Page 35 of Because You're Mine

“No, love,” he told her. “I’m telling you, we’re getting married. You can start planning, the wedding will be in early September at the vineyard.”

Her mouth opened. She stared at him. Then her mouth closed. “Today is July 28th, Jay.”

“Good girl.”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m your good dog, Jay Le Croix. A September wedding is impossible! My mother is going to lose her mind and you know it. Plus, that was the worst wedding proposal ever. I don’t remember agreeing to marry you. Do you remember my last shit show of a marriage? Because I sure do. I’m not exactly eager to get on that party train again.”

Jay took her by the arms and pulled her relentlessly into the muscular hardness of his naked body, letting her feel his arousal beneath the surface of the water. His anger at her words dissipated as he looked down at her and saw the genuine fear in her eyes. She was scared.

He tucked a section of wet hair behind her ear and glided his hands over her cheek and then down across her neck and collarbone. She looked so vulnerable, but also tough at the same time. She was a beautiful contradiction and that was part of what he loved so much about her. Her wedding gift would be the ten years of birthday, Christmas and graduation gifts he’d purchased but never been able to give her. There were also years worth of letters he’d written to her and stored in a promise box along with the gifts to one day give the woman he loved.

“Allie, I’m never letting you go. I’ve loved you since the first breath you took. I won’t survive without you. I want to be tied to you in every way possible. Every part of me is yours, I belong to you. Do you understand?” he asked huskily.

“Yes,” she whispered, stepping closer to him.

He brought his hands up to her face and touched her ears then cupped her jaw and tilted her head. Pressing his lips against hers, he said, “Because you’re mine.”

THE END