Page 62 of Forever Fallen

It was like watching everything move through slow motion in that second that her words clicked in his mind. She saw a myriad of expressions cross his face as well as a blossoming realization and flare of passion.

He stepped forward, pulling her towards him, and kissed her heatedly as he punctuated each kiss with a breathless mantra whispered reverently in the fading light.

“I love you, Soph… I love you… I love you…”

Ryan picked her up, his hands gripping the ‘bean bags’ as he carried her, and she almost laughed the moment that his hysterical description popped into her mind.

He carried her across the room, not breaking the kiss and unwilling to let go, as he laid her down on the bed.

“Guess the pillow wall idea is out?” she smiled lovingly up at him, knowing exactly what was on her husband’s mind in that moment.

“Gone…” he confirmed tenderly. “I don’t want to hurt you either, but I’m done fighting. This is the most wonderful surrender I’ve every beheld in my life. I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me, Sophie, and I promise that I’ll do everything I can to figure this all out as we move forward together.”

“Maybe that ‘five years or so’should be extended…?” she replied innocently, brushing her knuckle across his brow as he leaned over her.

“How does twenty to thirty years or so… sound to you?” he uttered, taking her hand, and kissing her knuckles, before uncurling them to lay a kiss on the palm of her hand tenderly.

Sophie could see the love in his eyes and the insecurity that maybe this would all fade away before the both of them. No, she wanted these memories, these moments, and time was running down.

Did she ever think that she would marry someone so fast, fall so hard, or love him with such abandon?

Never.

Would she change a thing?

Only the fact that they had less than two weeks before she wouldn’t see him for a year. Knowing that yawning gulf of time was before them, she wasn’t going to let doubt or disbelief stop her anymore.

If this was a mistake, she didn’t want to know until after he was gone… and she would find a way to heal or manage later. No, she was going to take her precious moments with Ryan and treasure them forever for as long as she could.

“Twenty to thirty years sounds perfect,” she whispered tenderly.

“Or so?” he teased, smiling at her.

“Or so…” she confirmed as he kissed her.

CHAPTER18

REAPER

Ryan laythere in the dark beside Sophie in sheer disbelief and wonder at this incredible woman he’d been blessed to come across… and then marry.

She was everything he could have ever asked for or dreamt of.

Tough as nails, yet gentle and emotional. Sophie could be arguing with him one minute and laughing the next… all while plotting to outfox him.

When she’d angrily joked about her deodorant on the plane, flushed the toilet on him while he was in the shower, and sat meekly on the front porch drinking a hot cocoa with him?

Ryan knew he was a goner.

Fighting against every instinct within him, he’d fought so hard against falling for Sophie. He kept telling himself that this was a temporary thing between them, and he knew they would divorce in thirty days, then a year… and admittedly when she said five years was the amendment in the will?

He’d been upset – but not with her.

He was upset with himself and stunned at her words. It was because he was already neck deep in this quagmire and falling for her. Five years would make it impossible to say goodbye when it was time… and he felt so relieved.

Now that he’d made love to Sophie, his unexpected and beautiful bride? He would move mountains for her, just because of this connection that he felt so deep in his soul.

They had seen each other at their best and worst – and he couldn’t believe what an incredible person she was. She reached for him, made him laugh or smile, cried against him while letting him be the hero for a moment… and recognized his indifferent attitude for what it was.

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