Page 106

My body tingles. “Sounds like it could work one day.”

Smiling against my mouth as he kisses me, his lips move gently over mine. “I fucking love you so much. Thank you for coming to me. Thank you for being the most incredible woman I know, and thank you for choosing me.”

“Never thank me. My world wouldn’t be complete without you in it.” I pause and hold his gaze. “You seemed more free out there tonight, no hesitation.”

“I was. I’ve been making progress with the psychologist, but in the end, I figured out what the problem was.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?”

“Since last year, I’ve been living my life waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Waiting for the next mistake or bad decision. But with you by my side, I feel safe and secure. Asking you to be mine was the greatest decision I could ever make.Everything else just doesn’t seem that important as long as I have you.”

My pulse quickens at the intensity in his eyes. “You will always have me, Zach. Because you have always had me.”

“I’m in so deep with you, and I don’t feel any fear. All I feel is the way my heart beats for you—for us.” He reaches forward and places my hand over his heart. “Your name is etched into this. It’s my deepest tattoo, one that can never be removed.”

“Good. Because you’re stuck with me.”

He kisses me with an urgency we’ve never shared before, a desperation and promise of more. Tonight is the first night we’ll spend as a couple officially living together, and I want him to spend all of it inside me. I trace a fingernail over his chest. “Is it true what they say about hockey players after their games?”

He narrows his eyes playfully. “Be more specific.”

“That they have a lot of pent-up adrenaline.”

Wrapping my legs around his waist, he pulls me toward him until he presses against my core, our clothes the only thing stopping us from going further. “Oh, it's true.”

I kiss him once more. “Then take me to our bed.”

CHAPTER FORTY

ZACH

“Athousand dollars says this will be Zach and Luna in the next six months.” Jensen stands eyeing himself in the reflection; his jet-black hair and deep-brown eyes complement his dress suit. I’d tell him he’s a good-looking guy, which he is, but his head is already big enough for the both of us.

“Do you think she’ll wear white?” Jon comes to stand next to him as they both pose, and I roll my eyes.

“Of course she will,” Jensen scoffs.

“I don’t know.” Jon fidgets nervously with his bow tie. “Once she gets something in her head, she’s like a bulldog. I just have this feeling she’s going to go with something different.”

Jensen turns, still eyeing him through the mirror. “Don’t get me wrong; I get that all of this is important and all, but as long as you both say, ‘I do,’ then that’s really all that matters.”

Panic races across Jon’s face. “What? You think there’s a chance that she won’t?”

“I don’t think that’s what he’s saying, bro.” I look over at them both as I inspect the choice of bow ties, which are really only black and gray. Jon wants to go black tie for their wedding.

Jensen remains quiet, which is not helpful, especially given the rising alarm on my best friend’s face.

“Fuck, you don’t think she’s getting cold feet, do you?”

I walk over and place a palm on his shoulder. “Over a stud muffin like you? Fuck no. I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

He laughs. “Maybe we should do a switch. Felicity said she and Luna plan to marry if all this doesn’t work out.”

Jensen clears his throat, and we both look over at him.

“What? I didn’t say anything?” He shrugs.

Jon tips his chin at Jensen. “What’s going on with you anyway, man? You’re what, thirty-two and still haven’t settled down. Don’t go my route; it’s fucking lonely.”