Page 90 of Flare
As Ward handed her the knife and covered her hand with his to make the first cut, Emily was struck by the absolute rightness of the moment.
This was what she’d been searching for her entire life without even knowing it—not just love, but belonging. A place where she was valued, protected, and cherished for exactly who she was.
The first slice revealed layers of golden lemon cake and raspberry filling—Emily’s favorite. As everyone cheered and Elle began distributing plates, Emily looked up at Ward, at the man who had changed her life in ways she was still discovering.
“Thank you,” she whispered, knowing he would understand all that those two simple words contained.
Ward’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled down at her.“Thank you for saying yes,” he replied and leaned down to kiss her.
Chapter 25
Mutually Mated
Ward could barely keep his hands to himself as they walked up the porch steps of his home two hours later.
The ring on Emily’s finger caught the porch light, sending a spark of possessive pride through his chest.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction deep inside him. After weeks of carrying that ring in his pocket, waiting for the perfect moment, Emily had said yes.
She wanted to be his wife, his mate, the center of his world for the rest of their lives.
He fumbled with the keys, distracted by her scent and her smile, which hadn’t dimmed since she’d accepted his proposal.
“Need some help with that?” Emily teased, her breath warm against his ear as she leaned close, deliberately pressing her lush breasts against his arm.
Ward growled playfully.“Not unless you want to spend the night on the porch.”
“I don’t know,” she murmured, pressing a feather-light kiss to his neck.“Might be fun.”
His hands finally cooperated, and the door swung open. They stepped into the darkened house, and Ward didn’t bother with the lights. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, he backed Emily against the wall, his hands framing her face as he looked down at her.
“Do you have any idea,” he whispered,“how long I’ve been waiting to make you mine?”
Emily’s blue eyes shimmered in the moonlight streaming through the windows.“Tell me.”
“Since the first time I saw you in the hallway at school.” His thumb traced her lower lip.“My bear knew immediately you were the one. He’s been driving me crazy ever since, demanding I claim you.”
“So why didn’t you ever ask me out on a date in high school?” Her fingers curled into the front of his shirt.
Ward laughed.“Because you intimidated the shit out of me. What could a gorgeous senior girl see in some nerdy junior boy?”
Her eyes widened.“I would’ve gone out with you in a heartbeat,” she declared to his astonishment.“I always thought you were the sweetest guy. And cute, too. Well, you’ve got me now, big guy. I’m all yours… forever.”
He leaned in and captured her mouth with his, pouring all his desire into the kiss.
Emily responded instantly, her arms wrapping around his neck as she arched against him. Ward’s bear surged forward, demanding more, but he kept his beast in check—barely.
His hands slid down her sides, mapping the familiar delicious curve of her waist and rounded swell of her hips through her sundress.
He’d been imagining this moment for so long, dreaming of finally claiming Emily as his mate, that the reality of her warm and willing in his arms was almost overwhelming.
“Ward,” she gasped when they broke apart for air.“I want you. Now.”
Those words shattered the last of his restraint. He kissed her again, harder this time, his tongue sweeping into her mouth as his hands gripped her hips. Emily moaned against his lips, the sound traveling straight to his groin. His cock strained against his jeans, already painfully hard.
“Bedroom,” he managed between kisses, but made no move to release her.
Emily’s hands were already working at the buttons of his shirt, her fingers trembling slightly with urgency.“Too far,” she breathed against his mouth.
