“Hey now darlin’,” Hunter’s voice pulls me back. “What did I say? Eyes on me. Watch.”

His voice is an order. My heart races as I lift my head and obey. The sight takes my breath away. Hunter is poised between my thighs, his eyes hungry with desire. I watch, transfixed, as he leans closer, and then gently laps against me.

Holy fuck.

It’s erotic as hell, feeling the exquisite bliss of his tongue on my clit, his eyes still locked on mine. Hunter exhales, a shudder of warm air against me, and then licks again, stronger this time.

Pleasure spirals through me. I let out a moan.

“You taste like ripe cherries,” he murmurs, nibbling at my thigh. “So, so sweet.”

I shudder under him, already feeling my blood boil, desire twisting higher. Hunter dips his head and licks at my cl*tagain, slow and achingly soft. I buck against his mouth, but he just smiles, bracing one hand across my h*ps to hold me down as he laps and swirls his tongue over me, driving me mindless with desire.

“Please!” I hear myself cry, as if from far away. I beg him with my eyes, my whole body straining to feel more of him. All of him. Now.

In answer, Hunter lifts his head, watching me with that sexy stare as slowly, teasingly, he slides two fingers deep inside of me.

I cry out, arching up against the pressure, my eyes still locked on his. I feel the wave begin to crest through me, achingly soft, and then Hunter flutters his fingers high against my walls and sweeps his thumb firm against my clit, and I come undone, coasting through the blissful sweet ripples until I’m left gasping and dizzy on the seat.

I open my eyes to find Hunter still watching me. I blush. “Why do you do that?” I whisper, self-conscious. “Watch me.”

He cocks his head. “Because you’re beautiful,” he replies, undoing his belt. “Because nothing makes me harder than watching you come.”

My heart skips as Hunter scoops me up in his arms and pivots, so he’s sitting upright on the seat and I’m straddling his lap, my head bent over him to keep from hitting the roof of the car. I pull down his pants and briefs as he traces his hands across my bare shoulders. I shiver against him, my body still ultra-sensitive from my orgasm. His dick is hard in my hands, hot and ready. I run my thumb over the tip, and Hunter lets out a tortured groan.

Our eyes meet, electric.

I move into position and then ease down slowly, never once breaking our gaze as I take his c**k inside me, inch by heavenly inch.

Oh God.

I whimper as I bear down on him, all the way to the hilt. He’s so thick inside me, stretching me, filling me up, until there’s nothing in the world but the dark pleasure in his eyes hypnotizing, and the friction building between us, hot enough to burn the world to the ground.

I arch up against him, rocking slowly, feeling the thick sweetness boil in my bloodstream again, the gorgeous pressure of his torso pressing against my clit. Hunter thrusts up inside me and I moan, finding our rhythm now, achingly slow but oh, I’m caught in the glorious motion, lost in the shining beauty of his eyes, and the silent sway of our bodies that speaks louder than any words.

The ache builds, pleasure thrumming in every sinew of my body as I rock faster against him, pulled closer to the edge. I claw at his shoulders, crumpling his shirt under my hands as each thrust drives me closer; Hunter’s eyes are dark now, desperate, he’s gasping, braced against the seat. I lift myself up on my knees and then sink back down, and Hunter cries out, grabbing my h*ps and grinding me down against him, surging up inside me in a deadly sweet thrust.

Fuck yes! I lift again, and he crashes into me, thrusting harder, every stroke shuddering through my body, setting my soul ablaze, hurtling me closer, closer, until with a final roar, Hunter bucks off the seat, slamming into me as his pelvis rocks against my clit. I feel him everywhere. Every nerve, every atom of my body splits apart, exploding with pure pleasure. I cry out, shuddering against him, drowning in the depths of his body, feeling him break apart under me until we’re falling, falling into each other with no end or beginning, just the endless depths of love mirrored in our eyes and the thundering beat of our hearts, racing as one.

By the time the limo pulls up outside the Covington mansion, we’ve just about pulled ourselves back together.

“She’ll be able to tell,” I say mournfully, trying to smooth the crumples in my dress. “Your mother will take one look at me and know I’ve been doing unspeakable things to her son in the limo.”

“Good,” Hunter declares, tucking his shirttails in.

I gape at him.

“You’re mine,” he growls possessively. “And I want everyone to know it.”

I feel a thrill at his words. I quickly grab my compact mirror from my purse and touch up my lipstick. “OK,” I say breathlessly. “Let’s get this over with.”

Hunter opens the door and helps me out of the car. I suck in a breath. The mansion was stunning enough in the middle of the day, but by night, it’s spectacular. All around us, elegant couples disembark from limos and expensive sports cars, making their way slowly up the front steps and through the house.

“Relax,” Hunter whispers, his lips brushing against my ear as he takes my arm and guides me inside. “You’re the most beautiful girl here.”

I try to swallow back my nerves as we emerge on the back terrace. Torches are posted in the ground, blazing light in the darkness, and hundreds of tiny tea lights are strung from the trees. The white tents billow in the cool air while the staff circulates with champagne, and a band is playing jazz by the parquet dance floor in the middle of the lawn.

“Wow…” I breathe. “You did all of this?”

“Me, the caterers, the florists…” Hunter ticks them off.

“Don’t put yourself down,” I scold him lightly. “You made all this come together. It’s amazing.”

“Well, if you like it, I know it’s all worthwhile,” he grins down at me. “Come on. I want to find my parents.”

“Now?” I yelp. “Couldn’t we get settled first? Have a drink. Have two drinks.”

“I’m right beside you,” Hunter takes my hand and leads me down the stairs, into the thick of the crowd. “I promise, I won’t let you go.”

Richard and Camille are holding court right in the center of the crowd, surrounded by well-wishers. I gulp as Hunter tows me closer, sending up a silent prayer that I don’t fall apart in the face of Camille’s wrath. Whatever her plans for the night, I can bet that seeing her son with me on his arm is so not on the schedule.

Right on cue, Camille sees us in the crowd. She brightens at the sight of Hunter, then her gaze slides over to me. Her smile freezes, suddenly icy cool.

“Hunter, darling,” she moves forward to greet him with a kiss on the cheek. “You’re late. People are asking after you.”

“I had something to do.” Hunter replies, still holding my hand. “You both remember Brit.”

“Of course,” Richard smiles. “How are you, dear?”

“Fine.” My voice quavers. “I mean, I’m doing great. This is a lovely party,” I add. “Congratulations.”

Camille shoots me daggers with her eyes. “Hunter, a word.”

“Sure, mom.” Hunter takes a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “What do you need?”

“In private.” She glares.

“Sorry,” Hunter shrugs, totally at ease. “Anything you say, you say to Brit too.”

“Very well.” Camille turns away from me, focused on Hunter like I’m not even standing here. “What are you playing at, bringing her? I thought you’d seen sense and ended things.”

“You were wrong.” Hunter’s voice is deadly calm.

“Darling, surely you have to see, she doesn’t belong here.” Camille’s voice rises, but Hunter steps forward, cutting her off.

“Enough.” The word comes out a growl. Camille jerks back in surprise. “That’s the last time you insult her, if you ever want me to step foot in this house again.”

“But—”

“No.” Hunter’s jaw is set, determination blazing in his eyes. “I love Brit. We’re together, and you’re going to have to get used to that. She’s a part of this family now.”

I turn to him, staring with amazement.

Camille’s lips purse. “Nonsense.”

“And I’m moving back to Beachwood,” Hunter adds. “I’ll still visit, and help dad out at the firm if he needs, but I’m going to live my own life, on my terms.”

I squeeze his hand, warm with pride. I know how tough this must be for him, and it takes my breath away to hear Hunter standing his ground like this.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Camille cries. “It’s all her fault, she’s poisoned you against us!”

“No mom, you’ve done that all on your own.” Hunter snaps, then he softens, “I know this is hard, but I have to move on. We all do. It’s the only way, can’t you see?”

“No!” Camille insists again, louder.

People turn to stare, and I can see the ripples of whispers spreading out through the crowd.

“Leave him be.” Richard puts a hand on her. “The boy’s suffered enough. We all have. He deserves to be happy now.”

I tug on Hunter’s hand. “People are watching,” I whisper, embarrassed, but Hunter just gives me a grin.

“Good, I’ve got something they need to see.” He pulls me into the very center of the dance floor, and then drops to one knee.

My heart stops.

Hunter reaches into his jacket and pulls out a tiny ring-box. “Brittany Ray,” he begins, looking adorably nervous. “Since the very first night I met you, I’ve known, you’re different from everyone I’ve ever known. You’re so brave, and strong, and beautiful. You make me believe in the good in the world—that there’s good in me too.”

I can see the stares of amazement in the crowd: Hunter’s parents, Alicia, everyone watching us. A sob wells up in my throat, tears of pure, overwhelming joy. I can’t believe this is happening.

He’s choosing me. The girl who was laughed at, and scorned, the girl who never came first. The girl they thought was nothing. Hunter never listened, or cared what the rumors said. He saw me, the real me, right from the start, and tonight, he’s laying claim to me, in front of everyone.

“I love you, more than anything,” Hunter continues. He opens the box, revealing a perfect diamond ring, twinkling under the lanterns in the dark. “I told you once that I was going to prove you wrong, that I was always going to be there for you. I want to prove you wrong every day for the rest of our lives.”

His eyes meet mine, shining and true. The only man I will ever love.

“Marry me, Brit. Belong to me, always.”

In a daze, I nod, “Yes!” I hiccup. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”

Hunter breaks into the biggest smile. He slips the ring on my finger and then rises to his feet, lifting me off the ground and twirling me around in a deep, endless kiss.

The crowd bursts into applause.

“You and me, baby,” Hunter whispers. “Forever.”

I hold him tight, panicked for a moment that this really is just a dream. That come midnight, the clock will strike, and everything beautiful will fade away again. Then I look up, into his eyes, and I know it’s the truth.

He’s mine, and I’m his. Forever.

We’re quickly surrounded, all his family’s friends and guests offering congratulations and wishing us well. His father embraces us, patting Hunter on the back. “I’m proud of you, son,” he says, sounding choked up, and I can tell from the look in Hunter’s eyes that it means the world to him.

“We’ll have to get started on the wedding plans right away.” Camille still looks annoyed, but she seems calmed by the thought of a big social event to plan. “We’ll need at least a year, of course, and bookings at the club are just ridiculous…”

Hunter swiftly draws me a couple of steps away, turning to keep his body between me and his mother. “Thank you,” I whisper, as we’re intercepted by a fresh wave of well-wishers, this time a group of women all ooh-ing and ahh-ing over my dress.

“Fabulous!” The ring-leader declares.

“Where on earth did you find it?”

“I, umm,” I blush, stammering, remembering the scorn of the girls in school every time I wore my own creations, but Hunter jumps in.

“She designed it herself,” he says proudly. “Brit’s an amazing designer.”

I wait for the sneers, but instead, the women look at me with a new admiration. “Do you take commissions?” one asks, interested. “I have a gala coming up, and it’s so hard to find something new.”

“I don’t know…” I mumble.

Alicia appears in the group beside me. “She has a waiting list,” she announces, giving me a quick wink. “Everything’s one-of-a-kind, you see.”

“I don’t care how much it costs,” the woman adds, eager. “I have to have one.”

“Me too!” One of her friends declares. “I’m not letting you have a monopoly on the new hot designers.”

“And me!”

I look around in amazement. These glamorous, rich women are all clamoring for a chance to wear one of my designs. I can’t believe it.

“That’s enough, ladies.” Alicia laughs, shooing them away. “Let’s leave the happy couple to celebrate. Call me next week and I’ll pass on her details.”