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‘Where’s the no?’ Ryder stood so close, his head tilted, gazing at Bree in one of those unreadable expressions. ‘You’re always saying no to me.’

She gave him a shrug, biting back her smile. ‘Well, now I’m saying yes.’ She liked this game of surprising Ryder.

He stepped back, running a hand over his bearded jaw as if trying to read this right. ‘Is that a yes you’ll live with me?’

‘Mmm, technically, if I own the cottage—’

‘Bree!’

‘Yes.’

He swallowed hard and licked his lips. ‘Is that a yes to marrying me?’

The air just got thicker and heavier.

‘Is that a yes that we’ll be together forever?’ He froze as if holding his breath.

She didn’t move, but her heart was hammering at a bazillion beats. ‘Yes. But know you’ll be in for a helluva ride.’

‘Is there any other way?’ He held her so close she felt his heart beat against her hand. ‘Now you have to tell me you love me. I know you do.’

‘I just said yes. What more do you want from me?’

‘Bree.’ He let her go, the frown returning.

She matched it. ‘Don’t start telling me what to do, cupcake, you’re not the boss of me—’

He pulled her close and kissed her, long and deep, pouring everything into that one kiss, leaving her tingling throughout her body.

Still holding her close, he murmured, ‘I’ll take you to Tahiti and to watch the Stanley Cup as our honeymoon.’

‘If we can elope, you’ll have a deal.’ She grinned, fisting his shirt.

‘We’ll leave today.’ He let rip that full smile like he’d gone and swallowed the sun. ‘First, tell me you love me. Go on.’

‘Well…’

‘Bree!’

‘Fine. For the record,’ she said, jutting out her chin, ‘I’ve always loved you. I just fought it because I didn’t want to lose you, too.’

‘I’m not going anywhere without you. This is our home, it’s where we belong.’

Strangely, she believed him. The overwhelm wasn’t there, the fright wasn’t there, and the fear that had been holding her back was gone as she whispered, ‘I love you, Captain Cupcake. I’ve loved you for a very long time.’

He gently rested his forehead against hers, tenderly holding her hands. ‘Say it.’

‘We will be together forever. For you are mine…’

‘And I am yours…’

Together they said, ‘And we’ll be together forever . Always.’

And she believed it.