Chapter 21 #2
Eventually, we manage to pry the coconut-sized diamond from the surrounding rocks.
It must weigh around eleven pounds and, after wrapping it up in cloth, we tuck it in a bag that I sling around my body.
Then we exit the cavern and start making our way back through the tunnels and up to the surface.
Ryder leads the way, and I hold onto his hand, right behind him as we move through the narrow sections of tunnels.
Poor Linc barely fits, and every so often I hear a grumbled curse as he scrapes a broad shoulder.
The moment we’re back up the ladder, everyone rushes over to hug me.
After a shocked moment, I realize these people actually care for me.
A wave of emotion washes over me and, as though he senses it, Ryder wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into the protective crook of his arm.
As he presses a kiss to my temple, I notice the tied-up mercs sitting on the ground.
“Voss sent them,” Addie confirms.
A shiver races down my spine. I have no idea how I’m going to handle the situation with Adam Voss. He clearly believes I crossed him, which I did, and now he’s out for blood.
“Don’t worry,” Addie continues, “The Man said he’d handle it.”
Brighton lets out a little sigh as she bites into a chocolate macaron. “He’s very good at handling things.”
My brows lift in surprise. “He’ll handle the mercs? Or Voss?”
“Handle everything. But there’s a stipulation,” she adds carefully.
“Oh?” At this point, I’m pretty much willing to agree to anything.
“You’re not allowed to leave Denver and run off to disappear on some deserted island. Instead, you’ll come work for A-Squared.”
My jaw drops. They’re not angry at me for nearly getting them all killed.
Frustrated because I brought Voss’s special kind of hell to their doorsteps with my actions.
Then elation fills me. It’s that special kind of happiness that comes from knowing you’re part of a group who cares for you.
A family who loves you despite your flaws, including a tendency to run and hide.
But I’m learning. Learning that it’s okay to be my true self.
To be vulnerable. But most importantly, I’m learning to have faith and trust in others.
“Don’t forget to tell her about the fine print,” Ryder adds with a crooked smile.
“Fine print?” I ask, eyes misting up.
“It has something to do with dating this guy,” Addie says, thumbing over her shoulder in Ryder’s direction. “But I’m sure he can go over the specific details with you. You may want to renegotiate some things, though,” she adds teasingly, and everyone laughs.
“No, I don’t think I will. I trust him,” I murmur, turning into my man—my Diamond Man—and kissing him with all the new love flowing through my heart.
Ecstasy sizzles through my body like hot lightning as Ryder sinks to the hilt, his cock stretching me. Claiming me. And I love every second of it. Because I’m his, and he’s mine.
“I’ve missed being inside you like this,” he rasps, withdrawing nearly all the way then plunging deep.
When we got back to Denver last night—after passing out in each other’s arms and sleeping the entire flight home—he brought me straight to his house, and we’ve been in bed pretty much ever since. We can’t seem to get close enough. Can’t seem to kiss or touch each other enough.
His fingers find my clit, rubbing in circles, pushing me closer to the edge.
“Yesss.” I writhe beneath him, my nails digging into his shoulders.
My inner muscles squeeze around his hard length, trying to pull him deeper.
Then… pure bliss. With a cry, I arch up and willingly give everything to the man who has given me a home, and then filled it with friends who’ve become a family.
Moments after I fracture, Ryder comes hard, and I feel the shudder tear through his frame before he collapses on top of me. He nuzzles his face into the side of my neck and presses a kiss there.
“I love you, Delaney,” he whispers, voice husky with passion.
It’s the first time he’s said the actual words, and my heart sings, happy tears brimming in my eyes.
The best part? I’m ready to say them back.
“I love you, too.”
He pushes up onto his elbows, dark eyes glistening. “Say it again,” he demands, still inside me and, amazingly, already getting hard again.
“I love you, Ryder.” Raking my fingers through his mussed-up hair, I take in his expression of joy, and maybe a little relief. I’m not sure how I ended up getting so lucky with this man, but I’m beyond grateful.
“When did you realize it?” He starts dropping kisses on my face. First my cheek, then my temple, my jaw, my nose… my lips. We share an indecently long kiss, tongues battling, teeth nipping.
“When?” I echo when we finally come up for air, thinking back on our crazy journey.
“Let me guess. The moment you peeled the gym shower curtain back and saw my very fine, highly-impressive… assets.”
I giggle. “That’s certainly when I fell in lust.” Wrapping my arms tightly around him, I sigh. “Honestly? I think the moment I fell in love with you was after we saw the lion, and you told me you’d love me more than anyone ever has or ever will.”
“It’s true,” he states in a hushed, soft voice.
“I also remember you saying something about giving me the biggest damn diamond I’ve ever seen.”
He chuckles. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“Are you asking?” I toss back.
His dark eyes shine. “Will you marry me, Crumpet?”
“Will you ever stop calling me that?” I ask, feigning exasperation.
“Never.”
“Then I guess I have no choice.” I press a kiss to his stubbled jaw. “This crumpet belongs to you. And, yes, I will marry you.”
We share a smile and then a kiss that is so much more than a mere meeting of lips. It’s a promise for the future. And for the first time in a very long time, I’m looking forward to my future very, very much.