River's Heart
Page 18
“Don’t say that,” she says, and I’m ready to respond when her finger seals my lips.
“Listen to me... You gave me a choice to stop you, and I could’ve done just that, but I didn’t want to. I regret it happened the way that it did, but I wouldn’t be the person I am now if it wasn’t for that moment,” she says tears coming to her eyes, and also the hope that we can go back to what we once were.
I wait a few more moments, relishing that emotion as it spreads over her face.
“Come,” I say as I grab her hand.
Smoothly, I push the door to the terrace open and lead her to the yacht.
How many times have I envisioned this moment?
Kissing her again. Having her in my arms. Loving her again. How many times have I pushed back that hunger for her and drown in my sorrow knowing that it will take perhaps another life for that to happen?
And yet, here I am, holding her in my arms, getting drunk on her scent, my body warming up from hers, her lips loving me the same way as they always used to do.
Smoothly, I run my hands on her, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. We’re both longing for each other as we walk that path again. Careful not to walk on pain, and joyful to be able to connect again.
All these months, I never thought I'd have the chance to live this moment again, and yet somehow, my hope has never died.
Her hands move confidently on my body, unbuttoning my shirt as I peel off her dress and unclasp her bra. Swiftly, she opens my pants, her fingers curling around me, our kiss deepening as our hearts start racing.
“I missed you...” she says.
A shudder goes through me.
“I missed you, too,” I mutter.
She tears away and steps back, and then she lowers herself on the bed, wearing nothing but her garters, and her heels. A sultry smile curls her lips.
“Some things never change,” I say, my eyes dipping to the spot between her legs.
“No, they don’t,” she says, her gaze licking my body as I shed off my pants and walk to her, cupping my erection.
I hover over her only for a moment before she twines her arms around my neck, and murmurs against my lips.
“Don’t make me wait. I’ve been craving you for some time, and you know I don’t take long,” she says, a soft grin curving her lips.
Making her wait is the last thing on my mind. Without delay, I ease myself between her legs, sliding all the way into her, smoothly.
“Mmm... This feels good...” she purrs.
I couldn’t agree more.
Her soft inside starts clenching around me, bringing a smile to my face.
“You’re really happy to feel me...” I murmur as I slowly thrust.
Her nose creases with a grin, her eyes glinting, filled with pleasure.
“That, I am...” she says, her arms holding me tight.
Her lips begin loving mine.
“That’s fucking good,” I say, her body burning as I slide in and out of her.
Within moments, our bodies and hearts become one, no fear left between us, no secrets, and for the first time, no regrets. Soon, the fire burns through us again, giving us the amazing pleasure that sated us so many times.
“Are you sure they allow pets?” she asks, her eyes twinkling with candor and curiosity as she soaks in the landscape.
Large properties line the country road. Everything looks asleep beneath the thick snow. Christmas trees peek at the windows, colorful lights adorning the homes.
I give her a mysterious grin.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
A shuffling noise comes from the back seat. She shifts and checks on Marcus Aurelius.
“Is he okay?” I ask.
“Yes, he’s fine. He likes cars, but he’s not crazy about surprises. ”
“What about you? Do you like surprises?”
She looks at me as I try to keep my mug under control while searching her eyes, and drinking in her face.
The red muffler brings out the color of her eyes.
She gives me a soft smile.
“What would life be without surprises...” she murmurs, splaying her fingers over the window as she looks outside.
The scenery changes as we pull onto a narrow road, passing by even more estates. It’s late afternoon, and the daylight fades away, the evening sneaking in.
Spellbound, she lets her eyes linger on the decorations and the Christmas trees.
“These homes are beautiful,” she says just as we roll onto a long, waving driveway leading to a house.
Wide eyed, she takes everything in, the trees bundled up into a coat of snow, and the house prepped for Christmas. Then, the other cars, the barn, and the guest house.
The horses start neighing, and she cranes her neck in that direction. She spots Silver and Arun, my horses from back home, the ones we rode when we were visiting my mom’s place.
She shoots me a questioning look.
“Is this your house?”
A smile flutters across her lips, and I flash a secret smile, saying nothing.
I bring the car to a stop and step out before I walk around and help her out. Her gaze hovers over the house, her eyes lighting up as Steve strides toward us, followed by Karma and her buddies.
Jumping up and down, the dog barks incessantly. I stroke her fur. She looks at me with adoring eyes.
Steve opens his arms and gives Layla a hug, both glancing at me as they break away. Flashing a small smile, I spin around and head to the house.
“There’s a cat inside. Treat him nicely. He’s royalty,” I say to Steve, and they both laugh.
Her footsteps rush to catch me. I hold the door for her as she steps inside. It’s warm and quiet, a blazing fire spilling light into the room. The dining room is ready, a festive table waiting for us.
I show her around.
Enchanted, she takes everything in, the joy in her eyes warming up my heart. Intrigued, she glances at me from time to time. I do my best to keep my emotions concealed and my expressions in check.
She motions to the Christmas table.
“Formal?”
“If you wish.”
The art on the walls catches her attention.
“No hanging screens, huh?”
I suppress a smile, but I can’t stifle a comment.
“You haven’t seen the bedroom.”
She shoots me a questioning look. I avert my eyes.
“So it is your house...” she says, washed with revelation.
She stretches a grin.
Without a word, I lead her upstairs and show her to the main bedroom.
“Take your time... I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready,” I say as she settles in the master bedroom.
One hour later, I wait for her, standing by the window. All dressed up, and peering outside.
Her heels ring out behind me. She stops, yet I don’t turn to her.
“Is something wrong?”
I glance over my shoulder.
She stands there, her silhouette highlighted by the tailored dress, her hair alive, and her eyes soft as her lips curl into an affectionate grin.
I swivel to her and take her in, my heart beating for her. She walks to me. I curl my arm around her.
Tenderly, I kiss her lips, lace my fingers through hers and lead her to the sofa. We sit, both facing the fire. She shifts in her seat and turns to me.
“What is it, River?
“Before I say anything...”
She’s nervous, I can tell, and so am I. I keep my eyes on the fire as I speak.
“I’m grateful you allowed me back into your life.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I sense her stare.
“The day you wanted to die...” I say, and I glance at her just as she opens her mouth to deny it.
I flick my finger up, and she remains quiet, and then I look back at the fire.
“That day taught me I wasn’t better than anyone else... I thought I was, but I was no different than the people I wa
s trying to protect you from... That night on the highway, I pulled you put of the car and held you in my arms, and whatever your last thought was, it put a smile on your face. And I knew why...”
I have to pause for a moment as my voice gets heavy, and my chest tight.
I steal another glance in her direction. Silent tears stream down her face, her eyes showing me love as if I never lost her.
“I knew you wanted to go, and there was not much I could do... Not in that moment, anyway. So I did the only thing I could do. I begged you to stay... with me. I knew you couldn’t hear me, but I was too desperate to care. Somehow I held that stupid belief that I could change your mind. At least that’s what I hoped... That day I promised you that if you’d give me a second chance, I’d do anything I could to change something or maybe everything for you... to show you that life can be different, even for you, but the thing is...”
I turn to her.
She watches me in silence, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“I need time for that...” I say softly, giving her a loving smile, gauging her reaction as my words find their way to her heart.
Emotions swarm her face. Surprise at first, and then disbelief, and then the glow of joy.
“Oh, my God!” she says faintly, a trembling hand going over her mouth.
I bite my lips and steel my jaw to control my own emotion. Tears of joy stain her face, a light exploding in her eyes. The light I thought I lost forever.
“I want you... to stay, Layla,” I say, smiling, and she crashes into my chest, shaking and grinning and crying at the same time.
I get a taste of the purest, most intense joy.
“Oh, River... I’m so sorry... I just can’t believe it,” she mutters, her voice cracking up.
“Shh, shh...”
I cup her face and kiss her lips.
“I never thought we could come back from that night... I never wanted to hurt you...” she says.
I brush her hair away and wipe her tears.
“I know.”
Unhurriedly, I stroke the soft skin of her face. Her breathing slowly steadies.
“I never stopped loving you... not even in the darkest moments,” she murmurs, tenderly touching my face.
“I never stopped loving you either,” I say, my voice full of love.
“I want to stay, River. You’re the only home I know.”
My lips curl into a smile. Gently, I touch her lips and breathe into her.
“Then welcome home, baby. This is our home.”
THE END
Also by SHAYNE FORD
LOVE IS WAR SERIES
A Dark Mystery Romance
FALLEN (Love is War Series #1)
BROKEN (Love is War Series #2)
TAKEN (Love is War Series #3)
OWNED (Love is War Series #4)
NIGHT OF THE KINGS SERIES
A Billionaire Romance
JAMES (Night of the Kings Series #1)
DARK JAMES (Night of the Kings Series #2)
TAMING JAMES (Night of the Kings Series #3)
ALEXANDER (Night of the Kings Series #4)
HARD LEX (Night of the Kings Series #5)
LOVING LEX (Night of the Kings Series #6)
DARK HEART SERIES
A Dark Romance
JADEN (Dark Heart Series #1)
WILD JADEN (Dark Heart Series #2)
JADEN’S HEART (Dark Heart Series #3)
SHADES OF LOVE
A Billionaire Dark Romance
DARK MCKENNA (Shades of Love #1)
REAL MCKENNA (Shades of Love #2)
MCKENNA (Shades of Love #3)
GOLDEN HEIR SERIES
A Billionaire Romance
SHADE (Golden Heir Series #1)
LOVING SHADE (Golden Heir Series #2)
FOREVER SHADE (Golden Heir Series #3)
WILD HEART SERIES, A Menage (MMF) Romance
JAGGER (Wild Heart Series #1)
LOVING JAGGER (Wild Heart Series #2)
LOVING BRAXTON (Wild Heart Series #3)
WILD NIGHTS (Wild Heart Series #4)
FINDING HOME (Wild Heart Series #5)
STEEL SERIES (A Rock Star Romance)
A Rock Star Romance
Layla’s Story
River Steel (Steel Series #1)
Loving River (Steel Series #2)
River’s Story (Companion Books to Layla’s Books)
River (Steel Series #3)
River’s Heart (Steel Series #4)
About the Author
Shayne Ford writes epic novels. Her stories feature hot-blooded men and adventurous, soulful women. She likes to write Series that are epic, layered, character-driven, have a dash of mystery and a lot of depth. She writes what she likes to read, and people who share her taste, devour her books. Her stories are not the typical romance, nor are they formulaic or fit a mold.
She likes her lead men hot, smart, and honest.
She's a fan of muscle cars, dogs, chocolate, flowers and quiet, starry nights filled with love.
Contact: shayne@shayneford.com
Website: www.shayneford.com
For updates on new releases and promotional campaigns, please sign up for my newsletter.
www.shayneford.com
shayne@shayneford.com