Page 25 of Unlikely Match

I love the feel of the liquid heat spurting deep. It feels like a symbol that we're now bonded together.

"My man." My palm cups his cheek as we kiss breathlessly, clumsily, our bodies twitching frantically as we wring every drop of pleasure from each other.

After I collapse against his chest, Alex strokes my back gently.

"I've said several cheesy things to you, and you haven't smacked me too badly. So now I'm going to tell you that I honestly didn't know it was possible to feel this much, or love this much, and I sincerely hope that you won't laugh in my face."

I grin, shaking my head against his cheek. "Not laugh. Just smile, because I feel exactly the same way."

"Good. Apparently this falling in love thing is often messy and strange, so we're going to have to figure it all out together."

"I'm game if you are."

Alex cups my chin in his palm, staring directly into my eyes. "Baby, we may have started out in a contest, but this is definitely not a game. This is it. You're the one for me."

Blinking hard, I nod frantically, unable to speak.

We slowly move apart, then Alex throws a blanket over us as we snuggle together. "If thiswasa game, though, or a contest, I still think we still won."

"Definitely." My fingers trail around his chest. "I'll go to one of those trophy places and pick you out a little something."

He chuckles deeply, and his arms tighten around me as I begin to nod off, so filled with love and promise and possibility that my heart might explode.

I'm completely drained, devoid of energy. Yet I'm also inspired, and can't wait to get drawing again. That is, if I can ever bring myself to leave the cozy embrace of my gorgeous man's arms.

My man. My Alex. My prize.

14

ALEX

It's only been a day and a half since I gave Jewel that keycard, yet my condo already feels more like a home. As I drop my keys and phone into the bowl in the foyer, I hear her sweet voice calling down the stairs. "I'm up here! The furniture arrived."

Striding up the stairs, I check my pocket for the hundredth time.

"Check it out." Jewel is beaming, arms outstretched as she twirls slowly in her new art studio.

"It's all okay? You like it?"

"Yeah – and they even set it up, right down to the little felt pads on the feet of the furniture and everything."

I look around at her huge drafting table, her computer desk in the corner, the sofa and coffee table, and the various standing lamps. Flopping onto the couch, I spread out my arm invitingly, and she curls up next to me. "Are you at home here?" I ask.

Jewel gives me that smile that I've come to learn means she can't quite believe I'm asking ridiculous questions. "Getting there. Still pretty overwhelmed, of course."

"They have three cars ready for you down at the dealership. I thought we could go down, you could pick the one you like best, then you can drive us to your birthday dinner."

She rolls her beautiful eyes, giving me a feather-light punch in the stomach. "You can't buy your girlfriend a car. It's ridiculous. We went over this."

"Hey, you let me buy you a sofa." I wiggle my butt, then grimace. "Except there's something wrong with it. It's lumpy over here. Check it out."

"What?"

Her green-tipped fingers slip along the back of the cushion until she finds the tiny box I planted there when I sat down.

While she stares in disbelief, I swivel, kneeling in front of her as I take the box from her trembling fingers. "You're right, maybe it's strange to buy my girlfriend a car for Valentine's Day. Or her birthday. Or take her to a client dinner in a few days. I think everything might be easier if you were my fiancée."

Opening the box, she makes a strange squeaking noise as her hands flutter to her mouth. Her eyes look like they're about to fall out of her head as she stares at the diamond and onyx ring.

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