Page 237 of Intense

The words are a raw confession, ripped straight from a place I didn’t even think was alive anymore.

Her mouth parts, her breath catching, tears flooding her eyes as though she’s been waiting for this, needing it as much as I’ve needed to say it.

“I love you, temptress. More than I can stand. More than I ever thought I was capable of. I thought love was a weakness. I thought it would destroy me. But you—” My voice fractures, my throat burning as I press my forehead to hers. “You’re the only thing that’s ever made me want to fucking live.”

Her palm rests on my cheek as she whispers back.

“Finn…” Her voice trembles, it’s broken and beautiful. “I’ve loved you since the second you terrified me into noticing you.And I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I want to be your wife for as long as you’ll have me.”

I can’t breathe. My chest aches like it’s collapsing in on itself, but her arms come around my neck, holding me together, and it’s the first time in my entire fucked-up existence that I believe I’m not beyond saving.

“So, forever? Does that sound okay? In this life and the next,” I whisper.

“Yes.” She hiccups. “I’d love that.”

The world blurs around us. The chandeliers, the music, the predators circling the room. It all fades until it’s just her and me. My temptress. My wife. My salvation.

And when I kiss her, it isn’t the kiss of a man who’s claiming. It’s the kiss of a man who’s surrendering.

I might as well be on my fucking knees.

Because I’ve finally fucking found the one thing stronger than the darkness inside me.

Her.

Chapter 84

STEPHANIE

As I rest my head on his chest, we sway to the music. But with each step, his heart rate is getting faster and faster.

“Finn,” I whisper.

“Hmm?”

I pull back and look up as he wipes the sweat from his forehead. And the color in his face—it isn’t right.

He blinks heavily.

“Something’s wrong,” he tells me.

His arms drop from me and he shakes his head.

“Fuck,” he hisses.

Grabbing my hand, he weaves us through the couples dancing and straight to the bar.

“Water. Please. Now!” he barks to the bartender.

I keep my hand tightly in his, grabbing a container of salt.

He glances down and half smiles. He takes the water, and I follow him to the side of the room; he nods over to the twins, and they join us.

“I’ve been fucking spiked,” he tells us.

My heart is racing. He rests his hand on my neck, feeling my pulse. Looking into my eyes.

“Do you feel okay, love?”