Page 17

JAMIE

Morton had excelled in front of the tough crowd, as always.

I wasn’t allowed into the private meetings, which was good because after sitting on a chair during the keynote, my ass was killing me.

I watched the joint press conference with the Prime Minister on the news, and it looked like it went well.

Morton returned late, exhausted but happy. He fell asleep in my arms, with his mouth around my nipple.

The next day, we woke up to headlines like Morton Hartley Will Rebuild National Grid and New Era of Renewable Energy Has a Name: Morton Hartley .

I was so proud of my man. Yes, Morton was my man .

During the following few days, it really sank in.

As soon as I was recovered enough, he took me with him to all the parties and introduced me as his partner to everybody and their uncle.

The tabloids were having a field day, but we were too happy to care about that.

One of the online articles showed a photo of me by Morton’s side at the closing gala of the conference. In the picture, he was saying something to a reporter, and I gazed up at him, all starry-eyed.

Lord, I had it so bad that the entire country could see.

At least the recovery was over now. We would soon be heading for the train station, and I fully intended to spend the majority of the train ride home with Morton’s dick inside me.

This time, the four days on the train didn’t feel daunting at all. I couldn’t wait to be cozied up in the crammed little carriage, with nothing else to do but fuck and cuddle.

The porter left our bags in the front coupé, and we waited politely until the sliding door closed behind him. The next second, Morton was tearing at my clothes.

“Off. All of this, off. I don’t want you to wear anything until we arrive.”

“And if we want to have dinner in the skyline car, am I supposed to go naked too?”

He only growled in response. I helped him to unbutton my shirt and unzip my pants. He pushed me through the open door into the left bedroom, and I flopped on the bed with a gasp.

It felt so different to have him inside me outside of heat. It was less intense physically, but not being overwhelmed with arousal and multiple orgasms meant there was room in my brain for other things—beautiful, profound things, more important than simple lust.

Morton moved slowly, gazing at my face in earnest, and I got transfixed by the emotion in his eyes.

“You really love me, don’t you?” I asked.

He smiled crookedly and rubbed his nose against mine. “Jamie, I adore you. Always have.”

He didn’t let me reply. Instead, he kissed me and thrust harder, sending sparks through my guts.

All these years, he’s been in love with me .

A part of me was frustrated about the wasted time, but then again, maybe I wouldn’t have appreciated him as he deserved, had I not been through a few failed relationships first.

I lifted my legs higher and hooked them around his back. I wanted to feel the weight of his body.

We came together in a long and peaceful climax, our groans of pleasure muffled in a deep kiss. I hadn’t yet told him I loved him back, but I didn’t want him to think I only said it because he did. I’d wait for the right moment.

We did put on clothes eventually. The second night on the train, Morton asked me to get dressed and go to the skyline car with him.

“It’s eleven already,” I said. “Aren’t they closed?”

“Nah. Not today.”

I was tempted to double-check the information folder we’d received with our tickets, but Morton told me to trust him. Worst case, we’d just come back.

We made our way through the narrow corridor of a sleeping car along a row of closed coupés. Morton went first and waited for me by the sliding door to the skyline car.

It looked empty, with subdued lighting.

“Are you sure…” I never finished the sentence.

The car was indeed empty, except for one server and one set table. A burning candle and a bucket with a chilled bottle sat in the middle.

The server wordlessly opened the bottle and poured us each a glass of bubbly. He uncovered a fancy cheese plate, nodded at us politely, and withdrew.

“Did you book the entire car?” I whisper-shouted. “Just to have a late-night snack?”

Morton grinned, all smug. “It wasn’t such a big deal. They do close at eleven, so it was just a matter of convincing them to keep it open for us for one more hour. The server is getting a good tip, I promise. Oh, and the wine is low on alcohol. One small glass is fine for you.”

We clinked glasses, and I sipped the arguably excellent wine. Then I eyed the cheeses. I was partial to English cheddar, which Morton knew.

“This looks amazing. Thank you.”

“Glad you approve.” To my confusion, he blew out the candle, then pointed upward. “The sky is clear, great weather for stargazing.”

I glanced up and gasped.

Above the glass roof, the universe opened in all its incredible vastness. I could distinguish even the tiny flickering stars among the big ones. A thin line flashed across the sky, too quick for me to be sure if it was a comet or not, but maybe if I waited longer…

A warm hand touched my arm. Half expecting the waiter, I turned my head to the side, only to see Morton kneeling there.

Kneeling .

He gazed at me with intent, wearing the same determined expression he had in meetings to cover his nervousness.

My heart hammered against my ribcage.

He took a breath and grabbed my hand in both of his.

“Maybe it would be wise to wait. But for what? I already know nobody will ever compare to you. I love you, Jamie. And it feels so good to finally say it out loud. I love you.”

I couldn’t say anything through the lump in my throat, but I didn’t have to because Morton wasn’t done.

“You know me. You know every humiliating detail that I have tried to hide from the rest of the world. You know my every weakness and every mistake I’ve made. If you want me despite all of that, is it conceited of me to hope you’ll say yes?”

I shook my head, my eyes burning. Not conceited at all. Despite all his success and wealth, Morton had a better grip on his ego than any alpha I’d ever met.

“Will you marry me, Jamie? Will you be my husband and have a family with me?”

I nodded like a bobblehead. I tried to say yes, but it came out as a little squeak.

Morton looked confused but hopeful, so I squeezed his hand back before reaching for my glass. I took a gulp, then cleared my throat.

“Yes,” I said.

His face lit up with a breathtaking smile. He fumbled for his jacket pocket and pulled out a gold band, a simple one, nothing gaudy, because he really did know me well, just like I knew him.

Hell, we’d been kind of married already, except without all the fun parts.

He slid the ring on my finger and stared at my hand for a moment. Caressing it, he sighed.

“I still can’t believe you’re finally mine, Jamie.”

“I love you.” There. This was a great moment to finally say the three words.

Morton’s eyes widened, and he seemed a little surprised, poor guy. But of course, I loved him. What did he think? Cupping his cheek, I leaned in to kiss him on his parted lips.

“Now get up, you’re ruining your pants.”

“They’re just pants.”

“But I like your ass in these.”

That made him chuckle. Not letting go of my hand, he moved back to the chair facing me and interlaced our fingers on the table.

“Should we light the candle for a bit?” I asked. “I want to see your face.”

Morton waved at the server, who lit the candle before leaving us alone. I appreciated that he didn’t hover. I could easily forget about him even being here.

I gazed at my Mr. Hartley, my fiancé, and…

I groaned. “Shit.”

Morton frowned, startled by my outburst. “What is it?”

“I’ve been engaged to two different men in one year. I’m one of those people.”

He exhaled, then his lips twitched. “What kind of people?”

“You know, crazy reality show stars and… I don’t know. It’s weird.”

“Is it? Are you changing your mind already?”

“No. That would be two broken-off engagements in one year. That’s even worse.”

Laughing merrily, Morton lifted his glass in a cheers gesture. “I sincerely hope this second engagement is the last one for the rest of your life.”

I grinned back. “Okay. Let’s focus on that.”