Page 33 of Bound By Fire and Magic

Her heart started thrumming fast. She shrugged. “Just doing my part.”

“And you said something about having to put up with a father-in-law. Which implies?—”

“I was caught up in the moment, I guess.” She had said that, hadn’t she? “On a roll.” She swallowed hard. Yeah, she had been on a roll because…”I meant it.”

His mouth curved in a smile. “Now, was that so hard?”

“Arrogant…” She punched him, and he grunted in pain. “Sorry.”

He gathered her close again, looking down at her with his heart in his eyes. “No, I’m sorry. Sorry I lied to you. Sorry that your mom is gone. But we’re going to find out what happened. I promise you that.”

She brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. “No matter what we find, it won’t change how I feel. Nothing did, to be honest.”

He trailed his fingers down her arm. “Agreed. I’m not losing you again. Ever. Because I meant what I said last night: you’re mine, love.”

“Yours,” she whispered, closing her eyes and leaning into his hard, warm body. “Now and forever.”