The song changes, and Beck begins to sway in my arms.
“This is the first song we danced to at The Riff,” she says, grinning at the memory.
“I remember,” I say, moving her around the kitchen in a slow circle. “You were the most gorgeous woman in the room. I felt so lucky to be the one who got to hold you.”
“I always knew that you wanted to dance with me,” she teases, sliding her hand up my chest.
“You are the only dance partner I’ve ever wanted,” I admit, eyes dipping to her soft lips.
Forcing my eyes back up to hers, I say, “It was true then as it is now.”
I pull her hips closer and let the song play as she hums to the melody against my shoulder. I can feel the steady beat of her heart and the swell of her breasts under the thin fabric of her sweater.
My hands slide lower before I lift her into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist instinctively, and I dip my head, brushing my lips across hers.
Her arms loop around my neck, fingers tangling in my hair as she draws me in closer. When her lips part, I take it as an invitation to deepen the kiss.
I shift my grip under her thighs and start moving, barely breaking the kiss as I carry her from the room. She lets out a soft laugh against my mouth, tightening her arms around my neck.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere a little more comfortable,” I say, though the truth is, I just want to hold her closer.
The crackling fireplace throws soft golden light across the room. I lower us slowly to the couch, keeping her in my lap.
Her knees settle on either side of me, and for a moment we watch each other. I brush a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my hand linger against her cheek before I kiss her again, slower this time. She leans into me with a soft moan, her fingers cupping the back of my neck. I wrap my arms around her back,holding her close as our mouths move together in an easy, familiar rhythm.
There’s no rush or urgency. The day is all ours.
When we break away, she rests her head on my chest, both of us breathing a little heavier.
“I’m happy,” she whispers, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Really happy. This…being here with you like this. It’s all I have ever desired.”
I press a gentle kiss on her lips, smiling down at her. “Me too,” I agree, tightening my arms around her and holding her closer. And in that quiet moment, I know without a doubt that this is exactly where we’re meant to be. Together.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“Do you have an itinerary?” Claire asks as she watches Ben run across my backyard with Hannah and Logan’s black lab, Morgan, close behind. It finally feels like summer, and we’re all enjoying sitting on the deck, soaking up the sun.
“Not really,” I say, sliding my sunglasses up on top of my head. “I have scheduled stops in a few cities, but I mostly want to see where the wind blows us. We might stop in Maine to see my parents on the way home. Who knows?”
My relationship with my parents has improved over the past few months. It’s not perfect, but we’re trying. Ryan’s unwavering support has helped heal some old wounds. I guess having a boyfriend who’s a therapist comes in handy sometimes.
“And how does Ryan feel about your plan?” Hannah glances towards where he and Carson are strategically loading bags into the back of his truck.
I twist my lips, thinking about how many times we bickered over my non-plan plan. “Umm. He’s a big fan of itineraries, and I’m not, so we’ve both had to make small compromises.”
“And?” she asks, tipping her head back, enjoying the warmth.
“He’s coming around,” I snicker.
“Sure, he is.” Meg grins, shaking her head.
Today feels like a dream. One I never thought would come true. When I cancelled my plans last summer, I didn’t think it would be possible. When Ryan asked me if I still wanted to go, I kind of shrugged it off. Now here we are, with my tattoo equipment neatly stored in the Airstream, almost ready to hit the road together for the next two months.
He’s taken a leave of absence from work but agreed to meet with a few clients online while he’s away. I’m glad that’s an option for him. He’s as excited as I am.
