If We Fly: A What If Novel
Page 13
“And while I loved you twenty years ago, I love you even more now. It’s taken me some time to remember how lucky I’ve been in life, to have had my family…to still have them…and then also to have you love me the way you do…”
Her voice breaks. Stepping forward, I tug her hard against me, gripping the plastic box in one hand. I can’t speak past the tightness in my throat.
“My speech.” Her words are muffled against my chest.
“Sorry.” Forcing myself to loosen my grip, I release her. “Your speech.”
She looks up at me, her green eyes glittering with tears. “I never want to lose you again. I don’t want to dwell on the past or wonder what if. I want us both to focus on what is. What we have together.”
Taking the box from me, she holds out the Lifesaver. “Cole Danforth, will you take the leap and marry me?”
“I…” I swallow hard. My heart pounds. All these years, everything we’ve been through…my mind struggles to believe we’re actually here. “Are you serious?”
She laughs and wipes her eyes. “I’m giving you my last cherry Lifesaver as a ring. How much more serious can I be?”
Holy….
Light explodes through me, a starfall of pure joy. I grab Josie again and plant a hard kiss on her lips that makes several people around us applaud and cheer.
“Yes.” I ease back and lean my forehead against hers. Ten years ago, I’d been so happy with her, but this… I didn’t know this kind of happiness existed.
I do now.
“Of course I’ll marry you.” I lift my head and settle my hands on either side of her neck. “I love you more than I ever thought was possible. I was planning to ask you too, but you’re going back to California in two days.”
“I know.” She smiles, her face glowing. “That’s part of the bunch of stuff we need to talk about. And I’ll get you a better ring soon.”
“A better ring than a Lifesaver?” I admire the shiny candy in the box. “Not possible.”
As the crowd disperses, I slip the box into my pocket. Josie tucks her arm through mine and guides me away from the game booth.
“Remember that night we rode the carousel?” she asks.
“I’ll never forget.” I shake my head. That twenty-two-year-old boy would never have believed this bright, sweet girl would one day become his future wife.
My wife.
The calliope music on the carousel jingles. Old times’ sake.
“Do you want to ride the whale?” I ask.
“Is that what you’re calling it now?” She chuckles and squeezes my arm. “Later, yes. First, let’s ride the Ferris wheel.”
I lift my eyebrows. “You sure?”
“I’m sure.” Biting her lower lip, she looks up at the wheel. “I have one last fear to conquer.”
Pride fills me. It’s not possible to love her more.
After buying two ride tickets, I return to the Ferris wheel entrance where Josie is waiting. I extend my hand. She puts her fingers in mine and tightens her grip.
“Don’t let go,” she says.
“I won’t.” I lead her to the glittering wheel spinning against the night sky. “Come on, Josie Bird. Let’s fly.”
Epilogue
Josie
* * *
One Year Later
* * *
Pushing aside the gauzy curtains, I look through the picture window at the cove. Sunlight splashes over the water where lobster boats are chugging back after a day at sea. The park and pier bustle with a lively summer crowd.
A tall man with sun-streaked brown hair steps away from the workers on the dock and starts up the path toward Watercolor Cottage. My heart gives a happy little leap as I walk to the door.
Stepping onto the porch, I shade my eyes as my husband approaches. His jeans and T-shirt are streaked with dirt, and his nose is peeling from a sunburn. The sight of him lights me with joy.
Cole smiles, his eyes creasing at the corners, and extends his arms. I hurry to hug him, not caring that he smells like boat oil, salt water, and sweat.
“How did it go?” I ask.
“We’re almost ready.” He squeezes me against him and sets me down, his blue eyes as warm as the summer sky. “Give me a minute to shower, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
We return to the cottage, and he disappears into the bathroom. While we live at the Sea Avenue house year-round, we’ve gotten into the habit of spending most of our summer hours at the cottage, which we’ve transformed into an actual studio.
Vanessa helped me redecorate, and now the interior is an airy haven of blue-and-white furniture, sheer curtains, and painted wooden shelves. Our mother’s artwork adorns the walls, and a large drafting table sits near the window alongside a corkboard where I pin all my ideas.
The restoration of the Ocean Carousel is well underway, with dozens of town residents volunteering their time and talent for everything from electricity work to painting and historical research. In addition to my role as director of the restoration, I’m designing a new mural for the concrete wall beside the pier and planning my winter projects for the Arts Center.
“Dave Jamison has about twenty students and researchers onboard for the research cruise.” Cole comes out of the bathroom in a cloud of steam, a towel around his waist and his bare chest glistening with water droplets. “They’re going to track the sharks with satellite and acoustic tags and test E-DNA technology. That will give us a lot of data about shark migration patterns. Dave is working on research about the importance of predators to ocean conservation.”
“That’s fantastic.” His anticipation warms me to the center of my soul. “I’m so proud of you. Has the cruise been scheduled yet?”
“Yes, for next April. It’ll be a month-long partnership between Invicta and three other institutions.”
He lifts his arms to scrub his wet hair with another towel. The movement makes the towel around his waist slide lower, drawing my attention to the beautifully defined muscles of his abdomen.
“And we have a pile of applications to review from other scientists who’ve asked to use the RV Atlantis next year.” Cole tosses the second towel aside and rests his hands on his hips, his brow furrowing. “It’ll be tough to make choices. I wish we could fund them all.”
“This marine research vessel of yours might be Invicta’s best investment yet.” I slide my arms around his waist, breathing in his clean, soapy scent. “But I am glad you’re not the one running off to chase sharks for a month. Especially next April.”
“I’m not leaving you for a week, much less a month.” He puts his hand on my cheek, his expression softening. “Not even to chase sharks.”
He bends to kiss me. The warm pressure of his lips sparks heat into my blood. I trail my fingers over his damp chest and down to the loosely knotted towel. With a quick tug, I pull the towel off him and drop it to the floor.
“Oops,” I murmur against his lips.
“Uh huh.” He lifts his head with a grin. “Don’t we have to be at your sister’s house in an hour?”
“For what?” I rub my palms over his abs.
“Dinner.” He pulls his eyebrows together. “Nathan’s making blueberry pie, and you know that cop can bake.”
“Oh, I almost forgot about the dinner.” I lean in to lick a drop of water from his neck.
A groan rumbles from him. “You did write it on the wall calendar.”
“Mmm. In blue ink too, did you notice?” I slide my lips across his shoulder. “My designated color for our perfectly planned schedule. I also already have next year’s calendar pinned up.”
“Five months before the end of the year?” He settles his hands on my hips and nudges his growing erection against me. “Now you’re really turning me on.”
“Go check it out.” Releasing him, I step back and gesture to the new Van Gogh wall calendar pinned up in the kitchen. “In fact, you’d better write the shark cruise in since I know you’ll want to be there when they set sail.”
“They’re planning on leaving around the twentieth, so—” His voice breaks off. The pen drops to the floor. He stares at the little decorated square indicating April thirtieth.
An eternity seems to pass. I grip my hands together. My chest tightens.
Cole drops the calendar page and lowers his head. All the breath escapes his lungs in a hard rush. He turns, closing the distance between us in two strides, and pulls me into his arms with such ferocity that I gasp.
“Josie.” He tightens his arms around me and buries his face in my hair. He’s shaking. “I once thought it couldn’t be possible to love you more, but I was wrong. I love you more. So much more.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “I love you, Cole. So much more too.”
“This is incredible.” He eases back, his throat working with a swallow. He puts his hand on my belly in disbelief. “When did you find out?”
“This morning.” With a laugh, I put my hand over his. “I could hardly wait for you to get home.”
“I’m…” He smiles, his face lighting with pure happiness. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can.” I back up, tumbling onto the bed and pulling him down on top of me. “I’ve learned to believe in so many things. Especially us.”
Tenderness and love fill his eyes. I wind my arms around his shoulders. He cups my cheek and covers my mouth with his. As we indulge in a lengthy kiss, I fall blissfully into the warm spiral of lust.
“I love you, my Josie Bird.” Cole presses his lips to the hollow of my throat. “But do we have time?”
“Oh, yes.” I slide my hands into his hair and bring him back up to kiss me. “We have a lifetime.”
* * *
Thank you for reading IF WE FLY.
* * *
To read more about Eve Perrin and sexy mystery man, click here.
* * *
To read more about hot intellectual Professor West, click here.
* * *
Wondering about Charlotte? Click here to sign up for Nina’s newsletter for future info.
About the Author
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances about professors, bad boys, candy makers, and protective alpha males who find themselves consumed with love for one woman alone. Originally from California, Nina holds a PhD in Art History and an MA in Library and Information Studies, which means she loves both research and organization. She also enjoys traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Although Nina would go back to college for another degree because she's that much of a bookworm and a perpetual student, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer.
* * *
Join Nina’s Ninjas for ARCs and fun stuff!
* * *
www.ninalane.com
Acknowledgements
Thank you, Lea Ann Schafer, for saving my ass.
* * *
Thank you, Stacy Jerger, for working through it.
* * *
Thank you, Jessa Slade, for setting me straight.
* * *
Thank you, Cathy Yardley, for telling it like it is.
* * *
Thank you, Corinne DeMaagd and Kimberly Kessler, for your brilliant minds.
* * *
Thank you, Victoria Colotta, for your eye-rolling.
* * *
Thank you, Kelley Heckart, for your reliability.
* * *
Thank you, Danielle Sanchez, for your efforts and support.
* * *
Thank you, MJ Fryer and Maria D., for never failing me.
* * *
Thank you, Nina’s Ninjas, for staying in my corner.
* * *
Thank you, readers and bloggers, for loving good books.
Also By Nina Lane
THE SECRET THIEF
“This book is a work of art.”
* * *
My life is no fairy tale, but it's grim.
* * *
A twisted affair ruined my career and reputation. The loss of my beloved uncle wrecked my heart. All I have left is an old house in a coastal Maine town crawling with secrets.
Then a mysterious, reclusive man offers me a job...as long as I don't ask him any questions or go poking my nose where it doesn't belong.
Strange? Yes. Tempting? Unbearably.
Though Flynn ignites me with hot desire, getting involved with the local eccentric is the worst thing I can do. Yet this man and his secrets are impossible to resist.
Who is he? Why is he such a loner? What's his story?
One day soon, I'm going to find out.
* * *
Click to purchase THE SECRET THIEF
* * *
THE SPIRAL OF BLISS SERIES
“Give me a kiss, beauty.”
* * *
From an exhilarating crush to the intensities of marriage, Liv and Dean West embark on a passionate lifelong journey together. This everlasting romance will melt your heart, turn you on, and enchant you with the power of a love to end all loves.
AROUSE: Book One
ALLURE: Book Two
AWAKEN: Book Three
ARRIVE: Book Four
BREAK THE SKY: Book Five
ADORE: Book Six
ALWAYS: Book Seven
* * *
The Complete Spiral of Bliss Boxed Set:
Buy all 7 books and a bonus short story at one low price
* * *
THE EROTIC DARK SERIES
Submission is her only escape…
* * *
A downright dirty series with graphic scenes of spanking, caning, dubious consent, and a great deal of hot, raunchy, explicit sex.
THE EROTIC DARK
THE EROTIC LIGHT
* * *
STICKY
It's forbidden. Shocking. Filthy. And she wants more.
* * *
He's the school principal. She's a married mother of two.