Page 18 of Vow To The Devil

"I know. We've been under a lot of stress and pressure, and we took it out on each other." He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to my knuckles. "The last thing I want is for our child to grow up with parents who can't get along. We have to fix this, Talia, before it's too late. Will you give me another chance?"

I stare into the fathomless blue of his eyes and the choice is easy. It has only ever been him, from the very beginning. "Yes," I say simply. "I will always give you another chance."

His answering smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. Then he's drawing me into the circle of his arms, holding me close as if he never intends to let go. And this is where I belong, in this place that was once the scene of our sweetest memories. Here, with Dare, I am home.

At that moment, Baby Morgan decides to make her presence known. She flips and twirls, making me press my hand to my belly and make a strange sound.

Dare's at my side in an instant, his hands covering mine. He looks down at my face. "Are you okay? Is the baby kicking up a storm in there?" His voice is hushed with wonder.

Another fluttering caress answers him, and his eyes widen. A laugh bubbles up in my chest, spilling out in a joyful burst.

"Our baby," I say softly. "Our baby is saying hello."

Dare kneels in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing his ear to my belly. I comb my fingers through his hair, sharing this perfect moment. The life we created together, our daughter, is announcing herself to the world in the sweetest way possible.

After a long peaceful interval, Dare lifts his head to beam at me. His eyes are suspiciously bright. "Best dance partner ever," he says hoarsely.

I cradle his face in my hands, overwhelmed by love for this man and the tiny being who will bind us together forever. "Looks like she’s jealous of us."

"Well, she is certainly welcome to join us when she’s ready." Dare kisses my palm, then my wrist, moving slowly up my arm. "Thank you," he murmurs against my skin. "For this gift, for another chance... for everything, really."

He kisses me, drawing me close, and the conversation falls away like grains of sand filtering through my fingers.

ChapterTen

DARE

With my arm around Talia's waist, I take a deep breath and march up the cobblestone path. The mansion looms before us, a vision of red brick and white columns against manicured emerald lawns. A plethora of windows glint in the sunlight, revealing a hint of the grandeur within.

We enter through the front door, taking in the polished marble floors and ornate furnishings. A large staircase sits in the center of the foyer, its grandeur breathtaking. To our right is a formal living room, complete with a white marble fireplace and luxurious velvet chairs. To our left is an equally impressive dining room, adorned with crystal chandeliers and Persian carpets.

As we ascend the curved staircase, I look at Talia. The awe on her face at the mansion warms my heart. It's a wonderful thing to be able to give her such experiences for the first time.

"Wow," she says, looking atthe intricately carved banister. "This place is amazing."

I smile, feeling a sense of pride at her reaction. "It's just a house," I say, trying to downplay its grandeur. "But I'm glad you like it."

We reach the top of the stairs and I lead Talia down a long hallway adorned with more artwork and antique furnishings. The scent of lavender and other aromatic oils fills the air, making it feel cozy and inviting. As we near the end of the hallway, I push open a set of double doors to reveal the master bedroom.

I pause in the doorway. A mahogany desk is pushed into a corner; framed photographs adorn every surface. There is a fireplace with a beautiful velvet couch and a matching overstuffed chair. A truly grand four-poster bed sits against one wall, its curtains drawn open to allow light to stream in. Beyond the curtains is a glimpse of a covered terrace with an outdoor lounge area, tucked away out of the sun.

Talia steps forward, her gaze sweeping around the room before settling on me. "It's beautiful," she whispers softly as if afraid to break any spell that might be lingering here.

Talia's eyes are wide with wonder as she gazes around, savoring every detail. She looks like a child visiting a candy shop for the first time, and I can't help but smile.

"This is only the beginning," I reply, my voice low with emotion. Taking her hand in mine, I lead her to the bed and sit down next to her. We stay there for a long moment, my heart soaring at the knowledge that this is now our home—ours to make memories together here and enjoy the short time we have as husband and wife.

Talia turns to me then, her tone hushed. "Dare," she says softly, "I don't need to be showered with gifts."

My throat tightens as emotion wells up within me, and I nod slowly before leaning in for a tender kiss. I mumble against her lips, which makes her smile.

"But what about mansions? You can't expect me to live in squalor, can you?"

Talia huffs out a surprised laugh. "I would hardly call the luxury loft that we live in now squalid."

"But it's not as nice as this place." I kiss her, stopping her protests altogether.

We stay locked in that embrace a while longer, content in each other's arms until finally we break apart and just look into each other's eyes. We've reached an unspoken level of intimacy lately and I have to say, I'm loving every second of it. I guess I was starved for affection, because now I just can't get enough of it.

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