Page 83 of The Pucking Grump

For my heart to stop hammering the way it did when Blake made his speech.

And then finally, I’m standing on top of the wooden bridge that leads to Blake’s cabin, the one he carried me over the day we met. He is standing in front of me, still looking worn down. While he was making his speech, before the uproar started, Britney told my driver about the cabin’s location, telling him of a much longer route that would stop us from being followed. Now my drivers and bodyguards are out of sight, Brit with them. I’m standing in view of the cabin where I started to understand my identity.

And I’m staring at the man who brought me closer to it.

I finally get to ask him the question I’ve been mulling over for the past hour.

“What the hell is happening?” I’m definitely taking the largest hit ever on social media tonight. Hundreds of thousands of people might have unfollowed—or followed—me. I could be canceled for real, and forever. Kevin’s career might be nothing again. My father could emerge victorious.

But I don’t care about that. All I care about is knowing that I’ve reached that one girl tonight. Several others like her all around the world could have also been touched. Every decision I make from now will go a long way toward helping them figure themselves out.

Blake’s eyes meet mine. The honesty in them is Earth-shattering.

A part of me was still holding on to the idea that he was sent by Kevin. Letting go of that idea makes my stomach knot a million different times.

“You . . . you love me?” Those are the words I never thought I’d hear from Blake.

“More than I love myself.” Stepping forward, he wraps his arm around my waist. I sink into it automatically, unable to draw myself away. “I was a jerk. But you’ve entranced me from the moment I met you, Faye. Even that night, while I carried you over the bridge, a part of me knew I never wanted to be without you. I’m sorry it took me a week of not hearing from you to realize it. But I’m never letting you go again.”

Tears start in my eyes. Crying three times in one night feels silly, but I can’t help it.

Blake loves me. Even if you choose to find yourself, the perfect love can find you.

The girl was right.

I realize then that even if the world disagrees with me coming together with Blake an hour after I decided to let go, it doesn’t matter. Becoming my own person means making decisions based on what I feel is right. It’s not anyone else’s choice. It’s mine.

And I’m damn well going to choose my love.

I bring my lips up to his. Blake growls as he kisses me back. He hardens against me instantly, and I moan, fully collapsing against him.

“Fuck it, Faye.” He’s slipping underneath my dress, his fingers probing my lips apart as he fingers me. “You have no idea how much I missed you.”

“My guards . . .” I want him to, but getting banged within earshot of his sister and my employees doesn’t exactly sit right with me.

“They can hear how much I want you.” He’s shoving his pants down, pulling my legs apart. “I’m going to have you all night. But if I’m not inside you right now, I’m going to die. I mean it.”

I search his eyes. He does mean it. Almost as much as my body, which is already clamoring for him, does.

A smile forms on my face as I throw my arms around him. “Then show me just how much you missed me.”

“Is that a challenge?” His blue eyes turn indigo, and I recall all the moments I challenged him in the cabin and lost horribly.

“Yes.” I match my gaze with his. Joy explodes in the inner recesses of my being. I like to think that I could have moved on from Blake and found contentment with another person in the future.

But no one would ever make me feel the way Blake does. I’m sure of it. He’s the one for me.

As he pushes himself inside me and I let out a scream that reverberates through the woods, a realization sinks into me.

I’m always going to lose as far as challenges with Blake go.

But I’m always going to enjoy it, too.

EPILOGUE

“Why does this feel like a déjà vu moment?”

I roll my eyes, not surprised. I had half-expected Reggie to say those words the moment he stepped through the doors. What I did not expect, however, is the fact that he came with Alex and Ken. Alex also has his baby squirming in his arms.

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