Page 97 of Monsters

Gemma.

“This is the one?”

“The one and only.”

I was breathless. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

Lucas took my hand and led me inside. It was clean, fresh and cozy, decorated like something out of a magazine. It was also twice as big as my apartment.

“You did all this?”

He smiled warmly, his fingers grazing my cheek. I loved when he did that. “I had inspiration.”

The entire back of the cabin was framed with glass, allowing the perfect view of the glimmering lake. I could see why he had such a passion for what he did.

Lucas reached into his jeans pocket and pulled a small velvet box free before asking for my hand. “Gem, I’ve waited for this moment for what feels like my entire life. I honestly believed it was never going to happen, but now that it has, I’m sure as hell not going to lose it again. Open it.”

I swallowed hard, and with trembling fingers, I opened the box.

A key.

A beautifully carved, Victorian-style key.

“I want this to be yours, Gem. I want to spend the rest of my life with you in a place we love, making up for the time we’ve lost and creating new memories.” He took the key and placed it in the palm of my hand along with something else that flickered in the light.

I lost my breath, my heart galloping. “Lucas, what are you—”

All I could do was stare at the stunningly gorgeous diamond ring waiting to be eagerly slipped onto my finger. I met Lucas’s gaze, his eyes loaded with sincerity, love, and adoration. The same look he gave me when we were just kids.

“Truth or dare, Gem?’’

“Truth,” I smiled.

“Would you like to become my wife?”

My heart rejoiced. “Truth, and yes! Of course. Lucas… it was only ever you,” I admitted through sobs. “Always only you.”

Lucas slipped the perfectly-sized ring onto my finger and pulled me forward until I molded against his body. Cupping my face, he kissed me with a passion that always had me weak in the knees. A passion so raw, demanding and yet so gentle.

“I’ve waited so long to tell you I love you,” I murmured against his lips.

“And I, equally as long.”

Lucas nibbled gently on my bottom lip, and I groaned with pleasure feeling his cock stirring. Wrapping arms around his neck, our bodies practically begging for each other.

Behind us, someone cleared his throat.

We jumped apart, Lucas pulling me protectively to his side.

“Jesus, Kinross!” My heart was pounding and not totally all from fright.

Why was he here?

This couldn’t be the end…

Detective Kinross stood awkwardly, slightly embarrassed after having disturbed our moment.

“The door was open,” he announced, once again clearing his throat.

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