She worked up the nerve to glance up at him. His smile was slowly growing, his face brightening.
When he didn’t respond, she started fidgeting, telling herself not to feel foolish because she had finally been honest with him. It needed to be said. He deserved her honesty, and—
“I haven’t laughed in months.”
Her head snapped up.
A look of determination hardened his features. “I’ve barely smiled,” he said. “Because those things belong to you. My laughs, my smiles, my happiness. All of it. I’ve come here today to ask if you’d be willing to take on that responsibility—to bring them back.”
He took a step closer and brought his hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb caressing her jaw. “I know it’s scary, and I know it’s going to take some work. We both have things we need to improve upon, especially me. But I want to work on them with you. For you. You’re the only person who’s made me want to be a better version of myself. And I need you with me.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Because I miss laughing, Bea. I miss smiling. And I miss being happy, with you.”
Sweet relief.
Her heart felt as light as a feather. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so…free.
Huh. That was surprising. Once upon a time—not so very long ago—she had been convinced that committing to a relationship was the last legal form of slavery in this country. She would never have imagined feeling the sense of liberation that was coursing through her now. As though nothing was holding her back from doing anything she wanted.
Anything in the world.
It was one of those moments when she expected dozens of white doves to suddenly burst into the sky all around them, or a church choir to start singing, “Hallelujah!”
But there was one last thing that needed to be said before allowing herself the kiss they had been denied for two months. “I’ll move to London.” She felt his body go still. “If it means I get to be with you, I’ll move tomorrow. I just need you, wherever that might be.”
The laugh he released sounded both relieved and disbelieving. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. But you don’t have to move.”
She stared up at him, her heart stuttering in her throat.
His grin spread. “I’m moving here to DC Running all U.S. operations. Permanently.”
Relief whooshed through her.
She was so happy right now, all she wanted to do was wrap herself around him and demand he take her straight up to her bedroom. But she made herself ask the hardest question of all. “If Paxton Designs takes the contract, there will have to be some boundaries between you and me, at least at work. Can you handle that?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“And if I ever say I need space again, you’ll understand I just mean I want some alone time for a few hours? You won’t go moving to another country?”
He chuckled. “Yes to all of that.” He tipped his head. “But if you use it as an excuse and try to run away from whatever problems we might have, don’t be surprised if I refuse and lock us away in our bedroom until we’ve sorted them out.”
She finally let loose her smile. “I can live with that.” She threw her arms around him and brought their mouths closer together. “And no more trips to London without me, okay?”
He met her smile with his. “Peter has ordered me to stick around DC for the foreseeable future. The man’s in love, too, so he understands what it’s like to be away from that one special person.”
She stopped breathing, everything around her coming to a halt. Not from panic as before, but— “Wait. Did you say ‘too’?”
He nodded, a gleam in his eyes. “I did.”
“You’re… You’re in love with me?”
He hugged her closer. “Oh, haven’t I said that?”
She smacked his arm. “No, you haven’t.”
He just laughed. “Yes, Bea, I am in love with you,” he said into her hair. “And I want a real relationship with you. I want us to be an official couple, with the boyfriend and girlfriend titles, and everything. I want all of that, if you’ll have me.”
She was so overjoyed she thought she might float away. She couldn’t believe they were finally right where they should be. It felt like this moment had been an eternity in the making, waiting for him to come back to her. And say all the words she’d longed to hear. Every last one of them.
“I love you, too,” she whispered. “So much.”
His eyes fell closed and he brought his mouth to hers. But before their lips touched, two pigeons took off in flight only feet from them. They both jumped back in surprise.
She had to laugh. Not exactly white doves—apparently, pigeons were the best she could manage—but they would do. With a flurry of wings, they flew into the sky and disappeared. The moment was perfect. She could practically hear the church choir.
She took it as a sign.
Then he finally, finally, finally covered her mouth with his, and they both released moans of pleasure.
He tasted just as she remembered, like bourbon and cinnamon, and pure masculinity. Although her lips hadn’t forgotten the feel of his, this kiss felt very different than any of the kisses that had come before. The emotions they had finally revealed made it deeper, more meaningful. And it was fueled by desires she no longer had to repress.
The passion between them hadn’t fizzled, that was for sure. It had only gotten hotter, flaring brighter now. The hunger she felt for him was more potent—more urgent—than ever before.
For the first time, she had given him permission to claim her fully, and he’d done the same. There was a sense of belonging buzzing in the air, and it was having a very primitive, carnal effect on her. She figured they should probably move the party inside before they started grinding against each other in broad daylight.
She pulled away before they got completely swept up in the passion. She took his hand and turned to lead him inside, but then squealed when he threw her up over his shoulder and carried her over the threshold.
Felicity’s jaw dropped at seeing them like that. “Um. What are you doing with my sister?”
He glanced over his shoulder with a grin on the way to the bedroom. “My intentions are entirely dishonorable.”
“And I can’t wait,” Bea assured her sister. “By the way,” she added as an afterthought, “you lost our bet. Gabe the Babe will be waiting for your call!”
She giggled at Felicity’s bewildered expression as Zane strolled into Bea’s bedroom and shut the door. Neither sister had ever expected her to turn into a one-man woman. Never in a million years. But a bet was a bet. And she had won fair and square. If she could make the leap, so could Felicity.
Finally, Bea and Zane were behind her locked bedroom door. He set her on her feet and her laughter faded. Desire made her temperature spike. Need made her fingers tingle. She would die if she didn’t get her hands on him in the next three seconds.
Realization suddenly struck, and her hands paused on the buttons of his shirt. “You’re the first man I’ve ever brought in here,” she whispered in shock.
His expression heated even further. “And I’m damn sure going to be the last.”
She bit her lower lip teasingly. “Confident, much?”
The sound that rumbled out of his chest was half laugh, half groan. “That I’m going to keep you forever? That I’ve ruined you for any other man as I told you I would? That you’re mine?” He framed her face in his hands, looking straight into her soul. “Yes. I’m pretty confident about that.”
“Good,” she said, laying her hands over his. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Promise?”
She laid a soft kiss on his palm. “I promise. Consider this bed your new home, because I’m never letting you leave it.”
He walked her backward and gently eased her onto the bed. He followed until his body was covering hers, and then pressed his hardness into her. She sucked in a breath at the long-awaited contact.
“Home sweet home,” he purr
ed.
He kissed her slowly, deeply. Stealing her breath as he conquered her mouth. Fireworks shot off behind her eyelids at the feeling of absolute joy washing over her. She never knew the man of her dreams existed in real life. Never knew her mind could even conjure up such an idea.
Yet here he was.
The man of her dreams, in her arms. The owner of her heart.
Exceeding all her expectations. Fulfilling all her hopes and desires. Offering her the ultimate happiness.
Safe shelter for her heart.
He pulled back and gazed down at her, nothing but love shining in his beautiful blue eyes.
“Are we really doing this?” she asked.
He returned her soft smile. “We really are, luv.”
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Acknowledgments
The first person I have to thank for even making this book possible is my wonderful angel of an editor, Nina. Woman… I don’t even know where to start with you. You’ve been absolutely amazing from the very beginning. I have especially appreciated your patience with this book, because I know it felt like it went on and on! I know I was raw and inexperienced when you first took me under your wing, and I probably drove you bonkers. Eh, I probably still do. But you have already shaped and molded me into so much of a better writer, and I can’t thank you enough. I truly love working with you, and I can’t wait for our future books together!
As always, to my husband, Sean, I probably never would have started writing if it wasn’t for you. You’ve supported and encouraged me from day one, and made me believe that I could accomplish great things. YOU make my dreams possible. Thank you for that, and for every other beautiful thing you bring to my life.
To my parents, as I embark on a new chapter of my writing, I’m constantly reminded of the foundation you both provided as I was growing up. You have influenced more of my decisions in life than you could possibly know…in good ways. Your love and support over the years has led me to where I’m at today, and helped me become the person I am.
To the rest of my family, it would be a cliché to say that you all inspire me. But you do. You inspire my stories, you inspire my characters, and you inspire my determination to do the very best I can with each and every project I take on. Despite all my quirks and craziness, you guys have always had my back through everything. Which makes me quirky and lucky.
To the rest of the team at Entangled, I have to thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this fantastic group of fabulous people. You’ve opened more doors for me as a writer, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Lastly, to all of my readers, those who have been with me from the beginning and those who are brand new, THANK YOU times infinity. Your feedback over the years has been amazing, and your support has been overwhelming. I know that if you guys aren’t happy, then I’m not doing my job, so I always want to hear from you. Thank you so much for hopping on this rollercoaster with me, and for sticking with me throughout my journey! I so so soooo appreciate all of your love!
About the Author
Traveler. Reader. Beachgoer. St. Louis Cardinals fan. Pasta-obsessed. North Carolina resident. Sarcastic. Bit of a nerd.
Author of the Slow Seductions, Cruz Brothers, and Possession and Politics series, Melanie loves all things romance. From lighthearted comedies to sexy thrillers, she likes to mix it up, but loves her some strong alpha males and sassy heroines.
Go visit Melanie’s website and sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on release dates, teasers, and other details for all of her projects! You can also follow Melanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
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