Page 202 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

“I love you.”

My eyes burn.

“I want you. Exactly as you are. Stubbornness, arguments, impossible questions, and all. I want to spend every year I have remaining trying to make you happy.”

Then, simply, he asks, “Will you marry me?”

I’m completely, irreversibly undone. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Yes.”

Lucian closes his eyes briefly and then utters a faint, thankful curse.

Then his hand closes around mine and he slides the engagement ring onto my finger.

Now I’m the one to close my eyes. This is more perfect than I could have dared to dream.

Then he reaches for the first wedding band.

His gaze finds mine before he moves. “May I?”

Suddenly unable to speak, I nod.

Something dark and fiercely emotional passes through his eyes as he slides his band into place.

Then he raises my hand and presses his mouth against the rings, making me shiver.

Caleb steps forward and takes the velvet box from Lucian.

Like his partner, he goes down on one knee.

My laugh is a half sob, filled with pure joy.

He flashes me a devastating smile, but it disappears as he picks up the second wedding band.

For several seconds, Caleb simply looks at me, and the warmth in his expression makes my chest ache.

“Soph.”

Just that.

My name.

And somehow I hear his love, his promise, his commitment.

“Will you marry me too?”

Through my tears, I smile as he slides his band into place, where it’s supposed to be.

I stare at all three rings, at the sapphire and diamonds catching the light, and I curl my fingers slowly.

For a heartbeat, neither man moves, and none of us say anything.

Then the three of us embrace, and I kiss Caleb.

Then Lucian’s gaze drops to my hand.

A slow, deeply satisfied smile curves his mouth, making heat unfurl deep inside me.

“Wife…”