wrists and ankles.” I watch as her body shivers. Fuck, her body has only gotten better with the curves she’s added from carrying Logan.