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“When Chad told me someone had taken you—when I thought I’d never …” I choke back a sob, unable to finish the sentence. Unable to put into words the dark places my mind took me. “I know,”
“No, you don’t know, Amelia.” I turn her around so she’s sitting on my lap, her legs around me. I need to be looking into her eyes when I say this. I need her to know how much I mean it. “Baby, I have never been so fucking scared in my entire life. The thought that I might never see you again. God, I’m so sorry I pushed you away. I’m sorry that I thought for a single second that I wasn’t what you needed, mi rosa. I was scared of how much I loved you. Scared of how much I needed you too.”
“I will always be everything you ever need, Amelia. Whatever and whenever you need it. It will always be me. Your ride or die. The other half of your heart and soul. Forever.”
“I love you, Amelia. With every fucking fiber of my being, I love you. I would give my last breath to make you happy. I promise never to give up on us again, and if you let me, I will spend every second of the rest of my life proving that to you.”
“What happened to you was the kick in the ass I needed, Amelia. I might not be the best at expressing my feelings, but believe me, they’ve always been there. From the first time you smiled at me, I was done for.”
“I think I fell in love with you during our first dance. I love dancing.” “I know, baby. And from now on, we’re going to dance together every fucking day.”
“I’m not going to treat you any differently, mi rosa. But for now, we’re going to put some more hot water in this tub, and you’re going to let me wash your hair along with every other part of your beautiful body.” I trail kisses down the side of her throat. “And then you’re going to have some food and let me take care of that eye.”
He has kissed every part of my body, caressed every inch, and told me repeatedly how much he loves me. How he’s never going to let me go again.
I feel safe. Adored. Cherished. Drake’s love language has always been sensual, but now he has added to it with actual language, telling me in words how he feels as well as with his actions.
“Wow, you’re such a romantic,” I say, nuzzling into his chest. “But also, me too.”
This is the happiest I’ve felt since Mom died, but a wave of sadness washes over me.
“And why would I be changing my address, Mr. James?”
“And there isn’t a world where I’m spending a single night away from you ever again, Amelia. Well, barring girly trips with your friends or whatever.” He shrugs. “Are you suggesting I move in with you?” “Not suggesting, Miss Ryder.” He shakes his head. “Demanding. I am your employer, after all. If you check the fine print of your contract, I’m sure you’ll see it’s all there.”
“Mi rosa, I have been waiting thirty-seven years for you. If anything, it’s too damn slow.”
I might go crazy too. She’s already organized the loft to within an inch of its life.” “Yeah, your decorating plans have given my wife ideas about our penthouse. She and Amelia were on the phone for an hour last night talking color swatches. I am now painfully aware that there are infinite shades of blue, and I can name at least twenty of them.” He rolls his eyes, but there’s nothing but affection in his tone. Mel and Amelia have become fast friends these past few weeks.
This isn’t some fling with my secretary. This is being in love with a woman who also happens to be my secretary.”
“Did I hear that correctly? Drake James is in love?” “Yeah, well,” I say, grinning at him. “It happens to the best of us, right? But are you sure you’re okay with this? I mean, I never asked.”
Once I have her attention, I mouth, I love you, and her face is suddenly suffused with a smile. It’s like the sun’s come out.
“Amelia and I are now officially a couple. To clarify, we are romantic partners. We are boyfriend and girlfriend. She is my bae, my boo, my old lady.”
“Is she your LOML?” pipes up Drew, the guy in charge of catering. “Maybe,” I reply. “But I’m not sure what that is.” Amelia stands up beside me, her hand creeping into mine, a shy smile on her gorgeous face. “It stands for love of my life,” she explains.
“In that case, yeah, she is very much the LOML. Now, I know there are policies in place and that technically, I’m her boss.
“Love you,” I murmur. She pulls back, leaving me breathless and wanting more. “You’d better get to work, sir. Looks like you have a new policy to write.” I press my lips to her ear so nobody will hear. “I’ll need you to take dictation, Miss Ryder.” Her cheeks flush pink. “Of course, Mr. James.”
“I’m looking forward to getting you out of this dress,” he says, whispering against my neck and making my heart beat faster. “It’s a very sexy dress, but not even half as sexy as the woman wearing it. You feeling naughty tonight, mi rosa?”
“You are a wicked, wicked woman. Now, come outside with me.”
“I love you. So damn much. I don’t know how I ever lived without you.”
I stare in disbelief as he pulls a small black velvet box from his jacket pocket. “Oh my god …” My breath catches in my throat.
“Nora Amelia Ryder,” he says seriously, opening the box. “You are my entire fucking world. My everything. On the night we met, I said nobody could ever promise forever. I was wrong, and that’s what I’m promising you now—forever. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you promise me forever?”
I nod, my lips trembling. “Yes. Of course I will.” Another chorus of cheers, this time accompanied by wolf whistles, carries out of the house. “Put the ring on her finger before she changes her mind, bro,” Mason calls. Drake flashes me a sexy wink before he slides the almond-shaped diamond set in a platinum band onto my finger. I steal a quick glance at my new family. All of them are smiling widely, many of them holding champagne glasses in the air. I wave my hand, flashing my newest accessory, and then I pop my foot up for show like I’m the
star of my own romantic comedy before I return my attention to Drake. My fiancé. My everything. He’s on his feet now, and he wastes no time at all wrapping me in his strong arms and sealing his lips over mine.
“They’re so fucking nosy. Can’t a guy kiss his fiancée in private?” Drake murmurs against my lips. But he’s smiling, and so am I.
“Thank you, Amelia,” he says softly, his gray eyes brimming with tears. “For what?” I ask him, confused. Surely not for agreeing to marry his son. That is a dream come true.
“Out of all of them, I worried most about Drake being alone. I never thought anyone would make him smile like that.” Tears fill my own eyes as I look up at my husband-to-be, his head thrown back in laughter as he demands his brothers put him down so he can get back to his wife. “I love him more than anything in this world, Dalton. I would die to make him happy.”
“She’s not your wife yet, son. You’d better keep a tight hold on her.” He plants a tender kiss on my cheek and allows his middle son to wrap me in his arms once more. “Oh, I fucking intend to,” Drake growls while squeezing me tightly. “Now, don’t you all have some champagne to drink and some canapés to eat?” He jerks his head toward the open balcony doors.
“And just for the record, Miss Ryder—soon to be Mrs. James …” He presses his mouth to my ear. “I cannot fucking wait to fuck a baby into you.”
“Yes, I want kids, Amelia. A whole fucking tribe of tiny humans who are part me and part you. I mean, hopefully mostly you, but I think a little of the James gene will be tolerable.” He laughs again, and it makes his dark eyes twinkle.
“A whole tribe?” I try my best to frown and feign shock, but I can’t quite manage it because I’m just about delirious with happiness. “As many as you want, mi rosa. But I guess we’ll start with one and see what happens.”
“Have I ever told you how much I love you?” “Yes, but I much prefer it when you show me.”
I walk back into his childhood home in a different year as his fiancée rather than his girlfriend, with the knowledge that there is nothing this world could throw at us that would make us falter. It’s me and him. It’s us. Forever.
“Yeah, I think our moms would love it.” He squeezes my fingers. “It’ll be like a little bit of them is still with us, won’t it?” “Exactly. I hope it is a girl. With Nathan and Mel’s two boys, we could do with some girl energy to balance out all that testosterone. The James family needs a feminine touch.”
“You belong to me, Amelia,” he growls possessively.
I belong to Drake James forever and then some.
Jesus fucking Christ, my wife is the sexiest, most incredible woman on the planet.
Crashing Emily and Tucker’s wedding was the best damn decision I’ve ever made in my life.
but I want my wife to myself just a little while longer. She’s become an integral part of the James family, but right now, she’s mine and only mine.
“You’re so fucking perfect.”
is. I can’t wait to meet our child. Boy or girl doesn’t matter to me; I just want them to be here.
“I love you, baby,” I murmur, my lips against her ear. “So fucking much.” “I love you too, Drake.”
I promise her forever.
