Page 130 of What Comes Around

I knew what he meant.

The baby.

I didn’t look at him. Just stared at where his hand held mine.

“You are pregnant.”

I nodded slowly. “I guess I am.”

His hand slipped away, leaving mine suddenly empty. For a second I felt the loss of it before he reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

A ring.

My breath caught.

Simple. Elegant. A diamond set in platinum.

Before I could react, he took my hand again and slid it onto my finger like it had always belonged there.

“We’re getting married,” he said.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“Knox—”

“This isn’t negotiable.”

His fingers closed around mine again, firm this time, holding my hand in place as his gaze locked onto mine.

“You’re carrying my child. You’re not doing that alone.”

Emotion tightened my throat, making it hard to breathe.

“This isn’t just because of the baby,” he added, his voice lower now. “I would have asked you anyway.”

My pulse stumbled.

“I’m not going anywhere. I take care of what’s mine,” he said. “And you’re mine, Ashley.”

I didn’t know what to say. My thoughts felt scattered, tangled between shock and something warmer, something that curled low in my chest and refused to be ignored.

“The ring stays on your finger,” he continued, his thumb brushing once over the diamond. “Take the time you need to catch up to me.”

His gaze didn’t waver.

“But this is happening.”

He leaned in slowly, giving me time to pull away.

I didn’t.

His lips met mine, softer than I expected, his hand sliding up to cradle my jaw as his thumb traced lightly along my cheek. The kiss deepened just enough to pull a breath from me, and I leaned into him before I could stop myself.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine.

Neither of us spoke.

Between us, my hand rested against his chest, the ring catching the soft bedroom light.