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O nce they reached his bedroom, Chaz carefully set Lottie down. Eyes locked, they stripped out of their clothes and fell back onto the bed in a tangle of naked limbs. She felt so small compared to him, but he was beyond careful not to put too much weight on her or be too rough. Seeing this gentle side of Chaz was still new, and she appreciated it, but right now, she needed more.

“I love your skin against mine…how big and heavy you are,” she whispered, dragging her tongue over his chest and circling it around his flat nipple. “But you aren’t going to break me, Chaz. Don’t hold back. Give me everything you have.”

She reached down between their bodies, wrapping her fingers around his hard cock and squeezing. With a groan, he thrust into her hand, all of his muscles rock-hard and straining, and she could feel him holding back still.

“On your back, Madden,” she ordered, and his eyes snapped with heat.

He rolled fast, dragging her on top, and she straddled him, her legs stretched shamelessly wide. His gaze dropped to focus on her pussy and he began strumming her clit with his fingers. As good as it felt, she had other plans. Reaching down, she clasped his thick cock in her hands and pumped hard.

“Fuck,” he rasped, hips jerking up.

“I’m going to suck you,” she told him, watching his green eyes glaze over with passion, “and right before you come, I’m going to sink down on this big, beautiful cock and ride you hard.”

He didn’t say a word, just watched, nostrils flaring, as she lowered her head and pulled his throbbing erection into her mouth. His hands left her hips, fingers twining through her curls, but he didn’t try to control her movements. After licking his engorged tip, she looked up to see him watching her every move closely.

“Pull my hair,” she encouraged him. When he did, she rewarded him with a long, deep suck. Lottie had never been overly bold in bed, but she loved how big and strong Chaz was and she didn’t want him holding his strength back in the bedroom. No, she wanted to see it in fullforce.

After he realized she was comfortable, he tugged harder and she rewarded him by sucking harder.

“Fuck, Lottie. I don’t know how much longer…”

His words trailed off into a groan and she popped her lips free, grasped him firmly, and lined their bodies up. As she sank down, he thrust up, and the moment was sublime. God, how good he stretched her. Adjusting her hips, finding that perfect angle, she placed her hands on his chest and began to rock back and forth.

Chaz gripped her hips, fingers digging into her flesh as he helped her move up and down, completely focused on where their bodies joined. The urge to ride him hard, to dominate this huge, alpha man had her moving faster. Panting, bouncing above him, she scratched her nails down his chest. His thumb found her clit and he rubbed hard. Pleasure ignited, rolling through her body, and she dropped her head back, and screamed Chaz’s name.

With a purely masculine roar, he flipped her onto her back and began pounding into her. Rougher and harder than ever before, he still made sure he didn’t hurt her. It was pure heaven, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.

Their gazes locked as his release hit, and she belatedly realized they hadn’t used one of the twenty-five or so condoms they had left. And, for whatever reason, she wasn’t worried in the least. Having him inside her bare, feeling him fill her with no barrier between them, sent her over the edge into another orgasm.

Holy shit . Biting down on his shoulder, her body thrashed beneath him. She’d never experienced anything like it before and, for a moment, she thought she might black out. Chaz collapsed on top of her, his entire body shaking, and she welcomed the weight of him along with her shimmering aftershocks and his still pulsing cock lodged deeply inside her.

“Oh, my God,” she breathed, and he instantly rolled off her.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, running a hand along her hip.

“No, but I nearly blacked out from that orgasm.”

His mouth edged up. “Same.”

“I’ve never not used protection before,” she said softly, searching his green eyes. “Ironic since I have a kid, huh?”

“You’re mine, Lottie, and that includes any baby we make.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’d like to be able to call Reya mine, too.”

Her mouth fell open and hot tears flooded her eyes. “Chaz…” She laid a hand against his face.

“I love you, Lottie, and I love that little girl. If you’ll let me, I’ll protect and cherish you both ‘til the day I die.”

His sweet words made her lose it. With a sob, she nodded and pulled him in for a soul-searing kiss. They drank deeply, exchanging an unspoken promise, and when they finally had to come up for air, she let out a shaky sigh.

Charles Madden was everything she’d always wanted. Gruff, kind, protective. A big teddy bear with a heart of gold.

“I love you, too,” she whispered. “So very much.”

He brushed her hair back and smiled. “Just so you know, I don’t mean I just want you both to move in with me. I’m talking about a more permanent situation.”

Suddenly, he looked adorably shy. And the uncertain expression on his rugged face yanked at her heartstrings.

“I’m talking in sickness and in health,” he continued, swallowing hard.

“Chaz, it’s okay if marriage isn’t your thing—”

“Marriage with you is totally my thing,” he interrupted. “I want you in my life, Lottie. Today, tomorrow, forever. I want to be a father to Reya. And I want to give my girls the best life possible.”

His words lit her up with so much love. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything. Marry me, Sunshine?”

“I’d love to,” she whispered, pulling him in for another passionate kiss.

◆◆◆

Charlotte and Reya Russell became the most important things in Chaz’s world. He’d discovered his fear of marriage and kids was actually his fear of being attached to the wrong person. Because once he found Lottie and Reya, the commitment to love and take care of them was the easiest one he’d ever made. Those two became his cornerstone and he would move heaven and earth to keep smiles on their lovely faces.

They flew Lottie’s mom back and filled her in on everything that had happened—including their engagement. Mrs. Russell was thrilled for them, but sad her girls were moving out. Chaz assured her she could visit anytime.

Chaz and Lottie spent a week moving the rest of her and Reya’s things to his house. Of course, Lottie would be sleeping in Chaz’s bedroom, so Reya had her own room. He wasn’t surprised to find out Lottie always wanted Reya to have a yellow room with dandelion puffs stenciled along the ceiling, and immediately got to work to make it happen.

Chaz brought Corey on board to help, and hoped giving him a job would help keep him occupied and keep the demons at bay. They finished the entire room in two days, including swapping the crib for a brand new toddler bed. When Lottie was finally allowed in to see their work, she burst into tears. Happy tears, she assured them.

After giving it some serious thought, Chaz knew there was something more he wanted to do. Well, two things. His first mission was to find an engagement ring to put on Lottie’s finger. Now that she belonged to him, he wanted the world to know it. Not that he believed she could be lured away, but a pre-emptive strike wouldn’t hurt.

Chaz didn’t know anything about diamond rings. He’d bought Samantha’s from the first jewelry store he found and she’d pawned it after their divorce. The funny thing was he didn’t care anymore. When he thought back over his first marriage and what a mess it had been, it didn’t sting anymore. It almost felt like a faded memory from another lifetime. Guess that just meant he was finally healing, thanks to Lottie.

Once he knew exactly what he wanted to give her, Chaz wrangled Wes into going with him to the only jewelry store in Cielo Springs. The other man gladly joined him on his quest to find a yellow diamond. He remembered seeing a yellow stone when they’d dumped Ferrante’s bag of gems. After a little research online, he thought it might’ve been a yellow diamond. And he specifically wanted yellow because it represented everything he loved about Lottie—from her sunny disposition to her bouncy blonde curls to her neverending optimism. It meant light, hope and, above all, his Sunshine.

But after searching through the cases, his heart sank. No yellow diamond. The owner of the store told them to wait while he made a call in the back room.

“Yellow diamonds are pretty rare,” Wes said, leaning a hip against the counter. “What if they don’t have one?”

“I’ll find one,” Chaz answered, voice filled with determination.

“How about a pink diamond?” he asked, pointing one out in the case.

Chaz shook his head. “Pink isn’t Lottie.”

Wes smirked. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“It took me a hot minute, but I’m never letting her go. She’s everything. And that nugget makes me want to be a dad. Am I crazy?”

“Not at all. I’m happy for you, Madden.” They bumped knuckles. “Once you find the love of your life, there’s no living without them. Trust me, I know.”

“I know you do, Murph. Better than anyone.”

After a few minutes, the owner returned, a big smile on his face. “I think I found exactly what you’re looking for,” he told Chaz. He tapped his phone’s screen then flipped it around, showing them a picture of a stunning yellow diamond engagement ring.

“That’s the one,” Chaz said in a hushed voice. “That’s Lottie’s ring.”

“I can have it shipped here from my cousin’s store in Los Angeles.” He cleared his throat. “Don’t you, ah, want to know the price first?”

“Nope. My girl is priceless. And if it’s over my budget and you don’t accept credit cards, I’ll get a loan.”

“Oh, I accept credit cards,” he said with a big smile.

Perfect . He’d found the ring and now he was ready to take the next step. “C’mon, Wes. Let’s go see that lawyer.”

◆◆◆

Brandon gave Lottie the night off even though she hadn’t asked for it. He wouldn’t explain why, just told her to stay home and have a nice evening with Chaz. Then her mom had unexpectedly dropped by and said she wanted her granddaughter to come over for a sleepover.

Something was definitely up.

When Chaz called and asked if Brand had given her the night off, her suspicions were confirmed.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I wanted to spend a quiet evening with my fiancée.”

“Oh really?” she purred.

“I’ll be home soon with dinner.”

She knew a quiet evening with Chaz meant the night ahead would be filled with round after round of loud, uninhibited sex. For a man who was nearly fifty, his stamina matched her own. They were good together in every way. Her optimism seemed to be rubbing off on him a little, too. He smiled so much more. He’d also surprised her by shaving off his beard, sporting a very sexy salt and pepper stubble instead.

It wasn’t long before he arrived with bags of Chinese food. After they sat down at the table, he pulled a folder from his messenger bag and handed it to her without a word.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Tell me what you think—if it’s okay, I mean,” he murmured quietly, looking so serious it made her nervous.

Flipping the folder open, she scanned the top document. The words “Petition to Adopt” left her momentarily speechless. Then everything blurred because her eyes filled with hot tears. Setting the folder down, she walked around the table, cupped his face and kissed him softly.

“You are the sweetest man.”

“Don’t cry, Sunshine.” He caught a tear with his thumb, sweeping it away.

“More happy tears,” she assured him and he pushed his chair back, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. “I would love for you to officially adopt Reya and be her father. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“It means a lot to me, too. I know she’s your world.”

“So are you. I love you, Chaz.”

“I love you, too. Always.”