Chapter 24
Eb
She’s draped over me like a warm blanket made of honey, cinnamon and sex.
Everything I never knew I needed.
My Badger is smug as hell right now. Purring like he’s just won the honey lottery.
Honestly? Same.
The tree glows beside us. Cookie ornaments—her cookie ornaments courtesy of a meddling matchmaking Witch—twinkle in the light like they’re blessing the union.
Outside, snow falls like we’re living in a Hallmark card.
Inside, I’ve got a naked goddess tangled in my limbs, my mark on her shoulder, and the taste of her still lingering on my tongue.
I stroke a hand down her back, memorizing every curve.
“Hey,” I say, voice still a little hoarse from the event we just lived through.
She hums, eyes closed.
“You should probably know something.”
“Mmm? What’s that Badger Boy?”
“Badger Boy?” I choke and she giggles.
A little tickling ensues, and I roll over on top of her, my hands pinning hers to the soft rug.
She grins, and then I feel it. Her thigh sliding against my hardening cock, teasing me until I forget she’s stronger than she looks.
Marigold flips our positions.
“I win, Badger Boy,” She taunts.
But she’s wrong. I win.
And it’s all because I have her.
“I love you.”
It just slips out. And it does the trick. Because now, I have her attention.
Her eyes open, wide and shiny, and she props her chin up on my chest like she’s trying to gauge if I’m serious.
I am.
Dead serious.
Because this thing between us? It’s not temporary. It’s not a dating app fling or a magical misunderstanding.
It’s fate.
And for once in my life, I’m not running from it.
“I love you, Marigold,” I repeat, softer now.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Even more than I love honey. Which is saying something.”
She laughs.
It’s wet and wobbly and perfect.
“Are you comparing me to a pantry staple right now?”
I grin.
“You’re not just any pantry staple. You’re the crown jewel. The top shelf, organic, infused with gold flakes kind. My forever Honey.”
“Oh my God,” she groans, flopping onto her back beside me. “You’re such a dork.”
“Guilty.” I roll toward her, tugging her close again. “But I’m your dork.”
She stares at me. A long, quiet beat.
“Good, because I love you too.”
Then she leans in and kisses me, soft and slow and full of everything I’ve ever wanted.
And just like that, I know I’m never letting her go.