by Beth Michele
He continues to push inside me, rocking his hips back and forth, back and forth. Brad whispers, “I love you, Gabby. I love you,” over and over again, his voice broken from passion.
I inhale the scent of our bodies loving one another. His lips find mine again, our tongues gently twisting in a motion that brings peace to our erratic heartbeats. We hold onto one another so tightly it’s almost painful, silently begging the other to never let go, until are bodies betray our desires and we orgasm together.
It’s amazing what the body can feel when accompanied by the heart. It’s like a perfect symphony of feeling, of emotion, of a love you thought was impossible; until suddenly the impossible becomes inevitable.
Our breathing calms, and my mind opens to the depth of this moment for me. Brad leans in and kisses my face again, and again, and again. The wetness on my cheeks causes him to look up at me with concern. “You’re crying, baby. Did I hurt you?”
The words don’t come right away, only the tears. “I’m fine. It’s just that…I almost lost you…and I love you, Brad…I love you so much.”
His joy-filled brown eyes surround me as he brings his fingers up to caress my cheek. “I love you, too, Gabby. Fate led me to you. It will always be you.”
I lay awake and listen as Brad’s breathing slows and lulls him into a peaceful sleep. I don’t sleep, though. I don’t want to close my eyes for fear that this is all a dream. I push up on my elbows and watch him. I love him so much, and feel so grateful that he somehow managed to find his way through…through all the clutter, all the disappointment, all the pain, to finally find me. The real me. He loves me. Not who he wants me to be, not who he expects me to be. Just me, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
I’m thankful now for every moment that has led me to this point. For all my life lessons, and the people who taught me them along the way. Without them, I would never have walked down this gravelly, uneven road. The road that led me here, to Brad. This is where I’m supposed to be, and my heart knows it because I can finally feel it.
***
“Are we really doing this?” Gabby asks me anxiously as we make our way to the top.
“What do you mean? Of course we are. It’s on your list.”
I grab hold of Gabby’s hand. As much as she wanted to do this, she seems extremely nervous now that we’re here. We’re making our way up in the elevator at ten miles per hour, and were told by the guide that the trip takes all of 41 seconds. Wild. I’m pretty excited because I’ve never done anything like this before, but even more excited that I’m doing it with my girl.
When we arrive at the top and step out, I’m in awe. The pictures and movies I’ve seen about the Space Needle don’t compare to how absolutely breathtaking it really is. You can see everything. The downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, even Elliott Bay.
Gabby seems completely dazzled. She looks over at me. “Wow, babe. This is simply amazing. I never imagined it would be so extraordinary.”
While Gabby goes back to admiring the view, I take a moment to admire her. She’s so beautiful. Her shiny chestnut hair reflects the sunlight, blowing gently off her shoulders with the light summer breeze. Her blue eyes penetrate my soul. The curve of her neck so subtly connects itself to the rest of her sculptured body. Her spirit is so full of life. The life she fills me with every day.
I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her slim waist. She instantly leans back so I can cradle her head under mine. Contentment is the only thing I feel.
Gabby tilts her head back and I stare into those gorgeous blue eyes, then move in to grab a little slice of heaven from her lips. After, she settles again under the warmth of my chin.
I have to shake myself because I can hardly believe I’m here with this girl. The girl who stepped out of my dreams and into my heart. I don’t remember ever smiling so much, feeling so much, or loving so much. She took everything I ever thought about love and turned it inside out. She turned me inside out.
“So I’ve been wondering something,” I say nervously.
“Hmmm...mmmm.”
“About your list.”
“Yeah. What about it?” she asks curiously.
“Is marrying the man of your dreams on there?”
She whips her head around, her eyes as wide and blue as the sky. I take Gabby’s delicate hand in mine as I lower myself to one knee. The tears are already beginning to form in the sweetness of her eyes.
“Gabby. Before I met you, the air surrounding me was stale; I was gasping for something...anything. But then you crashed into me and I swallowed a big gulp of life. You helped me breathe again...You made me want to breathe again. That moment you spilled your coffee in my shop, and you looked up at me with those embarrassed blue eyes, something inside me clicked. You awakened my heart. You got it beating again, so I could really feel it. I love the way it feels. I love the way you make me feel. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, not just on the outside, but on the inside, where it counts. I want to spend every single moment of my life making you happy, making you smile. Gabrielle Willis…will you do me the honor of marrying me and spending the rest of your life with me?”
Tears run slowly down Gabby’s cheeks as she stares into my eyes. Her lips move, but I don’t hear anything, so I lean in closer. The word “yes” squeaks out in a whisper through her tears. I slip the engagement ring onto her finger and she pulls me to her. The only place I want to be.
She leans back and smoothes the hair from my eyes. “Thank you,” she says.
“For what?”
Gabby takes my hand and lays it on her chest, her heart beating rapidly. “For being the one to hold my heart.”
Her lips find mine and her sweet breath fills my lungs, our tongues dancing together tenderly. Wrapping my arms around her neck, I trail a path of sweet kisses from the corner of her full lips to the curve of her throat and smile as a soft moan escapes. I come back to her lips and slide my tongue inside, tasting her, breathing her. Time stands still until we pull back, lost of breath, but full of life.
***
The journey to writing this novel has been such an amazing one for me. I feel so blessed and grateful to be in this place and have so many wonderful people to thank.
To my husband for inspiring me every day to live passionately and for supporting me unconditionally in whatever I decide to do in my life. For helping me to see that I could really do this, and, that I can do anything I set my mind to; because, well, when I set my mind to something, I do it. For picking up the slack through this entire process of a messy house and a completely scattered brain, all the while trying to finish up his own novel too. I love you deeply.
To my two amazing children who have been my joys since the day they were born. For inspiring me to tell and write stories, just so I can see their smiles and hear their giggles that take me to a happy place. I love my family and sharing this with them is what it’s all about for me.
To Stephanie and Smokey for helping me find my sense of direction in New York and for always showing me so much love and support. I love you both.
To Lisa Deeds for being an amazing friend and support, and for all the constructive feedback regarding my novel. You are unique and special and I love you.
To Colleen Webley, Nikki Groom, Sherrie Cannitello-Fahey, Lisa Wrobel, Susan Carbine, Damien & Sally Connolly, David & Quynh Rodriguez, Jennifer Chrysadakis, Angel Sylvia, Jennifer Zamuda, and Angie Julious for being so incredibly supportive and showing me an overabundance of love, excitement and support. You all rock and I love you!
To my friends and fellow authors Devon Herrera, Monica James, L. Chapman, Tracey Manning, L.M. Augustine, Laura Howard, Colleen Albert, MR Joseph, Wendy Ferraro, and all of the other authors who have supported me and cheered me on, I am beyond grateful and feel humbled to be in the presence of such truly remarkable individuals.
To Cheryl McIntyre for all your kind words of encouragement, your enthusiasm for my novel, and
for telling stories that I not only love to read, but that inspire me.
To E.L. James for making me fall in love with Christian and Ana, and for rekindling my love of reading that had gotten lost somewhere along the way. I have no doubt that I would not be in this place had I not decided to explore the world of Fifty Shades.
To Colleen Hoover and Jessica Park for your brilliance, for inspiring me with your words, and for making me feel so much.
To all the wonderful bloggers who have supported me throughout this process with never-ending enthusiasm. To Natalie Catalano from Love Between the Sheets for all of her hard work and efforts to organize my Blog Tour, Vilma's Book Blog, Tessa's Take, Mary Elizabeth's Crazy Book Obsession, Bookaholics Blog, The Blushing Reader, Chris's Book Blog Emporium, Book Addict Mumma, Can't Read Just One, Amber's Reading Room, T's Bookish Moments of Escape, The Phantom Paragrapher, Book Nerds Anonymous, Bridger Bitches Book Blog, Candy Coated Book Blog, Sarah's Book Blog, Hooked On Books, Angie's Dreamy Reads, Pretty in Pink Books and Reviews, Love N Books, Rude Girl Book Blog, TheSecretBookBrat, Maria's Book Blog, Romance Addict Book Blog, Book Reader Chronicles, Winding Stairs Book Blog, Smardy Pants Book Blog, Naughty and Nice Book Blog, Wine Relaxation and My Kindle, A Love Affair WIth Books, The Book Enthusiast, Scandalous Book Blog, The Girl In A Cafe, Shh Mom's Reading, Romantic Reading Escapes, Kindle Crack Book Reviews, Mystical World of Books, Anna Reads Romance, Writing Belle, Tamara's One Stop Indie Shop, CherryOBlossoms Blog Spot, A Page Away…and to all of the other bloggers and those of you who have taken the time to read my novel and review it, I am beyond appreciative.
To my editor, Erin Roth, for coming along at just the right time, for believing in my story, and for helping me to grow and become a better writer. I feel very blessed!
To Angela McLaurin at Fictional Formats for taking my novel and making it look beautiful. You are amazing!
Lastly, but certainly not least…to my readers. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I was a reader long before I became a writer, so I know what it means to read a book that makes your spirit soar and your heart happy. I hope my novel does that for you.
***
I am a wife, a mom, an author, and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. While stuffing chocolate in my face, I enjoy reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with my husband and two adorable children who keep me on my peppermint pink painted toes. Those same children who inspire me to tell silly stories that cause hysterical giggles to tumble from their bellies.
I love to laugh and love to have a good cry, especially after reading a novel that stretches my soul, one that makes me feel, and lingers in the corner of my heart.
I’m a hopeless romantic and a happily ever after fanatic, and I love to write about LOVE.
I began writing when I was in middle school, penning anything from short stories, to poetry, and then later moved on to write children’s books. I have now endeavored into New Adult and Contemporary Romance novels and am loving every minute of it. Love Love is my first published novel.
I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out to me:
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bethmichele.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bethmichele8
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Michele-Author/198619836947212?fref=ts
***
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
