Page 157 of Scorned Beauty

The cabin wasquiet when I woke up. It was the morning after Dom stalked me in the forest. Soft light streamed through the windows of this colossal log cabin. I barely remembered getting into the hot tub and Dom’s aftercare. I was so relaxed. I clambered out of bed, straight into the bathroom to freshen up. If I thought last night was a dream, the red welts on my wrists proved otherwise. The minor scratches on my arms and legs and the bruises from Dom’s bites were evidence enough about how feral our game unfolded.

I went to the kitchen. No sign of Dom cooking or coffee brewing. Admittedly, I was a little miffed. Where the hell was he?

I made myself a fresh cup of coffee and started sipping. After a few minutes, one of the side doors opened. I lifted my gaze in anticipation.

No sign of Dom.

Dammit. I was still recovering from last night and was not ready to play scary movie that ended in sex with the stalker. Besides, it was bright as day.

“Dom, I’m not in the mood,” I grumbled in case he was lurking around.

Ginger jumped on the counter, startling me.

I forgot we brought her with us and I didn’t even think about her this morning.

Bad momma.

But my saliva dried up, coffee forgotten, when I spied the sparkling diamond ring dangling from a white satin ribbon around her neck.

“Oh my God.”

“You said you had to like the person you had sex with,” Dom’s low voice said from the open door. He stood there, doing that leaning thing against the jamb.

Moisture gathered in my eyes, but I was too frozen to speak.

He approached. “So I asked permission from the one creature you said must at least like me.” Dom picked up Ginger. Feline purring began. “I think she approves, don’t you think?”

“I think so,” I croaked.

“So, Sloane Scott, after last night, I’m sure you more than like having sex with me?—”

I laughed.

“And you’re the only one who puts up with my overbearing, arrogant ass, not to mention I’m in love with you. So hopelessly in love with you, I can’t imagine a world where you’re not mine. Because, baby, I’m totally yours. Heart, body, and fucking soul, I’m yours. So, Firecat, will you marry me?”

“Oh, Dom.” I rushed to hug him. Surprisingly, Ginger stayed put and enjoyed getting mushed between us. “Yes.”

Dom let out a fractured exhale. “Thank God.”

I pulled away, and my brows furrowed. “You had doubts I was saying yes?”

He set Ginger down and untied the ribbon, unknotted the ring, and slipped it on my finger. “Let’s just say I’m never sure about you. Why do you think I proposed in this isolated cabin?”

I laughed with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. “What? You were going to keep me here until I said yes?”

Dom caged me against the counter. It was an aggressive move, but I was busy admiring the ring. It was a huge oval diamond with little diamonds scattered around it, but what impressed me the most was the inlaid settings.

“What do you think?” he murmured against my mouth.

My earlier annoyance with him fizzled because I was very much in the mood again. “You put a lot of thought into this ring.”

He nuzzled my ear while rocking into me with his hips. He was hard. “I wanted to make sure you won’t have to take it off when you wear gloves.”

And that was why I adored this man. He was meticulous and thoughtful to those he loved. A nurturing man was hot as hell. I whispered, “I love you, Dominic De Lucci. I would be honored to be your wife. Take me away and make love to me.”

“I thought you’re not in the mood.” His eyes heated.

“Well.” I hooked my arms around his neck, did a little hop, and wrapped my legs around him. His hands cupped my ass. “Seems like you’re an expert in changing my mind.”