His face turned serious. “I love you so damn much, baby girl. You turned my world upside down when we met, and I realized that I’d been living in a fog before I met you. This thing between us is so intense, and I never want to lose it. I never want to lose you. I will always choose you in life, no matter what.”
My eyes started to water as he demanded another hard kiss. He put me down gently and nodded towards the next light. “When this is over, you are in my bed tonight.”
“Maybe,” I teased, stepping back as he narrowed his playful eyes. I let out a happy hum, already seeing Yates, who leaned against a tree right by the entrance of the circle of light. I couldn’t help but smile at him.
“Bunny.” His voice was soft and demanding, his eyes sparking dangerously.
“What?” I bit my lip, edging closer to him.
“Come over here.”
“I don’t know,” I sang. “Seems a little odd, coming across my stalker in the—Yates!” I squeaked as he pinned me against the tree and gripped my chin. He kissed me hard and growled as I finally opened my mouth, his kiss invading me completely. I let out a breathless sigh as he pulled back.
His arm was on the tree above me as he spoke in an almost reverent tone, his gaze intensely focused on mine. “I don’t need to tell you that you are everything to me, Dahlia. You know how deeply I feel for you. How I will always feel for you. I’m goddamn obsessed with you, I live for you—” He seemed to stop himself and took a sharp exhale, growing more serious. “I promise you, bunny, that you will always come first. Your safety and happiness are everything to me.”
I went up on my toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I know, Yates. I love how you feel about me. It makes me feel less crazy for being so obsessed over you.” His eyes flared as I continued, “Plus, you know I like the crazy stuff—it’s why I let you do the new tracker.”
His rumble was amused. “I would have done it anyway.”
“I know.” I slipped from his arms and walked backwards. “Now, if you don’t mind, I am just going to—”
“Get punished for being a damn tease later.” He flashed me a dark smile as a chill rolled over my spine.
“Maybe, if you can catch me,” I pointed out, slipping back onto the path, his laugh following me. He had a right to laugh—he would no doubt catch me.
“Lincoln?” I called out as I walked to the next group of lights, finding him looking over the river before striding up to me. I moaned into his lips as he kissed me hard.
“Wow,” I breathed out.
“I’m an impatient bastard when it comes to you,” he murmured, pressing his head to my own. “I have wanted this for so long, it seems unreal.”
“Wanted what for so long?” I teased.
He tilted my chin up. “You know what, Dahlia.”
“I love you.” I felt a string of nervous excitement.
His eyes darkened, cupping my jaw. “I love you, Dahlia. I love you, and I have known since the time we were five that there was only one person for me. That’s you. You’re my soulmate, and I am going to live my entire life making sure you realize what that means.”
“Lincoln,” I whispered.
He pressed his forehead to mine as he squeezed my waist. “Alright, get yourself to Kingston or else I am going to lose my goddamn mind.”
I smiled softly. “Got something you need to get to?”
“Or get in.” He looked over me, my cheeks turning pink. As I escaped his hold, his chuckle at my surprise filled the air.
How was I supposed to expect he would come at me with something so hot?!
The pathway was a bit longer to reach Kingston, but when I reached him, I instantly smiled, finding him perched on the bench looking out over the river.
“King?” I called his name softly, breaking his trance. There was no hesitation in his gaze, just adoration as I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. The kiss he landed on my lips was soft, making my skin break out into shivers.
When I went back down on my toes, my hands pressed to his chest as his large hand smoothed over the column of my throat, his thumb brushing over my pulse.
“You know you’re ours, princess.” His tone was soft but extremely persuasive. “You have known for a while, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” I admitted breathlessly.