Sugar Read online

  “Colton, what’s going on? You’re really out of it tonight.” She leaned back in the chair and reached for her wine glass, taking a long sip as she watched him over the rim. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but can we just get to it? If you have something on your mind let’s talk.”

  He could see the spark of annoyance on her face, hear it in her voice, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. That was his girl, not about to beat around the bush when it was something she had to say.

  The waiter came by and cleared off their place settings, and once they were alone again he felt his heart beating hard in his chest, heard that steady thumping noise in his ears. He licked his lips, his mouth dry. So. Damn. Dry.

  Was this too fast? Was asking Sugar to marry him going to freak her out and have her running in the other direction?

  Shit, if he was in her situation he might very well think he was fucking nuts for wanting to propose. But as he looked into her face, knew how she felt for him, how she looked at him, Colton felt that reserve and fear lessen.

  He loved her, dammit. He loved her and he wanted her to know it. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

  And he did know one thing for sure, and that was this was the right decision.

  “Sugar, baby, when I’m with you I feel complete, whole.” He swallowed past that damn lump in his throat. “I can look into your eyes and see my whole damn life right in front of me. I can see my future.” The way she watched him, her eyes widening, the surprise over what he said filtering over her face, told him he’d shocked her by his words.

  He had to admit, he wasn’t the most romantic man, or he’d never been before. He hadn’t been a lot of things before Sugar came into his life.

  “I can be a hard man when it comes to my business. It’s just who I’ve always been, who I always saw myself as. I never saw myself settling down. I didn’t want to … not until you came into my life. I have you by my side and I know I don’t want to hide this relationship. I don’t want to keep this a secret because I love you so much it fucking hurts.” He rubbed his chest again, right over his heart, right over the ring. “I probably sound like a damn lunatic right now,” he said under his breath and closed his eyes. He shook his head, the very thought of Sugar not wanting the same things he did—a long life together—physically making him ill.

  “Hey,” she said softly and reached across the table to place her hand on his. He still had his other hand over his chest, wanting to pull the ring out and get on one knee right here and now. “You don’t have to be so nervous. You’re kind of freaking me out.”

  Baby, you have no idea.

  “I see myself with you forever. I see you as the mother of my children, my partner, my wife.” He licked his lips, the feeling of his throat closing in strong.

  Do it.

  Say it.

  Ask her.

  He stood and walked over to her. She shifted on her chair, looking up at him with confusion on her face. And then he dropped to one knee and her eyes widened. She placed a hand over her mouth, clearly knowing what was about to happen right now.

  Pulling the ring box out from his pocket, he popped the lid and presented it to her. Then, with his heart on his sleeve, his pulse in his throat, and so much fucking anxiety riding him, he asked, “Sugar, will you marry me?”

  20

  At first, Sugar didn’t have a clue what to say. It was so unexpected that she simply stared at him. Had she just heard him right? Did he really just propose to her? Staring across at him, her mouth partially open, what was she to say or do?

  “Colton, did you just propose?”

  “I know we’ve not known each other long and that there are probably a million different reasons as to why we shouldn’t get married but, Sugar—” He stopped, reaching over the table to take her hand. She stared down at his fingers, which were wrapped around her wrist. “I love you. There, I’ve said it. I can’t imagine my life without you or our dogs. Most mornings I wake up and you’re the first person I think about. I only ever want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t help but press her lips together to try and stop herself from gasping.

  This was so unexpected.

  He’d wanted to have dinner with her to discuss some things. He’d sounded so serious on the phone. Part of her had been afraid that they’d been caught or he was bored, or something else. Any number of things that could take him away from her. What if he didn’t want her anymore? Crazy thoughts.

  She’d never been one to give a man control or to even for a second believe her life could be better with a man in it. She didn’t even think that about Colton but he was the kind of man she wanted. Thoughtful, sweet, kind, especially after she’d gotten to know him, and seen that he’d been hurting that first time they met. He wasn’t that guy.

  “You know, I didn’t imagine my proposal would have you staring at me in silence.” He chuckled, uncomfortable. “I should have waited. Shit, I’m sorry to spring this on you.”

  “This is why you wanted to have dinner tonight? To talk? To propose?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Waiting for what I want was never something I was good at.” He gave her a lopsided grin and her heart skipped a beat. “And shit, baby, I want you so badly.”

  He heart was beating a mile a minute, her throat was tight, and her mouth had gone dry.

  “I know that we’re going to have to come clean at work, but I want that. I want to shout it off the rooftop that you’re mine.”

  She really couldn’t believe how happy she was in that moment, even if she’d frozen up.

  “Say something, Sugar. Please, baby.”

  She wiped a stray tear away, grinning, hating that she’d worried him, that she still was by her silence. It’s not that she’d intended to go quiet on him. It was just that he’d shocked the hell out of her. “I’m so happy right now. You really don’t know, do you? That I would love to be your wife. That I would love to share every waking moment with you.” She placed her hand over his, running the tips of her fingers across his knuckles. “You come across as this hard-ass businessman, but I know differently. I know that Boscoe has managed in his charming way to become part of your life to the point that you hold dog biscuits in your mouth so he’ll take them.”

  “You told me that wasn’t weird.” He chuckled but visibly relaxed, her words clearly pleasing him.

  “It’s not. It’s nowhere near weird. It’s amazing and sweet and funny and it makes me love you more.” She reached out and cupped his face. “I don’t think there’s any way I could be happier right now.”

  “Then tell me yes.” He held a black velvet box in front of her, the lid still lifted. She stared at the single diamond ring that was nestled in the fabric. It was so beautiful. An engagement ring.

  Shocking.

  Breathtaking.

  A true sign of the next step in their relationship.

  Tears blurred her vision as she looked at him.

  “Sugar, please marry me, sweetheart, continue to make me the happiest man on this planet.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh, the grin on her face wide as she nodded her head. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes, so much yes.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger then got to his feet, pulling her up to stand and embracing her.

  A round of applause rushed around the restaurant and she hadn’t even realized that they were entertaining the crowd.

  Pressing her face against his chest, she groaned.

  “Could you imagine how bad this would have gone if you’d said no?” he said.

  She chuckled. “Is that why you came to a restaurant? So I wouldn’t have a choice?”

  “You know, I didn’t think that far ahead. I’m in love with you and I just knew you had to feel the same way about me.”

  “You just knew that, did you?”

  “I’m a damn fine catch and totally hot and sexy. You’re one lucky woman,” he teased, chuckling after he spoke.


  “You’re spoiling a perfectly good proposal.” She nudged him in the chest playfully.

  “I just thought I’d lay it out for you. You know, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.”

  Placing her palm against his heart, she felt it beating. She knew exactly what she was getting and no one was ever going to take that away from her.

  That day in the dog run, she’d found her soulmate. Maybe they’d both been a little damaged before they came into each other’s lives.

  “How about we order dessert? Then I’ll take you home and we can properly celebrate.”

  She rolled her eyes, the joy and laughter filling her heart. He really was a crazy man but he was going to be her crazy man. She felt herself filled with excitement for what the future held for the two of them.

  This wasn’t the end of their story, not even by a long shot.

  This was very much the beginning of the rest of their lives.

  Epilogue

  Fourteen months later

  Sugar fell back on the bed, exhausted, sweat covering her body. She ran her hand over her forehead, beads of perspiration lining her fingers. Candles were lit all around their hotel suite, their wedding night far more magical than she could have ever imagined.

  She closed her eyes and smiled when she felt Colton run his fingers along the outside of the thigh, over her hip, and settle them right underneath her breast.

  “God,” he breathed out roughly, the feeling of his warm breath skating over her neck and sending chills along her body. “I could take you again right now and it still wouldn’t be enough.” He planted light kisses all along her throat, over her collarbone, and finally sucked in a nipple, his mouth hot and wet, the suction doing wicked things to her.

  He lifted her hand, the light catching her wedding ring, making it sparkle. She watched as he brought her ring finger to his mouth, sucking on the digit, bringing his lips closer to the diamond and band. When his lips brushed against the ring, she held in her moan, never even realizing that an act so mundane could be so erotic.

  Colton pulled his mouth off her finger and murmured, “My wife.” He looked her in the eyes. “Mine.”

  She couldn’t believe she was married to Colton, that they’d tied the knot, said their vows … would be together for the rest of their lives. It seemed like a fantasy, or maybe she was stuck in a dream. It was crazy how everything unfolded, how she’d gotten knocked over by his dog all that time ago and here they were now, newlyweds, ready to spend the rest of their lives together.

  Colton placed his hand on her belly and she looked over at him, smiling.

  “Who do you think will be more surprised that you got knocked up before we were married, your folks or mine?” He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips.

  She was only about two months along, but they hadn’t told anyone about the pregnancy. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways. She and Colton were ecstatic over it. He’d make a wonderful father, and although she was a little bit scared and apprehensive about being a mother, she was already so much in love with the baby she carried that she could’ve cried.

  “Honestly, I think they’ll all be over the moon. I think they’ll be so happy for us.”

  “Yeah, I think so too,” he said and grinned. He pulled her against the hardness of his chest and she snuggled in. “And your friend Sassy, she’s one firecracker.”

  Sugar laughed. “She is. She’s always had that spark in her. It’s why I love her so much.”

  Colton murmured, “Want me to tell you all the ways I love you so much?” His voice was pitched low, the arousal lacing it clear. But he didn’t take her again, and instead just held her, telling her how much he loved her, how they’d make the perfect little family together.

  She’d most likely tell Sass first, her best friend knowing all her secrets, all the little bits of information about herself that she hadn’t told anyone else before. They might not be sisters, but Sassy would definitely make the greatest aunt.

  “I love you,” Colton said in a sleepy voice.

  She smiled. “I love you too.”

  Who knew fairytales weren’t just in movies and books?

  * * *

  The End

  Sassy’s story is coming soon! TBR HERE

  Excerpt: The Caveman’s Virgin

  THE CAVEMAN’S VIRGIN (Caveman, 1)

  By Sam Crescent and Jenika Snow

  * * *

  www.SamCrescent.com

  [email protected]

  www.JenikaSnow.com

  [email protected]

  * * *

  Copyright © July 2018 by Sam Crescent and Jenika Snow

  First E-book Publication: July 2018

  Editor: Kasi Alexander

  * * *

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction, transmission, or distribution of any part of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  This literary work is fiction. Any name, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Please respect the author and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials that would violate the author’s rights.

  From that first time Abel saw her there was no doubt in his mind that she would be his. This sweet little virgin stuck in a storm, soaking wet and cold, and no one but him for miles.

  With the storm raging outside his cabin and both of them trapped inside, he didn’t know how much self-control he could have around her. It was that moment when he first saw her that he knew he couldn’t let her go, that Shea was meant to be his in all ways. He just had to convince her to stay, that living off-grid with a caveman was exactly where she was supposed to be.

  * * *

  Shea should have been afraid of the stranger who showed up at the exact time she needed help. He was big and muscular with a mountain man vibe going on. The way he looked at her had her body heating in ways she’d never experienced before.

  When he brought her back to his cabin in the middle of the woods maybe she should have been frightened. But the truth was she’d never felt more at home, like she was in the right place, with the right person.

  Shea was a virgin but she knew one thing for certain … She wouldn’t be innocent for much longer.

  1

  All Shea wanted to do was leave, escape her dead-end job, set up shop somewhere else, and just have a new life. It’s not like she had anything tying her down, no friends who would care if she were gone, no family who gave a damn if she weren’t around.

  After she left her deadbeat mom’s house in the city, she moved in with her grandmother at the age of sixteen life had been increasingly better for her. But then her grandmother had died, her house had foreclosed, and Shea was left with a mountain of bills and no one to show Shea support.

  So she’d worked her ass off at a shitty job, nearly had her grandmother’s accrued medical bills paid off, and knew that she had to get away for her own sanity.

  That’s what this little trip had been about. There was a one-bedroom cabin just an hour outside of city limits, one that wasn’t too far out that she couldn’t commute to her job, while continuing to save up. One day she’d have enough just to live on her own, not worry about anyone or anything but herself. A solitary life for sure, but it was one that would suit her.

  So this was her life, but Shea accepted that. It was lonely at times but it suited her well enough. But even though she wanted to escape, to run from her problems, the truth was she needed that dead-end job. She was saving up, planning on getting a little place out in the middle of nowhere.

  “Fuck,” Shea cursed out. The sound of her engine sputtering and then the sight of smoke billowing out from under the hood was the icing to her already shitty day. She pulled the car to t
he side of the road, the sun setting just beyond the horizon and casting ominous shadows along the backdrop of forest on either side of her.

  But of course as luck would have it she was now stranded on the side of the road. She reached into her purse, which sat in the passenger seat, and dug out her cell. Of course she expected the damn thing not to work. Being this high in the mountains and away from the town meant reception was sketchy at best.

  She had one bar.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. But as soon as she tried to make a call that bar disappeared and she was left with a useless piece of technology. “Of course.” She tossed the cell on the passenger side seat and exhaled roughly.

  Looking around, she felt her heart start to beat a little faster. This was the worst possible place to break down.

  No way in hell she’d get out of the car to see if she could get better reception, but what did she expect to do? She couldn’t sit in her car and wait for someone to come by. For all she knew that could be hours. The road she was on wasn’t a high traffic one, and she regretted taking the shortcut that led her here in the first place.

  But the very idea of getting out of her car out in the middle of nowhere, knowing there could be wild animals just lurking behind the tree line, scared the shit out of her.

  No, she was going to have to do something, because sitting in this car and praying someone would come and help wasn’t smart.

  And venturing off by myself is smart?

  “Better figure out what in the hell you plan on doing because it’ll get dark real soon and then you’ll really be up shit creek without a paddle.”