She turned to me with glassy, red swollen eyes, still wrapped tight in her own embrace. ”Not just that, but also because when we’re married, I want us to be equal partners in every sense of the word and a contract is the complete opposite of that. No one is going to dictate terms in the most important part of my life. Only you and I will decide what happens between us.”

Tears welled from the depth of her honest admission. I’ve said it a million times, but it will never be enough, God I loved this woman. ”I get it. I really do and I really am sorry that I hurt you. I want to be your equal and I love that you trust me with your heart. I will never ever take that for granted. I love you so much, Bo.” I reached for her, hoping she would take my hand and let me back in.

Seconds dragged on like days before she accepted, lacing her fingers with mine. A soft smile appeared where the tight lines of her mouth held a frown a moment ago. The pounds of weight that had found a home upon my shoulders fell away as I pulled her into my arms. I burrowed my face into her neck, inhaling the light vanilla fragrance she wore so well that always made my body sing and my heart lift. My lips dragged along her silky skin and I whispered, ”I hate that our party ended in tears that weren’t the happy kind, but I am so unbelievably honored that you feel that way about us.”

Bo sighed and tipped her head away, purring from the soft nips and kisses I was bestowing upon her. ”Me too, but I’m sure we can rewrite that ending.”

”Mmmm I’d like that.” My lips covered hers and my hand slipped to her side, slowly lowering the zipper of her dress. Anxious fingers wasted no time finding warm skin to caress. I captured her moan with deepening kisses as my other hand slid to her back to undo the tie. Within seconds, the designer dress was pooled in a heap at her feet. I much preferred it there anyway, instead of hiding the masterpiece that was Bo’s body from me under overpriced fabric. She stood before me in nothing but a black thong and black heels.