“That seems counterproductive for a nursery owner.”
“Don’t care.” He presses a kiss to my shoulder. “I’d burn it all down and start over if it meant having you like this.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and breathe him in. Earth and honeysuckle and sex andus. Our scents tangled together so completely I can’t tell where he ends and I begin.
“Say it again,” he murmurs against my hair.
“I love you.”
“Again.”
“I love you, Theo Holt. I’m staying in Honeyridge Falls. I’m never running away again.” I press a kiss to his throat. “Happy?”
“Deliriously.” He squeezes me tighter. “I’m going to be insufferable about this. Fair warning.”
“Insufferable how?”
“Just... very happy. Annoyingly, aggressively happy. Lucas is going to hate it.”
“Lucas can deal.”
“He really can.” Theo’s smile softens as he looks at me. “God, I can’t believe this is real.”
“It’s real.” I squeeze him back. “I promise.”
His knot finally softens, and the sensation of him slipping out of me makes us both shiver. He’s still half-hard, but the urgency has faded into something warmer.
“Come on.” He helps me off his lap, steadying me when my legs wobble. “There’s a bathroom in the cottage. Hot shower. Then I’m making you dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“You just told me you’re moving across the countryandthat you love me.” He grins, all golden warmth. “The least I can do is feed you.”
“What are you making?”
“Whatever you want.” He hands me my scattered clothes, pulling on his jeans without bothering with underwear. “Risotto again? That pasta you used to love? I’ll make you a seven-course meal if you want. I’ll learn French cooking. I’ll?—”
“Theo.” I’m laughing now, helpless and happy. “Risotto is perfect.”
“Risotto it is.” He takes my hand, threads his fingers through mine. “Fair warning, I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you for the next few weeks. Months. Possibly years.”
“I’ll manage.”
We walk to the cottage hand in hand, leaving the mess of scattered pots and spilled soil behind us. The late afternoon sun is painting everything gold.
Theo keeps glancing at me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he looks away too long.
“Stop,” I say, laughing.
“Can’t.” He brings our joined hands up and kisses my knuckles. “Just making sure you’re real.”
I squeeze his hand. “I’m real. I’m here. I’m staying.”
His smile could light up the whole of Honeyridge Falls.
Chapter 16
Lucas
