Page 630 of From Rakes to Riches

Oh.

“But what of a different sort of love?” He took her hand in his. “What of a love that builds? Love doesn’t have to be destructive. Love can be…is…beautiful. Our love is?—”

“Magic,” she finished for him.

“You’re a need and a want, Gemma, and I can’t do without either. I’m asking you. I’mbeggingyou.”

And, like that, the clouds in her mind cleared.

It was safe to be mad with love for this magnificent, tender man.

He tugged, and all resistance fell away as she swayed into his embrace. Her head tipped back so she could hold his dark gaze. “I love you, Rake,” she said. Her every want and desire began spilling out of her. “I want you to be my husband. I want you to be father to my children. I want you to be my lover. I want you to be mine. Ineedyou to be mine.”

A feeling novel and effervescent blossomed within her. It was safe to speak those wants and needs, because this man would honor every last one of them.

Because he was hers—and she was his.

He caressed her cheek and tucked an unruly curl behind her ear. “You’ll never have to run again.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted onto the tips of her toes. “Only into your arms,” she spoke against his mouth.

And when his hands found the small of her back and pulled her in, she melted into his kiss. All the heat and desire and needand passion and love a swirl of emotion, lending a magic to the kiss in a way never before expressed.

What she and Rake shared…

It was special.

It wasthem.

No two other people on Earth sharedthis.

He pulled back a hairsbreadth. “That life we’re going to build together?” he muttered against her mouth.

“Yes?” she asked, her arms tightening around his neck. She wasn’t ready for the kiss to end. It had only gotten started.

“We can start building it tomorrow.”

“I was thinkingnowwould be more ideal.”

She tugged his cravat loose with both playfulness and serious intention. It had been entirely too long since she’d run her hands across his bare chest.

A wicked smile curled about his mouth. “Gretna Green is but a day’s ride away.”

“Can we not live in sin for a few days first?”

He gave his head a slow shake. “You’ll be my duchess when I have you next.”

Frustration seared through Gemma when she looked properly into his eyes and saw her future husband was utterly, damnably serious.

It seemed he’d left her with no choice.

“If it means having you in my bed again,” she sighed. “I suppose I’ll become your duchess.”

EPILOGUE

ONE MONTH LATER

In the end, Rake had provided thetonwith enough salacious gossip to keep their drawing rooms buzzing for a day or two.

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