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“I do, too.”
Colton plucked out the tiny solitaire from the velvet box and chuckled. “We can trade it in for something nicer if you want. I was so broke at the time, and well, I’m still broke. Fixing up a house is expensive, babe.”
They both laughed tearfully as he slid the tiny wedding ring on her finger.
“I, Colton, take thee, Eris, as my beloved wife…” he breathed tenderly, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing the ring. “I love you and never stopped.”
“I, Eris, take thee, Colton, as my beloved husband,” she promised, not holding back as she stared at him, feeling so much emotion towards this man. He was her everything and always had been, she had let him into her life fully, and she wasn’t going to keep him at bay this time around. “I love you and never stopped,” she whispered tearfully, her eyes searching his. “I want us to be a family, to take these steps together and figure it out… and yes, I want you for my husband.”
He smiled tearfully at her.
“Please tell me that is an invitation for what I think it is…” he chuckled. “Can I be a complete idiot now?”
“Sure,” she laughed, realizing that laughter had been missing before, and she treasured that they could relax and be themselves.
“Man, your body is rockin’ since Zane. I swear, so many curves that it makes me want to swallow my tongue when I look at you. I really was hoping you’d pick the shower over the twin bed, and that you’d pick me, because dannnnng woman. You are seriously hot!”
Eris laughed happily, throwing her arms around his waist, hugging him as they knelt there together beside the coffee can. He stroked her hair and whispered words of love to her, promising to make her happy someday.
“How about that ‘someday’ begins now?” she invited, looking at him – and Colton didn’t hesitate.
He yanked his firefighter T-shirt over his head within a split second, and her eyes drank him in. They had both changed in the four years they were apart. He was a lot more tanned, certainly more muscular, and the ‘charmingly boyish’ look to him had matured into a devastatingly handsome man.
At his reaction, she halfway expected him to start tugging at her clothing in a frantic manner. Yet, he didn’t. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him while the other hand cupped the back of her neck.
“Oh…” she breathed in surprise and saw his half-smile.
“I’m in no hurry for this moment to be over,” he murmured. “I plan on taking my time treasuring you, exploring the changes, and making sure you never have second thoughts about us. Neither of us is leaving the room until we are satisfied…”
She was helpless in his arms as he leaned forward ever so slowly to kiss her. Things had been good four years ago, but the idea of what he was promising made every limb turn to Jell-O. The loving, dedicated, yet carnal knowledge she saw in his eyes made her let out a small whimper of awareness as he brushed his lips against hers, uttering one softly spoken syllable between them.
“Mine…”
Words failed her.
14
* * *
COLTON
Colton stared at Eris’s profile in amazement and wonder. He never imagined he could love someone as much as he did this woman, but then there was Zane now, too. If he passed on right now, he would die a happy man. The feeling of completion deep within his soul was earth-shattering – and a miracle.
Only to see her turn toward him.
“What?” she whispered softly, smiling at him more beautiful than the Mona Lisa. She was incredible – giving and loving – yet an enigma to him as well. Sometimes, he thought he knew her, knew her thoughts, yet other times, she surprised him down to his core.
“I just think you are incredible.”
“Are you happy or nervous? Should I prep myself for you to get up, run, or…” her words were cut off as he pinned her, smiling tenderly at her.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised tenderly, caressing her nose with his gently. “I kind of hope we made a tiny version of Zane, but another part of me hopes that we didn’t… just so we can keep trying.”
And stared at her in wonder as she laughed throatily, laying a hand on his chest, over his heart.
“Gosh, I love you…” he breathed and saw her shy smile.
“I love you, too.”
