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Huffing a laugh of disbelief, I rub my lips as I stare at him. “This is insane. I’d have to quit my job. Where would I work?”

“We’ll figure out whatever we have to do to make this work,” he says simply, making my heart swell with so much emotion that my eyes start to water. “What do you say, Ducky? Will you spend forever with me?”

The tears spill onto my lashes as I let go of his hand to grab his face, crashing our lips together. “Of course I will. Always, baby. Who else?”

Who else could I love more than this?

Who else could be so ingrained in my skin that our souls speak without words?

Who else could walk through hell with me, hand in hand?

“I love you,” he whispers against my mouth, his tears mingling with mine as he sets the sign down to wrap me in his arms. “I love you so much, and I’m going to do right by you and Hannah. I promise.”

“I know you will,” I murmur, pressing my forehead to his. And I do. Of that, I have no doubts.

Because that’s what made me fall in love with him. His caring nature and capacity for good—even to his detriment.

But not anymore. I’ll never let anyone take advantage of that again.

He holds me like he’s afraid I’ll vanish, his mouth warm against my temple as my heart beats steady against his.

For the first time in our lives, I allow myself to feel what I’ve never dared before out of fear and doubt.

It comes easily, naturally, like breathing air.

I allow myself to hope.

Chapter forty-eight

“Let’s go to sleep, Ducky.”

Taking his hand, I lead my fiance to our bed, smiling to myself at those words. Today has been equally one of my most amazing and terrifying days, but I got through it. I’m getting through it because Xed is here beside me, and for the first time in so long, it feels permanent.

It feels like forever.

For the first time in almost two years, this house finally feels like home.

Stopping by the foot of the bed, I turn to him, finding his gaze already on me. Something flickers in his expression, a mix of awe and apprehension, and my heart lurches painfully as I slowly pull off my shirt. “Can I hold you?”

Any uncertainty left vanishes when his pupils dilate, heat blazing to life in his gold-flecked eyes when they drop down my torso. “Do you even have to ask that?”

“I’ll always ask that.” Stepping closer, I gently push the jacket from his shoulders, letting it slide to the floor. “Forever.” My hands slip beneath his shirt, drawing it up until he lifts his arms for me. “And ever.” When his shirt joins his jacket, I loop my fingers into his belt, tugging on it until it loosens enough to pop open. “And ever.”

Xed’s breath catches as his palms slide down my biceps, and I slip my arms around his waist, pulling him to my chest. The feeling of his bare skin on mine sends a riot of need pulsing through my veins, so strong that it nearly chokes me. Dipping my head, I press my lips to his, softly at first and then harder when he curls his fingers around the back of my neck. When his tongue swipes my bottom lip, seeking entry, I give it, letting him lick into my mouth with a moan that immediately has my cock jumping to life.

“Are you tired?” he asks between kisses, his free hand dipping beneath the hem of my sweatpants to cup my ass. “It’s late. We’ve had a long day, and we’ll probably have another one tomorrow. Should probably get some rest.”

“Mm.” I walk us backward until his legs hit the bed, where he collapses, and I drop the rest of my clothes before climbing on top. “Probably should. Don’t want to.”

There are so many things we’ll have to worry about in the morning. I don’t want any of that to ruin this moment, ruin the fact that Xed is here and we’re finally together after what feels like a lifetime.

“Me neither.” He wraps his legs around my waist, ass grinding on my length, and I groan as I rut against him, burying my face in his neck.

“I know we just had sex like six hours ago, but I really fucking want you again.”

“Yeah?” Reaching between us, he wriggles out of his jeans, allowing me to help slide them off, letting his cock spring free. “How do you want me, baby? Inside you?”

I shake my head, taking him in my hand to stroke him slowly, loving the way he throws his head back with a grunt. “Can I…can I top this time, Ducky? Last time wasn’t what I wanted for you, and I’m so sorry. I didn’t want your first time to be that way. It should have been special, but I…I ruined it.”