Page 53

Chapter 53

Liam

T he look of bewilderment on Fleur’s face is comical, but the things I want to do to her right now are not.

“Sheriff,” she parrots again. I reach for her braid, the blond in her hair a bit duller than it is in the Mississippi sun.

“Yes. And I don’t have much vacation time, so I’m hoping to convince you to come home, Fleur.”

She blinks at me, and I glide my hands up her arm, the texture of her goose bumps thrilling me. When she doesn’t say anything, I add, “I rented an apartment in town. Two-bedroom, nothing special, but it gives me close access to things. I plan to build at some point, though.”

I run a hand through my hair, worrying that I should’ve spoken with her first before taking this job. If she only knew how much I would give up for her?—

“What is that?”

My gaze snaps to meet hers focused on my hand coming out of my hair. My left hand.

I hold it out for her to see. The new ink band around my ring finger.

“Is that?—”

I nod.

Fleur’s hand comes to her mouth, and she can’t take her eyes off it.

“Liam, this is … now I need one.”

My mouth curls with the thought of Fleur wearing a ring or inking one there. I don’t care how, but I want my ring on her finger.

“Now I can say I’m getting my second tattoo.”

I nod automatically, as she pushes up to her knees and shuffles toward me. With the tip of her finger buried in my chest, she pushes me back until I’m at her mercy on the bed.

My body sings as she straddles me, her hands pushing my shirt up and over my head. This woman is perfect for me, and she’s forever mine.

Wait—

Second tattoo ? —

Black catches my eye and I snatch her wrist midair. She yelps, but I pull it down closer to my face and brush my lips over it. There, over her horseshoe brand, is a new tattoo. It outlines the pink welts perfectly and I blink, wondering why she’d ever draw more attention to the mark forced on her person.

“Why?” I whisper, dragging my mouth over it.

“Because.” She leans her head back, her mouth parted as I reach for her leggings—she has too any clothes on. “Because I never want to forget how much I love you, how I’m tied to you. And there’s not a brand in the world that could force me to be married to you when I choose you willingly, wholeheartedly.”

I drop her wrist, pulling her down and rolling her over. “I love you so damn much.” My mouth tangles with hers, and I rip her shirt down the middle, exposing her chest where I know she has twenty-four freckles, and I kiss each one. Her hips buck, and I have to slow down because I don’t want this to end too quickly.

I have the rest of my life to make love to my wife, and I plan to every night she’s with me. There’s no debt too great to pay if she’s the end result.