Time slowed down as she skimmed her fingers over his lips. His eyes grew heavy with desire, and he leaned down, capturing her mouth with his own. Her lips were very big, as velvety and delicious as he’d imagined, and her body molded to his as if in a dream. Only this was a dream he never wanted to wake up from. He gathered her closer, deepening the kiss, forgetting where they were. She was right: the romance wasn’t in the place, but in them. He could feel his love for her growing, expanding, reaching beyond time.
They finally broke apart, gasping for breath, their foreheads pressed together. And then he kissed her again and again, never able to get his fill. “Marry me, Bella?”
Love shone in her doe eyes. “Yes.”
He picked her up and spun in a circle. His head tipped back so he could see the beauty in his arms. “I want to tell the whole world that you’re mine.”
She laughed. “Well, you could always throw a ball,” she teased.
He joined her laughter, setting her gently on her feet. “Done.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up, proving that she didn’t really believe he’d do it.
“If it would make you happy, I’d do anything.”
She melted into him. “I don’t need a ball to be happy. I just want you.” She pressed her lips to his, and Adam felt the truth of her words in that kiss. She’d rescued him and he’d rescued her, and together, they’d turn that drafty old castle into a home. And, of course, they’d throw a ball.
Epilogue
Bella
Bella glided down the hallway in her A-line, cream-colored ball gown with gold accents. The gold gown was tucked away in her giant walk-in closet. Even though no one but Adam had seen her in it, Mrs. Poole insisted she have a new dress for tonight’s ball. Bella was glad. She’d use the gold gown for one of their balls for two on a Wednesday night.
Adam lounged against his doorway in his tux, looking dangerously handsome. Her breath caught at the sight of him. The idea that this man belonged to her was grand. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she got closer.
He looked up from his phone, and his eyes filled with love. Once again, Bella was hit with the feeling that she was more than enough for him; he loved her just for being her. And that was pretty amazing.
Bella hooked her hand through Adam’s crooked elbow and grinned. “Believe it or not, this is my first official ball.”
He gasped in false shock. “How have you survived?”
“I’m a tough girl, I guess.”
“Yes, you are. A girl who passed the bar exam on her first try.” His pride for her accomplishment shone through. It was partially his accomplishment, too. After all, he’d dedicated himself to helping her study. They’d spent countless hours at her father’s bedside, covering everything from embezzlement to alimony.
With the lively conversations on his favorite topic, Dad healed quickly. He was inside the ballroom with the rest of the guests, mingling. She was so thankful to have him here tonight, to see him healthy, that she didn’t even mind his complaining about having to wear a tuxedo.
And while her father had napped, she and Adam had kissed and kissed and then they’d made out and then they’d kissed some more. She could not get enough of this man. No one would believe her if she told them the Beast was incredibly romantic. He’d taken her back to the beach to build more sandcastles and to Paris for pastries, bought her the latest courtroom thriller, gave the world’s best scalp massages, and shared candlelight dinners and lakeside picnics.
Adam gathered her into his arms and buried his face on her neck, leaving a trail of kisses on her skin. “Are you ready for your first ball?”
“Hmm. I could skip it for more of this.” She kissed his ear.
Adam groaned, low and inviting. Inside her lower belly, a pool of molten lava came to life.
He suddenly pulled back, his eyes burning with desire. “I’m taking you to the ball.” The words didn’t match up with the way his hands pressed her lower back, drawing her closer to him. “Because we have our whole lives, and you only have a first ball once.”
She smiled up at him. “Here you are, rescuing me from myself.” She pressed a quick, chaste kiss to his lips and backed out of his arms.
“More like I’m rescuing myself,” Adam muttered.
She laughed again.
“Speaking of rescuing …”
“Yes?”
They made their way to the ballroom. “I didn’t ever ask you where you got that bid for the apartment remodel.”
