Ride: Hearts Wild Series

"You're amazing," he said then kissed her again, coaxing her tongue out to meet his so that they could twist and tangle together.

"Does this mean you forgive me?" she whispered.

"There's nothing to forgive. All I need you to do is forgive me for not being honest with you. I love you, and I should have given you the chance to hear me out about what happened instead of assuming how you’d react."

"I didn't deserve it." She shook her head. "You were right. I would have done exactly what you said."

"Does any of that matter now?" he asked.

She shook her head, and then he pulled her closer, feeling the fullness of her body flush against him as he leaned down for yet another kiss.

This woman, this whirlwind—this was what it had all been leading to. Not to Quinn, but to this. This one moment of pure, unadulterated joy.

And the best part was he knew it would never, ever end. Not so long as she stayed right here, in his arms.

Epilogue

Two Years Later

"Where is everyone?" Zoe huffed out a sigh, and Ian rolled his eyes before grabbing her shoulders and leading her to the couch for what felt like the millionth time that day.

He didn't understand, though. Today was important.

Obviously not the most important milestone, but important nonetheless.

"You know what the doctor said about stress." He laid a hand on her stomach, and this time it was her turn to roll her eyes.

"The party is supposed to start in fifteen minutes."

"I thought this wasn't a party? I recall someone who may or may not have been my wife saying it wasn't, in fact, a party but a small get-together of loved ones."

"That person was an idiot, then." She chewed on her bottom lip. "Ok, I picked up the cake this morning—"

"Which is the most important part. Now, for the love of God, woman, sit." Ian guided her back to her chair.

Just as she sat, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." She bolted up, but Ian glared over at her.

"Not on your life. Sit."

Frowning, she did as he asked.

Even after all this time, she couldn't understand how he managed to keep so calm. On their wedding day, his hands hadn't even been clammy. She'd been so stressed out that she'd run a fever for the full two days beforehand. That, she supposed, was just the best thing about Ian.

He was patient.

Ian opened the door and grinned as a woman nearly as pregnant as herself glided through the door.

"Quinn." Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. "You're here."

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world." She rubbed her own tummy, and their aunt Janice ambled in after her, her arms laden with gifts.

"I thought we said no presents," Ian reminded her, and Janice rolled her eyes.

"I'm not allowed to bring a gift for my niece and nephew when I want to?"

Zoe grinned at her. "You don't know what to get yet. We don't have a registry."

"Well, we live in a gender fluid culture. I don't think a little girl would mind wearing blue or a little boy would mind wearing pink."