Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“You always have been,” he said. “I’ve loved you since we were sixteen. I love you now. And I’ll love you when we’re sixty, too.”
My heart climbed up my throat.
“I don’t care if I have to fight every single day to remind you how amazing you are, how fantastic and funny you are. I don’t care if I have to fight for my place at your side. I’ll do it. Because you’re worth fighting for, Anne. You’re worth everything. And on the days you don’t think you are, I’ll just love you that much harder.”
Happy tears rolled down my cheeks, and he swiped them away, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a small box, opening it between us.
“What do you say?” he asked as I stared at the gorgeous ring inside the box. “Want to take it one day at a time with me forever?”
My heart leaped, the answer crystal clear.
“Yes!” I threw my arms around his neck, and he caught me against him, hauling me off my feet and spinning me around.
The crowd started the countdown, the place reaching ear-shattering levels of loud.
“Three, two, one!” the crowd shouted before erupting into applause. Cheers rang out all around us as the band Lyla hired shifted to Auld Lang Syne.
“Happy New Year, baby,” Jim said into my ear before kissing me senseless.
“Happy New Year, James,” I said, holding my hand out so he could slip the ring on my finger.
“Do you think Lyla will notice if you disappear for a little bit?”
I shook my head. “I think we can spare a few.”
Anticipation raced through me as Jim took my hand, leading me through the crowd and through the back of the restaurant until we came to the little supply closet. I opened the door, practically shoving him inside before locking it behind us.
It was small and cramped but it was private and that was all we needed.
“I love you,” Jim said against my lips as he pressed me against the door, lifting me until I locked my ankles around his back.
“I love you,” I said right back, kissing him frantically as his hand plunged beneath my skirt. He tore the hose I wore underneath, the primal action sending liquid heat pulsing down the center of me. “Hurry,” I demanded, a sense of urgency spiraling through me.
He shifted his weight, freeing himself before he lined himself up with my center.
“Say it again,” he demanded, teasing me with the tip of his cock.
“I love you,” I said again, breathless as I clung to him.
He plunged inside me, filling me up so fast and hard I gasped for breath.
“I love you so fucking much,” I said again, and he rewarded me with another thrust.
Then another, each one setting my insides on fire.
“Fuck, you feel amazing, baby,” he said, pumping into me as he supported my weight against the door.
I kissed him, licking into his mouth and relishing the feel of him inside me.
“Don’t ever leave me again,” he demanded, pumping into me at just the right angle to hit my aching clit. “You’re mine now. You feel this?” he said, grinding against me for emphasis.
My eyes rolled back in my head as I tried to stay grounded to this planet, but it was so fucking hard when he pumped into me like that.
“I get to make you feel this good forever,” he said, joy and claiming surrounding his tone.
Pleasure worked its way up my spine, spiraling in warm tendrils along every inch of my body.
“Forever,” I agreed, the word sounding like the sweetest thing I’d ever heard.
“We’re short on time, baby,” he said, kissing me as he thrust in again. “You’re going to come for me now.” He ground against me again before pumping into me fast and hard, my body bouncing from the motions as he drove me into oblivion.
“James!” I cried out, my orgasm making me clench so hard around him he found his release inside me at the same time.
He kissed me, hard and claiming. “Such a good fucking girl.”
I shivered and stood corrected. Those two words were the sweetest to hear, and I never felt more loved or seen in my entire life.
We quickly cleaned ourselves up, hurrying back into the crowded restaurant before anyone noticed our absence. Well, Ridge may have, with the look he shot us, but he kept himself busy annoying the hell out of Lyla, if her agitated face was any indication.
I checked on my tables, grateful that they weren’t in need of a thing, and did my best to finish my shift with my fiancé intently watching me the entire time.
Sweet heavens, my fiancé.
I was going to marry the love of my life.
And no one on this earth could stop me.
Epilogue
ANNE
One month later
“Are you sure you don’t want to at least tell Mom?” Sephie asked me as we looked through the dress racks at Luna’s Boutique.