Page 81 of Taming Her

She didn’t say anything.

“Do I make you happy?” If she wouldn’t say she loved him, would she at least say he had a positive effect on her life?

“Yes.” She smiled and rested her other hand over his. “Very. I hardly recognize the person I was before… before you decided to kidnap me back here.”

“I didn’t kidnap you.”

“You kind of did, Griff.”

“Well… it was necessary.”

“I’m inclined to agree with you.”

He hesitated then, “Your father let you down, and your mother, but I won’t, ever. I promise you that.”

She glanced away.

“My love for you is honest and true, Ava. What you see is what you get, and that is all of me, my undivided attention, loyalty, and support.”

“It is?”

“Yes. Absolutely. One hundred percent.”

“Good.”

He bit on his bottom lip, waiting for her to go on.

“And I do want to be here with you.”

He nodded.

“The cottage, the garden, it’s beautiful and peaceful and…” She squeezed his hand. “And you make me a better person, Griff. I really believe that I have a future, something to work toward now.”

“And do you like yourself more when you have a goal?”

“Yes. Landscape design is what I want to do; it’s just building on something I love anyway, so it’s perfect.”

“I’m pleased.” He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “That you feel that way.”

“So,” she said. “In answer to your question, it’s early days and I want to keep my house for now but—”

“That’s a good idea, and you might want the capital to launch your business when you reach that point.”

“I did think that.” She smiled. “But I’ll rent it out and move in here, with you.”

“You will?”

“Yes.”

He stood and rounded the table, hauled her into his arms. “Are you sure?”

She looped her hands around his neck. “Well, you’re a stickler for the rules and quick to spank my ass, but do you know what, I think I actually need rules and spanks.”

“It’s exactly what you need.” He kissed her. “Iam what you need. Me. Only me.”

“I know.” She spoke onto his lips. “I know, Griff, and I love you for that. For all that you’ve done for me, that you still do for me. I love you.”

Griff had never been happier as he scooped her up against his chest and carried her to the stairs. He took them two at a time, his heart swollen with love and his cock hard and throbbing.

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