Page 108 of Merry Fake Bride

“No. I just can’t quite believe I have someone so incredibly beautiful on my arm.”

My words are soft. “After everything…” Sucking in a deep breath, I swallow around a soft, growing lump in my throat. “It’s no secret that I enjoy spending time with you, Devon. In fact, ever since I met you, I’ve found myself striving to be a better person, a clearer person so that you would like me.”

“That I would like you?” Her brow lifts upward slightly. “As if there’s anything not to like.”

I chuckle quietly and shake my head.

“The point I’m trying to make, Devon, is that ever since I first saw you, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. You’ve changed my perspective on so much in my life, and I don’t mean to imply that your presence is only good for that. I mean that you make me want to be a better man, a man worthy of your attention and time.”

Her cheeks darken further and she looks away, but despite the tremble I feel moving through her, she doesn’t take her hand away from mine.

“All this because I came to your party?” she murmurs.

“No. But your bakery is safe. Everything that kept us in this deal can end as soon as you want it to. But I don’t want this to end, Devon. I like you. A lot. And I think you feel the same about me. And whatever this is, whatever it can be… I’m not ready for you to not be in my life anymore.”

Slowly, Devon’s eyes flick back up to mine, and she subtly tilts her head to the left.

“There’s so much about me that you don’t know.”

“I wouldlovethe opportunity to learn.”

“What if you don’t like what you see?”

“I have that same fear, Devon.”

Stepping closer, I curl my finger and place it under her soft chin then tilt her head up. “All I’m asking for is a chance.”

“A chance,” she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Just one chance. At your speed. On your terms. Just one chance.”

My heart begins to speed up as a debate rages in her eyes.

I want to hear her thoughts, find out what tangles her up and makes her hold herself back.

I want to experience every second she will grant me and learn every detail about what makes her tick.

I want to hold her and protect her and keep that smile on her face for the rest of her life.

“My terms?” She reaches up and her warm, soft hand presses gently against my cheek.

“Your terms.”

“I’d like that,” she whispers. “I’d like that a lot.”

Her hand caresses down my neck to the rumpled blue silk tie around my neck.

It ends up in her fist and pulls taut as she leans up on her tiptoes and very slowly pulls me down for a kiss.

The moment our lips meet, my future is set.

I am hers.

For whatever she needs, whenever she needs.

28

DEVON