Page 121 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

“What’s going on over here?” Ruby asked, coming over beside me and bending down.

“King just asked her to move in with him,” River said, pulling her onto his lap.

“Oh, that’s some romance book-worthy stuff right there. The key and the flower. Impressive.”

“So, what do you say?” he asked, turning his attention to me.

“You had me at dandelion.” I smiled up at him, and he tugged me into his arms.

I didn’t know how we got here, but I wasn’t questioning it.

Because all my wishes had already come true.

thirty-two

Kingston

It had beenone month since Saylor had moved in with me, and I’d never been happier. We’d moved her stuff over here a few weeks before her lease was up, and Ruby had officially moved in with River, because once you find your forever, you just want to start living it.

My brother had tied the knot shortly after Romeo and Demi’s wedding, just as they’d told us they were going to do. They’d snuck off to Las Vegas, just the two of them, and were married by an Elvis Presley lookalike. And today, we were throwing them a reception at our place.

Lionel had insisted on having the party catered and providing the food and drinks. He hadn’t pushed when they’d told him they were eloping as long as they’d agreed to let him throw a big party for them. Ruby was his only child, and he wanted to invite everyone in town to celebrate.

Saylor, Demi, and Peyton had been working on getting this ready for the last two weeks.

“Are you ready, baby?” I called down the hallway, just as Saylor came walking out of our bedroom. Long blonde hair falling all around her shoulders. Turquoise blue eyes that always brought a peace over me that I couldn’t explain. My gaze traveled down her body, taking in the lavender dress that fell off her shoulders and hugged her sweet body as it ran down to the floor.

“I’m ready.” She smiled. “I like you in all black. You’ve got that bad-boy cowboy thing going on.” I was wearing black jeans and a black button-up shirt that she’d purchased for me.

That’s how we rolled now. My girl loved to take care of me, and I loved to take care of her.

“And I love you in this dress.”

“Let’s go take a look out back. Katie just texted me and asked us to come outside so she can take a few practice shots and test out the lighting.” Katie worked for Saylor at the bookstore and was also a photographer on the side.

I reached for her hand and led her outside. The DJ was already playing some Frank Sinatra, which my brother was a big fan of. Lionel was bossing around his bartenders, and Katie waved us over.

“Sit on this large rock, Saylor. And, King, you can kind of hover over her and let me take a few shots. I think this spot in the yard has the best lighting.”

Saylor sat on the rock, and my hand moved to the side of her neck. “Hovering over you is my favorite thing to do, Dandelion.”

My nose rubbed against hers, and she smiled up at me.

“Damn. You two are so freaking hot. I think this photo right here belongs on a book cover.” Katie walked over and showed us the photo.

“Oh, yeah? What would our book be called?” I teased.

Saylor didn’t even have to think about it. “Forbidden King, of course.”

Katie chuckled, and I pulled Saylor to her feet, just as everyone started arriving.

We both were pulled in different directions, but every once in a while, my eyes would find hers. It was just our thing.

Lionel had hired a few guys to come cook ribs and corn on the cob, and we’d rented tables that were spread across the yard, overlooking the water. We’d had too much food, plenty of drinks, and we’d danced our asses off.

“Happy for you, brother,” I said, holding up my beer bottle to River, as all the guys and I settled around the firepit.

“Thanks for this. You went all out.”

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