“But you left me.” This time the tears were in her tone. “You weren’t supposed to leave me, Ro. You promised.”
He cursed himself for being stupid. “You hurt me when you told me to leave. I have feelings, too, you know?”
She nodded. “I always screw things up.”
“No, you don’t. And you can never screw anything up with me.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.
The moment he did, she launched herself into his arms and met that kiss with more passion than he’d ever known.
Closing his eyes, he savored the taste of her. It’d been a year since they’d been together.
A long, shitty year where he’d missed her touch. Her warmth. She’d been the only woman he’d ever loved or that he ever would. A little bit crazy mixed with vibrant intelligence and a willingness to slaughter anyone who got in her way. There was no one like her, and he appreciated every moment of the chaos she brought with her.
Slowly, she crawled into his lap and deepened their kiss. This was what he’d missed most. Her passion and taste.
“Oh!”
Ronan pulled back at the startled gasp, then laughed as he saw Candara’s red face.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt…”
Mischief laughed as she extracted herself from his lap. “It’s all right. We shouldn’t have chosen such a public spot for our kiss.”
Ronan scoffed. “Not like it’s the first time, and that was rather chaste for us.”
Mischief elbowed him hard in the stomach. “Don’t make me beat you.”
“Long as you’re naked, I’m up for most things, as you well know.”
“Would you stop! You’re going to make the poor girl burst into flames.”
She was right. Candara was practically glowing from embarrassment.
“I’m not used to those who are so casual with their dalliances.”
Ronan wrapped his arms around Mischief and rested his chin on top of her hair. “Wouldn’t have to be casual if she’d ever marry me.”
To his surprise, Mischief leaned back in his arms and raised her hand to cup his cheek. “Are you willing to stay with me if I say yes? It would mean you’d have to finally put down the roots you so despise.”
For a full minute Ronan couldn’t breathe as he digested those words. Had she really said them?
Did she mean them?
“Are you serious?”
Mischief turned around in his arms so that she faced him. “If you’re willing to settle down, so am I.”
He couldn’t believe that. Not after all these years of begging her to marry. “You’re the only home I’ve ever known.”
She smiled up at him. “Then promise you won’t leave and abide by it.”
Picking her up, he laughed. “Not even you will ever drive me away.” He savored the way she felt against him as she kissed him again.
“What are we interrupting now?” Xaydin asked.
Candara clicked her tongue. “I think they’re getting married.”
“’Bout time. They’ve waited long enough to stop buzzing around each other. It’s really annoying for the rest of us to watch.”
