Page 81 of Cherished Lands

"But it would destroy them. Vintage Point, everything myfamily built." I ran my fingers through my hair. "God, what kind of daughter even considers using this?"

"The kind who's being forced to choose between her past and her future." Elliot stayed where he was, giving me space to process. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

"Maybe I should just let him win." The words tasted like poison. "It's not like you even like me anyway—this was all just business, right?"

Two strides and he was there, hands cupping my face. His eyes were wild, that ocean blue turned stormy. I could feel his pulse hammering in his wrist where it pressed against my jaw.

"You're right, Tess. I've spent most of my days not liking you much. But I do love you. Even when you're being a fuckin' brat. So deal with it."

The confession hit like the drop of an anvil. We both froze, the sound of our ragged breathing filling the room.

"You—what?"

"Fuck, it shouldn't have come out that way." Elliot stroked his thumb across my cheek as my mind spun. "But I love you, Tessa. I know it started as something different, but who gives a shit? Doesn't change how I feel now."

His eyes burned into mine as I looked for the words to respond. The longer I stayed silent, the further the flush crept up his neck. But he wasn't backing down.

"Retract the claws, Princess. Show me your soft spots."

The fight melted right out of me.

He'd spent months showing me exactly who he is: loyal, hardworking, kind, caring.

Sexy as sin.

I'd fought this long enough. I'd known for a while now that this was more than some legal maneuver.

And I knew how I felt.

"I love you too," I whispered against his lips.

"I know."

Then every thought left my mind, replaced by the most devastating kiss of my life. He gripped my throat, tilting my head so he could control the angle. His tongue slid against mine, lighting up my insides.

He'd handed over so much control to me over the past few months, but I was more than happy to relinquish it in these moments.

Far too soon, he was pulling away.

"As much as I'd love to fuck that sweet pussy that Iknowis dripping for me, we've got shit to figure out."

I gaped, and he smirked.

"Come on, Princess." Elliot reached out with a single finger and closed my jaw. "Let's go prove to the world that we're more than some sham marriage."

Chapter Twenty-Nine

ELLIOT

Twelve hours.We'd spent twelve frantic hours gathering evidence that our marriage was genuine.

"Sent," Tessa shouted from the loft above me. We'd digitized everything and emailed it to Hank to pass on to the judge.

Moments later, a text came through.

HANK

Message received. Now, we wait.