Chapter 56
The snow storm had thankfully passed. The sun spilling rich amber light across the lake, catching the wild spill of my hair as it lay scattered over Rage’s broad chest.
The room was quiet now, the storm of us settling into a soft, heavy stillness. I curled tight against his side, my cheek resting over his heart, his strong arm wrapped secure around my back. His rough palm brushed light slow paths over my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
I shifted a little, lifting my gaze to find him staring up at the wooden ceiling, a look of almost quiet wonder softening all his sharp edges.
“What are you thinking about?” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper in the warm air.
He turned his head slow, and all that fierce endless adoration I knew so well flooded back into his dark eyes, making my heart skip. He didn’t answer straight away – instead tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his thumb brushing gentle over my cheekbone.
“I was thinking the first time I saw you in that coffee shop,” he rumbled, his deep voice thrumming right through me.
“You stood there all hunched up like you were ready to hide behind your shoulders… but your chin was tilted up just so. Like a strong wind could blow you over, but you’d never bow your head to anyone. ”
A soft, flustered laugh fell from my lips. “You made me sound terrifying, Rage. You were huge, covered in ink, leather, looking like you’d snap someone in two. I was so sure you were sent to drag me back. I thought you were the scariest thing I’d ever seen… until you looked at me.”
“I wanted to walk over and lock every door so no one else could ever look at you,” he said fierce and true, his jaw tightening.
He shifted to face me fully, resting his hand flat over my stomach.
“But look at you now. You don’t flinch away from anything.
You kiss every scar I carry like they’re something precious.
You don’t hide anymore. You’re Tamer. You own every single part of me. ”
“I had to learn how to tame the beast first,” I whispered, smiling soft and sure as I laid my hand over his. “Otherwise, you would’ve just consumed me whole.”
“Still tempted,” he growled quiet and playful, that wicked glint sparking in his eyes as he leaned down to kiss me breathless.
He pulled back just an inch, his breath hot against my skin. “We’ve still got over two days here, old lady. Just you, me, and this place. By the time we head back… you won’t even remember the name you ran away with.”
“I already don’t,” I breathed out, my heart swelling steady and sure.
“Good.” He didn’t give me a second to catch my breath before kissing me again.
Later that day we showered together, laughing as he complained I’d used all the hot water, and insisted we take the boat out before the wind picked up. The lake was calm, sunlight turning the water to gold, and he handled the boat so steady I never felt even a little unsteady.
Then suddenly he wasn’t beside me anymore.
I spun round, heart jumping – and found him down on one knee in the bottom of the boat, holding out a ring that caught the light like a fallen star.
“Danika,” he said, his voice thick and raw, like saying it out loud was the bravest thing he’d ever done. “You walked into my life and proved there’s something bigger looking out for us. You’re my everything. My old lady. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
Tears spilled hot down my cheeks, and all I could do was nod over and over, finally shouting a yes. I threw myself into his arms so hard the boat rocked, and he laughed loud and bright, holding me like he’d never let go.
Rage laughed like I’d told the best joke he’d ever heard, wrapping his arms tight round me and slipping the ring onto my finger. It’s so beautiful.
“I’ve carried this since the day I realised I couldn’t ever let you leave,” he said soft against my skin, kissing my knuckles.
Before we could say another word, his phone buzzed in his jacket pocket. He pulled it out, saw who it was, and tapped the speaker button. Pres’s voice boomed out loud enough to echo across the water:
“Tell me she says yes or don’t bother coming back!”
A roar of cheers went up down the line, brothers shouting and clattering things in the background.
Rage looked straight at me, fierce and proud. “She said yes. She’s officially my old lady.”
The line practically shook with celebration – whoops, whistles, the sound of fists slamming down on tables. “About damn time!” someone yelled before the call cut off.
We both laughed, holding each other close as he turned the boat back toward shore. The sun sank lower, painting the sky deep gold and violet all around us.
As the cabin came back into view, I rested my head against his chest, listening to that steady strong beat I loved so much. The ring felt warm and heavy on my finger – a promise that would last my whole life.