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I kiss his full, soft lips, my heart soaring with happiness. “You already have it,” I whisper back.
“Forever,” he says.
“Do you promise?” I don’t think he’s toying with me, but I can’t stomach the thought of losing him again.
“You belong with me. We both felt it from day one, and we both fought it, each of us for different reasons. But that’s done now. No more fighting. I just want to love you.”
A single tear slips from my eye, and his thumb catches it on my cheek. “I want that too.” It may not be the path I thought I wanted, but being with Hale, submitting to him, letting go of everything, it’s a deeper love than I ever imagined. It takes more trust and courage than I ever knew I had. I am blessed beyond measure, and I don’t even want to think about what my life would be like today if I hadn’t taken that first crazy step and e-mailed him.
“Now let’s go home,” he says. “I want to hold you all night and wake up with you in the morning.”
That sounds perfect to me. It was something denied me during our lessons.
We dress quickly and hurry from the club, stopping for a brief, but passionate kiss when the clock strikes midnight and confetti rains down on us.
I’m so overcome with emotion at the promise of this new year and new beginning, that Hale has to help me outside and into his car.
Epilogue
To: Brielle @bookworm92
From: Cameron Hale @thedominantgentleman
Subject: Peach
Male. Late 20s. Dominant. Stubborn, but loving.
Well hung.
Fucks like a goddamn porn star.
Looking for a wife.
What do you say, peach? Be mine forever?
xx,
Hale
To: Cameron Hale @thedominantgentleman
From: Brielle @bookworm92
Subject: RE: Peach
Yes!!!!!! Of course I will you big, silly man. I’m keeping you forever.