Mom waves her hand toward the suite. “You guys quickly change, and I’ll ask Suzie to send some hot chocolate for you both.”

Wasting no more time, I turn around and march toward our room, with my heart thumping loudly. I feel Lukas’ heavy steps not far behind, but he doesn’t say anything until we’re inside the room.

Then he turns me around, and my back hits the doorframe in a flash. “Just so you know, I like you soaking wet.”

My words remain clogged in my mouth, and I can’t do anything but stare at his face.

His chiseled jaw is outlined by a hint of five o’clock shadow. His tousled hair is wet from the rain. But what makes my breath hitch is his smile. A smile that is so beautiful that it lights up his whole face. His deep blue eyes crinkle, and I don’t want to blink, breathe, or do anything that will pull my attention away from his face.

As I continue to stare, his expression morphs from playful to almost wistful. He closes his eyes, and I miss him already.

“Don’t look at me like that, Autumn,” he whispers, pressing his forehead against mine, and it feels like we’re sharing a part of each other.

“Like what?” I rasp.

“Like you love me. Like you would do anything for me. Like you would never leave me. Like I belong to you and this place. Like finally there’s something in this world I can call mine.”

The pain in Lukas’ words rips my heart. My chest is so full that tears run down my face. “Lukas!” His name is like a prayer from my lips, and I don’t know what I’m wishing for.

But he doesn’t let me think for long. He takes me in a bruising kiss, his lips so hard on mine that I think I’ll bleed. But at this very moment, I want my husband in no other way.

He folds me in his arms, and I feel safe, cherished, loved, and all those things we girls wish for when we think about the Prince Charming of our life.

“Autumn.” My mom’s voice from the other side of the door, followed by a knock, breaks us apart.

Lukas gives me a long look before striding into the bathroom. I glance at him until Mom knocks again. I rub my cheeks with the back of my hand before pulling the door open.

“Here’s some hot cocoa. Drink this. It’ll warm you up.” She puts a tray with two steaming cups onto the table before turning back at me and her smile immediately drops. “Are you alright?” She grabs my hands. “Are you coming down with a fever?”

“I’m okay.” I sniff and try to pull back. But she holds my face and I can’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.