“I don’t care about danger,” she added with a small hitch in her voice. “I don’t care about fake names or moving to new cities. I care about you, Remy. I love you.”
That was it. He was done. Deal sealed. She wanted him? She’d come after him? No way could heeverlet her go. The woman owned his very soul.
“Take me out of here,” she urged him. “Take me away with you, and we can start over together.”
Oh, they could definitely start over. He had plenty of money stashed away. He could give her any material thing she wanted in the world.
“I love you,” she said again.
But he knew material things didn’t matter to her. He mattered. And to him, she was the greatest treasure in the world. The one thing he’d sought his entire life. “I love you, sweetness.” His mouth took hers. Careful. Tender. Reverently.
The greatest prize he’d ever discovered. He would guard her for the rest of his life. Protect her always.
His muse. She’d inspired him from the beginning. Taught him to be more than just a thief. She’d made him a better man. For her, he could be better.
For her, he could do anything. Put the world at her feet. Give her a new life. Surround her with joy for the rest of her days.
But the one thing he could not, would not do…
Give her up.She’d come to him. Searched for him.
And he intended to keep his precious muse close, forever. He kissed her again, deeper, hotter, and her sweet taste had him craving so much more. But he lifted his head. “You want to disappear with me?”
“Yes.”
“Where do you want to go? Got a destination in mind?”
“I don’t care.” Her smile lit up the bar. It lit up his whole world. “I’m really just looking forward to the trip.”
His mouth opened… “Marry me.” Hell. He had meant to slowly build up to that part, but no, the Jacqueline effect had struck again.
“Absolutely.”
She—
A loud laugh escaped him. More like a cry of joy and he scooped her into his arms and spun her around. He barely felt the pull of mending muscles in his thigh.
“Hey, hey, man! What is happening over there?” Rodney called.
He kept spinning her. “Rodney, you can come to the wedding.”
“What wedding?” Rodney demanded to know.
“Mine.” He stared at her. Slowly lowered Jacqueline to her feet. “My wedding.” A wedding and a new life and some long-forgotten dreams coming true. That was what he’d get with Jacqueline.
That waseverything.
She laughed and kissed him again. The sweetest kiss in the world.
Epilogue
“So, I hear you’re gonna need some time off for the wedding.” Eric Wilde leaned back in his chair and studied the man who sat in the chair across from him.
Constantine Leos grinned. “Can’t believe how quickly he fell.” But he was happy for Remy. His best friend deserved some joy. Hadn’t he told Remy to go for the happy ending?
“Your first case with Wilde has officially concluded. Your probationary period is over,” Eric added with a nod.
Probationary period? Constantine hadn’t even realized he’d been on one.