Forbidden Heir (The Heirs 8)

He nods. “Of course.”

“Good,” I murmur before I wrap my arm around his neck and pull him down for another kiss.

RYKER

Sitting on the plane, surrounded by some of our friends and family, it’s hard to not take hold of Danny’s hand.

Leaning over, I whisper, “Until when are we keeping our relationship a secret?”

She gives me a playful smile, then leans in until her breath fans over my ear. Her teeth tug at my earlobe, almost making me groan. “You can tell everyone whenever you want to.”

Pulling back, our eyes lock. When I see she’s serious, I take hold of Danny’s hand, and linking our fingers, I mutter, “Thank fuck, it’s really hard not touching you.” Leaning in again, I press a kiss to her mouth, and I’m rewarded with a beautiful smile from her.

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Are you dating?” Noah, my cousin, suddenly asks.

I nod, a grin spreading over my face. “She finally gave in to my charms.”

Danny lets out a burst of laughter. “He’s lying. I had to get him drunk, and then I took advantage of him.”

Everyone begins to laugh.

“Congrats, guys,” Carla, Noah’s wife, says.

There’s a chorus of congratulations from everyone on board.

When we touch down in San Diego, I keep hold of Danny’s hand as we leave the plane. I lead her to the nearest van. The hotel sent over a couple to collect us from the airport.

Once we’re seated, I place my arm around her shoulders, and when she leans her head against me, I press a kiss to her hair.

This will be the first time we’re at a function together as a couple, and it fills my chest with pride.

Yeah, I’m the man who got Daniele Hayes.

I tighten my hold on her, and ducking my head, I whisper, “You do know I’m never letting you go?”

Danny tilts her head back, a happy smile on her face. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Lifting my other hand to her jaw, I keep her face in place as I claim her mouth. I have to remind myself we’re not alone and break the kiss way before I’ve had my fill.

When we arrive at the hotel, I get the keycard for our room, and the second I shut the door behind us, I grab hold of Danny and yank her to me.

My mouth finds hers, and the kiss quickly turns desperate. Our breaths fill the air, and once again, the kiss feels different, just like the one in Danny’s bedroom. It’s as if she’s pouring everything into the kiss. She’s not thinking of anything but me, and it only makes me focus more on her.

When we finally pull apart, Danny’s eyes are shining like sapphires.

I shake my head slowly, “Something’s different.”

Her lips curve up. “I’m just not taking you for granted.”

“You never did.”

Danny lifts her hands to my jaw, her eyes filling with love. “You’re a dream come true, Ryker. I want you to know that every second we’re together.”

I press another quick kiss to her mouth. “You’re my dream come true, as well.”

We stand, holding each other.

“I’m going to marry you one day.” The words slip out before I even had time to process them.

Her smile widens. “Yeah?”

I nod, sure of the fact. “Yeah.”

“Danny West,” she whispers, and hearing the words makes my heart expand impossibly with love for her.

“You’re the only woman I’ll ever love,” I admit. “It’s always been you, and nothing will change that.”

Emotion washes over her face, and her eyes begin to tear up. I figure it’s because of what I said, and don’t read too much into it.

“You’re the only man I’ll love.” Her chin quivers, and then she whispers, “Until the day I die.”

Wrapping her against my chest, I say, “Luckily, that’s still forty to fifty years away.”

Danny lets out a soft sob, and when I try to pull back, she tightens her hold around my neck. “I’m just emotional. Just hold me.”

I tighten my arms around her again, and lifting her against my body, I walk deeper into the room until I get to the couch. Sitting down, I pull her onto my lap.

My phone vibrates, and pulling it out of my pocket, I see there’s a text from Tristan.

T: Room number. Now.

“Tristan found out we’re dating,” I say as I reply to the text.

Danny shoots up off my lap. “Let me talk to him.”

Rising to my feet, I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it.”

There’s a hard knock at the door, and when panic flashes over Danny’s face, I say, “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.”

I open the door and stand to the side so Tristan can come in. He settles a dark frown on me, then growls, “My fucking sister?”

“Tristan –,” Danny begins to say.

Tristan’s eyes slant to her as he snaps, “You keep quiet. This is between Ryker and me.”

I shake my head. “Don’t talk to her like that.” It draws his attention back to me. We stare at each other for a moment, and I see the anger brewing in his eyes. “I love, Danny.”