Ecstasy sizzles through my body like hot lightning as Ryder sinks to the hilt, his cock stretching me. Claiming me. And I love every second of it. Because I’m his, and he’s mine.
“I’ve missed being inside you like this,” he rasps, withdrawing nearly all the way then plunging deep.
When we got back to Denver last night—after passing out in each other’s arms and sleeping the entire flight home—he brought me straight to his house, and we’ve been in bed pretty much ever since. We can’t seem to get close enough. Can’t seem to kiss or touch each other enough.
His fingers find my clit, rubbing in circles, pushing me closer to the edge.
“Yesss.” I writhe beneath him, my nails digging into his shoulders. My inner muscles squeeze around his hard length, trying to pull him deeper. Then… pure bliss. With a cry, I arch up and willingly give everything to the man who has given me a home, and then filled it with friends who’ve become a family.
Moments after I fracture, Ryder comes hard, and I feel the shudder tear through his frame before he collapses on top of me. He nuzzles his face into the side of my neck and presses a kiss there.
“I love you, Delaney,” he whispers, voice husky with passion.
It’s the first time he’s said the actual words, and my heart sings, happy tears brimming in my eyes.
The best part? I’m ready to say them back.
“I love you, too.”
He pushes up onto his elbows, dark eyes glistening. “Say it again,” he demands, still inside me and, amazingly, already getting hard again.
“I love you, Ryder.” Raking my fingers through his mussed-up hair, I take in his expression of joy, and maybe a little relief. I’m not sure how I ended up getting so lucky with this man, but I’m beyond grateful.
“When did you realize it?” He starts dropping kisses on my face. First my cheek, then my temple, my jaw, my nose… my lips. We share an indecently long kiss, tongues battling, teeth nipping.
“When?” I echo when we finally come up for air, thinking back on our crazy journey.
“Let me guess. The moment you peeled the gym shower curtain back and saw my very fine, highly-impressive… assets.”
I giggle. “That’s certainly when I fell in lust.” Wrapping my arms tightly around him, I sigh. “Honestly? I think the moment I fell in love with you was after we saw the lion, and you told me you’d love me more than anyone ever has or ever will.”
“It’s true,” he states in a hushed, soft voice.
“I also remember you saying something about giving me the biggest damn diamond I’ve ever seen.”
He chuckles. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“Are you asking?” I toss back.
His dark eyes shine. “Will you marry me, Crumpet?”
“Will youeverstop calling me that?” I ask, feigning exasperation.
“Never.”
“Then I guess I have no choice.” I press a kiss to his stubbled jaw. “This crumpet belongs to you. And, yes, I will marry you.”
We share a smile and then a kiss that is so much more than a mere meeting of lips. It’s a promise for the future. And for the first time in a very long time, I’m looking forward to my future very, very much.
Epilogue: Delaney
Two Months Later...
“Ithink that went exceedingly well,” Ryder says as we leave the Denver Art Museum. He wraps an arm around my waist as we walk through the parking lot to his Lamborghini.
“Me, too,” I murmur, turning my nose into his lapel and breathing in his citrus amber scent. It never gets old and always manages to make my insides flutter.
After returning from Africa, we’ve spent almost every moment together. I haven’t officially moved in, but I don’t think I’ve spent more than a few nights at my apartment. And, of course, he stayed with me.
