I stared at Tyler, unable to speak, completely filled with shock.

“You didn’t have to lie,” I said. “I mean, thank you for defending me, but that’s a pretty big lie to tell.”

He raised his eyebrow, a grin spreading over his face.

“You think that was a lie?” he asked in a soft voice. “Do you not know how I feel about you?”

“No,” I said to him. In truth, my feelings for Tyler had developed into something powerful, something that put butterflies in my stomach every time I saw him. But I never believed that he had the same feelings for me. I allowed myself to fantasize, but deep inside I told myself that he was only in it for the sex, that I would never be the type of girl that he could have on his arm forever.

“I’m crazy about you,” he said, looking into my eyes. “You make me crazy. You make me want to rip my hair out. But it’s the most incredible feeling and I—I’m completely in love with you, Ali.”

“What?” I asked him. “That’s not—there’s no way—”

“Why can’t you see how fucking incredible you are?” he asked, touching my cheek with his fingers. “I hate that they made you think you’re anything less than perfect. I have never felt this way about anybody. You were made for me. Your body was made for mine.”

“What if you don’t always feel that way?” I asked him. “What if—what if one day you decide I’m too much? That you’d rather be with somebody thinner?”

He kissed me once, then again, nuzzling my cheek.

“There’s nothing I can say to convince you that won’t happen,” he said. “But I want you to let me spend every day of our lives proving to you how absolutely perfect you are. Would you do that for me?”

I stared at him, studying his face, saw the love in his eyes that was bright and shining through. I kissed him, breathing against his lips.

“Yes,” I said, nodding. “Yes, Tyler.”

He grinned, sweeping me into his arms, kissing me softly as he lifted me against his chest. I no longer worried that he wouldn’t be able to carry me—his arms were strong, and I felt light as a feather as he carried me into the bedroom, laying me down on the bed and quickly stripping out of my clothes. He looked over my body, an adoring look on his face that made me feel sexier than any model. He moved over me, kissing me all over, his hands stroking my belly and down to my hips. He kissed a path between my breasts down to between my legs, kissing me softly on my lower lips.

“You somehow taste better than your cooking,” he said. “And you’re the best goddamn chef that I know.”

“I want to taste it,” I said to him in a shy voice. He gave a soft growl at the request, burying his face between my legs, licking my pussy up and down. He focused particularly on my clit, pressing against it with the tip of his tongue, flicking and teasing it before he moved over me again. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, swirling it around, sharing the flavor of my pussy with me as he spread my legs even further with his hands.

“All this time I’ve wanted to make love to you, Ali,” he said to me softly, making me shiver. “And you’d only let me fuck you. It’s been torture.”

“Make love to me,” I said to him, wrapping my arms around his back. “I love you, Tyler.”

He smiled against my lips, lifting one of my legs up and hooking it over his arm. He grabbed his jeans, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet, and pulled out a condom. Quickly, he ripped open the package and slid it down his swollen cock. He slid inside of me, closing his eyes as he filled me up in a slow push forward. He leaned down then, taking my mouth in a hot, sensual kiss as he started to ride against me slowly and deeply, holding my legs open. He pulled back and looked into my eyes, smiling at the look on my face as he slid in and out of my soaking wet pussy. I had never felt anything better—never felt so sexy as I did in that moment he was looking into my eyes.

“You are perfect,” he said in a soft voice, kissing my neck, my throat. “Say it.”

I didn’t respond, afraid of the words, too shy to say them out loud. Instead, I lifted my hips, trying to kiss him, but he pulled back from my mouth.

“You are perfect,” he breathed, kissing me once, then again. “Say it, angel.”

“I’m perfect,” I said, and he nodded, biting into my lip. He took my other leg, wrapping them both around his hips. I took the opportunity to pull him even deeper, holding him inside of me, never wanting to let him go.

“I love you,” he said, reaching down to rub my clit, sinking his teeth into my neck as I came. I whimpered, squirming against him, riding the pleasure in a wave. I kept on going, even as my clit was throbbing, unable to stop my body from seeking more and more pleasure. He chuckled, slowing down, taking both of my hands and pinning them at my sides.

“You are the greediest girl I have ever met,” he said. “You can never come just once.”

“I never—never want to stop,” I breathed, the words interrupted with a loud moan as he started to ride against the perfect spot inside of me. The pleasure was almost a torment, almost too much. I came with a cry and buried my face in his shoulder, bucking against him, squirming as he came inside of me.

He pulled out, tossing the condom away and holding me tight against him. He kissed my forehead, the tip of my nose, then my lips.

“Thank you,” he said.

“For what?” I asked him.

“For saying yes. For loving me back.”

“I tried not to,” I said.

He smiled. “I know,” he said, kissing me again. I got out of bed then, slipping back into my dress and heading into the kitchen. He followed me, wrapping his arms around my waist, holding me against him as I cut up an apple for us to share.

“So now that you’re my fiancé—” he said, but was cut off when there was a knock at the door. He went over to answer it, revealing his sister on the other side.