Page 97 of The Scottish Strawberry Farm

He slid the ring on, his heart singing, swelling, bursting. He wasn’t sure how he’d ever got this lucky. Once on her finger, he kissed the delicate band, then chuckled, swiping the tears from her cheek to kiss her. She melded with him, like she always had.

His.

She nuzzled into his neck, surely getting makeup on his shirt. He was glad. She’d left far more permanent marks on him, and he would never want to erase them.

‘I love you so much,’ she uttered against his throat.

Their fingers intertwined, as closely melded as the twists of silver on the engagement ring. ‘I should have done this after dessert,’ he muttered. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to sit through four more courses without devouring you.’

She guided his hand under the table to rest on her thighs, which parted under his touch to better reveal the delicate, satiny skin beneath the ruffles of her dress. ‘I could offer you an appetiser from my secret menu, if you’d like.’

A hungry growl vibrated from him as he replied, ‘Yes, chef.’