Page 155 of Ripped & Shipped
I run my hand through his hair and down his beard. “You made it so easy.”
Chris leans in so his face is next to mine, his mouth tickling my ear, and then he whispers, “I like making things easy for you, Boots.”
I shudder from the feel of his breath on my neck.
He kisses me in the very spot that’s already feeling sensitive. Then he kisses his way around to my mouth. When our lips meet, I feel sparks erupt everywhere. Maybe it’s the aftermath of so much emotion. Maybe it’s just us, together.
Chris pulls back and looks down at me.
“I’ve never felt like this for anyone else.”
I smile up at him, feeling more content than I’ve felt in days.
“Felt like what?”
“Love.”
I think he’s done, but he runs his hand along my face, his blue eyes gazing into mine with such intensity of emotion, I hardly know how to keep looking at him.
“The kind of love I feel for you is like nothing I’ve ever felt.”
He’s talking so carefully, like he needs me to absorb every word.
“It’s this love that makes me take stock. The kind of love that makes me fly to LA to chase you down—not because I didn’t think you could handle yourself, but because I always want to be there when the world doesn’t perceive how amazing you are.”
He cups my face and leans down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.
When he pulls back, he says, “Ella Mae, I’m not pulling out a ring quite yet, but I want you to know how serious I am about you. You’re the one I want to do everything with.
“I want to feed one another dessert, to share our secrets, and to be the one to hold you when you cry. I want to watch you take over the world with your passion for positivity. I want to be the one person who gets to see the girl behind the camera—as she really is, vulnerable, tender, beautiful. And I’ve never felt like that before.”
I smile at him. Wondering if I can even find the words to tell him what he means to me.
“You’ve been what no one ever has to me, Chris. I’ve had friendship—especially with Meg. And I’ve dated guys here and there. But I’ve never had a man see me so clearly and love me despite all my flaws. The way you believe in me is overwhelming.
“But even if you weren’t all that. I’d still love you. I used to think you were this tough guy who never knew how to have fun. I was so wrong. You’re the most kind hearted, caring, selfless man. And you make me laugh. I’ve never wanted any man as much as I want you. And I don’t want you to save me. I just want to share my life with you—to be the one who goes to our secret place by the lake with you. I want to be the one who cheers you on, and who makes you feel like you can take on the world, and also reminds you that you don’t have to. I’m so madly in love with you, Soldier.”
Chris smooths my hair back and leans in to take my mouth in another kiss. It starts slow and tender, but we’re both too wound up with all the emotions we’ve just expressed to one another. Chris kisses me like a man in love. And I kiss him with all the passion I feel for him. I run my fingers along the edge of his hairline across the back of his neck. A deep rumble comes up his throat. I giggle. He leans back, smiling down at me. This is us. Able to move from a moment of deep intimacy into a fit of laughter together. When our laughter dies down, I snuggle closer to Chris. We lay there holding one another, looking up at the stars overhead.
Bordeaux may have welcomed me back tonight, but this—being held in Chris’ arms—this is home.
* * *
The End
But wait! There’s more …
Epilogue
Ella Mae
“You look beautiful,like a bride out of a magazine,” Meg’s mom coos over her.
“I one hundred percent agree,” I say from across the bridal suite.
I finish swiping the last coat of waterproof mascara on my lashes and stand to walk over toward Meg.
Meg and Joe chose a venue in Dayton, only a half-hour from Bordeaux. It’s a historic home with a sprawling back yard with beautiful gardens. So far, the weatherman is on our side. Having an outdoor May wedding in southwest Ohio is like putting all your chips on black. You’ll either win or you’ll lose.
