Page 103 of Reckless Vow

‘I love you, Jesse. I think I always have,’ I whispered, smiling as I remembered. ‘I think I felt it, back there in the kitchen, the first time. The start of it all.’

He smiled back, his hand lacing through my hair, making my scalp tingle.

‘I remember,’ he replied. ‘But I . . . I didn’t get you a ring yet, I didn’t want to assume—’

I shook my head, my smile broadening.

‘Don’t need one. We agreed, remember?’

And so, back in my room at the ranch, we decided to keep our news quiet, wanting Lottie and Cole to have their own moment. Instead, we snuck into my room and I set up my kit at the small table as he watched.

I took the fourth finger of his left hand first, smiling as he suggested he might need distraction again. Within twenty minutes, using just a simple outline, his ouroboros was complete. Lacing round the base of his finger, it made the perfect match to the one I then added to the same finger on my own left hand.

As I finished, taking off my glove, we compared them, my hand in his.

‘When do you want to do it?’ he asked as he kissed me again, twining his fingers into mine.

I almost laughed as a sudden thought popped into my head.

‘Do you remember when we got completely wasted that night, on fireballs?’ I said, watching as the thought registered on his face, a small smile blooming.

‘Yeah, course I do,’ he grinned. ‘Well, I think I remember the bit you’re meaning, anyway.’

‘I didn’t cancel it, the booking,’ I admitted, watching as he absorbed the words. ‘I couldn’t bring myself to . . . not when it felt like I was cancelling out the evening. But – we don’t need it if we’re going to do it at your – our place.’

He considered me for a moment, bringing my fingers to his lips and kissing them.

‘You thinking what I’m thinking, Jessica?’

I arched my eyebrow.

‘Other than how much longer you’re going to keep me waiting before I finally get laid tonight?’ I started, my heart so fucking full as he laughed. ‘Yeah, I’m thinking the same. See if they want to take the booking instead. Lottie would love a spring wedding – especially at that place – I know it. I think . . . maybe I’d prefer summer. Maybe the same day we met this year.’

He considered it, nodding, then broadened his smile.

‘We better go offer it to them, then,’ he said, getting up from the chair, stopping as I did the same.

I shook my head.

‘Not a fucking chance, cowboy. Clothes off, now. You’ve been dressed for way too long today.’

Almost growling as he grabbed me by the waist, he lifted me up and carried me over to the bed.

‘I can’t wait to fuck you in our kitchen,’ he whispered as he laid me down, bracing himself over me as I unbuttoned his shirt.

I could picture it so clearly, the feelings I had for him ingrained in every cell.

‘Neither can I.’