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“Look, in the morning I’ll be sober, and I can guarantee I’ll still want to marry you.”
“Say yes now, and later, I’ll spend as much time on my knees as you want.”
“Taylor’s lucky all he kept was her scarf.” Gemma pursed her lips. “He made off with a pair of my La Perla panties.”
“As you can see, I’m more than willing to put my money where my mouth is.”
Gemma took three steps out into the hall before she turned on her heel. “Hey, Tansy?” “Hmm?” “You have nice shoulders.” Gemma’s eyes danced over Tansy’s exposed collarbone, lingering on her décolletage. “You should show ’em off more often.” Tansy smothered a smile as she shut the door. Maybe she would.
God help her if she ever had the pleasure of tracing the southward spread of Tansy’s flush. If she ever got to put her mouth on parts of Tansy other than her lips. She just might lose her mind.
“I believe Tansy’s stepsister is confusing tansies, or Tanacetum vulgare, with tansy ragwort, also known as Senecio jacobaea. Tansies have been used medicinally and in cooking for centuries,” Gemma said, recalling what she’d gleaned from a fall down a wiki–rabbit hole. “The name means immortality in Greek, and as a flower, they symbolize health and protection.” She turned, staring Victor dead in the eye. “Conversely, in some cultures, presenting someone with a tansy is an unofficial declaration of war.”
“Careful.” Gemma took a smaller sip of scotch. “Curiosity killed the cat.” “You’re forgetting the second half of the saying. But satisfaction brought it back.”
Gemma lifted the bottle and took another long swig, leaving a raspberry-colored smudge on the glass. Tansy didn’t drink, not beyond a glass of wine here or there, but she was tempted to take the bottle from Gemma if only so she could press her lips to the place where Gemma’s mouth had been.
“I thought I wasn’t your type.” “I never said it was a bad thing,” Gemma said, thumb sweeping against the crest of Tansy’s cheek. Tansy’s teeth sank into her bottom lip, worrying it gently, wanting to believe Gemma, but not quite able. “You don’t believe me?” Gemma reached out, prying Tansy’s lip from between her teeth, running her thumb along it, making her shiver. “Maybe I should prove it to you. Get down on my knees like I promised. I could show you just how desirable you are.” The
“You told me you weren’t looking for romance.” “You’re right.” She nodded. “I wasn’t looking. But lo and behold, lucky for me, I found you anyway.” For one terrible, tense, stomachache-inducing moment, Tansy simply stared at her. Then her lips twitched. “That was really—” “Corny?” She rolled her eyes. That’s what she got for deciding to wing her speech. “I was going to say romantic, but now that you mention it”—Tansy smiled—“yeah, it was pretty corny.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is where you’re supposed to promise me that if I say yes now, you’ll spend as much time on your knees as I want later.” Tansy’s blue eyes were bright, sparkling.
“You know, I’m learning all sorts of new things about you, Tansy Elizabeth Adams. And I like each new fact more than I liked the last.”
“I take care of what’s mine, okay?” Gemma’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “And you are mine, aren’t you?”
“I’m glad it’s you,” Gemma said, eyes wide, looking almost frantic. “I thought my grandfather’s will—the stipulation, I mean—was a curse. But now . . . now it doesn’t feel like that. If it had to be anyone, I’m so glad that it’s you.” She looked away, and Tansy could almost swear she blushed. “Sweet dreams, Tansy.”
Tansy (8:19 p.m.): You hardly have to woo me. I’m already yours, remember?
Whatever Tansy wanted, it was hers. Gemma was hers. From her assets to her heart to everything in between.
“Quiet!” Gemma chuckled. “We’re not in the clear yet, you dunce! Get to the getaway car!” “This is so exciting!” Teddy laughed. “I feel like I’m living in a Taylor Swift song!”
Tansy (9:24 a.m.): I’m always thinking about
“You haven’t even looked at my bouquet,” Gemma whispered, her friends already disappearing through the door as they made their way down the aisle one by one. Tansy glanced over. White ranunculus, pink roses, and—oh. Tansies. Little sunshine yellow bursts dotted the pink and white bouquet, taking Tansy’s breath away. She laughed. “Someone once told me those are a declaration of war.” Gemma’s smile went sly. “Let’s go do battle, then.”
“You can call me whatever you want, as long as I get to call myself yours.” Tansy shuddered and shivered, melting into Gemma. “You’ve got a way with words, Gemma van Dalen. You know that?” “What can I say? You bring out the best in me, Tansy Adams van Dalen.”
