Page 78 of Ride with Zane
She turns around and shakes her head. “I thought I made it clear.”
I’m lost. What is she saying?
“I don’t need a ring, I’m sure it was outrageously expensive.”
“It’s nothing compared with what you deserve.”
She gasps and wipes her tears. “No, Rock. I won one of the most amazing prizes the night I met you. I wouldn’t trade you for this.” She wears it. “I knew you’d be mine forever.”
I scoop her up and kiss her.
“So… since you’re the King of The Black Panthers does it mean I’ll upgrade at Queen?”
“Nope, that’d happen in some years when you’ll give me my first baby.”
“Your first baby, huh?”
I nod with a smile. “Once you’ve accomplished all your dreams, we’ll think about them.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Zane
“Hey Princess, forgot anything?”
“Hope not.” She nervously says while we walk toward the locker room. The buzz around us is insane. People come and go, run to left and right like it’s the end of the world and honestly, I can see how this affects her. It stresses me out already figures her.
“Ash, they want you for a shooting and then an interview before the exhibition. Then four more at the end.” Raven stops and looks at us in turn with a fake smile on her face. “You two are too cute but she needs to get changed.”
I hand her the duffel. “Go and shine, Princess. I’ll be near her cheering at the top of my lungs for you.” Ashley blushes before pulling me in a tight hug. “Love you.”
“What have I forgotten?”
My lips crash on hers in a quick but passionate kiss. “This, now go.”
A group of girls giggle while we walk past them. “Stick with me and make sure to keep your eyes on her.”
I cock a brow. “Excuse me?”
“She doesn’t need a distraction, Rock.”
I follow closely. “Look, I’m here for her and if I’m a distraction I’ll step aside. I want her to chase her dreams.”
She stops and faces me. “That’s why you have put a ring on her, already?”
“Raven, I’ll never stop her from doing anything she wants to. Marrying her today, tomorrow or in twenty years it doesn’t matter.”
She shakes her head. “I thought you wiser than that, Rock, but clearly you haven’t put you in her shoes.”
“Care to explain?”
“Miss Verlander, are we ready for the interview?” a woman asks but it’s her name that resonates.
“We’ll be there in five.” Raven smiles.
When she turns to me, I find an icy woman. “She’s one of the best I ever had, and I promised her mom I’d do whatever to make her get here.”
“You got it wrong Raven, and I’ll tell you again: Ashley deserves the best and her dreams are mine too. I lived my life and want her to do the same, now stop acting like I’m trying to fuck up my woman’s life and do your job.” I walk past her and leave her standing there. My phone buzzes and I peer at the screen, nervousness washing over me. Denise doesn’t give up and calls again.