Page 286
Chapter 286 of "Tempting Venom" begins revealing exciting developments: He lifts his head as I laugh silently, barely containing it as my chest quakes.... Don’t stop now!
He lifts his head as I laugh silently, barely containing it as my chest quakes. Preston’s expression is even funnier because he looks downright offended.
“Like hell you will. Told you he’smyboyfriend.”
“But he’s not yourhusband.”
“He will be one day. He can only be your brother, and that’s generous of me.”
“Okay!” She grins. “Can we have a wedding today? I’ll wear my sparkly shoes!”
“Those are ugly shoes!”
“No, they’re not!”
I’m smiling through the entire conversation.
One year ago, this man couldn’t sleep without checking the doors or being scared of falling asleep.
Now he wakes me up with his mouth and argues with an eight-year-old about weddings and ugly sparkly shoes that offend Miley greatly.
I’ll take this life. Every version of it.
After she leaves, he huffs and hits my chest. “What are you laughing at? You should reject that little shit properly.”
“Are you jealous of your eight-year-old sister?”
“I don’t share.” He chokes me with one hand. “You know that.”
“Then maybe you should give me a wedding after all.”
His grip loosens, his lips part.
“Unless you didn’t mean what you said just now? It sounded like a proposal.”
“It is. Itwas,” he blurts, trying to sit up. “Let me get on one knee and ask properly?—”
“Come here.” I pull him and kiss him speechless. “I will marry you in every lifetime, baby.”
“Really?”
“Really. I’ve wanted to marry you since I met you in that garden when we were kids.”
His lips quiver as a shine appears in his eyes. “How can you love me so much, Marcus?”
“You’re just so lovable, baby.” I brush my lips againsthis. “I want to wake up every day and see your face beside me and be grateful you’re right here, that you’re choosing me over your demons and whatever tries to drag you under. And I want to spend the rest of my life shielding you from any that dares to come for you. Even the ones inside your head.”
Preston’s lips lift, soft and so beautiful, it aches. He leans in and kisses me—slow, tender, almost reverent.
“Thank you,” he murmurs against my mouth, “for looking past the mess and not running. For letting me love you the way I know how. You have me.Allof me. And I’ll protect you with my life…husband.”
Something in my chest cracks open, and I kiss him again, deeper this time, because there’s never going to be enough of him, not in this lifetime or any other.
Once upon a time, I saw a fairy prince and wanted to make him mine.
Little did I know that he’d claim me just as completely.
THE END