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Her breath hitches, and I can tell she’s getting close.

“I love you, Gideon Kincaid.”

Humming my pleasure, I place the reins in Winnow’s hand at my thigh so that I can tug the front of her dress down. Herbreasts spill forward, and I take turns teasing her dusky nipple to aching points.

Winnow’s breath catches and within a few moments, she’s cumming, hips writhing and I temper my strokes but never falter. Restrained, keening moans escape her so as not to startle Juniper.

I can’t help but watch her in awe as she comes undone just for me.

“You’re so fucking beautiful it hurts, angel… You know that? How perfect you are?”

GIDEON

“Akashalmighty… this view is stunning.” A sense of pride washes over me as I finish setting up our picnic on the blanket where Winnow stands barefoot, taking in the view of the valley, the mountains surrounding us, and the little apple orchard where Juniper begins to graze. It’s postcard perfection, but as I straighten to stand beside her, my eyes are firmly locked on the goddess in front of me.

“It really is.”

Winnow’s eyes gradually slide to mine, realizing that we’re talking about two different things. She gives a soft giggle, playfully smacking my chest, and inspiring me to pull her fully into my embrace.

“Stay here a second, okay?”

With a smile on her face, Winnow gives me a funny look but nods.

My heart thumps a riot in my chest. Somehow even heavier than any of the countless raids or potentially fatal missions I’ve been on.

My hand slides into the saddlebag, leaning against one of the apple trees. My fingers wrap around the velvety box, andas I withdraw it, sliding it into my back pocket, I feel my heart pounding in my throat.

And fuck me, my eyes are burning.

I mean… barely.

It’s a manly burn, I swear.

Winnow’s attention is fully on the view before her. She turns toward me as I reach her, and I swear time slows.

Her lips part in a smile as bright blue eyes stare up at me with no small amount of adoration.

My hand slips around hers, and I lower myself to one knee.

Her lips part, and her free hand covers her gasp.

My throat seems to fucking close with the emotion building inside me, the emotion I see mirrored in mysoulbound’seyes.

I press a kiss to her hand, drawing in a deep breath to steady myself before returning my gaze to hers, where I find tears streaming down her cheeks. My words are a hoarse whisper.

“No need to cry, angel…”

The words just make her cry more.

My hand reaches into my back pocket and pulls out the pale blue, velvet ring box. Her brows pinch with emotion as I open it to reveal the cushion-cut yellow diamond ring. When her gaze returns to mine, I steel myself to form the most important question of my entire life.

“Winnow baby, from the moment I laid my eyes on you, my soul recognized you–intrinsically knew that you were the one I’ve been waiting for all these years. Even without your many gifts that I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to entirely fathom, you brought magic into my life in ways I’d never dared to envision for myself. My greatest hope is that I can do the same for you. Protect you and provide for you in all ways, bring the same joy and fulfillment into your life that you have mine. If going through the hell of my past meant that I would one day find you and be everything that you need me to be, I’d do it all over again.I vow to always be the man you need me to be and more, for all our days.

Will you give me that chance, angel? Will you marry me?”

My heart pounds in my chest as her throat dips and she nods, fresh tears spilling.

Before I can even take the ring from the box and slide it on her finger, she dives for me. Her arms come around my shoulders as her body collides with mine, and we go tumbling backward onto the picnic blanket. Her mouth crashes down on mine, and in the next moment, I’m pinning her beneath me. Her fingers make quick work of my belt as my tongue seeks entrance beyond her lips, and she greedily accepts.