I pass Banger and Wild Man with fist bumps as I go to the bar where my cake and my woman are waiting. “Ivy.”
She turns with a slow smile and her hands on her hips, showing off a tiny black skirt and a red crop top to match her red cowboy boots. “Hey there, President.” Her blue eyes go wide, and she lets out an uncharacteristic squeal. “Damn, Stone, did you know?”
“I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“I’m so proud of you, babe!” She jumps in my arms, kissing my face and my jaw. “How about a celebratory drink?”
“A quick shot sounds perfect.”
Ivy slides down my body, giving me one more kiss before stepping back behind the bar to whip up a drink. “I made this for you when Peaches told me what was happening.” She pours a little of this and that into a cocktail shaker before pouring two tall shots. “To my sexy man and to dreams coming true.”
“I’ll fucking drink to that.” I take the shot and knock it back quickly. “Damn, that’s spicy.”
Ivy laughs. “It’s tequila and jalapeño. It’s strong and hot, just like you.”
I chuckle. “You know, Ivy, I’ve thought about this moment a lot since coming home.”
She smiles, nodding knowingly. “You worked hard and proved to them that you’re ready.”
“Not this. I mean, yes. Obviously, I’ve been thinking about becoming President, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”
Her brows dip. “Okay. What, then?”
“Hey, everyone. Listen up!” I gesture my hands to bring the partiers in closer.
“What’s up?” Sage asks, moving closer to where we stand next to the bar. “Hollywood gonna give a speech?”
Everyone walks over and some of the guys yell, “Speech! Speech! Speech!”
My mom stands behind me, and I turn to see tears pooling in her eyes. Yeah, what a badass.
“Quiet down, fuckers. As the new president of the Reckless Bastards, I got something to say.” I reach into my kutte and pull out the black velvet box that’s been burning a fucking hole in my pocket for the past two months. I drop down on one knee and everyone goes silent. “Ivy Renee Hicks.”
“Stone,” she whispers, eyes darting around the yard as her cheeks turn a bright shade of red.
“Ivy, babe. You have been my best friend for more of my life than you haven’t. I have loved you in one way or another from the moment we met. Today, I ask you, will you be my wife?”
She lets out a sharp gasp, and her hand goes to her mouth. “Oh my God.” Her gaze darts to the ring and then to my face. “For real?”
I laugh. “Hell, yeah, for real. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
With tears streaming down her cheeks, she shouts, “Yes, yes, I will marry you!”
I look around where Ma and Dad and all my friends and family are watching, a big shit-eating grin on my face. “She said yes!”
Can you believe we’ve made it through all twelve books of the Reckless Souls Series together? It’s been such a wild and amazing ride! Writing this series has been one of the craziest and most fun experiences ever.
I fell in love with Stone when he was born and wanted to make sure he found his way home.
We met Peaches in Heavenly Hacked, she’s a badass in her own right and finally seeing her get her happily ever after in Tempted is like the cherry on top.
Source: www.seynovel.com