by Wood, Vivian
Nate clears his throat. “I’ve only known Rachel a few months. But I’ve known Grayson for a few years, so I feel somewhat qualified to speak about them. That’s alright, isn’t it?”
He directs his words at Grayson, who rolls his eyes. Laughter ripples through the small party.
“Seeing you two together makes my chest ache,” Nate says. “I’ll admit, I’m a little jealous. But if there was anyone who deserved someone that is unreservedly and unabashedly in their corner, it is Grayson. When I first met Grayson—”
“Don’t ruin your speech for the wedding!” Aiden calls. Everyone laughs. I feel my cheeks heating.
Nate shakes his head. “Seriously. When I met him, Grayson was a different person. He was haunted. And lonely.”
I slide my arms around Grayson, nuzzling his shoulder. He embraces me.
“I asked him why he was interested in being a park ranger. He said that it was the only job he could do where he wouldn’t be asked to do anything he couldn’t do. I asked what he couldn’t do. And he said he couldn’t stand to be in enclosed spaces, he couldn’t talk to a lot of people, and he refused to be in charge of anyone else. I thought those were pretty compelling reasons. I hired him on the spot.”
Olivia leans close and whispers to me. “Yeah, because he’s awesome.”
“For three years I watched him work out his angst. I don’t know if any of you have seen him driving a post into the ground, but a little anger goes a long way.” One of the female rangers hoots to the amusement of the crowd.
My eyes mist up. Hearing these things makes me think that Grayson has undergone a lot of changes too. Painful changes, but on the whole they’ve made him a better, happier person. I can’t be mad about that.
Nate continues. “Anyway, I waited. I wondered if anything could change Grayson. And then Rachel stepped into camp…”
Everyone applauds and I blush scarlet, ducking my head.
“The rest, as they say, is history. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.” A few people laugh. “I just want to raise a glass to you two. I hope that everything from here on out is easy. You deserve it.”
There is a little more applause. Grayson surprises me by doubling down; he leans over and plants a kiss on my lips, which only makes everyone applaud louder.
He pulls back for a second. “I love you, Rachel.”
Looking into those deep blue eyes, I feel cherished. “I love you too, Grayson. So much it hurts.”
He hugs me, his neck smelling like Old Spice and clean male. I close my eyes and enjoy every second of it, clinging to him. When he finally breaks away and takes my hand, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
“Are you ready to start moving things inside? Once that happens, there are no take-backs. You are stuck with me,” he jokes.
“Promise?”
He smiles, bringing my palm up to his lips. He kisses it lightly. “Always.”
I kiss his lips and then lead him toward the door.
Our happily ever after starts right now.
The End
Chapter Forty-Four
There is a little bit extra, just for you! There are TWO extra bonus scenes that make up that EXTRA epilogue and you don’t want to miss either one! Click here to sign up for my mailing list and get it immediately!
Also, get ready for All I Need, coming to you in October! It’s Aiden and Olivia’s story. ;)
Add it to your TBR —> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47147372-all-i-need
Blurb
My best friend’s little sister.
That’s what I see when I look at Olivia.
Although I’ve been seeing the little glances she’s been sending my way for years, that is all she is to me. All she can be.
Despite my womanizing ways, I have to remember that.
After my mom springs a dark secret on me, I cross the country to find out more about my family.
No one is more shocked than me when I run into Olivia on the rundown Morgan estate.
It turns out that Olivia has been hired to care for the messy family records.
And since I was just employed as a handyman, that puts us in close quarters.
As questions about my past mount, so too does the undeniable heat between us.
I fantasize about the sounds she would make while I take her roughly in the woods.
Obsessing about Olivia soon takes precedence over learning about my dark past.
Her brother doesn’t want me to even look at her, but I’m afraid it’s far too late.
Her smile. Her scent. The way she needs someone to see her.
They call out to my heart, spearing me. Cutting me open.
Olivia might be all I need, but with so much history between us, can we make it work?
About Vivian Wood
Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.
Vivian's lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: "Soulmates never die."
Be sure to follow Vivian through her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/VivianKWood/) to keep up with all the awesome giveaways, author videos, ARC opportunities, and more!
Vivian’s Works
Wild Hearts
Addiction
Obsession
His Virgin
His Best Friend’s Little Sister
Claiming Her Innocence
His To Keep
Promise Me
Knocking Boots
SEAL’s Bride
SEAL’s Kiss
SEAL’s Touch
For more information….
vivian-wood.com
[email protected]
Olivia Ryann is the dark romance pen name of Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Top 20 Bestseller Vivian Wood. She loves poetic phrases and bits of melodic memories. She adores dominant, hard men and soft, fragile women with backbones made of steel. She wants to put them together as often as possible, in unconventional ways.
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If you haven’t ever read any of Vivian’s work, we suggest beginning with Addiction and Obsession.
Cheers!
Olivia’s Works
Provoke
Punish
Possess
Protect
Capture
Control
Covet
Cherish
