Royce lets out a bark of laughter. “Well, I hope I meet your standards.”

“Not that it matters,” I add. “I’m keeping him.”

Dad studies me for a second before a smile finally pulls at his lips. While I was a little nervous to introduce them to Royce, I knew they would be happy. My parents are so in love and want the same for me. Dad has even been poking me about when I might bring someone around.

Royce squeezes my hand, and I smile at him. “Okay, guys, now that’s out of the way. We’re leaving,” I tell them.

I go around and give everyone a goodbye hug.

“You just got here,” Penelope says grumpily in my ear.

“He just told me he loves me,” I whisper back.

“Yep. They have to go,” Penelope says loudly, making me shake my head.

My mom and dad try to protest, but Penelope goes about pushing them back into the house.

Royce looks at me with confusion and holds his arms out, palms up.

“Get in the car,” I tell him, and he raises his eyebrows at me.

“You get in the car,” he says back, and I roll my eyes.

I go around to the other side and get in and wait for him to slide into the driver’s seat. Reaching over, he pulls on my seat belt for me and waits.

“Drive,” I grit out.

“What has you all pissy?” he asks as he slides his key in then backs out of the driveway.

“The man I love just told me he loves me, and I haven’t gotten to say it back.”

We’ve only traveled a few yards when the car comes to a sudden halt as he hits the brakes and throws it into park.

Before I know it, my seat belt is off, and Royce yanks me out of my seat and onto his lap.

“Say it.”

“You can’t demand it,” I tease.

“Baby…” His voice comes out rough and deep, with so much emotion in it. “Say it.”

“I love you,” I whisper for the first time to someone outside of my family.

He stares at me hard for half a second before his mouth hits mine. His tongue pushes in, and I kiss him back just as fiercely. I don’t know why I ever fought this. His hands tangle in my hair, and all I can think is that this love is what I’ve been waiting on my whole life.

“We’re getting married,” he tells me as his lips move to my neck.

“You’re bossy.”

Normally I would get mad, but something about the way he’s so assertive and sure of what he’s saying does it for me. I feel myself smile and close my eyes, loving the feeling of his lips on me.

His grip on my hair tightens, and my pussy clenches. God, what this beast of a man does to me.

“Say you’ll marry me,” he pushes, and I moan at the strong grip he has on me.