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“I haven’t told anyone what happened to me,” I whisper, and he pauses. Only for a second, though, before continuing to pull the straps down, then pulling me to my feet. I let my dress fall to the floor, leaving me in just my bra and panties. I close my eyes tight as my nerves fire up, and I can feel his stare on my skin. My nipples tighten, and wetness builds like it always does when I’m this vulnerable.

“I’m not going to hurt you or touch you if you don’t want me to,” he whispers. “I just want to see you.”

I nod, giving him permission. “You can touch me, Micah. Just go slow.”

To my surprise, it’s not my breasts he touches, although I am secretly craving it. Instead, he runs his hands from my shoulders and down my arms, grabbing both hands. I open my eyes, and he’s peering down at me, smiling. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he says. “And mine… I’m never going to let you go again.”

“You said that the last time,” I remind him.

He slips something onto my finger. I look down at the most obnoxious diamond ring I’ve ever seen.

My mouth falls open. “Jesus, Micah. It’s beautiful.” I’m speechless as I turn it and see it shimmer in the dim light.

I can’t even fathom what this cost him.

He shrugs. “I can afford it.”

“When did you buy this?”

“The same time I bought this house. Here, I have something else for you.” He disappears for a moment, and he comes back out with something in his hand.

My leather-bound journal, along with the flower he carved for me when we were stranded. My stomach tightens, and my hand covers my mouth. All my thoughts, feelings, and fears when I was at my worst on that island are in there… so is the love I felt for the twins.

“You found it?” I whisper and peer up at him. “Did you… did you read it?”

“Yeah,” he admits. “It kept me alive, baby. Your words saved my life. It was like having you there with me.”

I run my hands over it, the soft brown leather and the memory of Nigel plopping it in front of me like the arrogant ass he was.

Can I re-live it?

He smiles and passes me something else.

I nearly scream when he hands me my wolf blanket. I rub the blanket over my face, enjoying the soft fur that brought me so much joy. This blanket was the one possession that meant the most to me and the only thing I acquired while I was there. That, and the flower. Somehow, I doubt he brought home my wooden spear.

I’m still admiring the diamond, this house, and everything he is giving me in abundance after spending months with him with absolutely nothing.

He pulls me into him, his eyes not leaving mine, despite my boobs being pressed up in the push-up bra I wore for him—in the hopes of seeing him again. This life he wants me to live sounds perfect, except—

“Micah, I can’t live here. New Ocean isn’t my home. No one wants me here.”

He laughs darkly, that cocky demeanor as if he rules the word. “Don’t worry about what people think of you in this town, baby. Because you are about to become the queen of it. You are about to become the richest woman in New Ocean and probably the richest woman in this entire state. That is if you still want to marry me.”

I smile and look at him—his brooding face—then tug on his gray sweats. “Of course, I will marry you, Micah Matei.”

He kisses me, and I savor the taste of him. “Good answer, baby,” he murmurs against my lips.

Jesus, he sounds like Maison.

“What do we do now?” I ask him.

He kisses my lips, then my cheek, and finally moves to my neck before I stop him. “I’m going to keep you here,” he whispers. “And worship every part of your mind and body until you start feeling better and trust me again. We can take everything slow, London; we are in absolutely no rush.”

A voice deep inside me sings. It sings louder than the dark laughter and despair, easing the gripping panic that constantly plagues me.

A glimmer of hope… my medicine.

“Then what?” I breathe.