Page 152 of Restricted List

I’m in awe of her effortless beauty. Rory looks just as stunning when she dresses up as she does when she dresses down. In fact, I think her casual looks are my favorite. She looks so comfortable in a T-shirt and leggings, and I love how she doesn’t feel the need to make herself up for me.

I spin her around before pulling her in close again as I finish out the song, and we stop swaying.

Rory presses her forehead against mine with her eyes closed. “I love listening to you sing. You have such a beautiful voice.”

I rub my thumb across her cheekbone. “And I only share it with you, Rory girl.”

“I like that,” she smiles, eyes fluttering open and catching mine. “I feel special.”

“Youarespecial. You are so fucking special to me, and I hope you always remember that.”

“How long is always?” she questions softly, eyes pleading with me for honesty.

And I can’t deny her.

“Forever, if you want. I’m crazy about you.”

“Forever sounds perfect.”

This is it.

This isthemoment.

I can’t waste it.

“Rory, I need you to know how incredible you are. How much you mean to me. I thought for years that we’d never get the chance to be what we are now, so the past few months have been the best of my life. You’re special,sofucking special. It’s taken me a while to grasp what I feel for you because this is new to me, but there’s no mistaking it anymore. I’m completely and hopelessly in love with you. You make every day better than the last, and I’ll love you for the rest of my life if you let me.”

Her smile is radiant as emotion swirls in her eyes. “Yes,” she breathes. “Yes, I’ll let you because I loveyou, Cole. No man has ever cared for me the way you do. You’re my best friend, and loving you and being loved by you for the rest of my life would be the greatest honor.”

I press my lips to hers, and there’s a promise in our kiss.

A promise to never give up, to fight through every obstacle that life throws at us.

Our love is already strong, and we can get through everythingtogether.

forty-five

Cole

As soon as wehave the words out in the open, Rory and I become desperate for each other. She runs her fingers through my hair as I pick her up, wrapping her legs around my waist and carrying her to my bedroom.

But this isn’t us frantically trying to rip each other’s clothes off.

There’s a need between us still, but everything about this moment is passionate. There’s a fire blazing between us, but we’re not letting ourselves get consumed by the flames.

This time, the moment is aboutus, not our desires.

When we get to my room, I set her down on the bed and place a chaste kiss on her lips, gazing into her eyes.

God, she’s beautiful.

“I love you,” I say, lips brushing over hers.

“I love you, too.”

“Don’t forget how much I love you when I have you underneath me. Anything I say is purely in the moment. I think the fucking world of you.”

Rory places her palm on my cheek. “I know, Cole. I know how you are in the bedroom, and I know how you are outside of it. Iwill never doubt your love. I couldn’t possibly do that when you look at me like I hung the damn moon.”

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