Page 7 of Yours, Now and Always
I never stood a chance with her.
That glint in her eye? I’m being dared to chase her even now. And I would. In a heartbeat. No hesitation. Drop everything. Burn everything. Just to chase her one more time.
The part of me that plans four moves ahead? Gone when it comes to her.
The part that thought I’d never fall this hard? Delusional.
The part that thought I could survive her? Dead and buried.
I wrap one arm around her waist while bringing my other hand to her jaw. And I take my time looking at her face. Every beautiful inch of it.
“You’re going to be the death of me, Princess,” I say roughly, thumb grazing over her bottom lip. “And I’ll fucking thank you for it.”
Then I kiss her. Not hard. Not rushed. I kiss her deeply. I take my time memorizing the shape of forever.
My hands stay right where they are, at her waist and jaw. This moment isn’t about heat or hunger or urgency. It’s about love.
This isn’t a kiss. It’s a vow. And I never make vows I don’t intend to keep.
When I end the kiss, Amelia doesn’t move at first. She just blinks, tries to breathe. Surrenders herself. Wrecked too.
She looks up at me like I hold the answer to every question she’s ever asked, and those she still hasn’t.
I’ve seen her brilliant. Composed. Defiant.But this?This is my favorite version of her.
Undone by me. Because of me. For me.
“Gage,” she whispers, and I feel it like a yes. Like permission to ruin her forever.
“You with me?” I ask because she just fell apart in my hands, and I need to know she’s made it back to herself. That her body’s caught up with her heart. That she’s steady on the inside, not just the outside.
If she needs a second, I’ll give her forever. If she needs my arms before my vows, she already has them.
She nods. Eyes clear now. Then she laces her fingers with mine.
“Yes, I’m with you.”
Andgoddamn, the certainty in her voice goes straight to my blood.
My woman is ready to marry me.
I hear the soft shuffle of movement to my right. The sound breaks through the cocoon we’ve just built around ourselves with that kiss.
The officiant clears her throat politely. “We...um, we can begin when you’re ready.”
I glance at her. Then at Lucy standing just behind her. My assistant, and today, our witness. Lucy gives me an arch of her brows that says,we’re running late here boss, hurry your shit along.
“We’re ready.”
CHAPTER 3
AMELIA
Idon’t think I’ve breathed properly since Gage slipped that ring on my finger. And now he’s looking at me like the vows were foreplay and that the second the door shut behind us, I stopped being something he had to hold gently and became something he’s finally allowed to devour.
“God,” I whisper. “You’re my husband.”
He stills.
