Page 138 of The Forever After Bet

He grabs my hips, lifting me up. I tilt my hips, and Ford pushes inside me. I let my head fall back, groaning at the feeling.

“I love the way you make me feel,” I whimper.

“Every time I’m with you is better than the last.”

Ford lowers his head, swiping his tongue across my hard nipple. He turns me and my back hits the wall. The contrast of the cold tile and warm water makes me gasp. I arch my hips, and he slides in even deeper. I try to move my hips again, and he pins me to the wall.

“Hannah, I’m—”

I scrap my hands along his back and tug at his hair. “Show me how much you love me, Crawford.”

Ford growls low in his abdomen. He plants one of his hands on the tile wall and leans in, nipping my mouth. “With pleasure, Clark.”

54. Marriage License

Hannah and I lie in bed together, soaking up what little time we have left before she needs to head back to her room. She’s lying on her side, and I trail my fingers along the curve of her hips and thighs, then up to her shoulder.

“Hannah,” I whisper, bending my head and kissing her neck. I’ve thought long and hard about what I want to say to her.

“Hmm?” She turns her head, but her eyes are still closed.

My fingers drift around her hip. I dip my finger along the indent of her belly button and glide them up her torso, where I trace my finger along the edge of her nipple. She lets out a sigh. Her body beads with goosebumps and her nipple pebbles into a stiff peak.

“I need to tell you something.” I lean down, kissing the swell of her breast.

She rolls, so she is facing me. She opens her eyes, and a beautiful smile graces her lips. “What is it?” Hannah trails a finger along the edge of my jaw and then threads her hands into my hair.

I kiss the slope of her neck, then cup my hand around her cheek. “We’re married.” The relief from the secret I’ve been carrying rushes through me, and I feel lighter than I have in a long time.

She blinks sleepily at me for several long seconds, then sits up. “What? We are?”

I nod. “Yes. Ty dropped our marriage license in the mail on his way to the diner that Friday night. Dave’s mom works for the post office, so we asked him to help us to get into the mailbox, but when we opened it, it was empty. I got our license in the mail the first week of January.”

“I knew about the mailbox, but I didn’t know the outcome.”

“You did? And you never said anything?” I pull her to me. “If I’d know you knew that…” I trail off, because I don’t know if I would’ve done things differently.

“It’s okay,” she whispers, resting her head against my shoulder.

I pick up her hand, touching the promise ring on her finger. “Do you still want to be my wife?”

She puts her arms around my neck. “I love you at this very second in time, Crawford Cross. I’ll love you tomorrow, and the day after that. In a week and in ten years…” She leans in, giving me a soft kiss. “And when it’s all said and done, I’ll have loved you for forever.” Hannah reaches up, sliding her thumb under my eye, chasing away a stray tear.

I bring her hand up, kissing her promise ring. “I will always love and cherish you.”

A smile spreads across Hannah’s face, and she rests her forehead against mine. “I have something to tell you,” she whispers. “I’ve been accepted to Edwin Sutherland University.”

“What?” I pull back so I’m looking at her.

She bites her lip, smiling. “You heard me.”

I grab her, rolling us so she’s underneath me. “This day just keeps getting better and better.” I trail kisses up her neck to her jaw, and I nip at her earlobe. I gently press my lips to hers, savoring the feel of her.

“Are you ready to plan our life together, Ford?” Hannah asks.

“I was ready yesterday.”

55. My life has Changed

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