Page 119 of Playing Flirty

Unable to resist him any longer, I tilted my head up and captured his mouth with my own.

Sparks flew through me as our lips met, our souls reconnecting.

Something I’d dreamed of.

“Of course you’re worthy.” My breath was shaking, making it hard to talk, so I kissed him instead.

“I planned a whole presentation,” he said, breaking away from the kiss. “But now you’re dressed as the sexiest hobbit, and I’ll admit, I’m a bit distracted by it.”

“What do you mean? This is how I usually dress.” I lifted my hands over my hot cheeks and giggled.

William laughed. Oh goodness—that laugh. I’d missed it so much.

“Your turn. Why’d you go looking for me tonight? Is it because you remembered?” He bit on his bottom lip.

“Or…?”

“I came begging too.”

“Begging?” His lips pressed against my cheek and then slowly traveled along my jaw, pausing on the tiny mole before finding the lobe of my ear.

“I can’t think clearly when your lips are touching me.” I gasped as he nibbled at my ear.

Smiling against my skin, he slid his mouth back to mine. His voice thick and low against my lips, he said, “I need to know why you’re in this costume, Rose.”

I giggled, and he let out a frustrated groan.

All the blood rushed to my face as the next words fell out of me with ease, without fear, without wondering whether I was making a mistake. “I wanted to beg you to love me, William. Love me like I know I love you.”

He leaned his forehead against mine, taking a moment before speaking. “You love me?”

I nodded. “I love you,” I said and then said it again, enjoying how his face relaxed. “I love you so much, William. I have no doubt that you are my one chance at true love. Tell me you love me too?”

“Obviously, I love you. I have been loving you…” He lifted his mouth and kissed my forehead before pulling away a few inches and staring down at me. “Rose, I haven’t stopped loving you, and I never will.”

Round 39

William loved me.

And with that thought playing over and over in my mind, I wrapped myself around him, as tightly as physics would allow, before dipping my tongue into the divot of that dimple and exploring the deep groove. I gasped as he scooped me into his arms as though I weighed nothing at all.

“Where are we going?” I asked, and finally took in the empty apartment, the abandoned candles on the counter. “Where is everyone?”

“Not here. I don’t know where they’ve gone, and to be honest, I don’t care.” He walked us to my bedroom. “I think we’re ready for the next round.” He shot me a sexy grin.

“We are?” I curled my arms around his neck and licked whatever part of him was closest. “What’s the next round? Sex? Marriage? Are we having a baby?” I teased.

This elicited a low chuckle, his chest vibrating around me as he gently set me on the bed. “If I could marry you tonight, I would, but I can’t. Do you know what I am very capable of doing with you right now?”

I bit down on my lip, buzzing with excitement. “What changed? What makes us ready?” I grabbed a handful of his shirt, pulling his lips to mine.

William climbed on top of me. A small moan escaped me as I spiraled in delight under his weight, his body pressed against mine.

“So much…” He lifted his head and gazed into my eyes. “But mostly, I wanted you to know the truth. It started feeling like a lie. This isn’t just some fling for me… I wanted you to be sure of me, of us.”

Reaching out, I stroked his strong jaw. “Beyond any doubt.”

His mouth dropped to my neck, lighting me up everywhere he touched. “Why do hobbits wear so much clothing?” he growled.

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