“You’re such an idiot,” she said on a laugh, closing her eyes. “That’s not what I was even talking about.”
“I know. I like seeing your over-the-top reactions, though.” I leaned in and pressed my forehead to hers. “It was a mistake to propose when I did the first time,” I acknowledged after a beat. “Neither of us were ready. It was a knee jerk response.”
She nodded. “You’re a bit impulsive sometimes.”
“I am. That doesn’t mean my impulses are wrong. I’m still going to marry you.”
“You sound sure of yourself.”
“I am sure of myself. This … is everything I want.” I gestured between us. “I’m not going to push you before you’re ready. I’m going to wait until I know that you want me too.”
“I do want you. That’s what scares me.”
“Then I’ll wait until you’re over the fear.”
She closed her eyes and kissed my chest, causing something inside of me to clench. She really did want this. I could help her get over the fear. In fact, I was looking forward to doing just that.
“We have to deal with my father before we do anything else,” she said. When she opened her eyes, she was determined. “We need him out of our lives. Otherwise, we’re never going to be truly safe and happy. He’s dangerous to our future.”
“He’s dangerous to the future of the casino too,” I agreed. “I think we’re on the right track. I’m going to talk to your mother today. I know she wants to put together a team to talk to Haskins. I know him, though. I think I should be there.”
“Maybe I should be there too. He needs to understand exactly what we—meaning the family—want out of this situation.”
It wasn’t my favorite idea. I needed to buy myself time before coming back with a counter proposal. “Let me talk to your mother, and we’ll go from there, huh?”
She smiled, seemingly relieved. “Okay.”
“Just one more thing,” I prodded.
“What’s that?” She looked genuinely curious.
“I need you to start believing, even if it’s just a little bit.”
“What is it that I’m believing?”
“I’m all in, Ruby. You’re it for me. This family is what I want. This life is what I want. I have no idea what our future will hold. I know I want to figure that out together, though.”
She considered it, swallowed hard, then nodded. “Okay. I’m willing to stop being such a naysayer and embrace what you can give me. Or, rather, what we can give each other. I’m still going to need the occasional bit of bolstering. I can’t help myself.”
I laughed. “I’m more than happy to provide that bolstering.”
“Thank you, Rex. For everything.”
“Including impregnating you?”
She laughed so hard I thought she might choke herself. “I’m especially grateful for that.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Ididn’t want to leave Ruby. She was still warm and happy in bed with a baby catalog when I finally rolled away from her. I had no choice, though. I really did want to talk to Cora … and about more than one thing.
Ruby happily accepted my kiss and promise that I would bring her a snack later when I returned. Then she waved me off, still naked and blissful when I walked out of the room. Under different circumstances, nothing could’ve forced me to leave her. This felt important.
Cora had her reading glasses on—something she only wore when tucked away from the public because she was vain—and she looked over the rim when I knocked on her open office door. “Is something wrong?” she automatically asked. “Is it Ruby?”
