Page 74 of The Sculptor

“Anything.”

Gah, I love this man. “You get rid of the spider,andwhen we’re married, you do it again—officially.”

I should have known. He will always honor his word, even if he promised it years ago.

“Come on, Ray, don’t be shy.” He holds his arms out, and I swear I’m not sure if I love him or hate him more in this moment.

“We’re naked.” And freezing, but I don’t say that. Because he knows it’s his fault we had to strip on the deck in the first place.

“And? I’m not seeing an issue here.”

Of course, he wouldn’t. Naked time is his favorite.

“There’s not even a spider,” he adds, when I just stand there, shivering, with a stupid grin on my face. This man is so cute it crumbles every bit of willpower I have to deny him.

Not that I want to.

But a blanket would be nice.

“Come on, Sunny Ray,” he coaxes, trailing a finger down my breasts. “You’re not going to deny me of performing my duty, are you?” He flashes me a wink. “After all, it was you who requested an official moment.”

“I didn’t think I would be naked, though.” I laugh, and he uses the opportunity to scoop me up into his arms, holding me close.

“Don’t blame me that you’re naked,” he says, walking toward the door. “Had you not needed a swim, we would be clothed and already sitting by the fire.”

He opens the door and flashes me a grin. “But you can never just let me do this without an argument.”

“That’s not true.”

He arches a brow.

“Okay, fine. Maybe I’ve been difficult… at times.”

The spider was a serious issue, though. I will always argue about that.

“It’s a good thing I know how to deal with your difficult self.” He grins, taking the last remaining steps through the door.

“Welcome home, Dr. Potter,” I whisper, staring deep into his eyes. This time is different. This time, we aren’t on the run and scared. This time, he’s officially mine.

“And we’re done here. I need to get you warmed up with my tongue.” He grins and kicks the door closed behind him, taking off at a trot.

“You are so ridiculous.” I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me while I hang on to his neck as he leads us down the hall to the bathroom, which has been heavily remodeled since the last time I was here.

“Ridiculous,” he chides, “is the violent way you’re shivering. It’s notthatcold.” He sets me down on the floor, and I brace for the cold tile, but it never comes.

“Heated floors.” He grins.

Why must he be absolutely adorable? I swear, I never had a chance of not falling in love with him.

“Well, I’m sorry I don’t run five degrees hotter than the average human like you.” It could be twenty below, and this man would still jog in shorts. He never gets cold.

“Lucky for you, I’ll always be here to keep you warm.” He turns on the faucet, letting the water fill the clawfoot tub, but we both know he isn’t just promising a warm bath. He’s promising a lifetime of warmth in all the ways he can offer. Duke Potter has kept the trauma of that winter we spent in this very cabin from seeping into my bones. He might not have known it, but he has.

I remembered the warmth of his smile.

The way his warm hand held mine while he whispered my name like a prayer.“Sunny Ray,” he would say.“My midnight sun, the light of my life.”

I had never been the light of someone’s life—never felt so cherished, so precious—until I lay in this man’s arms and let him ruin me for all others.

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