Page 130 of Reckless King

“We can take as long as you need,” he says. “We can wait until you’re ready to get married. I just need my ring back on your finger.”

Emotion threatens to choke me. “Put it on me. Please.”

With no hesitation, he slides it on, and the cool touch of the band launches a flurry of wings in my stomach.

“You’re mine again.” His voice is all gravel, sending sparks arcing through me.

When I look down at the ring, it blurs into a rainbow. I blink the tears away and meet his gaze again. “I was always yours. I always will be.”

He presses his face to the crook of my neck. “Fuck, butterfly. I’ve missed you.”

I slide my arms around him. Breathing him in. Feeling the reality of his big body against mine. “It’s been too long, Tate. I need you. I need you right now.”

He pulls back, that gorgeous, cocky smile that I love breaking over his face. “Well, if my fiancée needs me…” His hands go under my ass, and he lifts me so I can wrap my legs around his hips. “Who am I to refuse her.”

He carries me that way to my bedroom, where I proceed to show him exactly how much I need him.

But not just that. I show him how much I want him, how much I trust him, how much Ilovehim. And I plan to keep on showing him those things.

Every day for the rest of our lives.

EPILOGUE

TATE

Ican’t stop the smile that crosses my face at the sight of the woman walking down the white aisle runner toward me. The lush greenery of the botanic gardens forms a bright backdrop behind her. Her expression is full of love, and the swell of her stomach is barely visible beneath the beautiful high-waisted white gown she’s wearing.

Next to me, Cole has gone completely still as his wife-to-be approaches.

“Breathe, man,” I mutter from the corner of my mouth. “It might give the wrong impression if you pass out just as she gets to you.”

“Fuck you. I’m breathing,” he says. But there’s a catch to his voice. His eyes are glossy as he keeps his gaze pinned on Delilah.

My own chest tightens at his display of emotion. Seeing his happiness, how complete Delilah has made him, makes me incredibly grateful. Not just that he found love, but that, along with Roman,I’mstanding next to him as he takes this step.

And I’m beyond grateful that I can relate to how he feels about his soon-to-be wife.

I find Violet where she’s sitting in the front row of guests, the white of the chairs bright against the green lawn. She’s notlooking at me. She’s watching Delilah being escorted down the aisle by Beth, her mother. I take my fiancée in, from the elegant updo that shows off the slender curve of her neck to the pretty blue off-the-shoulder dress she’s wearing that matches the color of her eyes.

She’s perfect. And she’s mine.

My ring has been back on her finger for the last three months, and things couldn’t be better. Violet moved back into my penthouse the day after I got back from California, and instantly, it felt like a home again.

My brothers barely blinked when I told them Violet and I were officially engaged. Cole gave me a rough slap on the back and a manly hug, while Roman shook his head, a wry smile on his face. “Falling like damn dominoes” was all he said.

I raised my brows at him. “I’ve heard the last domino falls the hardest.”

He snorted. “I’ve been down that road before. I have no desire to repeat the experience.”

Cole and I shared a look but didn’t comment further.

Call me a romantic—and I can guarantee no one ever has—but I’d like to think there’s a woman out there who will be up for turning my brother’s world upside down.

Delilah reaches us, gives her mom a kiss on the cheek and hands off her bouquet. She smiles softly as Beth takes her place next to the only other bridesmaid, Alex, her best friend. Then she turns to face Cole, her green eyes shining as she looks up at him.

There’s a sharp tug behind my ribs when I imagine the moment a pair of blue eyes will look up at me the same way.

Not that Violet and I are in a rush to get married. I’m happy to wait for the moment Violet is ready. It’s not that she doesn’t love me or trust me, but the whole start of our relationship was a whirlwind, and after what happened with Eric, I don’t blameher for wanting to settle into a calmer life with me before setting a date and getting swept up into the craziness of planning a wedding.

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