Page 53 of His Only Assignment

Around midnight, when most of the guests had gone home and the music had shifted to something slow and sweet, Hudson pulled me onto the dance floor one last time.

"Have I told you today how much I love you?" he asked, his arms wrapped around my waist.

"Only about a hundred times."

"Not nearly enough." He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I love you, Mrs. Cole."

My heart did a little flip at the sound of it. "I love you too, Mr. Cole."

We swayed together under the string lights, the stars bright above us, and I felt something settle deep in my chest.

Peace. Contentment. Joy.

I'd been through hell to get here. We both had. But standing in my husband's arms, surrounded by the people I loved, in the place I'd built with my own two hands, I knew it had all been worth it.

Every tear. Every fear. Every sleepless night.

It had led me here. To this moment. To him.

"You know," Hudson said, his voice low in my ear, "we should probably start saying goodbye to the remaining guests."

"Oh? And why's that?"

His hands slid down to cup my ass, pulling me closer. "Because I have plans for you, Mrs. Cole. And they require privacy."

Heat flooded through me. "Take me home," I said.

He grinned. "Yes, ma'am."

We said our goodbyes, Layla hugging me tight and whispering "You deserve this" in my ear. Reeves clapping Hudson on the shoulder with a knowing smirk. Marco and Jesse waving from behind the bar, both of them grinning like idiots.

Then Hudson scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the car, just like he'd done that first night when he'd shown up at my door and turned my whole world upside down.

"I love you," I said as he set me in the passenger seat.

"I love you too." He leaned in and kissed me softly. "Now and forever."

"Forever," I agreed.

He closed the door and rounded the car, and I watched him through the window, my heart so full I thought it might burst.

I'd spent ten years trying to forget him. Trying to move on. Telling myself I was better off without him.

I'd been wrong.

Because this. Him. Us.

This was exactly where I was meant to be.

And I was never letting go.