Page 354 of The Curse Trilogy

After a few minutes, I pull back shaking my head and hiding my smile.

“You’re sneaky.”

“Not really. You knew I wouldn’t leave without feeling those lips again,” he seduces, and I giggle foolishly while looking away.

“I’ll be back soon,” he says softly while tucking my hair behind my ear.

“I’ll see you then. Be careful,” I murmur while kissing him very lightly on those dangerous lips, and then I stand up to start walking away.

“If I get into trouble, I’ll just tell them I know a girl who could send them crying in the fetal position with one look,” he jokes.

I turn back, all humor washing away from my face as I stare into his eyes with complete surety.

“I would do that too. Just so you know, I would still do that to anyone who hurt you,” I seriously interject.

He swallows hard, his emotion finally starting to show, his humorous façade giving way to his serious struggle, and I can tell it’s taking all his strength not to rush me again, claiming me as his own despite my wedding band that proves otherwise. His shoulders drop when he decides against it, and sincerity clings to his eyes as they stare into mine trying not to cry.

“I know you would. That’s why I’m waiting. That’s why I’ll be here when you’re finally ready for me,” he says without a trace of humor left.

I smile lightly, and then I walk back over to him. My hand slides into his shirt pocket where I felt the metal in a circle pressing against me when he pulled me into his chest. I pull free the engagement ring he apparently keeps close to his heart, and I slide it onto my right hand, his eyes starting to tear up as I do. Then I slip off my necklace he gave me several years ago which I wore today. The engraving on the back saying, always.

“Keep this in its place,” I murmur softly.

He smiles as he slips it into his pocket, and then he pats it through the fabric. He gives me that adorable wink before cranking up the beast, and I take a step back as he heads toward the open gates awaiting his departure.

A warm touch and loving arms embrace me as Hale’s lips stroke the back of my head. I smile as I lean back into the arms of my husband.

“How’s he taking it?”

“Better than I hoped, which is great. How do you feel about being married to me?” I ask anxiously.

“Like the luckiest man in the world. I’ve come to steal you away from all of our guests because that dress has been driving me crazy for far too long. I know what you’re wearing under it too,” he smolders.

“Would you like to see what’s under it a little better?” I scandalously provoke.

“Desperately.”

I giggle as he scoops me up, and everything around us blurs as he moves through the compound to the room without giving me a second to catch my breath. The door swings open, and his eyes stare lovingly into mine as he carries me over the threshold.

“I love you,” I utter so softly as he places me on the bed.

“I love you, baby,” he coos while slowly untying the corseted front.

His soft lips find my neck, and they trail down to my chest as he starts pulling the dress up to slide it over my head. I smile as he stares down at the sexy, red lace bra and panties while the garter belt across my waist ties up the stocking.

“Damn, that’s so fucking hot,” he breathes.

I smirk as his hands slide over the belt, and the two clasps holding the stockings pop free. His lips stroll over my hip as he pops the other two free, and then he gingerly slides the stockings down my leg, kissing the inside of my thigh, my knee, my calf, and the instep of my foot when he frees it completely of the soft fabric. He repeats the motion on the other side, letting his lips stroll back up their path before reaching my stomach where the garter belt rests.

He slides it off, and I grip his tie on the way back up, coiling it around my hand as I draw his lips to mine with a passionate entanglement only ever witnessed by the divine. His hand slides up the inside of my thighs until it reaches their apex, his fingers gingerly strolling over my most intimate of areas.

His lips smile against mine, and his amusement confuses me as his hips slide in between my parted legs.

“What?” I muse with a breath of laughter.

“It’s just… it’s nothing,” he says with a bashful grin.

“No, Hale, you have to tell me now,” I giggle as his lips graze my neck on their way down to my chest.