Page 182 of Chasing Hope

But I believe I’ve found my home. I believe that after all these years, I am finallyhome.

I am finally safe.

Nothing has ever felt like this. I’m present in my body, wholly in my mind, and I am loving every second of it.

“Matteo,” I whisper, the only word I’m able to utter as the pressure within me begins to build again, just the sheer connection between us overwhelming my body with ecstasy.

“I’m here, Dove. I’m always here.” He kisses me fiercely before admitting, “I’ve always been yours.”

“I’m yours, Matteo,” I whisper back, nothing ever feeling more right than this.

A full-body shudder wracks him at my confession.

His hips pick up the pace, both of us panting in earnest now, and I’m climbing that high again, just on the cusp.

“I’m yours,” he says. “Heart, body, and soul, I’m yours. Come with me, baby.”

As if my body belongs to him, it explodes, his words my undoing.

The moment my core clenches around him Matteo is coming alongside me, our gazes holding as the world shatters around us.

“My Matteo,” I whisper, stroking his hair as he peppers soft kisses along my cheek.

He graces me with the most gorgeous smile as he murmurs back, “My Dove.”

Chapter 52

Evie

CALLING FOR A HOT DISPATCHER

ANGEL

here! Hurry your asses up!

TRISTAN

we’re getting in between Angel and her coffee

KALANI

everyone run for the hill

Soda sprays out Kalani’s nose, and the sound of hysterical laughter filtering through the speaker of Angel’s phone joins the laughter of us all now as we replay the video for the umpteenth time.

Kalani groans, sliding down further into her chair, trying to hide her face with her arm. “How many times are you going to watch it?”

Angel’s brows arch. “As many times as we want. You gave me pure gold last night.”

Tristan holds a napkin to his mouth, our breakfast completely forgotten for the last ten minutes as we’ve watched the video on repeat. “God, Kal, how are your nostrils? Are they burning?”

Kalani peeks out between the crook of her elbow. “Yes.”

Tristan and Angel snort at her response.

Before I can add my two cents—because it is a hilarious video—Angel teases, “Just so you know, I’m playing this at your wedding.”

Kalani scrambles to sit up. “No! You wouldn’t!”