“That’s a large list of books. Are you ready for that?”
“As ready as I am to marry you.” She promises. “Are you ready forthat?”
“My parents are coming and they’re going to be a little surprised, but I’ve never been so ready to be with someone forever, Soph. When Bella was coming on to me in Hawaii, there wasn’t even a tempted thought in my head. You destroyed other women for me. Entirely. There’s just you and I want the forever that only you can offer me.”
She wipes at her eyes and shakes her head. “You can’t do that to me.”
“Oh, we’re both screwed. We’re going to be sobbing up there.” I laugh, wiping at my eyes. “I can’t wait.”
She squeezes my hands. “Make me one more promise, okay?”
I hesitate, then slowly nod.
“Promise me that no matter what is going on, you’ll never stop talking to me like this? That you’ll always be this open and sweet and good with me.”
“That was already promised.” I remind her. “When I proposed I promised you me, exactly as I am forever. That means all this soft gooey stuff along with the kinky sex and the cuddling, and the adventures we go on.”
“I’m all yours.” She insists. Kissing me softly. She sucks my bottom lip, then draws back. “I have been for so long, Gun. You’ve never had a reason to worry.”
“And I never will again …” But I hesitate. “I might, but then we can have one of these nice conversations and fix it.”
She leans against me and I glance over at the living room. I see Valerie watching with her head turned to the side. Oh yeah, it’s time to catch up, bestie. I know that even if Sophie says she doesn’t care, it will mean the world to her if I can bond with Val, which means I’m going to have to find something in common with the hellion and make sure my future wife is happier than anyone – fiction or real life.
SOPHIE
Valerie gets on the plane in the morning and on the drive back, I realize I don’t miss her as much as the first or second time I dropped her off. Maybe it’s because I know I’ll see her again. Or maybe it’s because now we’re in more constant communication, it doesn’t feel like there’s as much space between New York and D.C.
But, when I get home before I can get out of my car, I see a text from Roman saying he’s going to be late tonight. I send a sad face and he sends me a heart in reply. I huff and go inside to see Holden waiting for me.
He bundles me up in his arms and kisses me softly. “How are you feeling about her leaving?”
“I don’tloveit, but it means sex is on the table again and I know I’ll see her again soon.” I sigh, pressing my head to his neck.
He smells so good. I know he uses one of the Old Spice soaps and the way it lingers on his skin is so delicious. I just want to keep hugging him. “You smell good.”
But he doesn’t laugh or do anything that I expect. He just rubs my back which means there’s bad news. I feel it like a current of electricity. “What is it, Hold?”
“Remember the asshole we told you about before? The one who likes to be involved even though he’s not a majority shareholder?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s back in town.” Holden keeps petting me. “Apparently, some people have heard of our upcoming wedding and decided to drop in. To meet you.”
“Eew,” I mumble. “That puts a dent into our available sex time.”
Holden lifts my chin and his mouth molds to mine. I moan and tug on his shirt, wanting more. My fiancés have made me so greedy. Holden surrenders his shirt, letting me stroke over the planes of his chest and abs.
“Don’t you try to seduce me, Miss Lane.”
I laugh and kiss his neck. “Should I hyphenate my name? Four last names aren’t too many.”
He laughs this time, then kisses me again. “Whatever you want, baby. You have my ring, you have my heart, you don’t need my last name as far as I’m concerned, but it’s yours to have.”
“How am I supposed to say something to that?” I ask, before standing on my toes and tugging him down to kiss me again.
“We were having a conversation.” He says around my lips.
“Creepy guy wants to meet me.” I summarize, still kissing him. “And I don’t want to meet him.”