Randi stood up as Lily circled Evan excitedly, whining for attention. Evan stroked the dog’s head, making her go into fits of ecstasy.
“Did you say that you loved me?” Randi asked, not able to take her eyes off Evan’s face.
“It’s either love or madness. I’m thinking it must be love that produces some type of insanity. I’ve watched Hope and all of my brothers go through the same thing. I never knew I could feel like this,” he told her in a raw, hoarse voice, finally getting close enough to wrap his arms around her.
Coming from Evan, the declaration was enchanting and magical. He sounded tortured and relieved at the same time. Randi wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly, riding the wave of emotions along with him as they clutched each other like they never wanted to let go.
“I love you, Evan, so much that it hurts,” she admitted as she sobbed into the gorgeous sweater he was wearing. He looked amazing in a pair of jeans and jade wool. It made her wish she was dressed in something nicer than jeans and an old college sweatshirt.
She knew she was a mess, but Evan didn’t seem to care. He just held her tighter, swept her up in his arms, and carried her out to the living room. He sat on the couch and cuddled her on his lap.
“Don’t cry. I don’t want it to hurt because you love me.” His voice was pleading and husky with emotion.
“They’re happy tears,” she rushed to explain. “It doesn’t hurt. It feels wonderful.”
“Then marry me, Randi. I want you to feel wonderful for the rest of your life, and I’ll give you whatever you want to make you stay that way. God knows you’ve shown me a happiness I never knew existed. I need you.”
Tilting her head, she looked into his eyes and saw her future. “I don’t need things to make me happy, Evan. I just need you.” He didn’t realize it yet, but she needed him just as much as he needed her. Fate had brought him into her life at a time when she’d really needed to not feel so alone. Destiny had brought her something special, a man she loved—heart, body, and soul.
“We have to talk about marriage,” Randi said cautiously. She wanted to say yes with every fiber of her being, but it was a big step for both of them.
“No talk,” he growled. “Say yes or I’ll lose it,” he warned her dangerously.
She straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What happens if I don’t?” she asked curiously.
His hand wrapped around her nape and he jerked her head down to his mouth before she could even blink. “I fuck you senseless until you don’t have the strength to say no anymore,” he rasped, grasping her hair as he held her head so he could kiss her.
She melted into him as his heated mouth ravaged her lips and her senses. He tasted delicious, masculine and exactly like Evan. She kissed him back, unable to resist rubbing her wet denim-clad core against his hard erection.
Heat spiraled through her body as Evan thrust his tongue into her mouth, taking what he wanted and giving her what she so desperately needed.
He didn’t stop ravaging her with his possessive embrace as he stood up and pinned her against the wall. “Clothes. Off,” he grunted bossily as he yanked his mouth from hers, his eyes like liquid blue flames as he met her gaze and let her feet touch the ground.
Randi felt another flood of wet heat gush between her thighs at his dominance as he swept her sweatshirt over her head. He divested her of her bra, dropping it on the floor without a second thought. He pulled his sweater over his head and it fell on the carpet along with the growing pile of clothing. Her jeans and panties joined the collection a moment later.
“Jesus, you’re beautiful.” Evan’s voice was reverent and raspy as he stared at her completely nude body.
Randi knew that he meant it. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t really a big-breasted beauty who spent hours in a spa or beauty salon. To him, she was attractive, and that was all that mattered.
To her, Evan was perfection, and she trailed her palms down his bare, muscular chest. “I’ve always thought you were the hottest guy I’d ever met.” Her voice was a needy whisper. She had to have him inside her before she started begging.
“Always?” He lifted an arrogant brow.
“Yes. Ever since the first time I met you at Emily’s wedding.” She cried out as he cupped her breasts, his fingers teasing her nipples relentlessly.
“Marry me,” he insisted again.
“Evan, we can talk about it,” she whimpered.
“No talking. I need a yes from you.” His hands moved slowly down her belly until they reached her pussy. He stroked his fingers lightly between her folds, sliding slowly through her wet heat.