Page 116 of Arranged To Be Mine

“Hold on,” I whispered. I pulled away but stopped when she grabbed my arms.

I looked down at her. “What’s wrong?”

“I love you.”

I blinked. The declaration took me by surprise. Love? She loved me?

Holy shit.

“Darcy.”

“I just wanted you to know that. I hope one day you will feel the same.”

“Baby, not one day. This day. I love you. I’m crazy about you.”

She smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. “You love me?”

I moved back over her. “I do. Like I said, I knew from that first kiss. I’m not big on love at first sight, but apparently it’s real because it happened to me.”

I kissed her, showing her how true it was.

And then she pulled away again. “Wait.”

I groaned. “Woman, you’re killing me here.”

“Are we together?” she asked.

“Yes. Absolutely. Do you want me?”

“I do. Only you. I want you and no one else.”

“Cool. Me too. Can I please get a condom?”

“I’m on the pill. And I haven’t been with anyone in a while.”

I understood what she was saying but was almost too afraid to believe it. “Me too. I mean, it’s been a while and I’ve always used protection.”

She licked her lips. “Can we⁠—”

I slid my hand between us. As if she had to ask.

“We can. You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

I guided myself to her and slipped the tip of my cock inside. We both gasped at the contact. I slid into her. It was like coming home. She gasped, legs tightening around me. I paused, forehead pressed to hers, breathing her in and doing my best to slow things down.

“I love you,” I said. “I love you, Darcy.”

Her eyes filled, but she was smiling. “I love you too. So much it scares me.”

I started to move. Every thrust a promise. Her hips rose to match my rhythm, hands clutching my shoulders. The pleasure built gradually. A combination of emotions washed through me. Most importantly the knowledge that we’d chosen each other through the mess.

Her release came first, a soft cry against my neck as she clenched around me. I followed seconds later, burying my face in her hair and letting the words fall again. “I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”

We lay tangled together in the aftermath, sweat cooling on our skin, hearts still racing. I ran my lips across her bare shoulder while she curled into my side, her head resting on my chest. I could feel her breath against my skin. I thought I might never move again.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured against my chest. “For everything I said. I knew it wasn’t true.”