More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“You’re going to have to trust me for this to work,” he said tersely.
“I’m trying to. If I didn’t, I never would have slept with you.” My voice wavered. Suddenly,
“Everything you do feels good to me when we’re together,” I said. “Don’t worry. Like, ever. I just want you.”
In the span of a few hours, I’d gone from fearing we might be over to being more fully invested than ever. Despite the blip on the radar, I knew, deep down, that we were on solid ground. And maybe the sex had helped reassure me, but it was deeper than that. It was in the way she looked at me tonight, in a combination of awe and adoration. In the way she touched me. In the way everything clicked when we lay here like we were right now, not saying a thing, knowing our world was right again.
“Hmm.” I hummed, pausing with my hand on the stainless-steel door handle. “If I’m your good influence, does that make you my bad influence?”
“Definitely.”
“You’re not just my girlfriend. There’s so much more to you than that label. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together knows that.”
“I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.” “How’s that?” “You’re a talented writer, a video game playing goddess, loyal to a fault, and so beautiful that sometimes it hurts a little.” “Do you really think that?” she whispered. “Of course.”
“I love you,” she said softly. She beat me to it.
A rush ran through my body. The only time I’d ever felt something even remotely comparable was when I was drafted, but even that didn’t compare—partly because, on some level, I always knew that would happen. But in the scheme of my life, I never expected her. “I love you, James. I’ve known that for a while.”
“What’s wrong?” she whispered. Nothing was wrong. Everything was right. Everything. “I just love you.” I dipped my head and bit her neck gently. “And I love fucking you.”
Maybe it was stupid of me to assume, but it hadn’t occurred to me that there might be an alternative. I didn’t see her presence in my life as optional. Hopefully, she felt the same way.
“We’re endgame. Right?”
“You think?”
“I know it.” I glanced at my watch. “If we’re fast, we might have time to get back in bed for a different reason.”
“Just be smart and steer clear of her. Neither of us wants a scene. After all, we’re here for the kids.” “Exactly.” Luke smirked, taking another pull of his highball. “Even you wouldn’t be crass enough to start something tonight.” “See, that’s where you’re confused,” I said. “I don’t start things. I finish them.” He made a face. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “Fuck around and find out.” I turned, then, and strode toward my girl.
“You know I’m going to ask you to marry me one day, right?” “You are?” “Count on it. Are you going to say yes?” “Of course.”
“I missed you,” he murmured. “I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t eat. Couldn’t breathe without you.” At that, my hold on him tightened. “I missed you too.”
Bailey flattened a palm against my chest. My heart drummed against her hand, the pervasive tension in my body easing with each beat. She’d had that effect on me from the day I met her, like a superpower meant for me only.
“My opinion counts the most, because I know who you are inside.” Her hazel eyes held mine, patterned with a kaleidoscope of green and gold I knew by heart. “You’ve been nothing but patient and kind with me. No one has ever made me feel cared for the way you do.”
“Of course,” I said, rubbing her lower back. “I love you. I think part of me always knew I would.”
“Are you mine, James?”
“Completely,” I said. “Are you mine?” I cupped his square jaw.
“For as long as you’ll have me.”
“You’re going to be stuck with me for a long time, then.”
“That’s the idea.” His voice was strained.
“Losing you would have been the biggest mistake of my life,” he said. “I’m never letting you go again.”
“Perfect. Then I’ll never have to leave this bed. It’s comfy.”
“Ah, to be rich.” If I had it my way, she’d at least be comfortable someday. If she ever let me pay for things. It was still a battle with her most days. At this rate, I’d be stuffing money under her pillow like the fucking tooth fairy.
The sight of her like that paralyzed me in awe, and all I could do was stare. How did I get so lucky? “What?” Her lips curled into a half smile. Busted. “You’re just beautiful, that’s all.”
“Handsome. Sweet. Dynamite in bed.” She paused. “He’s one in a million, really.” “Question is, will you be coming with me?”
Bailey ducked her head, bringing her mouth to hover over mine. “One hundred percent.”
“I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, but you’re the one thing that’s always been right. Will you marry me, James?” “Yes.” A warm tear escaped and traveled down my cheek. I sniffled, wiping it away with the back of my hand. “Of course I will.”
“Were you nervous?” I whispered. Chase’s lips tugged into a half smile, his dark eyes holding mine. “Little bit. You’re my once in a lifetime.” He was right. I never thought I’d find someone like him. “You knew I’d say yes.” “Yeah.” He broke into a full grin. “Like I’ve always said—we’re endgame.”
