She reaches out, her delicate finger tracing the thick lines across my skin. The sensation is soothing and exhilarating. Her beautiful dark eyes drag up to mine and something unlocks deep in my chest.

“I love that you wear T-shirts three sizes too big. I love that you think pizza is fine dining. I love that you snore louder than a grizzly bear.” I take a small step toward her with every sentence. Thank fuck she’s too entranced to pull away. “I love that you use movie references at least two decades old. I love that you have a favorite human organ. I love how I never know what’s going to come out of your mouth. I love the way your smile can light up the room. I love that your laugh is the happiest sound in the world.” One last step and I’m in her space, chest to chest. I lean down and tickle the sweet spot on her neck with my lips, whispering, “I love the way you shudder underneath me when you come.” I lean back and with a smirk, add, “Or on top of me.”

Her knees buckle, but I catch her in my arms. I hold her tight, pinning her against my body. Taking in her beautiful face, I push aside the jokes and get serious. For once in my life, I’m not going to hold back.

I drop my forehead to hers and vow, “I will feed you when you’re hungry. I will keep you safe when you’re scared. I will hold you when you’re hurt. I will find you when you’re lost. I will tell you that you’re my goddess every single day. And I will love you no matter what.” I kiss her with what I can only describe as unending devotion. The kiss is soft but excruciatingly passionate. I let my lips linger on hers, pleading and taunting.

Her eyes are pinched closed when she asks, “You love me?”

I kiss her again before I answer, “Yes.”

“Are you sure?” she asks again, not willing to look at me.

I squeeze her tight and kiss her again. “I’m fucking positive.”

“Well, that’s weird.”

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Austin

I take my jacket off and drape it over Elizabeth’s shoulders before wrapping her up in my arms. She’s a breathing ice sculpture. It’s got to be in the forties out tonight and the valet is taking forever. The three of us finally made it to La Rouge, Elizabeth, her dad—who I’ve continued to call Dick despite how many times he calls himself Richard—and me. After a frosty few months when Elizabeth and I first officially started dating, he finally made an effort and invited us out to dinner. He insisted on choosing the place and here we are.