Page 129 of Diesel's Perseverance
“To us,” she whispered before taking a sip of wine.
“Speaking of that, I wanted to talk to you about something I’ve been thinking about for a couple of weeks. It’s about us.” He noticed her hand trembled slightly and the muscles in her face tensed.
“Go on.” She placed the cup on the blanket, her fingers still wrapped around it.
“I want to buy some land and build a house for us. It’d be kickass, and we could hire Baylee to design it.”
“Baylee?”
“She’s an architect and Axe’s ol’ lady. She’s only working part-time ’cause they got two little boys, but she’s one of the best in town. She’s originally from Denver, like you.”
“I’ll have to meet her. But wait, you want tobuilda house for us?” She rose to a sitting position.
“Yeah. It’s better than buying one. We can design it how we want and put in all the security stuff. Hawk can help with that.”
“Building a house could take a long time.”
Diesel blew out a breath. “I know, and I also know staying at the clubhouse isn’t an option, so let’s rent a townhouse. I don’t want to live in an apartment with a bunch of assholes above and below me to get on my nerves.”
“You realize you already live in an apartment with a bunch of…peoplearound you.”
“Smartass.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “The brothers are different even though we can all be assholes some of the time. I was talking ’bout citizens. You know… strangers.”
“A townhouse has people around you.”
“But you got somewhat of your own space, and we can get a corner unit. I’d prefer a house, but they’re hard to come by nowadays since these fuckers from other states have come in and bought or rented a ton of properties.”
Myla sniggered. “A townhouse is good. I was just giving you a hard time.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, darlin’.” Diesel winked at her.
“So you want to live together?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Okay.” Her voice was hesitant, and it made his heart skip a few beats.
“You don’t want to?”
“I… I do, but… I don’t want to drift along without more of a commitment.”
Diesel ran his hands over his face. “I hear you.” He took her hands in his. “I’ve never been hooked on a chick. Never thought or wanted any part of it. I saw the shitty relationship my people had, and it soured me. But then I met you, first, through the letters we wrote, then when you needed my help. I’ve felt a connection to you for a long time. The letter stuff, I brushed off. You were my brother’s girl, and I figured I was just horny ’cause I was in the slammer without any pussy, but when I saw you for the first time at Ruthie’s Diner, I felt that connection again, only it was stronger.”
“I felt it too.”
“What I’m saying is that I’ve never been in love with any woman. There hasn’t even been a glimmer of it, but I love you, and if we’re honest with each other, it scares the fuckin’ shit outta me.”
“I love you so much, Diesel. At first I wrestled with it because of you being Freddy’s brother, but I’ve resolved all that within myself. I’m scared too because, unlike you, I fall in love too fast, and that’s why none of my past relationships have worked out. I came from parents who never paid attention to any of us. We were on our own, and I guess I needed the attention, so I ended up in relationships way sooner than I should have.”
“We’re both fucked up from our past, but I know you’re the one who fills all the little dark places in my heart.”
“And with your love, I can rise out of the rubble of my life and piece it back together. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. I wasn’t sure how you felt.”
“I’m all in, darlin’. I love you. It’s simple and complicated as fuck.”
“So what do we do?”
“Take it slow. Get to know each other better and see where we are in six months. I know I’ll be by your side, but I wanna make sure you will too. Being hitched isn’t anything to take lightly. When I give you a cut and ask you to be my ol’ lady, it’s for life.”
