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But none of that mattered compared to the look in Savannah's eyes—wonder mixed with a fierce, possessive pride that matched my own. She wasn't embarrassed by my declaration. Wasn't retreating from the attention or the implications. Was standing beside me, chin lifted, every inch my equal in this moment of transformation.

"That was quite a statement," she murmured, her lips curving in a smile that held secrets only I was privileged to know. "Not exactly subtle."

"As I told Miles," I replied, keeping her close as congratulations and questions began to swirl around us, "subtlety is overrated. At least where you're concerned."

The remainder of the evening passed in a blur of strategic conversations, carefully deflected questions about wedding plans, and knowing looks from those who'd suspected all along.

Through it all, I kept Savannah by my side, my hand rarely leaving her back, her waist, her arm—not from possessiveness now, but from a simple need to maintain contact, to ground myself in her reality as my world reconfigured itself around this new truth.

By the time we made our excuses and departed, the energy between us had built to something nearly tangible—a charge that made the elevator ride to the penthouse suite I'd reserved for the night feel endless, electric with anticipation.

The moment the room door closed behind us, I had her against it, mouth claiming hers with the hunger I'd been controlling all evening.

She responded with equal ferocity, fingers yanking at my tie, at the buttons of my shirt, her leg hooking around my hip to pull me closer.

"That speech," she gasped as my lips found her neck, the sensitive spot beneath her ear that never failed to make her shiver.

"Where did that come from?"

"From here," I murmured, placing her hand over my heart. "From truth I've been avoiding for too long."

She tugged my head back, forcing me to meet her gaze. "Do you have any idea what you've done? The business implications? The gossip? The scrutiny we'll face?"

"I don't care." I worked at the hidden zipper of her dress, needing to feel her skin beneath my hands.

"None of it matters compared to this. To us."

The dress fell in a whisper of silk, revealing a body I'd memorized yet never tired of discovering. Black lace against pale skin, the contrast a masterpiece I wanted to study for hours. But patience was beyond me tonight.

I lifted her, carrying her to the massive bed that dominated the suite, laying her against cream-colored sheets with reverent care that belied the urgency pulsing through me.

Standing back, I shed my remaining clothes, my cock already hard and aching for her.

Her eyes darkened as she took me in, her tongue darting out to wet her lips in a gesture that nearly undid me.

"Come here," she whispered, reaching for me. "I need you."

I joined her on the bed, covering her body with mine, the sensation of skin against skin electric. I kissed my way down her body, taking my time despite the urgency thrumming between us. I unhooked her bra with practiced ease, revealing breasts that filled my hands perfectly. I took one nipple into my mouth, sucking firmly while my thumb circled the other, drawing a moan from her that sent heat straight to my groin.

"I meant everything I said tonight," I murmured against her heated skin, trailing kisses down her stomach. "Every word. Every implication."

My fingers hooked into her lace panties, sliding them down her legs with deliberate slowness. When she was finally nakedbeneath me, I paused to drink in the sight—her flushed skin, the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the glistening evidence of her desire between her thighs.

"Lucas," she breathed, spreading her legs in invitation. "Please."

I settled between her thighs, inhaling her intoxicating scent before tasting her with a long, deliberate stroke of my tongue.

She cried out, hips bucking against my mouth as I found her clit, circling it with increasing pressure. I slid two fingers inside her, curling them to find the spot that made her gasp my name.

"That's it," I encouraged, watching her face as pleasure built. "Let go for me."

Her hands clutched at the sheets, at my hair, her body tensing as I increased the rhythm of my fingers, the pressure of my tongue. When she came, it was with a cry that might have been heard in the hallway, her body arching off the bed, inner muscles clenching around my fingers in waves that seemed endless.

I kissed my way back up her body as she trembled with aftershocks, positioning myself between her thighs. The head of my cock slid through her wetness, teasing her entrance without pushing in.

"I love you," I said, holding her gaze as I finally, slowly entered her.

"I need you. I choose you. Above ambition. Above achievement. Above control."