by Amy Olle
“Well, actually...”
He turned his head on the pillow and frowned at her.
“I was, uh, thinking perhaps I might...”
“Out with it, Winslow.”
“I want to sell the house.”
“What?” He propped up on one elbow and glared down at her. “Why? That house means everything to you.”
Her smile was bittersweet, flavored with a twinge of fear at what she’d almost lost. “Not everything.”
The light in his eyes softened. “But I don’t understand. You love that old place.”
Yet she didn’t feel anything remotely like sadness at the thought of selling it. “I do, but I love you more. I want to be able to go everywhere with you.” She flung her arms out wide on the bed. “And I’m tired.”
A smile twitched near the corners of his mouth.
“I’m going to sell it to Emily. That way, I can visit whenever I want, but it’s up to her to figure out how to earn an income off that blasted money pit.”
He scratched the back of his head. “Well, this is interesting.”
“What’s interesting?”
“I talked to the couple subletting my flat in Dublin. They want to take over the lease. Permanently. I told them they could.”
Dumbly, Mina stared. “Why did you do that?”
“I planned on moving to the States when this excavation ends.” Noah shrugged and his smile broke loose. “We’re homeless.”
A moment of stunned silence hung in the air. Then amazed laughter burst from her.
His grin was wide and unrestrained, and her heart filled to bursting at the sight of it. “I wonder if Emily will give us a deal on a room for a while.”
“I don’t care where I sleep,” she said. “As long as I’m with you.”
Noah pressed his mouth to the center of her palm, and his smile flashed with wicked charm. “Because you love me.”
“You and no other.”
“Say it.”
“I love you, Noah.”
He studied her with serious, heavy-lidded eyes, as though he might find a different answer if he peered closely.
What she didn’t say was there for him to see, that all had been dark and cold before he’d come back into her life. That the violence and the chaos of her past had eaten away at her soul all those long years, and when he’d cracked open her heart, the anguish of betrayal and despair had poured out and nearly drowned her. But through the darkness, his love had found her and saved her.
Their love had saved her.
No, she didn’t tell him that. He already knew, for it was with him, as well.
Her fingers trailed from his cheek to his jawline. He bent his head, and the tip of his tongue darted out to taste the sensitive skin below her ear. She shivered.
“How long have you loved me?” he asked.
She raised her arms over her head to give him better access, and his hands slid to her waist. “Oh, a week. Possibly two.”
She gasped at the first tickle.
“How long?”
“It’s hard to say— Noah!”
He soothed her with kisses, until she was liquid fire in his arms. His breath skittered over the skin of her inner thigh. “How long?”
A moan vibrated in her throat. “All of my life,” she breathed.
His playfulness evaporated as he stretched his body out next to hers. With one hand, he entwined his fingers with hers and squeezed. “Before I knew you were mine?”
“Yes, before that. Way before that.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it out. Forgive me?”
“Never.” She touched her lips to his.
He closed his eyes.
“For supposedly being a genius, you’re surprisingly dense.”
“So I’ve been told,” he said dryly.
It’d taken more than fifteen years, and maybe that was as it should be. Maybe the memories would have lain dormant inside her forever, a silent haunt. Or maybe the past would’ve poisoned their love and separated her from Noah long ago.
Or perhaps she’d have come to this place of fragile peace without him, and her life would be much the same as it was now.
Perhaps.
Except, she wouldn’t be about to marry the Rock Star of Academia.
THE END
Thank you for reading Beautiful Ruin! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to help other readers find this book, please consider writing a review. I would truly appreciate it!
About The Author
Amy Olle writes sexy contemporary romances filled with hope, heart, and humor. Her first book, Beautiful Ruin, is the first in a series about five Irish-born brothers sent as children to live with family on a remote island off the coast of northern Michigan. She is delighted to put her Psychology degrees to good use writing romance.
Amy lives in Michigan with her longsuffering husband, brilliant son, and (female) turtle named George.
For new releases and giveaways, join Amy’s mailing list. She loves to hear from readers! Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook or contact her at [email protected].
Copyright © 2015 by Amy Olle.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at the email address below.
Amy Olle
[email protected]
www.amyolle.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Cover Design by Okay Creations
Editing by Hot Tree Editing and Blue Otter Editing
Book Layout ©2013 BookDesignTemplates.com
Beautiful Ruin/ Amu Olle. -- 1st ed.
Ebook ISBN 978-1-944180-00-3
Print ISBN 978-1-944180-01-0
