“I didn’t know that was a part of me, that I could be like that.” She lifted her head and looked at him. “It is a part of me, isn’t it?”

“Yes. And I’m grateful. I saw it in you the day Cathy came to try to take Kyle. I know you can protect the children if you have to. And I know you love me enough to do something that abhorrent to you. No one has ever loved me, Emma. No one. Believe me, more than any other person on the face of this earth, I know what a gift that is. Spend the rest of your life loving me, Emma and I swear you’ll never be sorry.”

“I said yes.”

“Say it again and say we can arrange it immediately.”

“You’re so relentless when you want your way.”

His white teeth gleamed at her and his golden eyes went molten as his hips began to move again in hers. “Always,” he agreed, unrepentant.

Emma laughed and rose up to meet him. “Yes, a million times over.”