Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“I believe in you more than I’ve ever believed in anything,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “And I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
She reaches up, cupping my face in her hands. “You found a crooked Christmas tree.”
“I found the perfect tree.”
A smile breaks across her face, this one reaching all the way to her eyes. “Yes, you did.”
And then she’s rising on her tiptoes, her lips meeting mine in a kiss that feels like coming home. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the tension of the past days dissolving as her body melds against mine. The kiss deepens, filled with forgiveness and promise.
A crash from the kitchen interrupts us, followed by the sound of scampering paws. We break apart and turn to see the puppy streak past the doorway, a dish towel clutched triumphantly in his mouth.
Sloane laughs, a real laugh that makes her eyes crinkle at the corners. She walks over and kisses me. Her lips are soft against mine, and something in my chest unravels.
“You’re really saying yes to shoes being chewed and perfectly arranged pillows being knocked over?” she asks, pulling back with a smile that makes my heart skip.
“I ordered protective covers for all the furniture,” I admit. “And puppy-proofing consultants are coming tomorrow.”
She laughs, the sound filling the space between us as she picks up the puppy again. “Of course they are.” The puppy has discovered her hair and is treating it like the world’s best toy. “I love you,” she says, still smiling as she tries to free her hair from tiny teeth.
The words hang in the air, and I feel my breath catch. She goes very still, clearly realizing what she’s just said—what she’s never said before.
“I—” she starts to say, but I cut her off with a kiss that pours every ounce of what I’m feeling into her. My hands find her face, cradling it like something precious.
“I love you too.” My voice comes out rough with emotion. “God, Sloane, I’ve been trying to find the perfect moment to tell you, and here you are, just saying it while a puppy uses you as a chew toy.”
She lets out a shaky laugh that I feel against my lips. “That’s us, isn’t it? You planning everything to perfection, and me just blurting things out between catastrophes.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I brush her hair back from her face, my fingertips lingering on her skin. “And for the record, this actually might be the perfect moment.”
“Better than whatever elaborate scenario you had planned?” Her eyes are teasing now, the green in them bright with happiness.
“Way better,” I admit. “I was thinking about renting out The Pierre. I had a whole speech prepared. But this . . .” I glance around at our living room—the crooked tree, the messy decorations, the puppy chewing everything it sees. “This is us. Real. Messy. Perfect.”
“Yeah?” She leans in to kiss me again, but the puppy chooses that moment to let out an indignant yip, clearly feeling ignored. “Does he have a name?”
“I thought we could figure that out together.” I watch her untangle her hair from tiny puppy teeth, her fingers nimble against the golden fur. “Though given his clear disregard for proper order and expensive accessories, might I suggest Havoc?”
Sloane’s smile widens as she lifts the puppy higher, holding him at eye level. “Havoc,” she says as she tests the name. “I like it.”
“Welcome to our beautiful mess,” she tells him, and my laugh joins hers as Havoc suddenly wriggles free and makes a beeline for the Christmas tree, immediately batting at a low-hanging ornament.
I pull Sloane against me, arms wrapping around her waist as we watch our new puppy circle the tree with boundless enthusiasm. Her body fits perfectly against mine, and when she tilts her head back to look at me, I see everything I’ve ever wanted reflected in her eyes.
“I love you,” I say again, because now that I’ve said it, I never want to stop.
Her answer is a kiss that starts soft but quickly deepens, her fingers threading through my hair. Havoc is completely forgotten as I lift her into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. I carry her toward our bedroom, leaving a trail of decorations and puppy toys in our wake.
For the first time in my life, I don’t care about the mess.
Chapter Thirty-Four Cole
Sloane’s been living in her studio lately, consumed by this collection. The security feeds show her working until dawn most nights, though she thinks I don’t know. I’ve been working long days as well, but all I want to do now is be tangled in her arms with our puppy at our sides.
Knox meets me in the parking garage. “She’s been pacing for the last hour,” he says as we step into the private elevator. “Whatever she’s finished, it must be good.”