Page 45 of Uniquely in Love

“I thought you’d like it. I’ll make an outdoorsman out of you yet, Ellie Bradford.”

She laughed, moving back up to her tiptoes and weaving her arms around my neck. “I’m not sure that’s a bet you can win, Owen Harper.”

I winked at her before leaning my head down to kiss her softly. An exploratory kiss.

My girl responded with fervor, kissing me back harder, and I groaned at her sweet taste. She was always so sweet. God, I couldn’t get enough.

“I want to show you something,” I murmured.

“Oh?” Ellie pulled back, running her fingers through my hair as she wrapped her legs around my waist.

“Uh-huh.” I nipped at her bottom lip. “Hold on.”

Carrying her through the water, I approached the waterfall. Behind it was a small cave, only a little bigger than both of us.

“Close your eyes,” I whispered against her ear, and when she complied, I covered her body with mine before walking through the waterfall. On the other side, I waded up to the edge of the cave. “Open.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and she brushed back the wet strands from her face before looking around us. “Wow. How’d you know this was here?”

I smirked. “I have my ways.” Helping her up onto the rock, I pulled my body up beside her, both of us sitting on it and staring at the backside of the waterfall.

It was loud in here, and it felt like I could barely hear myself think. But maybe that was what I liked about places like this. That here, I could block the rest out. I didn’t have to worry about who I was or my future. I didn’t have to worry about the NHL or what would become of my life now that I’d been drafted to the Seals. All I had to think about was the girl by my side, and how much I loved her.

Love. It was a big word. Huge. And even though we’d been dating for two years, I hadn’t said it yet. I didn’t know why. Maybe it was because we were so young. Maybe it was because I’dalwaysloved her. As a friend. Like my family. But things were different now.

“I’m so glad I have you in my life, El,” I said, almost having to shout over the sound of the water.

“Me too,” she responded, cupping my jaw. “It still feels like a dream, you know. That you like me. That out of everyone, you picked me. Your little sister’s best friend.”

“You’re a lot more than that, and you damn well know it,” I almost growled. “You’re my best friend too, Ellie. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Seeing you is the highlight of my day, every day.” She beamed, opening her mouth to say something, but I shook my head and continued. “When I finish practice and I see you there, on the bench, lacing up your skates, it’s like I see my future waiting for me.”

I rested my forehead against hers. “You are my future, Ellie Bradford. I know that it’s going to be hard the next two years till you’re in college. And I know the long distance is going to suck. But I’m in this for the long haul. I never want to live without you. I love you.”

“Owen…” She stroked my cheek, her eyes filling with unshed tears. “You’ve always been, and always will be, the best thing that ever happened to me.” She gave me a watery smile. “Do you know why I asked my mom to sign me up for ice skating lessons when I was little?” I shook my head. She’d never told me this before. “I still remember going to one of your peewee hockey games. It’s one of my earliest memories. But you looked so cool out there on the ice. And I knew, immediately, that I wanted to do that too.”

I blinked. “You started figure skating because ofme?”

She nodded, looking shy. “Yeah. And then I fell in love with it too. I love you, Owen. Always have.”

“Come here,” I murmured.

Ellie climbed into my lap, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight against my chest.

I didn’t know what the future held in store for us, but right now, I knew I held my entire world in my arms.

And I didn’t want to let her go. Not now… Not ever.

SIXTEEN

Ellie

NOW

God, my life was falling apart.

And I meant that quite literally.

I’d come home from school to find a pipe had burst in the wall, and there was a few inches of standing water in my apartment.

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