Page 89 of Bumping into You

“Come with me?” she asks, biting her lip and looking down atour entwined hands.

We walk back to our rooms, and as soon as we are outside our doors, I back her up against the wall. With my free hand, I lift her chin, holding her face in the palm of my hand while rubbing my thumb over the side of her face. As a rush of need courses through me, I press my lips to hers. She immediately kisses back, and I let out a groan at her passion.

She starts undoing the buttons of my shirt. Voices down the hall remind me that we should go in one of our rooms. Never letting go of her, I gently pull us through my doorway and onto my bed.

Chapter 39

Gwen

The stars twinkle outside as I lie on the bed next to a sleeping Niall. How is this man so perfect? Why couldn’t we have met when we weren’t on a time crunch? Once the cruise is over, he is going back to Boston, and I’ll be heading back home to Chessie Valley. He has a home, a life, in Boston, and I have my business to run back in Tennessee.

I can’t settle my mind. What’s going to happen with Niall and me once the cruise is over? At the thought of us going our own ways, I am engulfed with so many emotions: sadness, hope, worry, anticipation, confusion, a lightness I can’t describe. Could this be love?

No, this is too fast. I must be feeling something else. I’m not going to let myself fall for someone this fast.

Who am I kidding? I am in love with Niall.

I toss and turn all night, watching as the midnight blue of the sky retreats with the stars. The sun crests over the horizon, a new day bringing fresh beginnings.

Glancing over at Niall, so serene in sleep, I reach over and gently move his hair out of his face.

“Morning,mo ghrá,” he murmurs, even before opening his eyes.

My heart skips a beat at his use of the Irish wordlove. It’s just an Irish thing, right? He can’t possibly love me so soon too.

Rolling over, Niall kisses me gently on the lips, a hint of desire in his eyes. A sweeping tornado of need suddenly passes throughme, shocking me to my core. I kiss him back, setting aside my thoughts and swirling emotions about what will happen to us after the cruise. Right now, I am cared for. Right now, I am his.

The day seems to pass by in one breath. It’s late afternoon, and I’m dressed in my bridesmaid dress and checking on some last-minute features in the reception room.

We have one hour until the wedding is set to begin.

Gillian and Maggie walk up to me. Maggie shows no sign of the sickness that kept her down half the day yesterday. “Feeling better?” I ask.

“Yes, thank goodness,” says Gillian.

“Auntie Gwen, look at my beautiful dress!” Maggie spins around, her dress twirling around her. She is an adorable flower girl, dressed up in a puffy white dress with a pink ribbon around her waist and a matching one in her hair.

“You look so pretty, Maggie. You’re going to be the most beautiful flower girl ever.”

“I know,” she replies.

“Come on, honey,” Gillian says as she takes Maggie’s hand in hers. “Auntie Gwen has to finish making sure everything is ready.”

One problem solved. We have a flower girl. Check. Now, if only we could find the rings.

“Gwen!” Trent shouts my name from across the room. My stomach drops for a moment, unsure if it’s good news or bad. I brace for the worst.

As I turn around, I’m greeted by Trent’s smile. A smiling Trent can only mean . . .

“We found the rings!” Trent announces as he jogs up to me.

Overcome with happiness, I fling my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. “That’s excellent news,” I exclaim, excitementpouring out of me as Trent spins me around, his smile stretching all the way up to his eyes.

Setting me down, he says, “I know, I was so stressed out yesterday, but Courtney helped me tear my room apart. She found them in my dress shoes. I forgot I’d put the ring boxes in there so I wouldn’t forget them when I got dressed this morning.”

I’m not sure if I want to hug him again or smack him. I’m just so relieved they found the rings. “Courtney saved the day!” I say.

“She sure did,” agrees Trent.

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