Page 9 of Yours, Now and Always
And he still waited.
Tore himself apart and waited anyway.
Was standing right where he said he’d be when I was ready to come home.
I don’t know a better man. And I’m so fucking lucky I get to call himhusbandnow.
I stare into those dark, wrecked eyes of his. And then I say it. “Husband.”
I don’t say it softly. Or sweetly. Or the way I said it any of the other times.
This time, it comes out exactly how he asked for it. Burning with need. Breathless. Like I’m already taking him deep.Like I’m telling him he belongs to me.
I’d say it again if he wanted that.
And again.
And again.
I am so gone for this man I’d beg him to ruin me slower just so I can feel every second of it.
A raw, course sound comes from him, pulled from somewhere deep, and then everything in him snaps. “Dress off,” he says, voice feral but focused. “Leave the collar. That stays.”
That command in his voice?
Holy hell of all things indecent.
It causes my breathing to turn erratic. My heart too.
Hot damn, I need a minute.
Gage gives it. He doesn’t rush me.
I slide the straps down slowly, baring my shoulders first.
His eyes follow the fabric’s path.
The dress slides down my body like it knows its job is to get out of the way for what’s coming. When it pools at my feet, I step out of it.
And now I’m standing in front of him in nothing but a black lace bra, matching panties, and the collar that will never leave my throat again.
Gage’s jaw flexes. His hands fight to stay restrained by his side. But his eyes? They touch every inch of me.
“Jesus Christ, Amelia.” His voice is pure gravel. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
He lifts one hand. Trails his fingers along my jaw, down my neck to my throat, to the collar.
And then,god, he leans in. And kisses it.
This isn’t just a press of a kiss, or a graze. He kisses it as if he’s making a vow. It’s afuck, you’re mine again and I will never forget thiskind of kiss.
He keeps his mouth there as his hands slide around my hips, pulling me in close, and I swear I hear him breathe me in like I’m the only thing keeping him standing.
When he pulls back, his hands tighten on me. “You ready?” he asks, eyes locked to mine. “Because I’m about to vow my fucking soul into your skin.”
I don’t know how I’m even still standing.
My knees threaten to give.
