“I was just making a point.”
Gage’s temper hadn’t calmed down. His jealousy only kicked in as he thought about her leaving him for someone else. It hadn’t occurred to him that she’d ever want anyone else. “I’m gonna make a point of fucking you on this table for everyone to see that you’re mine.”
“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep.”
“Don’t test me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Please. You’d kill someone before you’d let anyone see me naked like that.”
“Damn right. I sure as hell don’t want them hearing you in the throes of passion.”
“Hey, none of that talk in the restaurant. I can’t have you murdering my customers.” Grace handed Hope a menu with a charming smile. “So when is the wedding?”
“Mom.”
“What? You told me how you felt. I thought that’s why you brought her here.”
This time Hope’s eyes widened larger than ever before and her mouth parted.
“Oh, you haven’t asked her yet.”
He looked at his mom like she’d lost her mind. He needed to get Hope alone. The middle of the diner wasn’t the place to ask her to marry him, although she’d killed the surprise. “Mom, can you give us a moment?”
“Sure. Can I get you something to drink?”
“A beer, and water for her.” Grace’s eyebrows darted toward her hairline, a smile forming on her lips as she looked at her son and then to Hope.
“I’ll go get that.” She left the table with a grin. Hope couldn’t figure out why she stared other than Gage ordering for her. Whatever. Hope had been more interested in the whole wedding thing.
“Sorry about that. It’s not how I wanted to ask you.”
“You wanted to ask me?”
“Of course. I made that clear that once we crossed that line, there was no turning back. I was fucking serious as can be. I love you, Hope.”
“I just…well. I didn’t think you even took me seriously. You didn’t tell me about your mother or cousin.”
“I have to say I’m selfish. I didn’t want to share you yet. I loved having it just us for the short time I had. It’s a dick thing to do, but I’ve never felt this way before, and the constant fear of losing you doesn’t allow me to think straight. Fuck, neither does my always hard and ready cock.”
“So are you going to ask me?”
“This isn’t the best place for it, but I love you.”
He stood up and walked around to her side, dropping down on one knee, tilted her chair and asked, “Will you—my sweet Hope—do me the honor of being my wife? I promise to do my best to allow you to be the woman you want to be, but I need you more than I need to breathe. Will you?”
“Of course, Gage. It hasn’t been long, but I knew from the moment you led me into your house that I was falling in love with you.”
He slid the ring over her ring finger with a room full of people looking on. A flash of a camera caught their eyes, and they turned to see Gage’s mother taking pictures with tears in her eyes.
Gage lifted her out of her chair, wrapped her up in his arms, and kissed her passionately. The crowd around them cheered them on, but neither cared about that. They held tighter and kissed longer until she threw her leg around his waist and moaned. Gage didn’t want to share her with anyone.
“Thank you, everyone, but excuse us.” He turned to his mom and said, “Walk us to the truck. Hope and I have a lot to celebrate.”
Gage led the ladies out of the restaurant.
Just before they reached the vehicle, Grace apologized, “I’m so sorry about all of this.”
“No, it’s okay, but I’m going to take Hope out to dinner in Austin. We’ll get together on the weekend for a nice family dinner and some wedding planning. I want to get married within the next month.”
“Oh, heavens. Yay! I’m so excited. I’m so happy to have you in our family!”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gibson.”
“Oh, no. Please call me Grace.”
“Okay. Thank you, Grace.” They all exchanged hugs, and they jumped into the SUV while Grace hurried back into the restaurant where Gage was sure she’d be lauded by her customers for getting the engagement to happen.
“I’m so sorry about that woman. I love her, and she’s wonderful, but she’s been bugging me for weeks to meet you.”
“I get it. She’s sweet. Is she always like that with your…”
“Don’t finish that sentence. No. Because I’ve never brought a woman home. My father’s failures made me the man that I am.”
“Wow.”
“Talk about wow—your belly is growling. Let me feed you. I’m already a bastard for keeping you locked up. I can’t handle knowing that I’m starving your pretty ass.”
They went to Austin together and spent the evening celebrating before driving home near midnight.