Page 73

EMORY

“ D id you pack a bag?” I ask. My head is in Aiden’s lap.

We’re curled on the cushions at the stern of the boat.

The rain is gone, and we’re anchored in the bay.

Aiden refused to stay on shore for one minute longer than necessary.

It’s well past midnight now, and the stars are brilliant in the velvet sky.

There’s no sound and no light, except the lights inside the boat.

“Nope,” he says, and yawns.

“So what exactly was the plan?”

“Keep you naked and never go back,” he says plainly. He sifts gentle fingers through my hair.

I laugh softly. “And before that?”

“Claim you,” he says darkly. “Publicly. My siblings and I planned it. A grand gesture, to make the world know you’re mine. And to coerce you. Just a little bit.”

I poke his thigh, but I like that he planned to keep me. Being wanted by Aiden is a gift, one I’ll never take for granted.

“I planned to ask you to dance with me after the speech. In that red dress so everyone would know I was serious. I was going to tell you I loved you and if you loved me back, I was going to renounce everything and run away with you on the boat. My siblings agreed to marry so that they can inherit the shares even if I don’t. They love you too, you know.”

My heart twists, with love and with joy, both so strong that I feel like I can’t breathe. “Aiden,” I whisper. He lets me push back up to look at him. His eyes are dark.

You lit a spark, but you also created a monster.

I shiver under his gaze.

“What happened in there tonight?” he asks. “I know you saw the papers. But why were you in the study at all?”

My stomach turns to acid, and I look away, over his shoulder, into the inky blackness beyond the boat.

“Everyone found out we married for the land.” Aiden’s hand lands on my jaw, his thumb feathering over my cheek.

I turn into it. “They were all gossiping when I arrived. I didn’t even realize.

I was so focused on finding you and telling you I loved you. ”

I let Aiden tilt my head until he’s gazing into my eyes. “I love you,” he says hoarsely. “I will never let them hurt you again. I swear.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I can try.” His thumb brushes against my lips. “Let me try. Please, Em.”

I loose a shuddering breath. “I try not to rely on other people, but I think I like relying on you.”

His mouth tilts. “Good, because you have a whole lifetime of it. And I will never let you down.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I know you wouldn’t. You’re the best man I know, Aiden.”

His smile is slow and brilliant. I can’t help but press my fingers to it. I want to spend the rest of my life putting it on his face.

“Want to stay?” he asks.

“Stay?”

He tips his head toward the inside of the boat. “She’s forty feet and I don’t need crew. Although—” He assesses me. “Might put you to work just for fun. Maybe make you wear something short and tight.”

“Thought you said you didn’t pack bags for us.” I’m grinning now.

His eyes light. “That’s right. Guess you’ll have to be naked.”

“Marriage does have some benefits.”

“Just a few.” He grins at me.

“So we stay?” I smile back, happiness overflowing inside me. “Have a real honeymoon?”

“We stay.” He nods, before his brow creases. “Who spread the news about the marriage?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. But if I find out—”

“They’re done.” He smiles grimly, before he tucks me against his side, his arm curled protectively over my shoulders. We fall asleep under the stars, our heartbeats synced, our bodies curved around each other.

This is where I’m meant to be.