Chapter Nineteen

I love you.

No sweeter words had ever touched Fintan’s ears. He tightened his grip on Beth’s wrist, squeezed his eyes shut more tightly. When she’d climbed onto the altar, he had known. Hearing the confession, knowing his mortality wouldn’t be spent without her, made his eyes burn with tears he hadn’t shed since childhood. He didn’t want her to witness that embarrassing wetness.

And yet, he needed to see her beautiful face. Needed to see the proof of her words shining in her eyes.

He lifted his lashes, freeing the tears, to find her cheeks equally as wet. Giving her a soft smile, he cupped her cheek in his palm and wiped the droplets away with the pad of his thumb.

A sob hitched in her throat. She dislodged his hand with a shake of her head and threw herself against his chest. Her hands clung to his shoulders. Her body trembled as she spilled her tears.

Fintan wound his arms around her tiny waist and hugged her close. “I love you, Beth.” He still wasn’t certain how they had reached this point. But they had, and his heart swelled four times as large as he let the realization settle into his soul. He turned his head to whisper against her hair, “Thank you.”

Slowly, Beth eased upright until she looked him in the eye. “For what?” She sniffled. “If I’d listened, none of this would have happened.”

“It would have happened, sweetheart. Drandar would never have let tonight pass without retaliation. But I’m glad something triggered your acceptance.” Despite the aches that laced the muscles of his back into knots, he flashed her a teasing grin. “I can follow you to Manhattan now without worrying whether or not I might kill you.”

“No.” Beth shrugged out of his embrace and sat on the ground beside him.

Her firm tone triggered apprehension. “No?” Had she decided she didn’t want to be a part of this? That his family was…too much to deal with?

“I’m not going to Manhattan.”

Confusion made him frown. “I thought you said you needed to find yourself there.”

“I did.” Beth nodded. “But I’ve been so caught up in finding myself, I couldn’t see what was right in front of me. I’m staying in Scotland, Fintan.”

His heart skipped several beats. Though before he could tell her she’d made the right choice and he wanted her to stay forever, she narrowed her gaze and fixed him with a wary look that made his pulse jump all over again.

“I want to paint. In that little shop in the village. I don’t care if I sell a single piece of art, I want to paint. All day. And if that’s not acceptable to you, I’m going to do it alone.”

Barking out a laugh, Fintan wrapped her in his embrace and dragged her flush against his body. His mouth found hers, hungry and yearning. He kissed her thoroughly, telling her the only way he knew how that he’d stand at her side whether she wanted to paint or dig worms all afternoon. He didn’t care. She’d accepted her past, embraced her fate, saved them all from Drandar’s wrath, and was here at his side. Where she belonged. Where he belonged.

Where no one could ever come between them.

When his lungs ached and the need for air became impossible to ignore, he tore his mouth away. Smiling, he held her impassioned gaze. “Do you think you can find time in between all that painting to become my wife?”

A moment of surprise widened her eyes before they once again glimmered with tears. “Oh, Fintan…my mother will kill me.”

He couldn’t stop the immediate pursing of his lips. “Your mother—”

“Let’s get married first.” One corner of Beth’s mouth curved in a wry smirk. “Then I’ll have all the time in the world to paint without interruption.” Dipping her head, she nipped at his lower lip.

The sharp sting shot heat all the way to his groin. Groaning, he tangled his hands into her long hair and captured her impish mouth. She’d be interrupted, he had no doubt. He would see to it that she understood the depth of his love several times throughout the day.

Beth’s hand slid down his body. Seeking fingers stroked his swelling cock. “All the time in the world,” she murmured against his lips.

Somehow, he doubted she’d get much painting done.