Page 87 of Wild Promise

“I learned from the best.” She reached up and tugged my tie loose, pulling the knot free. “Now take this off. You look ridiculous.”

“I feel ridiculous. This thing has been choking me all night.”

She popped the top button of my shirt. “That’s because it’s not who you are.”

No. It wasn’t. The suit, the corner office, the deal with my father—none of it was me. This was me. Standing in the place I’d grown up in, with a loosened collar and the woman I loved, surrounded by people who actually knew me. Not just my last name.

This was home. She was home.

The room was still buzzing. People were watching. My family was watching. Her family was watching.

And I didn’t give one single fuck.

I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her. Deep and slow and thorough enough to make up for every day I’d spent without her. The room erupted one more time with cheers, whistles, and someone who was definitely Olivia screaming. But all I could feel was Melina’s hands in my hair, her body pressed against mine, and the steady, certain beat of her heart against my chest.

The DJ, mercifully, chose that moment to crank the music. Within seconds, the dance floor was filling up, and the attention shifted away from us.

When I finally pulled back enough to breathe, I rested my forehead against hers.

“Come home with me tonight,” I murmured. “The new co-owner of Copper Ridge Resort has a few things he’d like to celebrate.”

“Only if you make me one more promise.”

“Anything. Name it.”

“Promise you’ll bring me a snickerdoodle when we’re done.”

I laughed. “That’s actually one promise I can’t keep.”

Her mouth dropped open in mock offense, but it closed around a moan when I bent to drag my lips up her neck. I kissed and nipped from her collarbone to her earlobe, my scruff scratching across her skin, until I reached her ear.

“I don’t ever plan on being done with you, firecracker.”

Five Days Later

Melina

I stood at the sink, absently washing my hands and staring out the steamed-up window at the snow falling in pretty patterns through the sky. The entire yard was covered in a thick blanket of white, so soft and fluffy-looking, I wished I could run outside and dive in.

The doorbell rang, snapping me back to reality, and I grabbed a towel to dry my hands as I headed for the front door. But I didn’t get far before an arm snagged around my waist.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Zane growled in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I turned in his arms, and his deep, forest-colored gaze captured mine. “To get the door.”

“You’re too busy. Let me get it.”

“You just want to keep me barefoot in your kitchen,” I teased.

“You mean our kitchen.” His lips curved into that wicked smile I’d never get tired of. “And not barefoot. Naked.”

A burst of heat coursed through me, and suddenly I was far too turned on for the company we were about to welcome. “Well, since that’s probably my family freezing to death on our front porch, you’re out of luck. At least until they go home.”

“Then we better make this dinner fast.” He spun me toward the kitchen and sent me off with a swat on my behind.

“Watch yourself, Alexander,” I warned, shooting a look over my shoulder. “You don’t want to make me angry.”

“You know I love it when you’re bossy, firecracker. I’m hard just thinking about it,” he called, loud enough for the entire house to hear as he strode toward the door.