Page 120 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

His large hand wrapped around the side of my neck, and his thumb strummed along my jawline. “There is no one I want, no one I see—aside from you. It’s been this way for a while, Dandelion. Long before we got together. So, no. There is nothing weird about it. For the first time in my life, I feel like I know what I want. What I need. And she’s right here in my arms.”

“I feel the same way,” I whispered.

“But you’ve got to do me a big favor,” he said, his voice lighter now.

“Of course. Name it.”

“You’re rubbing up against me in that sexy-as-hell dress of yours, and my dick is not handling it well.”

My head fell back in laughter. “Is that so?”

“It really is,” he said against my ear.

“Come on. Let’s go to our table and get a drink. They’re serving dinner soon.”

We made our way to the table, and everyone was there, with drinks in hand. River handed me and King each a beer, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“I’m glad everything worked out, Say,” he said.

“Thank you. Me, too.”

He moved his chair closer, as King was talking to Ruby and Peyton now. He kept his voice low so only I could hear him. “He’s different with you, you know?”

“Really? How so?”

“I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s just this contentment that I see in him now. He’s happy. Really, really happy. I noticed it before this all came out, and I suspected something was going on. I wanted to warn him to back off, but I liked seeing this side of King. He’s not just having a good time, going through the motions—he’s living. He’s in it. And I fucking love it.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, and I nodded. “I think we both found that with each other. Being with King feels like I’m finally home.”

His eyes were wet with emotion, and he nodded. “I get that. More than you even know. And it’s the best feeling.”

“It is. And I know you and Ruby are planning to sneak off to Vegas and tie the knot, but you better have a party so that we can celebrate you guys, too.”

He barked out a laugh. “We’re talking about it. I think she’d like to have a party, but keep it casual.”

“I’m happy for you guys.”

“This looks intense,” Kingston said, as he pulled his chair closer. “What are we talking about?”

“I was just telling him that if he and Ruby run off to Vegas and get married, they need to have a party so we can celebrate them after.”

“Hell yeah, they do. You can have it at our place. You know I’ve got a great yard for it.”

“Our place?” River and I said at the same time.

“Oh. Did I put the cart before the horse?” Kingston chuckled. “Ruby’s lease is up, and clearly, she’s going to move in with River, seeing as they’re getting hitched and all. And I just thought it would be perfect timing for you to move in with me, Dandelion. We’re together every night anyway.”

“What am I missing over here?” Hayes asked, as he leaned in.

“I’m just watching King mess up the biggest moment of his life. He’s asking Saylor to move in with him, but he actually forgot to ask her first.” River chuckled.

My heart was racing because I loved that he wanted to live together. But I tried to remain calm now that we had an audience.

“You underestimate me, brother. I asked; she just didn’t see it yet.” He winked at me before his gaze moved to the plate in front of me.

There on the plate was a fluffball dandelion with a key tied to the end of it.

“For fuck’s sake,” Hayes said over his laughter. “Look at this romantic fucker. A key tied to a flower. Shit. He’s so whipped he can’t see straight.”

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