only answer. “Yes. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
The expression on his face—my stoic, brave man—nearly undid me. He slipped the ring on my finger, and I held his face as he kissed me, kissed my tears, because my own stoicism faded away in the face of the pure, naked love I had for him. I let them fall because I was brave too. I just hadn’t known it.
For a few seconds, forehead to forehead, we were alone in the world, smiling into our kisses. Asher held my face in his hands as if it were the most precious thing he’d ever touched.
“I’ll love you always, Faith. Always.”
I nodded, tears spilling. “I love you, Asher. So much. You have my heart. It’s yours. God, look at me. I’ve never even considered loaning it out to anyone and here I am giving it away to you, forever.”
He smiled and kissed me again, gently. “I’m honored, baby. And I swear to you, I’ll protect it with my life.”
My firefighter.
I cried and we kissed some more and then pure elation found me, making me a little hysterical with laughter. I pulled away to see Max and Silas had retreated to the kitchen to give us space.
“Did you hear?” I pointed at Asher. “I get to have sex with this man for the rest of my life!”
Max laughed and wiped his eyes while Silas inhaled stiffly through his nose and fixed Asher—my fiancé—with a stern look that barely masked the sadness. “Kauai, eh? That’s pretty far away.”
Max put his arm around his husband. “That’s Silas Speak for: I’m going to miss my best friend, don’t take her away from me.”
Asher moved to sit beside me on the couch. “She’s not going anywhere.”
My head whipped to him. “What do you mean?”
“I know you, Faith,” Asher said. “Taking you out of the city would be selfish and wrong.” He shot me a sly smile. “You can’t cut island life, and you know it.”
My eyes widened even as my happiness expanded until I thought I’d burst. “That is so not true. I love Kauai.”
“But you don’t have to live there,” Asher said. “I’ll move here and apply at a firehouse in the city. We can spend summers and winters at my place.”
I stared. “You’d do that? For me?”
“I told you, baby. Give and take. You’ve given me more than I can ever repay.” Asher’s gaze softened as he cupped my cheek in his hand. “I’d move across a thousand oceans for you.”
Somewhere behind me, Max made a choking sound—or maybe it was Silas, that big softy—but all I knew at that moment was Asher’s beautiful eyes and the way they held mine.
And in them, I saw our future that stretched into forever.
THE END
MORE FROM EMMA SCOTT
Someday, Someday
“Emma Scott has created a magnificent story. Her first M/M romance at that. She continues to evolve as the gifted author she is. With the sensitivity of the topic she takes on she brings a powerful story of diversity, hope and unconditional love. Someday, Someday is a must read! Already a favorite of mine and I daresay Emma Scott's best work yet.” -Bad & Dirty Books
Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Book 1)
I was not expecting to feel so lost. So emotional. So desperately in love with EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING about this novel.” -Angie & Jessica's Dreamy Reads
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts Book 2)
“I am irrevocably in love with IN HARMONY.” —Katy Regnery, New York Times Bestselling Author
“Told through Shakespeare's masterful Hamlet in the era of #metoo, In Harmony is a deeply moving and brutally honest story of survival after shattering, of life after feeling dead inside. If you've ever been a victim of abuse or assault, this book speaks directly to you. This is a 6 star and LIFETIME READ!!!--Karen, Bookalicious Babes Blog
Forever Right Now
You’re a tornado, Darlene. I’m swept up.
“Forever Right Now is full of heart and soul--rarely does a book impact me like this one did. Emma Scott has a new forever fan in me.” --New York Times bestselling author of Archer's Voice, Mia Sheridan
How to Save a Life (Dreamcatcher #1)
Let’s do something really crazy and trust each other.
“You’re in for a roller coaster of emotions and a story that will grip you from the beginning to the very end. This is a MUST READ…”—Book Boyfriend Blog
Full Tilt
I would love you forever, if I only had the chance…