“Well, that’s the reason I’m here. In the middle of the night.”
He tried hard to understand, but he was too damn nervous and his brain wasn’t working. He caught her scent on the breeze and almost groaned from pure lust. Sandalwood. So damn sexy. “Umm, you want to watch a movie? I can do that.”
A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. “No. Remember the scene in the movie where Harry ran all the way through the city on New Year’s Eve and finally found Sally, in the middle of this big holiday party around midnight, and she looked at him like he was nuts and asked him why the heck he was there?”
Damn, he wished he’d paid better attention. Dalton swore to study every chick flick in the future if he could pass this one test. But he’d promised no more lies. “No,” he said sadly. “I don’t remember.”
“That’s okay. Harry said when you realize you love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with that person, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Dalton didn’t move, didn’t breathe. “What are you saying, Raven?”
This time she smiled fully and walked over, closing the distance between them. Reaching out, she slid her arms over his shoulders and pressed her forehead against his. “I’m saying I love you. I forgive you. I trust you. And I want the rest of our life to start right now.”
His hands caressed her cheeks, her hair, her body, as if he was terrified she was an illusion ready to drift away in a puff of smoke. “You’ll be mine?”
“I think I always was, Dalton Pierce,” she whispered against his lips. “Now will you stop talking and kiss me?”
And he did. With a groan of delight, he took her lips and slid his tongue inside her mouth, fusing them together with pure intimacy. He kissed her like she was the most precious gift in the world—because she was. His hands stroked over her body, bringing her tight against him, reveling in the crackling energy that stole his breath.
“I love you so much,” he said, finally breaking the kiss. “Today. Tomorrow. Always.”
She ran her fingers gently over his lips, tracing his jaw. “You gonna take me to bed or what?”
“I’m gonna take you to bed.”
He swept her up in his arms, cradling her close, and brought her inside. Up the stairs, into his room, onto his bed. He stripped her slowly, removed his shorts, and touched her. Loved her with his tongue and teeth, lips and fingers. Worshipped the gorgeous ink of her tat and paid homage to her slick, wet heat that closed around him and begged to be claimed. When he finally surged inside, clasping her fingers within his, their breath intermingling amid the whisper of sliding sheets and soft gasps, he made her forever his.
And when the sun came up, Dalton lay in her arms and realized he’d finally found home.
epilogue
I’ll raise you five bucks.”
Cal gave a fierce frown, holding his cards close. He stared at her hard, taking his time, then threw his chips in the pile. “I’ll see your raise. Now, don’t be a bad loser, princess. Bluffing is something that’s very hard to do, and you’ll need a bit more practice. Time to show your cards.”
Raven watched Morgan with satisfaction, waiting for the final attack.
She did it with her usual Southern style, a bit of a simper and an innocent smile. “Three of a kind and a pair is good, right?” she asked with fake innocence.
Cal’s mouth fell open. He threw his straight on the table, shaking his head in disbelief. “You got a full house. Did you know that?”
“I remember something about a house, but thanks for clarifying it. My goodness gracious, is this pot all for me?” She raked in the pile of chips and checked her fiancé’s small heap. “Do you need to borrow any money, Charming?”
Cal glowered. “No. I’m fine. Who deals?”
Dalton stood up from the table, his lips twitching with the need to grin. “Gonna take a break and get a drink. This is getting way too intense for me.”
Tristan scooped up the cards and began to shuffle. “Beginner’s luck or something. You’re doing real good, Morgan,” he said, with obvious patronization. “Raven taught you well. You too, Syd.”
Sydney looked at her towering chips and shared a meaningful glance with Morgan. “Those lady poker nights must’ve paid off,” she chirped. She took another sip of her Sweet Hot Chris. “There’s now a waiting list for the mixed group. Seems everyone wants to try to play us.”
“Because you two seem to beat everyone at the table,” Raven spoke up.
Tristan gave a snort. Cal forced a smile.
“Be right back.” Raven headed to the bar for refills. A hard arm circled around her hips and pulled her in tight. She was barely able to breathe as Dalton kissed her with sheer possessiveness, forcing her lips open to take his tongue, thrusting his hips against her with demand. Arousal curled her toes and heated her blood. When he finally broke the kiss, she was practically panting and thinking about a quickie in the kitchen.