Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
But he stays before me, on one knee, his eyes fully focused on me. “I need to ask you to marry me again, and I need you to listen to every word I say when I do.”
CHAPTER 32
Alex
I thought I loved her before.
But nothing could have prepared me for the overpowering love that is flowing through me as I look up at her from where I kneel.
This woman, the love of my life, the mother of my child, is a hero.
I’m in awe of her.
And I’m thankful she is mine.
“Why? I’m a whore,” she cries, her eyes wild, her face flushed and full of apprehension. “Run. It’s the smart thing to do.”
I shake my head, ignoring the tears that fall down my face. I can’t believe this is what was holding her back. As if I would hold it against her, how she survived a fucking cult.
God help me.
This girl drives me crazy.
“Elliot, mi sol, if I’m running, I’m running to you.”
Her eyes widen as her tears continue to stream down her cheeks. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely sure,” I tell her, moving my thumb to catch her tears. “Mami, I can’t fault you for how you survived. I am proud of you for protecting your sister and yourself. I knew before that you’d be a great mom, but fuck, Elliot, you’ll do anything to protect the ones you love.” More tears fall as she searches my gaze. Almost like she’s waiting for me to change my mind.
Not gonna happen.
“I love you—so fucking much. I knew before that you were strong, brilliant, and beautiful, but do you realize that you’re also a hero? That you stepped up and protected your sister in the only way you could?”
“Alex, I used sex—”
“To protect your sister—and probably yourself. If you’re fucking them, they can’t abuse you. You took control, and you manipulated them. You fucking won, Elliot.” I urge her to realize the truth. “Do I like the idea of you fucking some dudes? Hell no. This pussy is mine to please, to suck and lick, but Elliot, I know you did what you had to do to survive.”
“How…why? I just don’t understand how you can be so sure of me.”
“Because I love you.”
“But—”
“But nothing. Listen to me,” I demand, my eyes burning into hers. “I applaud you. I love you. And like I’ve said, your past doesn’t affect our future. We make our future, Elliot. We are going to love each other, support each other. We are going to love our son and all the kids I’m going to put in your belly after that. And we sure as shit are going to have a damn good time making those babies.”
Her lips quiver as she shakes her head. “Are you sure? That’s a lot to be okay with.”
“It’s not, because I understand why you did it.”
“Alex, I wish I hadn’t had to do it, but I had no choice—”
“Mami, I know,” I stress, holding her gaze. “I don’t fault you. I’m not upset or even appalled at what you did. I just love you. I want my future to be yours.”
Her voice is small, unsure, as she admits, “I want that.”
“It’s yours. I’m yours, Elliot. Surely you realize that by now?”
A sob escapes her lips as she looks up at me through tear-filled eyes. “Alex.”
Just my name, that’s all she can get out, and I’m okay with that. I kiss her ring finger before I look back up at her. “I love you, Elliot. I’ve loved you longer than I was even honest with myself about it. Every time I look at you, I see forever. I am in awe of your beauty, of your brain, and of your strength. I am proud that you’re the mother of our child, and I want you to be my wife.” I slide the ring onto her finger, wishing like hell I’d found her before Santiago found his wife because then she’d be wearing my grandmother’s wedding ring. But this one I chose just for her. “Will you marry me, Elliot?”
I meet her flooded gaze, and when a smile curves her sweet lips, my heart swells ten times its size in my chest. “I love you, Alex.”
Well, fuck me. Now I’m choking on a sob as I lean into her, pressing my forehead to hers. She wraps her arms around my neck as my eyes drift shut, and I inhale her deeply. Neither of us says another word as the four words she just uttered settle deep inside us.
When I open my eyes, she’s watching me, tears streaming down her cheeks, her face red, her eyes swollen. Breathless, I ask, “Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to say that to me?”
She nods. “I know. I’m sorry I made you wait.”
“It was worth the wait.”
I grab her by the backs of her thighs and drag her onto my knee. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I lift her, turning her before I lay her softly on the bed. I press my knee between her legs, pushing up her skirt and reaching for her panties. I pull them off as she quickly unfastens my pants. “I would suck this pretty cunt of yours, but I need to be inside you. And let’s be honest, I will be sucking this cunt every day that ends with Y.”