Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Should I climb over the table to get to you, or are we going to meet in the middle?” she asks, and I’m already moving around the table to get to her. She does the same, meeting me midway, and we embrace. Our lips meet almost instantly as I thread my fingers into the back of her hair, holding her tightly to me. I feel her heart beating, I feel her body warm against mine, and I know—fuck, I know—I will love her for the rest of my days. She brushes her fingers down my jaw, holding me tightly before running her tongue along my lips. I open them, our tongues dancing together as our hearts do the same.
When we part, we’re both gasping as our eyes meet, and my heart sings for hers. My hand vibrates at her hip as hers cups my jaw. “I can’t believe you were ready to give it all up for me,” she whispers against my lips, her eyes searching mine. “That wouldn’t have been a smart move.”
“See, I don’t agree,” I say, kissing her top lip. “I think it would have been the best move because it would have meant you would be mine.”
“But you’ve worked so hard.”
“Yeah, but I love you more.”
Her eyes start to drown in her tears, and my heart can’t take it. I kiss her nose. “Don’t you cry, Janie.”
She swallows hard, and I stroke her jaw. “I’ve never been loved like this.”
“Shit,” I say, kissing her top lip. “Janie, you don’t even know what’s in store, because I’m just getting started.”
A tear spills over, and her eyes brighten. “That sounds very promising.”
I move closer, bringing her in as tight as I can. “It is, because you know how hard I’ve worked for a sport I love? Well, wait and see how hard I work to make you happy, make you laugh, and Janie, make you scream.” Her breath catches, but desire swirls in those stunning depths. “Because you are the woman I love.”
Her eyes fall shut as she presses her nose into mine. She sighs happily and then whispers, “I’m so glad you weren’t an intruder.”
Laughter bubbles out of me, and her eyes dance with mine as I squeeze her tightly. “I may not have been, but you were the true burglar.”
She eyes me, barely holding back her laughter. “Just say it.”
“Because you stole my heart, Janie.”
“And I’m not giving it back,” she promises before pressing her lips to mine in a hot and necessary kiss. As I hold her, drinking from those beautiful lips, I know what just happened hasn’t really sunk in. But I know I did everything I wanted and truly believe in. I would have walked away and I know I would have been fine with that decision, but I didn’t have to. Because of her. Because she did steal my heart. As our kiss deepens and I hold her ever so close to me, but never close enough, I know for a fact that she can keep my heart.
It will always be hers.
epilogue
Austen
“How long will you guys be gone?”
Dimitri’s mom, Piper—as she insists I call her—sits across from me with her husband beside Dimitri. I hadn’t realized how much Dimitri looked like his dad until I was smack-dab in his face. They have the same build and jawline. I see Dimitri takes after him with the color of his hair and facial hair, but his eye shape and color is his mother. Such a light blue color that pierces my soul. His mom has such kind eyes too, not like Katarina, who has honestly been sitting here pouting the whole time.
When we were invited for dinner with Dimitri’s family, I was terrified. But then I remembered I have no reason to be scared of anything. I left a cult, I stood up to my peepaw when I thought my love for him would never allow me to, and I fell in love. I’m basically a whole-ass dragon slayer because, boy, have I been through some shit. But none of that matters when I’m totally in love with Dimitri.
I glance over at him, finding that he is already looking at me. His hair falls in his eyes since he needs a haircut, and he has let the hair on his chin grow longer than I care for. It isn’t like he’s had time to shave. After the last part of training camp, and then Owen and Angela’s wedding, he has used the last three days to lie in bed and do absolutely nothing…
But me.
It’s been glorious.
“Just two days?” I ask, and he nods.
“Yeah, nothing crazy. She has to be back to work on Monday.”
“And why are you going again? I don’t think I was really paying attention since I was confused about how there is a small Russian town in Pennsylvania,” Piper says, and I smile.