Page 148 of Carved Obsession

“Then my new girlfriend is none of your goddamn business, either.”He storms away, door slamming behind him as he leaves Loreley alone in the corridor.

Scarlet and I exchange looks once again.

“Fuck!”Loreley shouts before she leaves too.

“Well, that was . . . umm . . . interesting?”

“Why are we in the cleaning closet, Scarlet?”

“Because I wanted to show you something in private and couldn’t wait. You’re not the only one who had a surprise tonight.” She fumbles for the light switch and flips it on.

“Right!” She jumps and reaches down to grip the hem of her dress. “So, I did something. I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about it, but...”

I frown as she lifts the dress to her hips.

“On your knees, killer-boy,” she whispers, smirking.

I cock an eyebrow, then drop to one knee, holding her gaze. But when I look down at that sweet spot on her upper thigh, I freeze.

Right there, following the triangle of her bikini line in delicate cursive letters, “Carter” is etched in red ink.

“What do you think?” A tinge of insecurity brushes her tone.

I’m stunned. She’s almost untouched. Creamy, soft, bare skin, and the only thing marking her is...my name.

I dip in, pressing my lips around the tattoo, over and over, digging my fingers into the flesh of her thighs. I’m not sure how to express how this makes me feel. Words must exist, but I can’t grasp them. I keep kissing her, dotting them all over her flesh, the apex between her thighs, her belly. Rising, I crowd her against the wall, her head firm in my hands as I crush my lips to hers, breathing in that lemon-rose scent that’s just hers.

Leaning back enough to catch her magnificent eyes, I open my mouth, but no words come out. I wrap her in my arms, pulling her into my body until I’m sure neither of us can breathe right.

“I’m happy you love it,” she whispers against my chest, circling her arms around my waist.

This is why she’s forever mine. She can hear what I can’t express.

“Come on, let’s go join the others.” She pulls away, a shy smile curling her lips, cheeks flushed.

I want to stop her. Words are stuck in my chest, my throat, caught on my tongue, and I can’t speak any of them as she tugs me along through the corridor and out into the animated speakeasy.

Very few customers are left. Most of the patrons are us, our Sanctum, spread around the space, laughing and chatting over a good cocktail. It’s such a calm atmosphere, bathed in the gold hues of the dim lamps, decadent scents, and a sultry, old song that fills the space.

Scarlet leads me toward the bar, but I stop, tugging at her hand.

“Carter, what are you—”

But when she turns around, I’m back on one knee, a green velvet box in my hand. Her brows scrunch, her lips fall open, but I leave her no time to react.

“Scarlet Brasa, be mine forever.” The right words finally spill off of my tongue.

For the first time, the kitten is speechless, lips parted, hand on her stomach as she looks between me and the contents of the little box.

“Yes! Oh fuck, yes!” she squeals, and throws herself into my arms as cheers burst out around us.

The next moments go by in slow motion. She can’t stop kissing me, shock and happiness both taking up real estate in her gaze when she pulls away. I pluck the Art Deco style ring I spent a few months searching for out of the box and slide it onto her trembling finger.

She looks at the baguette crown cluster diamonds set in platinum and smiles from ear to ear. “It’s so you. I love it! But why, Carter? You know I don’t need a ring or marriage or anything. Just...just you. Always you.”

“I wish I could give you a rational explanation, but I’ve got nothing. Only this searing feeling inside my chest that never existed before you. And it feels fucking exquisite, Scarlet. I want more. More of it, more of you, and this is the only way I knew how—by making you my wife.”

Her smile brightens the room, and happiness fills every fiber of my being as everyone loses patience and crowds in to congratulate us.

“I can’t wait to marry you.”

“You won’t wait long, love. I want to call you my wife before the end of the year.”

“And you . . .my husband.”

“All yours. Only yours.”

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