Momentary Marriage(107)

“You will?” he ask, incredulous joy in his voice as he brushed her hair back, tilting her face up till their gazes locked. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Thank God!” Wrapping his powerful arms around her, Jared kissed her again, his touch tender and thankful, promising her his heart for eternity.

When he lifted his mouth from hers, Kelsey snuggled in his arms.

Brushing a kiss against the shell of her ear, Jared asked in a teasing voice, “So you wanted me all along? Like I wanted you?”

“Maybe,” she admitted with a rueful chuckle. “I think I’ve wanted you quite a while.”

“So,” he said, “this thing with Doug and Amy was…kind of an excuse?”

“Well,” she hesitated, “I wouldn’t say that—“

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he said with a smile. “After all the string-pulling I’ve done, you owe me a little manipulation.”

Still locked in his arms, Kelsey had to laugh. “How about we just say we’re both getting what we deserve?”

“No,” he said softly. “If you love me, I’m getting much more than I deserve.”

“I do love you,” she whispered fervently.

“Sweet Kelsey,” he said, his voice rough, his arms tightening on her. “You’re too precious to lose. If you’ll give us a chance, we can make magic last.”

“Yes,” she whispered, raising her lips to his. “Yes, Jared, let’s make it last.”