My mouth snapped shut and I nodded.
She took in a deep breath and moved to the window. “I never thought it would come true for two reasons. One was my father pounded it into my head that I needed to focus everything on CMI Consulting, and that meant there was no time for a man in my life. But then I met a man who changed everything.”
Her hand lifted and she ran her finger over something on the window.
“When I walked away from him, I knew I would never get married because he was the only man I’d ever loved and would ever want to marry.”
My eyes widened and I tried to speak. Tried to move. All I could do was stand there and watch her trace the same pattern as she spoke.
Charlie turned to face me.
“These last couple of weeks I’ve been going over the time we spent together. Each moment I’ve replayed a hundred times in my head.”
She looked down and took in a deep breath, and then her eyes lifted to meet mine.
“I love you, Tucker. I’ve always loved you and only you. And I’m sorry I lied to you.”
Taking a step forward, she held up her hand.
“That weekend, I was going to tell you the truth. I swear to you, I was.”
“It doesn’t matter, Charlie. I fucked up too. I hid the truth from you as well because I was so damn afraid you’d leave and find someone else to marry you.”
She shook her head. “The only person I want to marry is you. There’s no life after you, Tucker. You are my life.”
My heart slammed in my chest. “I’ll marry you right now, right here, if you want.”
Smiling, she finally made her way over to me, stopping just short of me.
It didn’t take me long to reach out and pull her to me. Slipping my hand into her pinned-up hair, I pulled her mouth to mine. The kiss was slow at first, until she opened her mouth to me. Then I lost all self-control. My hand dug into her hip, pulling her against me. Charlie groaned in delight when my hard length pressed into her.
After kissing for what felt like forever, we pulled apart.
“Would you really marry me right now?” she whispered, our foreheads pressed together and our breathing labored as though we’d just run a marathon.
“Yes. I love you so much, Charleston. I’ve been a shell the last few weeks. Losing my father and then you.”
She pressed her lips to mine while wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I love you too,” she spoke against my lips.
“Is that why you had me get dressed up? Are we getting married?” What came out of her mouth next nearly knocked me off my feet.
WHEN TUCKER TOLD me he’d marry right here and now, I almost started to cry. I didn’t deserve this man, but I was a greedy bitch, and I wanted him.
Forever.
“Is that why you had me get dressed up? Are we getting married?”
I smiled. I wanted Tucker to know I wanted to marry him, but not because it was to save my position at CMI. It was because I loved him and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.
“No. I have no intentions of marrying you today.”
His mouth dropped open, and he took a step back, visibly upset by my words.
“I want to marry you but on our terms. When we’re ready.”
He looked so confused. It was adorable.