Page 130 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I smirk as I carry her through the store and toward the stairs to her apartment.

“A book boyfriend never reveals his secrets.” She coughs out a laugh before I add, “But I’m not just your book boyfriend, Penny.”

Her brows raise as she gazes up at me. “No?”

“I’m your real boyfriend.”

“That’s very presumptuous of you, Montgomery.”

“Hey, you told me possessive is hot. And I’m telling you, I’ll take the role of boyfriend for the moment because I don’t want to scare you with how I never plan on letting you go.”

She grabs the neck of my shirt before I walk through the door. “It doesn’t scare me, Monty. Nothing scares me when I have you.”

My heart races wildly in my chest at her admission. “And you’ll always have me.”

Penny pulls my mouth to hers. Somehow I manage to get us through her door, into her apartment, and onto her bed without letting go.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Xuxuzinho,” I murmur. “You have no idea what seeing you in this little tank top with those short shorts is doing to me right now.”

I watch in awe as that beautiful flush flashes across her chest and crawls up her neck toward her cheeks. I’ll never get over the way Penny’s body betrays her every emotion. Never get over the effect I have on her. She’s so goddamn adorable, and the love of my fucking life.

She reaches for my shirt and finally I allow her to tug it over my head. She presses her fingers to my chest, tracing my tattoos.

“When did you get this one?” she asks, stroking the fire on my chest.

I lean back, trying to remember. “A few years ago.”

“Was it really because of bonfire nights?”

“Yes. Because those were the last memories I had that were pure. My grandfather was still alive, my parents were still married. I could sit beneath a maple tree, watch you read, and just be.”

“I like that.” Penny kisses the tattoo and looks up to face me. “That’s why I named my store Bonfire and Bliss. My happiest memories were reading and sitting by that fire with you.”

Pride swells in my chest. I wish we could have kept that precious time, I wish I had held on to our friendship when everything else fell apart. Though maybe, if I’d done that, I wouldn’t have her the way I do now.

“Monty,” she says, voice soft, her eyes searching mine.

“Yes, amor?” I run my fingers through her auburn hair, pushing it behind her ear and holding her cheek in my palm.

“I’m in love with you, too.” She leans into my hand. “Like tattoo my body with things that remind me of you love you. Like can’t breathe, can’t eat, can’t sleep without thinking about you love you. Like stand outside your window with a boom box love you. That epic kind of love they only write about in books.”

My heart pounds as I stare into the copper eyes that I know I’ll be studying until the day I die. But I don’t say a word, instead taking the time to revel in hers.

“Oh my God, say something,” she mutters. “Please?”

“I love everything about you, Xuxuzinho. I love how fast you talk when you’re nervous.” I press a kiss to her lips. “I love the way your skin flushes that pretty pink color when I’m around.” I trace the red hues that run from the tip of her cleavage up to her neck before pulling her close. Her breath hitches as I press my mouth next to her ear. “And I love that I know everything you’ve ever wanted to try. Because now I get to spend the rest of my life making all your fantasies come true.”

She breathes out the most beautiful whine. “Monty, please.”

“Please what? Please tell you that you’re my every dream come true? That I love your sense of humor and your obsession with fall? I love how good you are to my vovo, and all your friends. I love that you spend your Monday nights with a group of women who tease you endlessly because you know they do it with love. I love that you love with your whole heart, that you never hold back, even when you know it could hurt. Penny, you choose to love despite the risks. You love fiercely, you love bravely, and it all just makes me love you more.”

“Monty.” Tears cascade down her cheeks and I gently kiss them away.

“And I love that right now I get to make love to you, Penelope Darling. That you’re mine.”

She tears at my clothes then, pulling my pants down as I do what she likes: stroking myself as I watch her undress just as quickly.

“Condom?” I ask.