by Jane Henry
“It feels so different,” she whispered. “It seems I spent my whole life on a balcony that kept me prisoner, away from everything I wanted, locked away like Rapunzel in a tower. You have no idea how I -- I would dream about you climbing that tower and coming to rescue me.”
His beautiful brown eyes softened, warming, as he released her chin and pulled her face to his chest, the warmth of his clean black t-shirt flooding her senses. Never had she felt so safe. Never had she felt so treasured.
“And now,” she continued, her face pressed up against him as a lump rose in her throat. “Up here on this balcony? I’m no longer a prisoner. I have you back.” Tears stung her eyes and her nose tingled as he held her close. “And when I look out across this balcony?” she whispered. “I don’t feel apart, and imprisoned, and helpless. I feel like that ocean that reaches out to eternity has endless possibilities. That I can be who I want to be.” It was hard to say how she felt but as he held her, the wind at her back and the distant crashing of waves in the background, she knew then what it was. “Donnie, for the first time in my life, I feel free.”
His arms tightened around her. “You are, angel. And I’ll make sure of that til the day I draw my last breath.”
A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek, and she felt the pad of his thumb gently swipe it away. “I know you will,” she whispered. He was her hero, and he always would be.
They stood like that in silence, and she had no doubt he was as blown away by the reality of this...the two of them together now, with no one and nothing standing between them...as she was. “I don’t think I need anything else,” she said, but as he held her, her tummy growled audibly.
He chuckled. “Is that right?” he asked. “Because I think your stomach says otherwise. Come on, honey. Let’s get something to eat.”
He released her, but took her hand, leading her off the balcony and into the suite. “Where do you want to go?” she asked.
“I’ve got a place in mind,” he said, opening the door, but giving the room one final glance before he gestured her out. “And tonight, we’ll make good use of this room.”
He winked, smacking her ass as she exited, and just like that, she tingled with anticipation. God, he had her number. She couldn’t wait to see what he had in store for her.
Her belly full after a lunch of the most delicious thin crust pizza Boston’s North End had to offer, she felt content holding onto Donnie’s torso, the bike rumbling beneath them, as they left the city and branched out to a quieter, more secluded spot. He wouldn’t tell her where he was taking her.
“You’ll see,” he hollered over his shoulder. “I’ve been planning this since you were thirteen years old.”
What?
Again, her throat felt too tight, and her nose stung. Would she ever get used to this?
Did she want to?
The noise of the city faded as they traveled further, busy intersections merging to just one narrow strip of paved road that stretched out in front of them. They’d been traveling for a while and though she didn’t know where, and she didn’t much care, as long as she was with him.
He turned the bike left, down an even narrower road, and as the paved road gave way to hardened dirt, he slowed the bike. They were in a wooded area now, the sun barely peeking through the tops of the trees, the shade making her shiver. He helped her off the bike, and without a word, removed his leather jacket and nestled it over her shoulders, then nabbed her hand, and walked her in silence to a pathway. Tiny clumps of violets and indigo crocuses poked through thick layers of pine needles and dead leaves, and vibrant, spiky green ferns grew along the edges of rocks and tree roots, reminders that even in darkness, hope blooms. Grace’s heartbeat accelerated, as she knew they were on the cusp of something special. She’d waited oh-so long, but he had been worth the wait.
Sunlight broke through an opening in the trees. She heard the brook before she saw it.
“Oh, Donnie,” she whispered. “You remembered.”
He released her hand just long enough to take a familiar, yellowed, tattered piece of paper from his wallet. She could see the stream she’d sketched, bordered with wildflowers and pine needles, and the scroll of her teen-aged signature at the very bottom of the page. It looked just like the stream that lay before them now.
“How did you find it?” she whispered.
He shrugged, his eyes filled with pride. “Found it about five years ago. I come out here sometimes, when I need to get away. In my mind, it belongs to you. It was a way I could feel connected even when it was too painful to think about you, but now we get to share it. I knew it was time to show you. It’s a special place, for a special day.”
A special day?
She looked at him in bewilderment as he dropped to one knee. Could her heart beat faster? Would the tumultuous feelings within her ever settle?
“I love you, Grace Diaz. I’d lay down my life to keep you safe. Now that I have you, I don’t ever want to let you go. Marry me?”
“Yes,” she said, voice shaking with emotion, as he took both her hands in his, unable to say much more. “Yes,” she whispered again.
And as he gathered her in his arms, the trickling of water behind them and flickers of sunlight warming them, they held each other, the promise of what would come as endless as the trailing brook that faded into the horizon. They’d been through hell and back, and come out stronger for it.
There was no ring, and she was glad. She didn’t want formalities and ritual. She already had everything she wanted right here in her arms.
THE END
Jane Henry
Jane has been writing since her early teens, dabbling in short stories and poetry. When she married and began having children, her pen was laid to rest for several years, until the National Novel Writing Challenge (NaNoWriMo) in 2010 awakened in her the desire to write again. That year, she wrote her first novel, and has been writing ever since. In 2012, she became interested in the D/s lifestyle, and has discovered her love for writing romance with a D/s twist. With a houseful of children, she finds time to write in the early hours of the morning, squirreled away with a laptop, blanket, and cup of hot coffee. Years ago, she heard the wise advice, “Write the book you want to read,” and has taken it to heart. She sincerely hopes you also enjoy the books she likes to read.
Visit her blog here:
http://janehenrywriter.blogspot.com
And her co-blog with Maisy Archer here: https://janeandmaisy.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneHenryAuthor
Facebook: Jane Henry Author
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010937346139
Please contact her via email:
[email protected]
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Jane Henry and Blushing Books!
A Thousand Yesses
Bound to You series
Begin Again, Book 1
Come Back To Me, Book 2
Complete Me, Book 3
Boston Doms Series
By Jane Henry and Maisy Archer
My Dom, Book 1
His Submissive, Book 2
Her Protector, Book 3
His Babygirl, Book 4
His Lady, Book 5
Her Hero, Book 6
Anthologies:
Sunstrokes
Maisy Archer
Maisy is an unabashed book nerd who has been in love with romance since reading her first Julie Garwood novel at the tender age of 12. After a decade as a technical writer, she finally made the leap into writing fiction several years ago and has never looked back. Like her other great loves - coffee, caramel, beach vacations, yoga pants, and her amazing family - her love of words has only continued to grow... in a manner inversely proportional to her love of exercise, house cleaning, and large social gatherings. She loves to hear from fellow romance lovers, and is always on the hunt for her next great read.
Visit her on:
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Visit her blog here: https://janeandmaisy.com/
Don't miss these exciting titles by Jane Henry and Maisy Archer with Blushing Books!
Boston Doms Series
By Jane Henry and Maisy Archer
My Dom, Book 1
His Submissive, Book 2
Her Protector, Book 3
His Babygirl, Book 4
His Lady, Book 5
Her Hero, Book 6
Anthologies:
Sunstrokes
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