A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. “No. Remember the scene in the movie where Harry ran all the way through the city on New Year’s Eve and finally found Sally, in the middle of this big holiday party around midnight, and she looked at him like he was nuts and asked him why the heck he was there?”

Damn, he wished he’d paid better attention. Dalton swore to study every chick flick in the future if he could pass this one test. But he’d promised no more lies. “No,” he said sadly. “I don’t remember.”

“That’s okay. Harry said when you realize you love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with that person, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Dalton didn’t move, didn’t breathe. “What are you saying, Raven?”

This time she smiled fully and walked over, closing the distance between them. Reaching out, she slid her arms over his shoulders and pressed her forehead against his. “I’m saying I love you. I forgive you. I trust you. And I want the rest of our life to start right now.”

His hands caressed her cheeks, her hair, her body, as if he was terrified she was an illusion ready to drift away in a puff of smoke. “You’ll be mine?”

“I think I always was, Dalton Pierce,” she whispered against his lips. “Now will you stop talking and kiss me?”

And he did. With a groan of delight, he took her lips and slid his tongue inside her mouth, fusing them together with pure intimacy. He kissed her like she was the most precious gift in the world—because she was. His hands stroked over her body, bringing her tight against him, reveling in the crackling energy that stole his breath.

“I love you so much,” he said, finally breaking the kiss. “Today. Tomorrow. Always.”

She ran her fingers gently over his lips, tracing his jaw. “You gonna take me to bed or what?”

“I’m gonna take you to bed.”

He swept her up in his arms, cradling her close, and brought her inside. Up the stairs, into his room, onto his bed. He stripped her slowly, removed his shorts, and touched her. Loved her with his tongue and teeth, lips and fingers. Worshipped the gorgeous ink of her tat and paid homage to her slick, wet heat that closed around him and begged to be claimed. When he finally surged inside, clasping her fingers within his, their breath intermingling amid the whisper of sliding sheets and soft gasps, he made her forever his.

And when the sun came up, Dalton lay in her arms and realized he’d finally found home.

epilogue

I’ll raise you five bucks.”

Cal gave a fierce frown, holding his cards close. He stared at her hard, taking his time, then threw his chips in the pile. “I’ll see your raise. Now, don’t be a bad loser, princess. Bluffing is something that’s very hard to do, and you’ll need a bit more practice. Time to show your cards.”

Raven watched Morgan with satisfaction, waiting for the final attack.

She did it with her usual Southern style, a bit of a simper and an innocent smile. “Three of a kind and a pair is good, right?” she asked with fake innocence.

Cal’s mouth fell open. He threw his straight on the table, shaking his head in disbelief. “You got a full house. Did you know that?”

“I remember something about a house, but thanks for clarifying it. My goodness gracious, is this pot all for me?” She raked in the pile of chips and checked her fiancé’s small heap. “Do you need to borrow any money, Charming?”

Cal glowered. “No. I’m fine. Who deals?”

Dalton stood up from the table, his lips twitching with the need to grin. “Gonna take a break and get a drink. This is getting way too intense for me.”

Tristan scooped up the cards and began to shuffle. “Beginner’s luck or something. You’re doing real good, Morgan,” he said, with obvious patronization. “Raven taught you well. You too, Syd.”

Sydney looked at her towering chips and shared a meaningful glance with Morgan. “Those lady poker nights must’ve paid off,” she chirped. She took another sip of her Sweet Hot Chris. “There’s now a waiting list for the mixed group. Seems everyone wants to try to play us.”

“Because you two seem to beat everyone at the table,” Raven spoke up.

Tristan gave a snort. Cal forced a smile.

“Be right back.” Raven headed to the bar for refills. A hard arm circled around her hips and pulled her in tight. She was barely able to breathe as Dalton kissed her with sheer possessiveness, forcing her lips open to take his tongue, thrusting his hips against her with demand. Arousal curled her toes and heated her blood. When he finally broke the kiss, she was practically panting and thinking about a quickie in the kitchen.

“What was that for?” she asked raggedly.

He pressed a thumb against her swollen lips. “You are the sexiest goddess to walk the earth. You taught them to count cards, didn’t you?”

Raven blinked. “Of course not. I don’t know how to count cards.”

“Liar.” He nipped at her jaw, then soothed with his tongue. “I know a con when I see one.”

“Sorry, Slick. The only con going on right now is the one you’re playing on me. Getting me all hot and bothered and doing nothing about it.”

“Wait till your punishment tonight.” Her tummy dipped in thrilling anticipation. His hot breath blew in her ear. “If you’re lying to me, I’ll be the one doing the counting. I’ll demand a minimum of three orgasms before I even get inside you. Sound fun?”

Oh, it did. Bastard. Now she’d be thinking about her punishment for the rest of the night. “You’ll have to prove I taught them to count cards.”

“I will. Sydney’s gonna show up with a flush next. Watch.”

He forced her to watch the game unfold while his fingers stroked all the hidden parts of her, safely concealed behind the bar. By the time Sydney showed her flush, Raven was about to explode with sexual tension. Arousal pounded between her thighs and tightened her nipples. The slightest touch elicited goose bumps and shivers over her skin.

“You’ve been a bad girl, Raven.”

“Are you going to tell your brothers?” she asked breathlessly, rocking her hips back against his erection.

“Hell no. They deserve a good trouncing. Oh, and make that four.”