Page 141 of Release

He stands, rounds the table, and takes my hands. “We can make this work, Case, allthreeof us. Look at Susa, Carter, and Owen. They’ve made it work for overtwentyyears. We just have to be careful.”

“You won’t be able to govern if people find out about me. You’re going to have a hard enough time once they find out about him. And yes, I’m fine with you dancing with him first.”

“I want it to be a surprise, too. You’ll probably have to bring him over to me.”

“Oh, I know I will. I’ll probably have to drag him to you, once he realizes what you’re up to.”

I can’t deny that makes the sadist within me giggle with glee.

He studies me for a moment. “I guess you’ll never marry me, no matter how many times I ask you.”

I stand and drape my arms around him, my hands cupping the nape of his neck. “I love you. But no, I’m never marrying you, and I’m never marrying him. I’m not marriage material.”

His hands cup my ass. “Yes, you are.”

I shake my head. “You’re a horrible liar, George,” I tease. My smile fades. “You know I’m not going anywhere. You want to marry him because you’re terrified to lose him.”

“I’m terrified to lose either of you.”

“And if he’s married to you, you won’t lose him. You know he’ll never leave you. I’ve known you too long to give up on you now, buddy.”

“Move in with us, Case. You keep your house and people think you live there. In a few years, you sell it. It won’t matter.”

I play with his hair, the way I saw Ellen do so many times.

The way she used to play with mine.

His breath catches, his eyes dropping closed for a brief moment while I watch him struggle to maintain his composure.

Yes, I’m a bitch. But sometimes Ineedto trigger him like this.

I need to see the vulnerable man with all of his masks ripped away.

I need to see the man Ellen fell in love with, and who I know loved her with all his heart.

“Do you really loveme, or what I represent?” I softly ask.

He opens those beautiful blue eyes and pulls me in for a kiss that curls my toes and dampens my panties. He holds me pressed tightly against him and I feel his cock harden in his slacks.

When he speaks, his voice sounds thick with emotion. “I loveyou, Case. She’d want me to be happy. You and Declan make me happy. I want him to beours.Together.”

“But he’d beyourhusband.”

“Do you want to marry him? Tell me that, and I’ll gladly stand aside and witness you marrying each other. I’m the goddamned governor and an attorney—I’ll marry you two myself.”

I snort. “What part of ‘not marriage material’ did I not make clear? Iwantyou two to get married, honey.”

“Will you be part of this with us, though? Please? Spend the rest of your life with us.”

I cock my head. “Did…did you just propose to me?”

He smirks. “Maaaaybe.”

He lets go of my ass and I release him. His hand dips into his pocket, emerging with a diamond ring. Before I can react, he takes my left hand and slips the ring onto my finger.

My gaze meets his. “Maybe I’m marrying him,” he quietly says, “but I’m askingyoufirst. And yes, he knows I’m doing this right now. He gave me his blessing to do it.” His hands gently close around mine. He brings it to his lips and kisses it before tucking it against his chest.

“Beours, Case. I want as much as you want to give me. All I ask in return is that you’re faithful to us and don’t lie to us. That’s all I’lleverask of you. Nothing more. In return, I promise the two of us will do everything we can to make you happy. Please?”