frantic drive toward release. Faster and faster. Rougher and rougher. Her nails scraped over his side. His thrusts shook the bed.
When she came, the pleasure burst through her. Her body buckled, and she held him even tighter.
And when he came, she could see the pleasure on his face. Flashing in his eyes, slackening his jaw and—
“Fucking…love you…Always…”
She could even hear the pleasure in his voice. Hear the pleasure and the love.
Lacey held him tight and knew…Dex, I will never let you go.
She’d found what she’d been searching for so long. Not just family, but a place where she belonged. She belonged with Dex. He belonged with her.
Her hand slid down to the bedding. The diamond ring gleamed.
One day, their engagement wouldn’t be pretend. Lacey understood this with certainty. One day, it would be real. As real as the love she felt for him.
Epilogue
“I can’t believe she said yes.” Eric Wilde frowned suspiciously at Dex.
Dex adjusted his tie. The tux was a little tight in the shoulders, but it would do. A quick glance in the mirror told him that he looked semi-presentable.
Good enough.
“I mean, I warned her. Told her that there were guys out there a whole lot less shady than you…”
Now he glowered at Eric. “Seriously? You understand that this is my wedding day, too? Are you trying to piss me off?”
Eric shrugged. “Are you getting pissed?”
“Look, I get it. You think I’m dangerous and manipulative and that I somehow tricked her into marrying me.”
“You are dangerous and manipulative. And didn’t you trick her into marrying you?”
“I may have used some faint trickery in the first engagement, but this last one has been completely real.” He and Lacey had dated for six months. Six months. He’d been nearly going insane because he wanted her legally tied to him. He wanted permanence with Lacey.
He wanted everything with her.
“She loves you,” Eric noted. His voice was very careful. Considering.
Dex adjusted the tie once more, even though it didn’t need adjusting. “Good to know. Because I’m insane for her.” A quick glance at his watch told him that he needed to get moving. It’s time. Finally, it’s time. He headed for the door.
Eric moved into his path. “We’re going to be family.”
“Aw, is this your way of welcoming me? Come here, bring it in.” He grabbed Eric in a quick bear hug. “Feel better now?” He’d made the guy his best man. What else did Eric want?
“Let go, Dex.”
Smothering a smile, he did. “You just can’t admit you like me, can you? And it’s hurtful since I’ve thought we were best friends for like…ever.” He made his way toward the door.
“Lacey told me to look behind your mask.”
Dex exhaled. He’s Lacey’s family. You have to play nicely with—
“I told her that I already had. I know you’re a good man, Dex, and I think you’ll make my cousin very happy.”
Dex spun toward him. “Then what is all this grilling about?”
Eric smiled at him. “Because messing with you is fun?”
What?
Eric winked. “Welcome to the family.”
“Between you and Roman, I have the feeling this family will exhaust me.” But the exhaustion would be worth it.
Having Lacey? She was worth any price that he had to pay.
***
He could barely breathe as she walked down the aisle. She was wearing some flowing white dress—looked like it was made of silk—and her thick, dark hair tumbled around her shoulders. She smiled as she came toward him. Roman held one of her hands. In the other hand, she gripped a bouquet of red roses.
Eric’s wife, Piper, served as Lacey’s matron of honor, and Eric—he was standing all tall and proud as Dex’s best man.
Eric leaned toward him and whispered, “Breathe before you pass out. That shit will be embarrassing.”
So he was able to take a breath. Then Lacey was in front of him. He realized that she’d been staring at him during that whole, endlessly long walk down the aisle.
She pulled her hand from Roman’s. Took Dex’s. Their fingers twined together.
“Hi,” he said. Random. Inane.
Her smile stretched.
And Roman lingered. Why was he lingering? Then, as if on cue, Roman mumbled, “You don’t have to do this.”
Seriously? What the hell? What was with this family? Dex glowered. Not cool.
But Lacey laughed. “It’s not like he’s blackmailing me.”
Dammit. Dex could feel heat stinging his cheeks.
Her fingers tightened around his. “Dex is what I want. Now and always.” Then she glanced toward the watchful pastor. “So, not to rush or anything, but when is the part where I get to say…”
“I