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“Not possible.”

“Very possible,” I disagree.

“Perhaps I should show you just how wrong you are.” River hoists me up and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me toward the wall of windows. “I think we’ll start here.”

I jump slightly when my back hits the window, the cold glass biting through the fabric of my sweater, cooling my too-warm skin.

It’s not lost on me that the first time we ever had sex, it was against the wall of windows in his apartment. Seems fitting that this is where we will kick off the next chapter of our lives together.

A life where we’re no longer separated by lies or secrets. Not by distance or time. A life where we can give ourselves fully tothe other person with no barrier between us. And damn if it doesn’t feel right.

“What if someone sees?” I wonder aloud, not sure if these windows are tinted like the others were.

“Let them watch. At least then they’ll know.”

“Know what?” I gasp when he grinds into me, every nerve ending in my body firing on all cylinders.

“That I’m the luckiest fucking man on the planet.” His face dips, his lips finding the crook of my neck as he kisses and licks the sensitive skin just below my ear. I tilt my head back to give him better access.

“Is that so?” I smile, cupping the back of his hand as his lips continue to assault my skin in the best way possible.

“You. Are. Mine. Red.” He emphasizes each word. “About time the whole world knows it.” He draws back to look at me, dark green eyes hooded with desire.

“I. Am. Yours,” I confirm, taking his face in my hands. “For as long as you want me.”

“I’ll never not want you.”

“Then I’ll be yours forever.”

“Now that I can live with.” The smile that takes over his face steals the breath straight from my lungs.

“Me too,” I admit, pulling his lips back to mine. “Me too,” I repeat, having never meant anything more in my entire life.

I can’t predict the future. I’m not naïve enough to believe that forever is a promise he can keep. But I will hold on to him with everything I have, for as long as I have. And for now, that will be enough.

Chapter Twenty-three

Charlotte

“Please tell me why we’re going all the way to the other side of town for dinner when there are plenty of places we could simply walk to.” Maisie groans next to me.

“Because it’s your birthday and the usual places won’t do,” I say from beside her, squeezed between her and River in the back seat of Kai’s car.

Between classes and moving, this week has been stressful, to say the least, and while River and I still have a million things to do to get our apartment in order, I’m grateful to have a reason to stop and celebrate this time with my friends.

Maisie’s birthday.

Kai and Lyric’s engagement.

Me and River moving in together.

We have many things to celebrate as of late.

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” I nudge her with my elbow.

“Buried somewhere under my lack of sleep,” she grumbles.

“Don’t worry. You’re going to wake right up when you see where we’re taking you,” I reassure her.