Page 84 of A Game of Ruck
And he follows me over the edge, growling my name like a curse, a prayer, and a vow all at once as he buries himself deep and comes hard, trembling above me.
We collapse in a tangle of limbs, breathless and dazed, hearts pounding in tandem.
And as he pulls me into his chest, still buried inside me, stillmine, I know something with absolute certainty.
This isn’t just our wedding night.
It’s not even just love.
This is the beginning of everything.
Our messy, passionate, beautiful forever.
This is aclaiming.
A homecoming.
A fuckingpromise.
I’ve never felt more wanted.More treasured.More mine.
And tonight?
I belong tohim—completely.
My husband.My love.
Hours, one shower, and a plate of scrambled eggs later, I’m half-draped over my sexy-as-sin husband, our legs tangled together in the middle of our brand new king-sized bed.
The sheets still smell like us—like him—sweat and spice and the kind of home I never thought I’d have.
I run my fingers down the planes of his chest, marveling at the fact that he’s really here.
That he’s mine.
That I’mhis.
“How did I get so lucky?”I murmur against his skin, my lips brushing the hard muscle of his shoulder.
Luca shifts slightly, cupping the back of my head with one big hand, and I can feel the grin in his voice before he speaks.“I’m the lucky one, Angel.But for the record?You and me?This wasn’t luck.”
I glance up, and his eyes are warm.Serious.
“This took work,” he continues, his fingers sliding through my hair.“Because all the best things do.And I swear to you, I willneverstop earning you.Never stop proving I’m worthy of your love, Annabeth.”
My throat tightens, and I blink fast to stop the tears.
“You don’t have to prove anything,” I whisper.“You already have.I love you, Luca.”
“I love you too.”He presses a kiss to my temple, then tilts my chin until our eyes lock.“You’re it for me.My forever.”
My heart skips.
This man.
He doesn’t just say things—hemeansthem.Every word, every touch, every kiss feels like a vow.
And just like that, he knocks me off my feet.Again.Just like he did to that Gator player earlier today—only with a hell of a lot more finesse.
