Cruel (The Buck Boys Heroes 2)

“Kavan!” Juliet’s sweet voice rings out through the penthouse. “I’m home.”

“I’m here,” I call out to her, just as I place my phone down.

I was talking to Nigel. Profits are up, and he’s in Peru on a bird watching mission.

“Very funny.” She laughs as I hear her heels hit the floor.

She’s kicked them off. Her dress will follow as soon as she walks into the bedroom.

I trail her gaze as she skips right past the kitchen on her way to get undressed.

“Turn around.”

That stops her mid-step. She spins to face me.

Her hair is down in long waves. Her make-up is just as I remember it this morning when I walked her to work.

The dress she’s wearing is a deep green shade and belted at her waist.

I’ll never understand how one soul can radiate so much beauty from the inside out.

“How was your day?” I ask casually.

“Fine,” she answers suspiciously. “I’m working on a column about Nolan Black, so I met up with his wife Ellie.”

I’m familiar with them.

Juliet hasn’t requested my help with getting in touch with anyone for her columns even though my connections are vast. She completed an interview with Dexie Jones last month. She’s a very talented purse designer. Her husband, Rocco, and I have crossed paths in the past.

I wipe my hands over the apron tied at my waist. “How’s that going?”

“Can we talk about that later?” She taps her foot on the floor. “Are you cooking?”

I nod. “I’m whipping up a little something for my bride-to-be.”

That sends her eyes to mine. “What?”

I drop to one knee because my plan to make her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, followed by a scoop of honey ice cream just went to hell.

I can’t wait to do this, so I don’t.

I yank the ring box out of my pocket.

I took it to a jeweler after I bought it. She brushed up the band, and secured the stone in place. With a quick polish it looks spectacular.

“I stopped living until I found you, Juliet.” I look into her eyes. “You not only gave me my life back, but you gifted me with the promise of a future that is almost too much for me to imagine.”

Her eyes well with tears.

“I will love you endlessly, protect you always, and respect you until I die. I would be honored if you would marry me.”

I pop open the box and she squeals. She fucking squeals in delight and that’s all I need to hear.

She gives me more though. She looks past the ring to my eyes, and stares into them. “I will love you forever, Kavan Bane. I will protect you and honor you until I draw my very last breath.”

I put the ring on her finger, haul her up over my shoulder and set out for our bedroom. “It’s time to celebrate, Juliet.”

“That’s Mrs. Bane to you.”