Understanding finally dawned in her eyes, and her face lit up with a huge smile. “That’s a given, but you’re going to have to give me a proper proposal before I actually say yes.”

Her sass was one of the reasons I loved her and she didn’t let me down. I shook my head and muttered, “Of course I fuckin’ am. But let’s be clear – we are getting married and it will be soon.”

She tightened her arms around me. “The only thing we need to be clear about right in this minute is the fact you’re going to get your dick out real soon and fuck me. Turns out I’m a cranky bitch when my man goes away, so you need to fix that fast. And I bet when I’m no longer cranky, you can get me to agree to all sorts of things.”

“Fuck,” I growled. “I’m having second thoughts about taking you away with me next time. Turns out I fuckin’ love your dirty mouth when you’re a cranky bitch.”

She opened her mouth but before she could get any words out, I crashed my mouth down onto hers and stole her breath with a kiss. The way she groaned into it and pushed her body against mine told me she loved it.

While I kissed her, I reached down and undid my pants to free my cock. I then slid Harlow’s panties to the side and positioned her so I could enter her.

Finally.

Fuck.

She was so damn wet and ready for me, welcoming me home. Her pussy squeezed around my dick and my eyes closed as I enjoyed the fuck out of that.

And then I pulled out and thrust back in.

And I knew I’d never go six days without her again.

As I held her tight and fucked her hard, I managed to get out, “This is going to be fast, baby.”

She gripped me hard and fought for her release as hard as I did. And as we worked together to find the magic we always found, I knew I’d always fight hard for her.

For absolutely every part of her.

The sex.

The good times.

The bad times.

And the sweet, sweet moments where I knew no matter how much shit we had to go through, we’d make it.

10

Harlow

“Six days away from J, and I was going crazy,” Madison said as we watched Scott and J on the other side of the restaurant.

It was the night after they’d returned from their trip, and we were at the re-opening of Storm’s restaurant, Trilogy. Most of the club members were in attendance, along with their old ladies.

I turned to Madison with a frown. “Griff’s not here. He’s coming, right?”

“As far as I know, he is. But can we get back to more important things, please?”

“What?” I was so distracted tonight. Scott had asked me to marry him last night, and yet, I still hadn’t told him I was pregnant.

Nerves whooshed through me at the thought.

I’m pregnant.

I’d left Scarlett’s house in a shitty mood the other day, but after spending hours contemplating everything she’d said, I realised she was right. As much as that pained me to admit. And so, I’d taken a test, and confirmed my pregnancy. I’d then proceeded to call in sick to all my jobs and ignored my phone except to take calls off Scott, my mother, Sharon and Cassie.

The last three days had been spent doing some deep soul searching while resting and making art, and I’d come to the decision I was okay with being pregnant. Actually, I was more than okay with it – I was ecstatic. But I was also scared of losing the baby, and perhaps that was why I hadn’t told anyone yet. I knew it was crazy, but telling people made it real. And real meant I had to face my fears because I was sure once Scott knew, he’d want to talk out all my concerns.

“Harlow! Are you even paying attention?” Madison demanded.

I blinked. “I’m sorry. Tell me what’s going on in your world.” I reached for the water in front of me and took a long sip.

“J came home last night and I was ready to jump his bones, and while he did have sex with me, I could tell he really just wanted to go to sleep.”

“And?”

“Do you think that means there’s something going on that he’s not telling me about? Remember the last time he shut down on me was because of a secret he was keeping.”

Scarlett’s words came back to haunt me - You all make shit harder than it has to be.

She’s right.

“Madison, if you think there’s something wrong, just ask him. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure.” My voice was a little snippy when I didn’t mean for it to be.

She stared at me. “Are you okay?”

“Why? Do I not seem okay?”

“You seem off. Are you still feeling sick?”

Her voice held concern, but I didn’t want to get into a conversation about it with her. She’d figure it out fast and I didn’t want anyone to figure it out before I told Scott. Grappling for something to divert her attention, I was relieved when I saw Griff enter the restaurant…with a woman.

“Holy shit,” I murmured. “Who is that with Griff?” Whoever she was, she was stunning. And he held her close, in the way a man held a woman he loved.

Madison followed my gaze and almost choked on her drink. “Geez, Griff’s been holding out.”

We both watched in amazement as Griff led the beautiful blonde our way. His eyes held a warning, and I knew not to make a big scene about this new development in his life. Griff was a very private man and if he kept a woman to himself, I figured he had a good reason. And he was entitled to his privacy.