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“This is amazing,” she says. “Thank you for doing this, for loving me so well.”
“Loving you is the easiest thing I do each day.” I reach across the table, grasping her hand in mine and bringing it to my lips. Her skin is silky smooth, smelling of jasmine and sex.
Pearl’s eyes darken, pupils dilating with desire. “Take me to bed.”
My heart kicks into overdrive. I throw some bills onto the table and sweep Pearl into my arms, carrying her to the bedroom. Our clothes fall away in a flurry of impatient hands and hungry mouths.
Tonight I’ll worship every inch of her body, loving her with a tenderness and passion that leaves no doubt of my devotion. Pearl is my everything, my forever, and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.
* * *
Pearl lies beneath me, skin flushed and breathless. I trail kisses over her collarbone, nuzzling between her breasts. She arches into my touch with a soft cry, thighs squeezing my hips.
“Josh.” My name on her lips is a benediction. I lift my head to find her gazing at me with so much love and trust, it steals my breath.
This woman holds my heart in her hands. She sees me, knows me, accepts me—darkness and all—and still chooses to love me. It’s a gift I’ll never take for granted.
I cup her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “Marry me.”
Pearl’s eyes widen, lips parting on a gasp. For a moment she just stares at me, as if unsure she heard correctly. Then her face transforms into a radiant smile and she throws her arms around my neck.
“Yes, yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
Joy and relief flood me as I crush her in my embrace, heart so full it might burst from my chest. She said yes. Pearl is going to be my wife.
“I love you so much,” I whisper against her hair, tears burning my eyes. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“And you’ve made me the happiest woman.” Pearl pulls back to beam at me, eyes shining with tears of her own. She cups my face, gaze softening. “I never dreamed I could be this happy. You’re my best friend, my home. I love you with all that I am, Josh Hamilton, and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
My vision blurs as I surge forward, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Our love is deep, passionate, and I’ll spend forever proving to Pearl that she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
* * *
We break apart at the sound of applause and cheers. Our friends and family have gathered in the living room, wide smiles stretching across their faces.
Pearl blushes and ducks her head, though she can’t hide her radiant joy. I pull her close to my side, beaming at the group.
“Surprise!” My best man, Mike, shouts. “We’ve been waiting here for the last hour. Josh told us he was going to propose tonight and asked us to be here to celebrate.”
“You sneaky devil!” Pearl punches my arm, eyes dancing with mirth. “You planned this whole thing, didn’t you?”
“Guilty as charged.” I press a kiss to her temple. “I wanted our engagement to be a night you’d never forget.”
Our guests crowd around us, offering hugs, kisses and congratulations. Pearl glows under the outpouring of love and support, her hand anchored firmly in mine.
By the time the last guest leaves it’s nearly midnight. Pearl sags against me on the couch, head pillowed on my shoulder.
“Today has been perfect,” she murmurs. “Thank you for making it so special.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” I brush a curl behind her ear. “I meant every word I said earlier. You’re my forever, Pearl, my always.”
Her smile is soft, full of warmth and promise. “As you are mine.”
She rises onto her toes, hands framing my face, and kisses me with a slow thoroughness that has heat pooling low in my gut. I groan against her mouth, pulling Pearl onto my lap. Our kisses turn hungry, hands roaming and grasping, and I know without a doubt that I’m the luckiest man in the world.
* * *
Pearl grinds down against my hardening length, her nails scraping along my scalp. I groan, breaking the kiss to trail my lips down her throat.
