by Belle Brooks
I don’t answer. I want to, but telling her will make no difference.
“Do you love me?” Her tone becomes more desperate.
“I have to go, Rose. I’m sorry.” I walk backwards.
“Tell me you don’t love me and I’ll leave you alone. Tell me you don’t love me—it’s all you have to do.”
I halt. “I don’t …” I can’t say it.
“Tell me,” she shouts.
“Okay! I love you, Rose. I fucking love you, and I have since I met you, and I still do now, but loving you isn’t going to be enough for us,” I yell.
“It will be enough. Do you trust me?” Her hand outstretches.
“Yes,” I answer without time to think.
“Then take me home, Finlay. Take me home with you.” Rose appears depleted of all energy when her hand drops before her shoulders slump and then her knees slightly bend as she shifts until her back meets the wall.
“Rose.” I scan her from head to toe, and I can’t help but wonder if this time I’m making the wrong decision by burying the way I feel about her in order to give her the life she has made for herself.
“Fin, take me with you.”
“Okay,” I breathe. “But if we do this, it has to be everlasting, Rose.”
“It will be because I love you, and it’s the only thing I know for certain will see us through.”
“I love you, Rose.” My tone is gentle.
“I know you do. I just needed to hear you say it.”
Marching forward, I slide my fingers into her hair and I tilt my head until my lips are paused over hers. “Your safety will always come first, before anything else, and it will be the only time I will request you allow me any control of your life. Otherwise, Rose, I want you to be as free-spirited as you were standing before me when I came here.”
“Okay.” It’s all but a hush.
“You should never be caged or owned, Rose, because you have so much to offer the world and much to experience.”
Her eyes are glazed from the liquid pooling in them.
“I love you,” I whisper, right before I press my lips to hers and cherish her mouth with mine. Rose moans, and this only intensifies the way in which I kiss her. When there’s no air remaining, I shift my head to breathe and then go right back to where I was tasting her.
Running my thumbs under her eyes has me brushing away her tears, and when her lips arch so do mine.
“I’m ready to go home now. Are you?”
I nod as I gesture towards the elevator doors.
Lacing her fingers into mine with one hand, Rose clutches the handle of her suitcase with the other, and together, we wait for the lift to reach the floor and the doors to open. As the doors close sealing us in I stare into Rose’s eyes, and I can’t help thinking how when I came to move into the property next door to hers, she treated me like a simple misfit who’d never have a chance of belonging in a high-society world. Rose-coloured glasses turned out to be the wrong shade for this Roselette. It was apparent from the very beginning Rose had no clue what living really meant, and she definitely had no clue what life outside of diamond-encrusted walls could be—that was until she fell in love with me and put her trust and her life in my hands.
It turns out by making the ultimate sacrifice in love, I won in the end. Because I won her heart, and she always had mine from the very beginning.
“Hey, Fin, did your dream bike ever finally arrive?” The gleam in Rose’s eyes is bright.
“Yes.” I smile.
“Good. When we get home can you to take me for a ride up to our waterfall?” Rose snakes her arm behind my back and lays her head against my shoulder.
“Oh, I’ll take you for a ride, sweetheart …”
Rose squeals as I twist her into my arms and hold her tightly.
“Baby, our life together is just beginning, but I have a feeling it’s going to be the life of a winner.”
Rose presses her lips to mine momentarily before staring deep into my eyes. “You’re not a loser, Fin. You never were. You’ll always be a winner to me.”
Also By Belle
Thirty Days: Part One
Thirty Days: Part Two
Finding the Magician
Always You
One Fear
Acknowledgments
A massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to: Kylee Harris, Liz Lovelock, Kirsty Roworth, Caroline Dayas, Jakarra Adams, Natalya Bryan, Shaelene Adams, Donna Martin (AUS) and Emma Banter. I love you guys.
A massive thank you to: Abrianna Marchesotti, Alicia Huxtable, Amanda Anzellino, Amanda Beth Wong, Amanda Kay, Amber Lackey, Angela Marie, Angie Cauffman Voss, Anna Watson, Anne Spencer, Annette Serna Laird, April Beep, Ashley Allison, Ashley Haines, Ashley Mills, Ashley Olson Guzman, Ashley Spencer, Barbara Harrison, Becky Dodson, Becky Townsend (Townsy), Bethany Quigley, Bobbie Wood, Brandi Elliott, Brandi Zelenka, Brianne Culliton, Candace Dowds, Carissa Janes, Carlyn Greulich-Garnett, Carrie Youngcourt, Casey Allen, Cashelmara Suthers Steffens, Caz Cori, Cecilia Thurber-Lillard, Chantelle Wolfle, Charlotte Isaac, Chasidy Renee, Cheryl Riddell, Christina Balaz, Christina Sharp, Christine Runkel, Cindy Honig-Fong, C. J. Welles, Clara Atkinson, Colleen Lee, Connie Greenwood, Crystal Jimenez, Crystal Wilke, Crystal-Marie Barnhart, Dave Maher, Dawn Muter Foster, Dawn Rivera, Deborah Secrest, Diana Laura, Diane Cunningham, Donna Martin (USA), Donna Blankenship, Edith Dunning, Emily Guido, Erika Moore, Felicia Skvarna, Fran Zoch, Gemma Mia, Gill Melling, Halle Rogers, Hanan Abskharon, Heather Crane, Helen Neale, Jackie Ruffner, Jaime Gambrill, Jaime Jones, Jamie buck, Jamie Lynn Mayfield-Cowan, Jamie Single, Jayne Wheatley, Jen Beams, Jenn Campos, Jenn LaMarr, Jennie Marie, Jennifer Kennessey, Jessa Jones, Jessica Godfrey, Jessica McCane, Jessica Mintzmyer, Jessica Owens, Jessica Young, JoDena Pysher, Jodi L Perry, JoJo Reeves, Joyce Sharp, Kaila Karg, Karen Bill, Karen Harris, Katelyn Peters, Kathleen Spiers, Kathy Jones Bargiacchi, Katrina Evanochko, Katrina Miller, Katy Battisti, Kay Ellis Bernales, Kayleen McSwank, Kelli Rush, Kim Ginsberg, Kimberly Miller, Krista Ricchi, Laura Button, Lauren Campbell, Leanne Rogers, Lee Belt Wells, Lindsey Kramer, Lisa Limauge, Liv Moore, Lori Hoffman, Lorna Bishop, Lylian Aguiar, Lynne Hill, Maari Hammond, Mackenzie Wainwright, Maggie Jane Schuler, Mande Duoto, Margaret McHeyzer, Margaret Neal, Margie Potter, Marnie Jury, Megan Hayes, Megan Hill, Megan Wykle, Melissa Bader-Dunn, Melissa Reno, Melissa Rock, Michele Barnette, Michelle Drury, Michelle Field, Michelle Lyell, Michelle Sandrk, Mistee J Lemaster, Nadine Kilian, Naida Mae, Nancy Franco, Nancy Jefferson, Nese Cimener, Nicola Chiappinelli, Niki Gooch, Nikki Wilson, Nina Miller Priddy, Ofa T Booklover, Pauline Cassie, Penelope Rigby-Meth, Phyl Drollett, Rachael Bromley, Rachel Goodrich Schneider, Rachel Spencer, Rachelle Brown, Rebecca Barber, Rebecca Gaile Bare, Rhiannon Dewaide, Rhonda L Adels, Rhonda Lind, Rhonda Tactor, Robin Yatsko, Robyn Corcoran, Rose Holub, Sabrina Gabriel, Samantha Bainrot, Sarah Pilcher, Sarah Polglaze, Scottie Mohler, Shannon Davison, Sharee Elizabeth Thomas, Serena Worker, Shay Bell, Sheena Renee, Sheena Taylor, Sherri Stovall, Siobhain Perez, Sloane Howell, Stephanie Schafer, Stina Andersen, Sue Paulsen, Tacie Himelright, Tammy Coffey, Tanya King, Tanya Leigh, Tara Greseth, Teena Bitleris Johnson, Teri Hicks, Teri Stallone, Tiffany Mwandia, Tina Marie Clark, Tracey Davis Zelukovic, Tracy Ehlers,Tracey Wilson-Vuolo, Trish Miles, V Lieddiette E Thomas, Vee Townsend, Vickie Crawley, Vicky Hudson, Victoria Carter, Yericka Avilés and so many more. I’m sure I’ve missed some of you, and I’m so sorry if I have. You guys rock my world.
To the Tinkerbelles—you’re an amazing bunch of people who light up my life and keep me smiling. I love ya faces xx
To my husband, Michael, whom I love dearly. It’s always been you, baby.
To my beautiful children, the keepers of my soul. I love you to the moon and back.
To my wonderful team of talented and creative people, Karen Harper, Lauren McKellar, Jaye Cox, and Tracey Soxie Weston. You ladies have a talent beyond belief, and I’m so grateful to share this journey with you.
Lastly, I’d l
ike to thank everybody who has helped to promote my work—all the bloggers, Enticing Journey Book Promotions for a wonderful promotional campaign, and all the readers. Without the readers, there’d be no purpose for these stories.
My dreams are coming true, and it’s all because of you.
Thank you.
Belle Brooks xx
About The Author
Belle Brooks is a former business manager, wife, and mother of three, living in Queensland, Australia. For as long as she can remember, writing has been a major part of her life, bringing her peace and comfort in the arms of her fictional characters. Never planning to have her work published, she focused her attention on her career and family—that is until she finally found the courage to allow her words to become public for others to enjoy, due mainly to the encouragement and support of those who love her. Winner is her sixth publication.
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