Page 215 of Brutal Savage

“You know, you never told me what that meant.”

“It means my love, which is what you are.”

“You’re mine too, Tynan.” She leans in to kiss me and my heart swells. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

Her teeth sink around her bottom lip as I hurriedly get this ring out, replacing it with the old, still keeping the wedding band on her hand.

“Wait. Where are you putting my old ring?”

“I was going to put it in the box and give it to you.”

Her face falls.

“What is it, Elara?”

“Is it weird if I wear both? Maybe one on the other hand? I’m kinda sentimental, and this was the first ring you gave me.”

I let out a laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Here I thought you wouldn’t say yes, and you want to wear both of my rings. I guess I’m just surprised.”

She rises to her feet, leading me up with her. “I know you were a real ass in the beginning?—”

“Mm, debatable.”

“Yeah, okay…” She rolls her eyes teasingly. “Anyway, as I was saying, you were a real ass back then, but you’ve kinda grown on me, like a wart you can’t get rid of. So yes, I want to wear both of the rings because you gave them to me.”

“Wow, Mrs. Quinn.” I chuckle. “You’re quite the romantic.”

“I know.” She sticks out her right hand. “Now please give me my ring back.”

“Happily.” I slip it back on her finger and she stares down at both her hands, her face lighting up like the sun at dawn.

My body warms seeing her this happy.

Her arms fall over my shoulders, and she stares up at me.

“I’m gonna marry you all over again.” I tug her chin up between two fingers. “This time in front of everyone.”

“I want that.” Her eyes glisten like two bright stars. “I want to marry you. I want this to be real.”

I drop my lips close to hers, brushing them slowly. “It’s always been real to me, Elara.”

Then I kiss her, unable to stop, because in her arms, I forget the rest of the world.

All I know is her.

ELARA

He lowers me onto our bed, his body crawling over mine, forcing his weight into me. I love the feeling of his muscles, his strength, pinning me to the bed.

His eyes swim with affection, and I take this moment to really look at him, the back of my hand gliding across the stubble of his jaw.

He inhales a breath, his eyes leaden and full of the same desire coursing through me. I’m not sure how we got here—to this place where I’m happy. Where being his wife no longer scares me, but excites me.

I never dreamed I’d actually agree to marry him. But now there’s nothing I want more. It was sweet of him to give me that choice. Though let’s face it. Had I not, he wouldn’t have let me go anyway.

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