Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“You’re beautiful, Maggie. My perfect girl. I want you. I’ve always wanted only you,” came that hard growl.
That did it.
“Don’t lie to me!” was my anguished cry. My sobs broke loose and baby Ryan started bawling too, our wails twining around one another. “You-you don’t have to pretend anymore,” I stammered as tears poured down my face. “There’s no one here to see, there’s no reason to do this make-believe.”
The store was dark around us but those bright blue eyes pierced my soul, intense yet warm.
No.
Stop.
My error. I’d fallen down the rabbit hole once, and there was no way I was going to make the same mistake twice.
But Evan wouldn’t give up.
“Baby, listen to me,” he growled. Then shockingly, the big man dropped down on one knee right there in the pet store. I gaped at him, astonished, still clasping my baby tight.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I stammered, holding Ryan close. “What? Get up, get up please!”
But Mr. Lincoln was on a mission.
“All this started off as fake but it became real fast. And it stayed real,” he rumbled, blue eyes intense. And then came the hammer. “Marry me, Maggie. I want you as my wife.”
My heart beat a million miles a minute, trying to process what was happening. Frantic, I rubbed Ryan’s back, trying to calm him down.
“No, stop,” I said, the air in my lungs on fire. “Please don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying. It’s been two years.”
Evan shook his head, low growl coming again.
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life,” were his urgent words. And reaching into his pocket, he opened a velvet box, revealing a giant sparkler. Even in the low lights, it was obvious what it was. The real thing. No glass or plastic facsimiles. The original six carat pink diamond was here once again.
Voice hoarse, he looked at me, heart in his eyes.
“Maggie, say yes,” came that growl. “Tell me yes.”
I looked down at the broad form on one knee, barely able to breathe. Ryan squalled again, small fists tugging at my hair.
“Why are you doing this Evan?” I asked, my voice breaking into a million fragile pieces. “What is this? Why?”
His words came fast.
“Because I love you. I don’t care about the company anymore. I don’t care about owning it or controlling it. All I care about is you.” He looked away from my face to Ryan, chubby and round. “I care about our son.”
My heart banged like a taiko drum in my chest, head light. But Evan continued, the expression on his face tortured.
“I spent the last two years looking for you, Maggie. You have no idea how it feels to finally find you after all this time.”
I gasped.
“Bu-but what about your dad? What about Lincoln Conglomerate and the future you had planned? Besides, I live here now,” were my helpless words. “So much has happened in these past two years.”
He looked away from me for a moment, eyes going dark. I could hardly believe that the billionaire was here, in Doggies R Us, still on bended knee. But this those blue eyes captured mine once again, intense and magnetic.
“Henry was never going to give me control,” growled Evan. “That whole thing about me getting married was just a way to jerk my chain like a dog. Henry will never let go, sweetheart. He’s going to have to be carried out feet first.”
Somehow, I wasn’t surprised. Mr. Lincoln was no pussy, that had been evident from our first meeting. But there was nothing I could do about it. These issues were between Evan and his father, me only a tangential component.
“So even though you’re not getting control of the company, you still want me? Even though you’re not CEO of Lincoln Conglomerate?” I asked, voice trembling. “Even though I have a child now?”
Those blue eyes flashed before going dark, burning me up from the inside.
“Yes, baby. You, me and Ryan. Together no matter what happens with my family’s company.”
My legs got weak and I stumbled against Evan. But effortlessly, the alpha caught me in one fell swoop as he stood, cradling me against his chest as I held our son.
“Always,” he promised into the top of my head, tucking me under his chin. “Always, my sweet Margaret.”
I started crying again, Niagara Falls pouring from my eyes. Ryan looked at me alarmed once more, blue eyes wide.
“Ga-ga? Mama?”
But Evan held the two of us close, kissing the baby on his head.
“Hi little guy,” he rasped hotly, taking in Ryan’s chubby cheeks and small, curling fingers. “I’m your daddy.”
But I had to get this under control. There were still too many unanswered questions.
“What about the glass ring?” came my heartfelt whisper, a lump in my throat. “Why did Lozano’s send me a trashy fake?”
The fire in Evan’s eyes grew harsh and searing.