Page 95 of Bound By Blood and Lies

“Come on.”

I take it, letting him pull me up onto the sand. His arm slides around my waist, drawing me close as mine settle around his shoulders.‘You’ll Be Alright, Kid by Alex Warren’starts to play softly through the speaker and I lift my head as our eyes meet. He looks at me like I’m everything. Like I’m worth all of it.

Even now.

Even when I know I don’t deserve it.

I rest my head back against him, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek as we sway together and the wind brushes softly around us. Everything feels simple when it’s just the two of us.

“Tink…” he says softly.

I tilt my head up and brush my lips against his. His hand comes to my jaw and he pulls me in, deepening it. The kiss turns hot and heavy as his mouth moves against mine with a hunger that leaves me breathless. My fingers clutch at his shirt as everything inside me sparks to life. It feels like fireworks in my chest, and I give it back just as hard, melting into him as the rest of the world falls away.

“Marry me, Tink,” he whispers as he rests his forehead against mine.

My stomach flips as we pull back and stare at each other with wide eyes.

“Please marry me,” he adds, louder this time.

There’s no hesitation in him. Just that same unwavering certainty he’s always had when it comes to me. Aftereverything… after today… after what I’m keeping from him… he’s still here. Still choosing me. Still loving me even when I have given him every reason not to.

A tear slips free from my eyes.

Marriage was never something I saw in my future, not with the life I’ve lived, not with the things I’ve done. And now it’s right here in front of me, being handed to me by the one person I would never survive losing. Guilt twists through me because I don’t know if he’ll forgive me when this is over, but I’m selfish enough to take it anyway. Selfish enough to hold onto him whilst I still can.

“Tinkerbell,” he murmurs, his fingers lifting my chin so I have no choice but to look at him. “I know it’s not the right time, but I can’t go another day without you as my wife. I need you, Tink. Every version of my future has you in it with my ring on your finger and my baby in your arms. You are theonlything in this world that has ever brought me peace and I will do everything in my power to get to keep that forever.” His hand drifts to my stomach again and my smile softens.

“Ask me again,” I whisper.

His grin breaks wide. “Marry me.”

“Yes,” I breathe as a laugh slips out. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

His hand cups my face and he pulls me into him. Roman’s mouth claims mine in a kiss that’s deep and certain. I cling to him as he smiles against my lips, and a giggle slips between us. Roman pulls me down with him onto the sand and I squeal as my legs fall either side of his thighs and his hands tighten at my hips as he holds me there. I fall forward and peck his lips as I grind against his cock.

“The guys are going to have a field day with this,” I squeak breathlessly.

“Hmm,” his eyes darken as his pupils dilate. “They thought I was bad when they touched my girlfriend? Wait until they try and touch my wife.”

He squeezes my hips and an uncontrollable laugh explodes out of me as I tip my head back. Roman pulls me down using the front of my coat as he claims my mouth again.

And just like that, I let myself fall into it, into him, into the illusion that everything was finally going to be okay.

CHAPTER 27

FAE

I’m leaning against the kitchen island when Riggs slams a handful of colour swatches down in front of me like he’s presenting evidence in court.

“I’m telling you now, if you pick that shade of cream, I’m not coming.”

I glance down at them, then back up at him. “You’re not coming to my wedding because of cream?”

“It’s not cream,” he says, pointing at it like it’s offended him personally. “It’s… sad beige.”

I look at my friend before giggling. It’s happening more often lately, these small moments where everything feels… normal. This house has always been the centre of our friendship, of everything we’ve built together, but now it feels different. Less like a place we hide and more like something we’re growing into. No one can walk past me without touching my bump or checking in, and somehow, it’s all folded into wedding planning too. A flutter rolls through me again and a softer smile follows as my hand drifts to my stomach.

“Riggs, it is elegant,” I roll my eyes.