Flying blind. That’s what it feels like as Honor leads me blindfolded through the gym’s door and outside to the busy street. I assume she’s going to put me in her car, but instead she walks me to the right. The Bay Area wind whips my hair around and puts goosebumps on my bare arms. I’m wearing nothing but my track pants and a ribbed tank, my standard work attire.

“Dove, where are you taking me?” One of her hands is tight around my waist and the other pressing against the center of my back.

“Shhh…and no peeking. It’s a surprise. I told you already!”

I chuckle but follow along, trusting her to not smash me into a wall or a car.

“Okay, stop right there,” she says, and then all I hear is the sound of a door being unlocked, a bell tinkling against glass, and her labored breathing.

Honor grabs my hands this time and leads me into a building. We didn’t walk that far, so I can’t figure out what she’s up to.

“Are you ready for your surprise?”

“From you? Born ready.” I pucker my lips as if I’m expecting a kiss.

She giggles, and it’s the most beautiful sound in the world. Her warm lips press against mine, and I take advantage, pulling her into my arms, where she gasps, opening her mouth, inviting me in. I plunder her mouth with my tongue, not giving a fuck if there are people where she brought us or what. If my girl is going to get close, put her mouth to mine, I’m going to fucking kiss her full out. End of story.

After long licks of her vanilla and mint taste, I pull away. “Great surprise.”

She laughs and smacks my arm and then rips the blindfold off my face. I blink against the suddenly bright lights of what used to be the laundromat next door. Now the machines have all been removed, the walls have been painted with a fresh coat of gray paint with black, red, and white stripes running down the center. Just like the color scheme in my gym.

I look around, contemplating what I’m seeing. The once laminate floors are a brushed clean concrete. Next to one wall is an exact replica of the free weights set-up I have next door. Another area has several shiny black and red punching bags lying on the floor like sentinels waiting for orders. Mirrors span one far wall where red protective mats are stacked ten high. Another section has a table in the center with unopened boxes of new gloves, headgear, fighting pads, knee pads, and everything else we have over at my gym. Only there’s twice as much.

“Babe, what am I looking at?”

I spin around and find her with her arms crossed protectively over herself and finger and thumb at her mouth, plucking her lip nervously.

She flings her hands out as if she’s drying them off. “Okay.” The one word is abrupt and filled with what can only be panic. “You know how you told me to find what makes me happy, what gets me out of bed, and what would better my life and the lives around me?”

For a moment, I rescan the room. “Holy…” I cover my mouth as I walk around the huge space, taking it all in. It’s at least twice the size of the current gym but bare of any real set-up or machines.

“You’re what makes me happy, Nick.”

I focus on the matching color scheme, the new equipment. “Jesus…”

“And you and the gym are what makes me excited to get out of bed in the morning.”

“Mary…”

Her voice cracks. “And I want to better your life, our lives.”

“Joseph.” I gasp, push both hands into my hair, and tug at the roots. The prickle of pain centers me.

“Nick…I want you to expand the business. Um…I want you to expand it with me.”

I give the room one more gander, and then all my attention is on her. The most precious, selfless, giving woman I know. My heart pounds, the surface of my skin prickling with an electric energy I’m not used to. There is so much I want to say, but the words feel jumbled and coated with intense emotion.

I pause to take it all in, breathe through the overwhelming feelings skittering along every single one of my pores.

“You did this for me?” I can hardly recognize my own voice as I barely get the words out.

She nods.

“Words, Dove. Right now!” I shake my head. “Babe, need to hear every single word in your head. Don’t leave anything out.”

Tears spring to her eyes, making them seem glittery, as though I’m looking into two matching crystal balls.

My girl stands tall, lifts her chin, and clasps her hands loosely in front of her. “Yes. I did this for you. For us. And for me. If you want, I would like to help expand the business into this building. I’ve already bought it, the back lot, and storage space and the loft above it. I want to expand our home so that it’s no longer our for-now home but our forever home.”

Our forever home.

“You want to saddle your horse in my stable for good.”

She nods.

“Tie your hitch to my truck.”

She nods again, but her gaze never leaves mine.

“You want to do all of this, with me, out of everything else you could do in the world with that money you have.”

“It’s nothing without you. This is the first place I ever felt free to be me. You taught me that, Nick. You gave me the tools to find what I want to do. I want to use my business skills and manage this gym. Expand it and our home. With you. That will make me happy.”

I chuckle and take the ten steps needed to stand directly in front of her.

“So we’re going to go into business together. You and me, partners?” I hold out my hand for her to shake. She puts hers into it.

When she tries to let go, I stop her.

“We’re going to build our forever home…you and me.”

Her response is like watching an angel spread her wings for the first time. Nothing but magnificence in her smile, the light in her eyes, and her reddened cheeks. I can see the happiness radiating from her face, which also makes me head over heels for her.

“There’s only one problem…”

Her eyebrows furrow. “I’ve taken care of everything so far…”

“We’re not married.”

She licks her lips and takes a slow breath, glancing away and then down at her shoes. “Well, um, that’s okay. Lots of people start out their lives unmarried and wait until the time is right.”

“The time is right,” I deadpan.

“It is?” Her question reveals surprise.

“It’s right now.”

Her eyes get teary again. “Nick…”

Right then and there, I get down on one knee. “Honor Carmichael, I love you. Not a person in this world would have ever done this for me. For us. You could have anyone, anything…”

“But I want you.” Her voice is a whisper in the wind.

I grin huge. “Let me finish.”

She swallows and a tear falls. “Okay.”

“You could have anyone, anything with the resources you have, but I will tell you this one thing right now. No man will ever love you the way I do. I will put you and your happiness first in all things, the same way you just proved you will for me. There’s always been something special about you. From the minute I laid eyes on you, I thought to myself…she can’t be real. And you are. More real than anything else in my life.”

Even though I’d been thinking about making her mine for good, this is still sudden, so I don’t have a ring. I pull my dog tags from around my neck, the ones I’ve had with me through all the good, bad, and ugly, and I hold them up to her.

“This will have to do for now, but I will get you a ring that shows my commitment to the world. This is my commitment to you. I’ve worn these every single day for the last eleven years. They represent honor, but I don’t need them anymore. You’re the only Honor I need.” My eyes moisten, and my throat clogs with emotion.

Tears fall down her cheeks, and she gets onto her knees and holds my cheeks in her tiny hands as I place my dog tags around her neck. “I love you.” Her declaration is accompanied by a watery mess of tears.

“Marry me.” I press my forehead to hers. “Be my forever. Marry me.”

She nods.

“Dove…” I warn.

“Yes! Yes, a million times over, I’ll marry you.”

“Fuckin’ A. You’ll marry me. My goddess, my angel, my Honor.”

“I’ll marry you, Nick,” she repeats, as if she also needs to hear it multiple times to believe it’s real.

“Over my dead body!” a woman screeches from the entrance to the building about twenty feet from where we’re kneeling.

I fling my head around and find what has to be an older replica of my woman standing next to a tall, dark-haired man. They are both wearing stuffy suits and matching sneers.

“For heaven’s sake, Honor, get up off this disgusting floor and step away from the filthy mongrel groping you. Don’t act like a dirty tramp. I’ve raised you better than to canoodle with people who are below your status and beneath your caliber of pedigree.”

The words burn me like verbal fire, and I can only imagine what they are doing to my girl. I pull her to a stand. “I’m guessing you’re the mother? The father?”

“We’re Timothy and Judi Carmichael, and we’re here to remove our daughter and prevent a lifetime of mistakes. Come now, Honor.”

Honor’s body goes statue still in my arms. Her skin turns cold and her eyes seem distant.

“Babe, you okay?”

“Don’t let them take me,” she pleads, her lip quivering.

She’s scared of them. Physically trembling in my arms. Oh, hell no! No woman of mine is going to live in fear, especially of her parents.

The couple enters the space, the door swinging shut behind them.

“Look, Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, you busted in on an extremely private moment between me and your daughter. As I’m sure you heard, I’m now her fiancé. You can deal directly with me. Not her.” I put my arm over her shoulders and keep her close. She clings to my side.

Her mother rolls her eyes and sighs. “Timothy, we don’t have time for this. We have the dinner with the Braxtons. Leonard, their son, is expecting her. And look at her.” The woman’s lip curls up as if she’s smelling something funky. “She looks like a heathen. We’ll have to stop at home, get her dressed, hair and makeup done, and move quickly in order to be on time.”

“Leonard?” I jolt, my spine, straightening while I fist the hand not holding Honor possessively.

This time her father speaks up. “That is the man to whom she will be marrying. It’s best for business and our familial relations. I’m sure you understand that…Mr. Salerno, son of Nicholas Salvatore Salerno Sr. of Salerno Hills winery, a boutique vineyard outside of the city. Most of your family works there, correct?”

“So you’ve looked me up. Good for you. How does what my family does have anything to do with the fact that I, Nicholas Salerno Jr., am marrying your daughter with or without your permission?” I smile, lips closed, trying not to lose my cool.

Her mother shakes her head. “Reading between the lines is not these people’s strong suit, Timothy. Lay out the consequences so we can be on our way.”

At that comment, Honor bolts from my side and stomps over to her mother. “You wouldn’t dare hurt his family over me. The pathetic offspring, the one you wished was in Hannon’s position instead of your prized son.” Honor’s tone is full of spitfire and rage. I love every second of it.

With a quickness I didn’t expect from a small refined woman, her arm comes out, and she smashes her handbag across Honor’s face. I watch in horror as Honor tilts and sways to the side, about to fall. Her mother catches her by her hair, twisting her arm around the long waves and forcing her neck back. Honor falls to her knees. “I will ruin this man’s life and family if you don’t heed our request now and get up, get in the car, and move back home until we can plan a wedding for you to Mr. Braxton.”

“The fuck you will,” I growl and grab on to her mother’s arm, squeezing it, letting her know with one grip that if she doesn’t let go, I’m going to break her arm with my bare hand. “Let go of my woman. Now.” There is so much hate in my words, I don’t even recognize myself.

Mrs. Carmichael releases Honor’s hair, and she falls to the floor. I lift her up by her underarms and push her behind me. “There’s nothing you can do to me or my family that would ever have us running in fear.”

“Try me,” Mrs. Carmichael says. “I know your family owes money to the bank for the land that winery sits on. Would be a shame if those loans all of a sudden fell through.”

“And I’ll pay them!” Honor fires back.

Her mother’s eyes narrow into tiny slits. “You’ll be cut off.”

What comes out of Honor’s mouth is downright effective and surprising. Laughter. She starts laughing. Hysterically. “You think you can cut me off from my trust? The inheritance set up by my grandfather, my great-grandfather. You can cut me off from any monies you and Father were going to leave in your will, but I don’t need it. Do you not realize, Mother, that I’m worth more than you and Father put together? I have Hannon’s money too. All of his inheritance was left to me.” She points to her chest and continues her rant. “I can buy the Salerno family a thousand wineries and still leave my future children billions!”

“And what of the Salerno reputation? I will tell everyone…”

Nick slices the air with his hand. “Shut the fuck up, old woman. Nothing you could say or do would tarnish my family’s good name, but go ahead and try. We’ve been pushed down for generations by snooty socialites like you, and we’re still going strong. What you might want to be wary of, however, is my Uncle Franky. Italian Mafia. He doesn’t take too kindly to having his family threatened.”

Finally, the father steps into the fray. “That is enough. I’ve heard enough. I know I’ve not been around my daughter or been much of a father to her and Hannon because I was working, making sure their legacy was set for their future, but you seem like you genuinely love her.”

“I do, sir. Not that it matters what you or your vile wife think.”

Her dad lifts his hand to stop me speaking, and it carries enough weight that I shut it…momentarily.

“Judith, I don’t care who Honor chooses for a husband. You told me that she wanted to marry Leonard and convinced me that it would be good for business. I agree that it would, but if she’s unwilling, there’s no reason to continue this conversation. I’ve got work to do.”

“But your campaign for governor. Your daughter can’t be seen slumming it with the depraved bits of society. Whatever will people think?”

“My publicist can deal with anything. Besides, he looks like a nice, healthy young man. Far from depraved.”

“Father, if you want to speak to me again, don’t ever come back with Mother.” Honor comes from behind me, but I keep her an arm’s distance away from her parents.

“Mother, I’m done with you and your verbal and physical abuse. Your hatred of me. Everything. You made my life a living hell. You threatened my brother’s boyfriend with everything that mattered to him. Hannon killed himself because of you! And you don’t even care!” Honor screeches like a siren. “What kind of mother does that to her only son and daughter!”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Her mother yawns and waves a hand in front of her face.

“It is true. He would be alive if you hadn’t gotten involved. You forced him to leave Sean because of his sexual orientation and how that would look to Father. Hannon idolized him. Wanted to be exactly like our father in business, and you took it all away. All of it! I hate you!” she cries, tears falling down her face. “I hate you so much. I want you to leave and never come back!”

“Hannon was gay?” her father blusters, a shocked expression marring his face.

Whoa, nelly. He didn’t know.

“No, he wasn’t. Just go wait in the car, Timothy.” Judith pushes him toward the door.

“Just stay out of my life,” Honor reminds her mother.

“Honor, I’ll be in contact.” Her father grabs her mother’s hand.

“Timothy! You can’t possibly allow her to stay here. She’s our daughter, for crying out loud. We own her!” she cries as he pulls her toward a black limo idling at the curb.

“I want to know everything about Hannon’s death…” is the last thing we hear before he opens the car door and ushers his wife inside.

When the limo drives away, Honor spins in my arms, plants her face against my chest, and sobs. I hold her, letting her cry as long as she needs to.

“It’s over. They’re not going to hurt you anymore,” I whisper into her ear while caressing her back. After lifting her into my arms, I carry her out, lock the door, and then pocket the key. I walk through my bustling gym, but no one stops me. The anger on my face, the possessive caveman lock I’ve got on my woman, ensures me a straight shot to our apartment with no interruptions. I take the stairs up, get her inside, and settle her on our bed.

She cries for a long time, so long the day turns to night right before my eyes. I’ve got her cuddled up against me when I realize her tears have turned into tiny hiccups against my chest.

“Do you think my mother is going to come after your family?”

I close my eyes and rub her arms. “No, I don’t. It sounded like your father hadn’t been made privy to a lot of the information. And although he made it clear he wasn’t there for you and your brother in a parental capacity, he definitely holds the reins over your mother. He seemed surprised about Hannon.”

She nuzzles against my sternum. “Yeah, I had no idea it was Mother alone. The letter that Hannon left me before he died told me that Sean had been threatened and the details of what had been said, but he never specified it was only our mother. I should have known. Father never cared enough to get involved in our personal lives. His only sin was not being there. What our father concerned himself with was where we sat at the table at a business function or on a board of directors. For my father, work is everything. Family comes second. But he had a special connection to Hannon. When he died, he did what a man like him does. He worked harder. Barely ever came home for the first year.”

“Still, he was absent for you. He didn’t know what was going on between you and your mother. Her abuse. Babe, I’m sorry you had to go through that. Tonight, I came the closest I ever have to punching a woman in the face when she hit you.”

Honor pats the skin over my heart. “I’m glad you didn’t. She would have sued.”

I chuckle. “It would have been worth it.”

She sighs. “No, it wouldn’t.”

“You would have bailed me out of jail.”

Honor smiles and nods. Her famous nods.

“I’m sorry about today.” I run my fingers through her hair.

Her body tightens up around me. “Sorry about everything?” Her voice shakes when she asks.

“Not the part about making you my wife, about growing this business and our home together.” I finger the dog tags around her neck. They look good on her.

She smacks my chest. “Nick! You had me scared out of my mind just then!”

I roll over her and kiss her silly. “How about now? Still scared?” I peck her lips.

“Maybe a little.” She squirms under me, wiggling her sexy body against mine delectably.

Cupping her face, I press my forehead to hers in a soft head-butt. She giggles, and it’s exactly what I need to hear right now.

“You’re going to be my wife. We’re building our lives together. Nothing else is more important than that.”

She wraps her arms and legs around my body, clinging to me. “Nothing more important.”

“Except for one little detail. A challenge, if you will. Think you can handle it?” I tease before laying down a series of kisses between her breasts, nudging her shirt and my tags away so I can get me some tit.

Honor hums low in her throat. “For you, I can handle anything.”

“Now that’s my girl.” I nudge her bra out of the way with my nose and suck her pretty pink tip into my mouth. She moans and arches into me.

“What’s the challenge?” She sighs and runs her fingernails along my scalp.

My dick punches against my track pants at the sensation of her fingers on me. I thrust my dick against her core, grinding until we’re both moaning.

“Nick…” my sweet girl says in that way that makes me want to strip her naked and fuck her to kingdom come.

“Well, there’s one person we still need to get through on this marriage deal.”

I lift up far enough that I can watch her face. Her legs drop down to the bed. “Who?”

I grin. “Ma.”

Her eyes flash with fear.

“Dinner, tomorrow. We tell them that we’ve moved in together and we’re getting married. All of them.”

A wave of panic hits my girl’s face, and she shakes her head.

“No, no, no. You need to tell them by yourself!”

I chuckle and pin her down, grabbing both of her wrists with one hand so I have the other free.

“Dove, together. We do everything together now, remember.”

She purses her lips prettily. “’Cept maybe this one thing?”

“You’re cute when you’re scared.”

“Am not,” she huffs.

“So cute. And so mine.” I lean down and kiss her, making sure to taste every inch of her lips, teeth, and tongue. Her lips are swollen and bruised when I’m done with them. “Tomorrow,” I repeat.

“Tomorrow,” Honor responds in a hazy, sexed-up tone.

“You are downright easy, babe. I fucking love it. Time to reward you.” I drop her hands and run my hands down her body, where I pull off her yoga pants and underwear at the same time.

“Spread ’em, and don’t be shy, or I’ll bust out the crop and use it on your clit.”

Her entire body shivers underneath my hold.

“I see you like that idea.” I cock an eyebrow, waiting for her reply.

“Mmm-hmm,” she mumbles, her hands going to the edges of her knees, where they are open for me.

“You want the crop tonight?”

A breathy “yeah” leaves her mouth.

“My dove wants to be bitten.”

“Nick…” She sighs as I make my way off the bed and over to the closet, where we have a drawer full of our new purchases. Crops, paddles, belts, cuffs, blindfolds, toys, and more.

I grab the crop and smack it against my palm once. “Take off the rest of your clothes. Spread your arms and legs, and don’t move. I’m going to work you hard tonight. Get every ounce of that experience with your mother out of your system and remind you who owns this body, mind, and heart. You got it?”

She scrambles to remove her shirt and bra. Like the good girl she is, she spreads out her legs and arms.

“Thank you, Nick.”

Music to my ears. Now it’s time to give my woman the release she needs. Help her let it all go so the only thing that remains in her mind is our love, life, and the future we’re building.