Page 105 of Forsaken Oath

“Ma? Dad?” Graham asks.

Lucas sets his pie selection on his plate. “Is this one of your non-surprise surprise parties again? Because I told you, son, youdon’t need to do that for us. We’re happy to just spend time with our family.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. But I’d appreciate it if you could clear your schedule that day,” Graham says.

“Sure thing, son. Whatever it is, if it’s important to you, then we’ll be there,” Lucas reassures him.

Graham exhales and nods. “Raincheck on the pie, Cora. Looks delicious though.” He pushes his chair in and rounds the table, dropping a kiss on Hazel’s head. “Thanks for dinner, Ma. I gotta run.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re not going to even tell us what’s going on?” Cora says, her brows arched toward her hairline.

Graham pauses in the doorway. “I’m getting married.”

A beat of stunned silence follows his announcement. Then the room erupts into a flurry of questions.

45

BEAU

The gravel crunchesunder my tires as I pull into the turnout, a deserted strip of road surrounded by fields of corn stretching to the horizon. The sun hovers low in the sky, casting the world in a golden haze that’s almost enough to trick me into thinking tonight is going to be simple. It’s not.

My hands tighten around the wheel as I spot her parked a few yards ahead, leaning against her car like she doesn’t have a care in the world. Like this is just another Monday drive and not the semifinal in the Gauntlet.

My Eloise.

It’s fuckin’ wild to realize how much winning the Gauntlet pales compared to keeping her.

She looks up as I park, her face breaking into that smile that fucks me up every time. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, her sunglasses perched on top of her head. She’s wearing another one of her strappy sundresses, looking like she stepped out of a daydream I never want to wake up from.

I kill the engine and step out, the late afternoon air sticky and heavy around us. She looks up as I approach, a slow smilespreading across her face. The setting sun glints off her peach hair, setting it ablaze, and my heart stumbles in my chest.

“Hey you,” she murmurs as I reach her, golden eyes sparkling with mischief and something softer, sweeter. Something that makes my heart kick against my ribs.

“Hey, baby.” I cage her against the side of her car, hands braced on either side of her head. I dip low and capture her mouth in a slow, thorough kiss. Her lips part on a sigh and I lick into her, tasting the sweetness of her. She melts into me, her hands fisting in my t-shirt, pulling me closer.

I lose myself in the kiss, in the feel of her soft and pliant against me. Desire simmers low in my gut, a banked fire ready to ignite at the slightest provocation. But now’s not the time, no matter how much I want to lay her out on the hood of this car and take my time with her.

I reluctantly pull back, resting my forehead against hers as I catch my breath. “You ready for this, Peach?” I murmur, my hands sliding down to grip her hips.

She exhales shakily, her fingers flexing against my chest. “As I’ll ever be. You?” Her voice is light, but her eyes give her away. There’s a flicker of nerves there, the kind you only catch if you’re looking for it.

I flash her a crooked grin. “Born ready, baby.”

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Your confidence is something else, Beau Carter.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift.” I brush a kiss against her forehead before stepping back while I still can. “Be careful out there tonight, Peach. We’re in the semifinals now, and these guys, they’re fucking ruthless now.”

Her laugh is soft, but her smile turns razor sharp. She props her foot against her car and cocks her head to the side. “I’m playing to win, Beau. Aren’t you?”

I step closer, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. My hand lingers, my thumb brushing against her cheek. She leans into the touch, just a little, and it’s enough to make the rest of the world fade.

“Nah, Peach, I’m playin’ for keeps.”

Her eyes widen slightly at my words, pupils dilating. She draws in a soft breath before her lips curve into a slow smile, equal parts teasing and tender. “You’re gonna have to catch me first, Beau.”

I huff a laugh, tracing my thumb along the delicate line of her jaw. “Oh, I plan to, Peach. Trust me on that.”

A shiver runs through her and she tips her face up, bringing her mouth a hairsbreadth from mine. “Then I guess I better make it a good chase,” she murmurs against my lips.

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