“Let me guess, this is why you bought this house,” I said to Colin as we walked through the wooded area of his property.

“It is. We have fifteen acres back here.”

There it was again—we. He now did it with everything. We have a house in Texas. Our car, our hot tub, our life. Each and every time he said it, I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t back in my D.C. apartment dreaming all of this up.

“As much as I love it here, and spending time with you, I know you brought me back here for a reason. What’s wrong?”

He stopped walking but didn’t let go of my hand. Not only had I had an MRI today, but the doctor had taken off the stupid bandage on my right hand. The cut I had on my palm was healing nicely and didn’t hurt. I wouldn’t be swinging across monkey bars on it anytime soon, but everyday activity didn’t bother it.

“You didn’t ask about my meeting today.” Before I could remind him, he’d told me not to talk about anything important he went on. “But I know you’re interested and I told you I’d tell you what I could.”

His blue eyes bore into mine, and he looked extremely uneasy.

“What happened? Is everything all right?”

“We’re getting closer to puzzling everything out. Remember the man Warren, the one I . . .” His words trailed off.

“Yeah, of course I do.” Colin winced, and I wondered why he’d flinch thinking about a dead man who’d tried to kill him.

“We were the reason you were taken. My team and I. Warren was obsessed with Zane and was hell-bent on some sort of sick revenge. He knew if someone threatened you, your dad would hire Z Corps to protect you. He used the people he was working for, convinced them to take you and, in the process, me, too.”

“That seems like a lot of work to get revenge. Wouldn’t it have been easier to hire someone to just kill you?” Shit. That came out wrong. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know how you meant it, sunshine. Do you know what the going rate for a hit is?”

“Hmm, that would be a no. I’ve never tried to hire a hit man.”

“You’re talking about half a million for a good one. Now triple that for a man like me.”

I was afraid to ask what that meant. I could guess, but I didn’t want confirmation.

“That’s a lot of money.”

“Money Warren didn’t have. So he went through the trouble.”

“But he’s dead. So you’re safe now, right?”

“Yes, we are safe now.” Colin tightened his grip on my hand. “I want to talk to you about what happened. What you saw.”

“I know never to tell anyone,” I rushed out.

“Sunshine, I’m not worried about anyone knowing what I did. I’m worried about what you saw.”

“What about it?”

I was confused and thought back to that day and tried to remember the details. Which was odd, because I’d been striving to forget them. But if there was something I’d missed or forgotten that could help them put the last puzzle pieces together, I’d try.

“You saw me kill a man. I think we need to talk about that.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Baby, I did.” His voice had lowered, and his tone turned cajoling.

“No. You. Didn’t.”

“A man is dead because of me, Erin.”

“You didn’t kill him. You were protecting yourself and me. You didn’t just walk up to someone and take their life.”

“You’re right. But it doesn’t change the fact he died by my hand.”

“Does that bother you? I didn’t think about how it might have affected you, I was just grateful we were alive.”

“Fuck no, it doesn’t bother me.”

“Then why are we talking about this?”

“I need to know if it bothers you. I didn’t think about it that day. And after, I was more concerned about your concussion. Then making sure you weren’t having nightmares about being taken from Abe’s cabin.”

I contemplated everything he’d said and came to the same conclusion I did every time I thought about all that Colin had done for me. I always came first. Nowhere in his statement had he mentioned himself, or the injuries he’d sustained. Or the lives he’d taken. It was all about me, all the time. I wasn’t sure if it made me selfish or not but that was one of the many things I loved about him.

“You killed two men in front of me,” I corrected. “Two men that had beaten you. Two men that had kidnapped me. Two men that had threatened to kill you in front of me. You did what you had to do to protect us. You walked through fire, for me, for us. How could I feel anything but gratitude for that?”

“Through fire?” His face softened.

“You said—”

“I know what I said. I’m just surprised you remembered.”

“It’s what kept me sane. Those words helped me stay strong. I knew you’d find a way out. You told me that when you found the woman you loved there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do for her. You’d walk through fire. And you did. I won’t ever forget what you did for us.”

“Damn, I love you. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

“I said I was.”

“Okay. So tell me about this wedding you’re planning.”

I welcomed the change of subject. On our walk back to the house I told him about everything we’d arranged. My mom had a women’s luncheon this weekend, which she’d offered to cancel, but I told her not to. Both, Colin and I wanted to get married as soon as possible but this weekend was seriously pushing it. We decided to do it in three weeks. That gave everyone enough time.

“You’re sure you’re all right with a small wedding and it being in the residence?” I asked as we approached the back deck.

“Absolutely. It’s perfect.”

“I was thinking, if they can, I’d like your parents to come before the wedding. I’d like all of us to meet and get to know each other before we walk down the aisle.”

“They’d like that. My mom’s already tried to get on a plane multiple times.”

“She has? Why didn’t she come?”

“I wanted you to get settled first. My mom can be, overwhelming.”

He was protecting me again. Just like he always did.

“Don’t be silly. Tell her to come. She can go with us to pick out my dress. Though, it’s going to be like a covert CIA operation trying to keep the media vultures from finding out.”

“Are you sure?” Colin’s face brightened.

I stepped closer and put my arms around his waist, careful not to hurt him. “I’m positive. I’m nervous, I want them to like me. And I’m bummed Keira can’t come. But we’ll send her the pictures. Hey! Maybe we can live stream it to her. Would she be able to watch from the ship?”

He didn’t say anything for a long while. But when he did, my heart was full. “Thank you for wanting to include my parents. My mom is going to love you, and I know it will mean a lot to her to go with you to find a dress. My dad is an old Irish man who is a sucker for a pretty lass. He’ll be wrapped around your finger in two seconds.”

“Does he have an accent? Will he call me lass?”

“He doesn’t have one, unless he’s trying to sweet-talk my mom. Growing up, we knew to leave the room when Dad broke out the Gaelic.”

“That’s sweet.”

“Sure, if they’re not your parents.”

“Tell me more about them,” I requested.

“I’d rather tell you about other stuff.”

I liked the sparkle in Colin’s eyes.

“Other stuff? What kind of other stuff?”

“The kind of stuff I can only whisper in your ear when I have you naked in bed.”

My core twitched, and I really hoped this was going where I thought it was.

“Hmm, I didn’t know there were such things one could whisper only while naked. Guess I need to get to the room and undress so I can hear them.”

I heard Colin’s chuckle behind me as I sprinted for the door. I liked the playful side of him. I also like the strong, protector side, too. And I hated to admit it, but even the brooding, irritated side of Colin—it was hot, too.

I was yanking my shirt over my head when I caught sight of Colin standing in the entrance of our bedroom. I tossed the bunched up fabric in his direction, but it fell short.

“Are you going to join me?”

“In a minute.”

“What are you waiting for?” I asked as I pulled off my slacks.

“Nothing.”

“Then why aren’t you undressing?”

“I’m enjoying watching you.”

“Well, I’d be enjoying myself if you’d at least take your shirt off.”

I was a little surprised when he pulled it over his head and smiled. I thought I’d have to ask him more than once. “Better?”

“Hmm. Not yet. I think the pants need to come off to make it even.” I motioned over my mostly undressed body. “I’m only in my underwear.”

His pants came off, but he remained where he was. I reached around and unclasped my bra, letting the straps fall down my arms. I reached for the elastic of my panties, and Colin finally moved. I involuntarily shivered when his hungry gaze met mine.

“I get the pleasure of removing those.”

I stood frozen in place, suddenly unsure what I was supposed to do next. He scooped me up and started toward the bed.

“Your ribs,” I admonished.

“Are fine.”

He gently laid me down, pushing my legs apart as he climbed between them. We were touching from hip to chest, Colin’s face rested in the crook of my neck, kissing the sensitive skin there.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want to wait until after we’re married? It’s only three more weeks,” he teased, or at least I hoped he was teasing.

“Seriously?”

“Are you on birth control?” he continued to speak into my neck.

“No.” I tilted my head to the side giving him more room.

Crap. I hadn’t thought of birth control. I hadn’t been having sex so there’d never been a need.

He lifted his head, we were almost nose-to-nose, and I had to blink a few times to focus as he was so close.

“The choice is yours. We can use a condom if you want. I get tested for everything regularly through—”

“Shhh.” I placed a finger over his mouth. “I trust you. I don’t want anything between us.”

Colin’s lips twitched before he placed his mouth near my ear and blazed a wet path down the side of my neck, to my throat, and lower still, stopping at my breasts, kneading and massaging them before he sucked a nipple into his mouth.

“God that feels so good,” I moaned and arched into his touch.

He went to the other side, lavishing the other nipple with the same attention, before continuing his downward movement, nipping and kissing my stomach before stopping at the juncture of my thighs. He looked up at me and smiled.

“Hold on, sunshine, this is gonna be quick.”

“What is?” I asked through the lust induced fog.

“You coming in my mouth.”

With a long, slow swipe, he licked from my ass to my clit. I would’ve come off the bed if he hadn’t had one arm over my belly, anchoring me in place. His tongue swirled, sucked, and stabbed into my wet center. He was an absolute expert when it came to my body. He knew exactly what to do to drive me to the brink of insanity. The craziest part was, he could have me on the verge of orgasm quickly or draw it out and make me beg. He was in full control, I had no say in my body’s reaction to him.

“So good, Colin,” I groaned, not sure if I wanted to shove him away or plead with him to never move. My legs trembled, and the pressure built to nearly painful. The press of his tongue on my clit was all I needed to topple over.

“Oh, God!” I couldn’t stop the scream as pleasure tore through me.

Colin continued to play as my orgasm slowly faded, when he hummed with his lips still on my clit, my ass shot off the bed. “No more.”

Chuckling, he lifted his head from between my legs and the sexiest, wickedest smile I’d ever seen played on his wet lips.

“Damn, you taste good.” His tongue darted out, and he licked his bottom lip. Good God, that was hot.

He moved up my body, taking one of my legs with him. Settling in the cradle of my hips, he wrapped the leg around his back and fell forward on his elbow.

Face-to-face.

My world narrowed to only Colin. I swear my breath caught in my lungs and my mouth went dry.

“Sunshine,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

The head of his dick nudged my opening, and my eyes fluttered closed. A few moments later when he still hadn’t moved, I peeked at him through heavy lids.

“Colin. What are you waiting for?”

“You to look at me.” The pad of his thumb traced along my jaw to my ear and back. The touch so feather light, making it even harder to open my eyes. “I need to see you.”

I opened my eyes and swallowed past the lump in my throat when he slowly pressed inside of me. My back arched, and my heels dug into his lower back.

“Promise you’ll never leave me.”

“Promise,” I rushed out.

“Never, Erin. I need you. I can’t ever go back, now that I know you exist, that a love like ours is real, and I’ve finally found you. I won’t survive if you leave me.”

I was having a hard time forming a response as he gently glided in and out of me. His thickness stretching me to the max. “I’ll love you every day, like we don’t have tomorrow. I promise.”

His hand on my cheek hadn’t stopped moving, and his eyes were still glued to mine. It was in that moment, while Colin made love to me, we became one. Bodies, hearts, and souls. I didn’t know where he finished and I started. I didn’t want to know. I wanted to be lost in him forever.

“Please don’t stop,” I begged.

He stopped talking but not moving; his unhurried strokes caught my body on fire. In and out, leisurely, deliberately driving me to the brink of insanity.

“Faster, Colin.”

“We have all night, there’s no rush.”

He continued with his slow pace, the only sounds in the room were his breath mingled with my moans. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed more.

“Harder,” I begged. “Please.”

“Hitch your leg up higher.” He didn’t wait for me to comply. His hand moved from my face and his fingers dug into the back of my thigh as he thrust into me hard.

“Oh, God.”

“You are so beautiful. Wrap your arms around me.”

“Holy—” My words were cut off, and my back arched. His hand moved from my leg to under my ass and he lifted.

“That’s it, baby, move your hips, grind into me.”

Colin’s words no longer made sense, my mind was mush, and instinct took over. I squeezed my leg around his waist, allowing me to move with him. He pounded away, and all I could do was try and keep up.

“Fuck. You feel so good.”

His mouth crashed to mine, and if I’d thought he’d dominated our kisses before, I’d been wrong. This was dominance, raw, carnal, pure. Everything felt right. My nails clawed his back and when he wrenched his lips from mine and threw his head back on a loud moan, my pussy fluttered. It was like the dam had broken, allowing all the pent-up passion we had for each other to unleash. Our world had narrowed to the clashing of teeth, groans, grunts, and the slapping of our bodies as we came together.

“Don’t let go, Erin. Don’t ever let go.”

“I won’t.”

I held onto him tighter, hoping he’d understand I needed him just as much as he needed me.

“I love you, baby.” His words were soft and gentle and in direct contradiction to his punishing thrusts.

“I love you.” I tilted my hips more, and my orgasm slammed into me. “I’ll never let you forget how much.”

“Erin. Look at me.”

When the daze started to fade, and his face came back into focus, I was mesmerized by his gaze. His eyes had gone soft, but all the muscles in his neck had tightened. His body shook, and with one last thrust he planted deep, and, finally, his head fell forward as he groaned his pleasure.

I waited until Colin lifted his head before I whispered, “Only you.”

His eyes drifted closed, and I knew he felt my words, just as much as I had when I’d said them.