Mace’s Madonna (Pagan Souls of Cherokee MC #5)

Mace

Things were finally settling down for the club. It was time. I’d been impatient for this to come, and it was finally here. Jessamy was finally fully integrated into my life. We were moving forward as a couple. I couldn’t wait to see what the years would bring, but there was one thing I couldn’t wait a day longer to do. I planned it out meticulously.

After getting dressed up, I took her out to dinner at Bellini’s Steakhouse, which was, in my opinion, the best place for a fancy dinner. We enjoyed it, and then I took her to one of my favorite spots that overlooked the town. The distant lights dotted the hills. We were out of the car, admiring the crisp air and the sense of peace surrounding us. She sighed.

“Tiergan, I love it up here. It’s so quiet, and it feels like we could be hundreds of years in the past if you ignore those lights. And the stars are incredible. I’ve never seen this many in my life.”

I had my arm around her, holding her close. I kissed her cheek. “It does, and you’re right. To see the stars the way you should, you do need to get far enough away to see them. I hope you won’t forget tonight.”

“How could I? It’s been wonderful. What could make it better?”

“Well, my family is coming again for Christmas, remember. Their trip a few weeks ago wasn’t enough. They now like you more than they do me,” I pretended to pout.

She gently elbowed me. “No, they don’t. They adore you.”

“I don’t know if they do. So I came up with a way to guarantee I stay one of their favorite people, if not the favorite.”

“Oh really, and how are you planning to do that?” She was smiling as she asked.

“I’m doing this,” I said as I turned, then dropped to one knee.

At the same time, I removed the ring box that I felt had been burning a hole in my pocket all evening. I flipped the lid open and held it up to her. There was enough light coming from the moon that she could see it. Maybe not in detail, but she’d be left in no doubt it was an engagement ring. I found it weeks ago.

Her mouth dropped open, and she stared at it, then at me in disbelief. She didn’t move or say anything. I began to get nervous. Was it too soon?

“Madonna, if this is too soon, we can wait. I’m sorry,” I said as I went to close the lid. She snatched the box from my hand and held it cradled to her chest, giving me an incredulous look.

“You better not dare take it back. It’s mine now.”

Chuckling, I rose and held out my hand. “If your response means you’re saying yes, give me the ring so I can put it on. It doesn’t count unless I do.”

Her hands shook as she gave it to me. I reopened it and took the ring out. Putting the box in my pocket, I snared her left hand, raised it, then slid it on. The immense sense of satisfaction that filled me seeing my ring on her was intense. It was one more symbol that showed she was mine. It was different from her cut. And if I could talk her into it, I’d get my name on her body. She indicated she wanted a tattoo. I’d let Agony ink her. He’d come up with something beautiful. I raised her hand and kissed the ring.

She sobbed, and then I was kissed repeatedly as she cried. It took a while to get enough of her kisses and to calm her. When she did, she leaned against me, holding her hand up to admire it. I thought I did a good job finding one for her. She seemed to agree with the way she was acting. Suddenly, she jerked and gasped.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong, but we need to get back to the compound,” she insisted.

“Why?”

“Because I need to show the others this amazing ring. Come on. Let’s go. Then, after we tell them, you and I can go home and have a private celebration. I promise you’ll be the one crying out my name.”

My cock began to stiffen at the images her promise created. I grabbed her hand and gently tugged on her. “Well, what the hell are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

Her laughter followed me to the car. It was incredible to think how drastically my life had changed over the last three months. I’d gone from a man who thought he was content with his life to one who knew it took a certain woman to make it extraordinary. I was blessed that I found my Madonna. I’d never go into a truck stop bathroom again without thinking about her and how easily I could’ve missed out on the best thing in my life, along with my club and blood family.

The drive back was a test of patience. When we got there, I parked outside the clubhouse. She turned to look at me and smiled. “Are you ready?” she asked.

“If you mean to be married to you, I’m beyond ready. I want to know where you were all my life. If I’d known you were in Cottonwood, I would’ve gone there and scoured it until I found you.”

“And if I’d known the love of my life was in Cherokee, I would’ve found a way to get here to you long ago. I love you, Tiergan.”

I leaned over, and right before I kissed her, I whispered to her, “I love you, Jessamy.”