Page 29 of Dare to Fall

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Glad to know you know who’s boss,” I mumble.

“Not trying to end up dumped in a river today,” Tucker teases.

“Smart man. Now keep those eyes closed until I tell you so I can do a proper reveal.” I move across the room, watching him with each step to make sure he’s not peeking. With a deep breath, I tell him to open his eyes.

The look—the look—is everything.

Tucker’s eyes go wide, then shiny, then darken with desire. It happens so quickly that if I wasn’t paying attention, I’d have missed it. But it’s a look I’ll never forget.

“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, Gabriella,” he says, walking up to me slowly and taking my hands into his. He leans in, as if to kiss me, but I turn my cheek before his lips meet mine.

“If you mess up my makeup, it’ll be Erin you have to worry about dumping your body.”

“You look sexy as hell in this dress.” He leans closer, his lips grazing the shell of my ear, and my body shivers in anticipation. “But I’m not going to pretend I’m not looking forward to getting yououtof that dress when everyone goes home.”

“You kids ready?” Winnie calls to us from the front door, likely preventing a pre-wedding quickie I was very seriously considering.

“We’re ready,” Tucker says to Winnie. Then to me, he adds, “I’m ready to call youmy wife.”