I take a step towards her, closing the distance between us. “This isn’t a wedding, and I know that. Hopefully, everyone here does too, or they’re about to be pretty disappointed. I know I am.” I swallow hard, glancing down at her hands—at the finger that doesn’t have a ring on it yet.
“Since meeting Imogen, I’ve pretty much known I was done for. She’s had my heart for a while now, and she will until the day I die. I want to use this time to show her that I’m not just full of empty promises.”
Imogen blinks hard. “I know you aren’t,” she says, clearing her throat. “Though I appreciate you always trying to show me that.”
“I want forever with you. I’m so damned grateful Iris forced you to third wheel our date that very first day, because I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Iris laughs from her seat, and from the corner of my eye, I watch her wipe away a tear.
Even Imogen can’t help but giggle. “I really didn’t like you when we first met.”
“I think you liked me too much,” I reply.
She shakes her head, dark curls falling over her shoulders. “You’re really pushing it now.”
Dad gives me a look, but he doesn’t step in. He’s just here for show.
But now for the big guns.
“I love you,” I murmur. “I love you more than you will ever really know, Imogen Watts. And some day, hopefully soon, I want to really prove that to you. To everyone in this room.”
Imogen sucks in a breath. Her eyes go wide as the words hang in the air between us. “You love me? Really?”
“Of course I do, trouble.” I release one of her hands to cup her cheek. “Loved you for a while, now.”
Her eyes shine with tears. “I love you, too.”
If that doesn’t prove it, then I sure as hell don’t know what will. The matchmaker made her perfect match.
EPILOGUE
IMOGEN
“So, you love me?” Calder grins as he pulls into the cabin, still wearing his tux and cowboy hat. “I knew it.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “And you love me. That makes us even.”
He kills the engine with a shrug. “Well, I think I was more obvious. You, on the other hand…” He looks at me in a way that has my belly fluttering. “You hide it pretty well.”
I raise a brow. “I did all of this!” I wave a hand over the thrifted wedding dress I found in town with his sister.
“And what a sight you are in it,” he growls. “But now I want to see you out of it.”
A shiver rolls down my spine. There’s something I’ve been wanting to do, but too hesitant to try.
“Inside, and I’ll give you something you really won’t forget,” I reply, opening the truck door. “Then you’ll never question me again.”
Somehow, he’s out of the truck and at my side before I can close the door behind myself. I grab his hand before he can sweep me into his arms, dragging him into the cabin without a word. A new sofa sits where the broken one once was, and I lead him right to it.
“What are you planning, trouble?” he asks as I push him down onto one of the cushions.
Slowly, I lower myself into my knees before him. His eyes widen, heat flaring within. “You’ll see,” I reply.
“Fuck,” he whispers, sitting back so I can undo his belt, then pants. They come down with a bit of help from him, giving me full access to his hardening cock.
I lick my lips before kissing the head. Precum touches my tongue as I take him in my mouth, rolling my tongue over the tip before sucking him all the way down. Calder makes a hissing sound as he gathers my hair away from my face.
“That’s it, trouble. Doing so well,” he grunts, holding himself still for me. I’ve never done this with him before, but he doesn’t seem to care. “Use your hands. Stroke me while you choke.”
