She pressed two fingers against his lips. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but yes. I forgive you. Do you forgive me for believing your mother’s lies in the first place, and for not telling you the whole story when you came to see me?”

“Maggie…” He hauled her into his arms and hugged her so tight she squealed. “What do you think?”

“I think you should kiss me,” she whispered.

Relief and desire surged through him, warring with one another for control. “Darling? I thought you’d never ask.”

The second his lips touched hers, the past week and a half faded away. She’d never left, and he’d never lost her, and they were happy. He fisted the soft fabric of her dress, inhaled deeply, and forced himself to step back when all he wanted was to pull her closer. But not here, where they couldn’t finish what they started. Once he started…

She wouldn’t be getting out of his bed for hours. Days, even.

“I missed you so damn much,” he whispered into her ear, swaying to the music since they were in the middle of the dance floor. “Everything about you haunted me, killed me, hurt me. This all started with a lie, and was for pretend, but please don’t ever leave me like that again.”

She tightened her grip on his tux jacket and nodded. “I missed you, too. So much.”

“I lo—” He broke off, shaking his head. “Shit. Not here. There’s so much to say. Will you come home with me?”

Nodding, she smiled. “Yes. I’ll go home with you, Benji.”

“Good. But first…” He cleared his throat. “Maggie Donovan, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”

She let out a little laugh. “No more fake fiancée or diamond rings?”

“No. Mother and I had a little talk, and I went above her head about the stunt she pulled.” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear ad kissed her temple. “Needless to say, my position is currently very secure, and she got a slap on the wrist.”

“Should have gotten more. Or at the very least, I should’ve been the one to do it,” she muttered under her breath. Then, out loud, she said, “Uh…I mean, good.”

“And next time I give you a ring, it’ll be for real.” He pulled back and locked eyes with her, still dancing. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Loving you. Holding you.”

Her breath caught in her throat, and she smiled at him.

He splayed his hand across the small of her back. “Be mine, darling. For real this time. No more games. No lies. Just us. Together.”

“Just us,” she echoed, cupping his cheek. “Yes, Benji.”

He smiled so big he probably looked ridiculous, but he didn’t give a damn. He didn’t even care that she’d used that annoying nickname again. It was music to his ears. The clock finished chiming, and he pulled her even closer. It still wasn’t close enough. “I’ve never been so happy to hear that ridiculous name as I am now.”

“By the way?” Leaning up on tiptoe, she whispered in his ear, “I’m naked under this dress. Completely. Naked.”

His cock came to life, painfully and insistently, reminding him just how much he’d missed her, in every possible way. Screw dancing. It was time to go home. “Maggie.”

When she just grinned and held her hand out for him, he grabbed it and dragged her toward the door. They made it outside and into the limo in record time. He didn’t even care that he left his coat behind. Screw it. He had plenty.

There was only one Maggie Donovan, though.

The second the door closed behind them, he pulled her onto his lap, pounded on the glass of the limo he’d rented for the night, and called out, “Home, Jeff.”

His driver pulled away from the curve, and Benjamin brought his mouth to hers, kissing her as if she alone could save him. And he had a feeling that was true.

He’d learned as much when she’d walked away from him.

She slid her tongue into his mouth, moaning while he shoved her dress out of his way, baring the pale skin he’d dreamt about every night for the past three weeks. He skimmed his fingers over her soft thighs, slipping them inward as he arched his hips up.

“I thought I’d never get to touch you like this again.” He tightened his hold on her, kissing the side of her temple. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. So damn sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She cradled his face and smiled down at him. “We just had our first fight, that’s all.”

He closed the distance between them, his mouth brushing against hers ever so slightly. “And we made it through.”

“Yep.” She entwined her hands with his. “Together.”

He grinned. “Together.”

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I mean, we’re still very different. And your mother is still going to hate me, and she’ll still try to get you kicked out for picking me. And she’ll still make our life a living hell because—”

“I don’t give a damn. Not anymore.” He laughed because it was true, and the knowledge that she no longer held any sort of power over him was so fucking freeing. Maggie had helped him get that freedom, and he’d never be able to thank her enough for that. “Besides, she’s not even really my mother.”

Maggie’s jaw dropped. “Wait. What?”

“I’ll tell you the story.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “But I don’t want to talk about that now. All that matters is here and now. Us.”

Her wide eyes pinned him, searching his soul. “But are you okay?”

“I’m fucking ecstatic because you’re here.” He smiled. “I’m not familiar with the emotion, but if you let me, I’ll love you with all of my heart, mind, body, soul, and life. And even after that, I’ll keep on loving you, darling. I swear it. I love you so damn much, Maggie. So. Damn. Much.”

Her eyes widened. “You…you’re…I…”

“It’s okay. I know it’s quick and all.” He laughed and kissed her. “You don’t have to say anything back. I’ll wait. I’m a patient man.”

“But—” She shook her head and slowly, beautifully, a smile spread across her face. “I love you, too.”

He froze. “You do?”

“I do.”

“Well, shit.” He laughed and kissed her, keeping it short. “That officially makes me the happiest guy on earth. Where’s my trophy?” He cupped the back of her neck. “Oh. Right. She’s here, in my arms already.” He lowered her face to his, stopping just short of kissing her. “Say it again, darling.”

She fisted his tux, her breath hitching in her throat. “I love you, Benji.”

“I love you, too.”

Unable to resist, the happiness practically bursting out of him, he pulled her down for a passionate, long, deep kiss. And he never wanted to stop. But then the limo did.

He picked her up and set her down, straightening her dress over her thighs. “You good, darling?”

“Y-Yeah.” Maggie watched him, smoothing her hair. “We’re home, aren’t we?”

Home. Such a simple word that held so much meaning. He’d found his home, but it wasn’t in the traditional sense. He’d found it in her. He opened the door and climbed out, offering her his hand. “Yeah. We’re home.”

She slid her fingers into his, grinning as she followed him out. They walked into the building hand-in-hand, and come what may—whatever they might have to face or fight their way through—they could make it.

Together.

Epilogue

Christmas, a year later

South Dakota

Laughter rang out all around the living room’s pale yellow walls, and someone called out bullshit from the dining room, where a rousing game of cards was being waged. If Benjamin had learned anything during his weeklong stay here at Maggie’s farm, it was that her family took competition very seriously.

Even if it was “friendly.”

After the first time he’d beaten her father at cards—and had consequently feared for his life—he decided to avoid those games until he was liked enough not to be shot on the spot for winning. He was already almost there. Her family had greeted him with open arms and warm smiles. It was so foreign. So different. So welcome.