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“Yeah. It was. I was lying there in the dark, not knowing if I was living or dying, and it changed my mind. I decided you were safer without me. If I couldn’t protect myself, how could I protect you?”
“I had fears about hurting you too. I’m glad we got over them and we’re together now. That’s what matters.”
“I love you, Charlie.” He leans down, kissing my forehead.
Happiness flows through me, hearing him say those words. “I love you too.” I never thought I’d hear those words from someone again, much less say them and get this warm feeling all over my body when I do.
“I love you, and now, I want to play with you.” He turns the vibrator on, the soft buzzing sound filling the room. And I’m in his arms. And he’s kissing me. And I’m melting against him.
He’s slipping his hand down between our bodies, hitching up the skirt of my dress. He rubs the vibrator over my panties, lightly, his touch barely there. My panties are made of silk and the plastic vibrator slips over them. I give a little shiver as it hums against me.
He nips at my earlobe. “I see someone’s finally wearing panties tonight.”
“I thought it was appropriate for the occasion.” Can’t think. My head lolls back as the toy works its magic. He rubs it lightly up and down my sex. “Can’t go panty-less to a memorial service.”
His kisses travel down my neck, sucking and biting, making me moan. He turns off the toy, tossing it on the bed. “And now I get the pleasure of taking them off.”
His mouth finds mine, kissing me hard. His tongue swipes against mine, hot and possessive. I fall into his kiss, spiraling down a tunnel of heat and desire. Now that we’ve said those words, the kiss is deeper, our lips somehow connecting our souls.
His hands are exploring underneath my dress, grabbing the waistband of my panties. He tugs them down. I step out of them. He slides the silky white panties into the pocket of his trousers. “A little keepsake for me.”
He grabs the hem of my dress, lifting it up. Slowly, I raise my arms, Charlie 2.0 holding his gaze in what I hope is a sexy way. It must work because it earns me a powerful growl as he tugs the dress up and over my head.
To discover… I wear no bra.
His eyes go wide at the surprise sight of my bare breasts, my nipples tightening from excitement. “No bra?”
“It would have ruined the dress,” I say.
“Come here. My God, you’re gorgeous, aren’t you?” His hands travel down my slowly lowering arms, cupping my ribcage, smoothing down my sides, encircling my waist.
“You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself. Let’s get you undressed.” I help him out of his shirt. I trace the outline of the tattoo on his chest with my fingertip—something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. “I love this.”
“And I love you.” He lays me down on the bed, kissing every inch of my body. When he enters me, he keeps his eyes on mine, one hand cupping the side of my face. He kisses me and tells me he loves me. Our bodies move together like they were made for each other. When we come, we come together, our lips locked in a deep kiss, our arms wrapped around one another in an embrace so tight, so safe, so full of satisfaction, it makes me whole.
Twenty-four hours later, we’re standing hand in hand on the shore of the Parrish. A gentle breeze flutters the hem of my aqua dress — it’s the same one I wore that night in the alleyway, a special request by him. Thank goodness for Mr. Allen, my tailor in the city who was able to repair the dirty knee scuffs on it. Nikolaos wears the suit he wore at our boat dinner at my request, as that’s the night we’ve since declared our first official date.
The sun warms our skin. What is it about the sun that feels so healing? I close my eyes and turn my face up to the sky, welcoming the wonderful energy.
I lean against him, snuggling against his big, strong arm. “This really is beautiful.”
“Correction. The most beautiful place on earth.” He slips something from his pocket. “I have something for you.”
It’s a gold ring. He holds it out to me, letting me see it. It’s beautiful, a wide gold band. A bright diamond sits in the center, ovals surrounding the center like rays, the raised design crisscrossing and growing larger as they burst out from the gem.
“It’s the sun. Because you’re my sun. Every time you enter a room, every time I lay eyes on your beautiful face, you warm me like I’m standing here, at my favorite place on earth. You warm me like the sun shining on me. And the sun gives life. You, Charlie Bachman, give me life.”
And he drops to one knee.
“Oh my gosh…”
He looks up at me, holding the ring up to me. “Charlie Bachman, will you marry me?”
I’ve left the curse behind. But he can still see the worry in my eyes.
That big, bright smile that’s become my personal sun spreads over his handsome face. “I’ll take my chances,” he says.
“Then, yes.” I hold out my left hand, letting him slip the ring on my finger. “I’d love to.”
