Page 35 of Dangerous Redemption

Gemma catches my eye from across the room and walks toward me like she knows exactly what she’s doing to my pulse. She always does.

“Want some ice cream?” she asks, slipping her arms around my waist.

“Only if it’s vanilla.”

She lifts a brow. “You’ll never be a vanilla man.”

I bend and kiss her instead of arguing.

She tastes like champagne and sugar cookies. She laughs against my mouth and presses closer.

The clock on the stove starts counting down the final seconds.

Ten.

Nine.

Bronco starts shouting numbers early. Ford corrects him.

Five.

Four.

Gemma looks up at me, her gray eyes bright in the glow of Christmas lights we never bothered to take down.

Three.

Two.

She smiles.

One.

The room explodes in cheers.

I press my forehead to hers. “Happy New Year, Gemma.” I want a hundred more with her.

Fireworks crackle in the distance, bright flashes reflecting off snow and glass.

Gemma kisses me like she did the first night she chose me—certain. Unafraid. It’s deep and slow and full of promise.

When she pulls back, she rests her hand over my heart. “I love you, Dallas King.”

Six months ago, I thought love was something I couldn’t feel. Turns out, I needed a little fire to melt the ice.

I tighten my hold on her, ready to start a personal celebration. She smiles at me and I see an answering heat in her eyes.

I nudge her through the crowd, accepting the hugs and cheer from the people I love. Gemma laughs beside me.

This is home now.

Wherever she is.