Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
The primal satisfaction of taking her bare and filling her with his seed was still coursing through Seth’s veins. He’d never experienced anything like tonight. Apparently, he’d been harboring a secret breeding fantasy. Where the hell had that come from? He’d never had that particular kink, even when Autumn had gotten pregnant. But the idea of marking Heavenly so fundamentally, of watching her grow round with their child, ignited something primal in him that he didn’t fully understand.
Beck led him down to his home office, a sleek space lined with medical journals and expensive whiskey. Seth half expected him to pour them a drink or say something about what had just happened. Instead, he unlocked one of his desk drawers.
When he turned around, he was holding a small velvet box.
Seth’s heart lurched when Beck opened it to reveal a stunning engagement ring. The oval center stone had to be at least two carats, surrounded by a brilliant halo of smaller diamonds that cascaded down the band in an intricate pattern. It was beautiful, elegant, and undoubtedly expensive.
“When the hell did you get that?” Seth demanded.
“A few weeks ago,” Beck replied vaguely.
A few weeks ago? About the time Raine gave birth to the twins? When the subject of babies had been uppermost in their minds? When Heavenly had stood at that nursery window with tears in her eyes, clearly yearning for a baby of her own?
Part of Seth was furious that Beck had picked out a ring without him. They were supposed to be partners in their pursuit of Heavenly’s heart. But the other part—the bigger part, if he was honest—understood completely. They’d been chasing her, either individually or together, for nearly ten months. Beck was ready for family and future. Heavenly was, too. Seth couldn’t think of a single reason they should wait for him to untangle his fucked-up head.
“Were you planning to propose without me?” Seth demanded.
“Don’t be a cockbag. I wanted to be ready when the moment felt right. And after tonight…” His gaze flicked up to the ceiling, toward their sleeping angel. “Now that she could be pregnant? I’d say the moment is right.”
Seth swallowed. “You want to do this now?”
“You got a better time in mind?” he challenged. “In the most biological way possible, we just committed to spending our lives together. What the hell are we waiting for?”
The doctor had a point. And if there was more pleasure like they’d just shared—if this was what their future looked like—then he wasn’t waiting for a goddamn thing. Seth’s earlier misgivings felt misguided, overly cautious. He wished the niggling worries would just go the fuck away.
“If she’s going to carry our babies, don’t you think she should have a ring on her finger?” Beck pressed. “She wants one. She told me that earlier.”
“Then you’re right. Let’s do this.”
Together, they fetched a bottle of champagne from Beck’s wine fridge and three crystal flutes. The moment was important. For the second time tonight, they were about to change everything.
When they returned to the bedroom, Heavenly was still sleeping peacefully, the sheet now draped across her curves, making her look like a goddess recovering after being thoroughly worshipped. The sight sent another wave of possessive satisfaction through Seth.
They set the glasses and bottle on the nightstand, and he wondered if they should take her out for a romantic dinner, surround her with flowers, and make it the kind of proposal she’d probably dreamed about as a little girl. But he also understood Beck’s urgency. After tonight, after crossing this irrevocable line, it felt right to cement their bond officially.
Beck knelt beside the bed. Seth joined him, positioning himself next to the surgeon, close to where Heavenly lay.
“Wake up, little girl.” Beck caressed her shoulder.
Her lashes fluttered. When her eyes opened, they were soft and unfocused. But as she took in the sight of both men kneeling and holding the ring box between them, she bolted up with a gasp, her expression shifting from sleepy to wide-eyed.
Seth’s throat went dry. His fingers trembled as he gripped his side of the velvet box.
“Heavenly Hope Young…marry us.” Beck’s voice was thick with emotion.
“Say yes, angel. We’ve come so far. We can conquer anything together.”
“And we can’t imagine our lives without you,” Beck vowed reverently. “We want to marry you. Have children with you.”
“Build a beautiful life with you.” Seth’s heart pounded as he lifted the lid of the box, the tiny hinges hissing in a soft whisper.
The diamond glinted as Beck plucked the ring from its velvet nest. “All you have to do is say yes.”
For a moment, she blinked, just staring at them, her eyes filling with tears. Seth began to sweat as he held his breath. The silence stretched. His world teetered.
Was Heavenly having second thoughts? He hadn’t even considered that she might turn them down. Goddamn it. Raine had refused to marry either Liam or Hammer for months, insisting that she couldn’t choose one over the other. Fuck, had the princess rubbed off on Heavenly?