Page 144 of Lies Like Love

“And do you, Jude Carlisle, take Felicity Alcott to be your wife, now and forever?”

Jude steps closer and draws his palm up to cup my cheeks in his grasp. “I do.”

The man keeps talking, but all I hear is Jude breathing so close to me he’s drawing life to my body. All I see is the smile faintly crossing his lips like a secret. All I feel is his skin on my skin, keeping me safe. Making me his.

Planting my hand over where his rests on my cheek, I graze my fingers over his wedding band.

“Does it feel weird?”

He shakes his head, his hair brushing my forehead he’s so close. “Feels like the most right thing there is.”

I can’t help but smile at his confession.

“Think I’ll get it inked on me. Then it’s never coming off.”

“Isn’t that bad luck?”

Jude reaches for my chin and tilts my face to his. “Not when it’s you.”

His gaze travels so deeply into mine, I feel the veins of his love meeting my bloodstream. Promises only he can make without needing to say a word. Faith in us that carves deep in my ribs.

“To the end,” I whisper.

“No.” Jude shakes his head, dipping his mouth over mine. “Even after that.”

I can’t help but smile because I can’t imagine a life without him.

“I love you, Red.”

“I love you too.”

He smirks. “Still hate that nickname?”

“Not with you,” I admit, covering his hand with my own and kissing his fingertips. “I don’t hate anything with you.”

“Good, because I’m going to shred this dress later and fuck you on top of it.”

My cheeks blush. “You better.”

His lips press to mine, and everything melts away. Heaven or hell can come and take us. Souls know no bounds, and forbidden or not, mine has always belonged to him.

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