Page 69 of Forever Fallen

Sophie looked up at him, nearly choking on her bite, and met his intense gaze… before smiling shyly.

“I can be done right now,” she hedged, blushing fiercely as the memories of yesterday ran through her mind immediately.

Their stolen moments in the middle of the night had been so beautiful, so loving, between them – that yes… she’d leave her food and starve if she had to, only to experience those shared feelings again.

Ryan’s amused chuckle made her cheeks even hotter – and she saw that he was blushing too, watching her, and smiling hard enough that a slight dimple appeared on his cheek.

“Eat, Sophie…” he urged gently, his voice intimate as he glanced at her. “You might need your strength and I don’t want you wasting away.”

* * *

Less than an hour later,they were running up the front steps to the house, laughing like mischievous children and stopping to kiss each other wildly.

Ryan already was unbuckling his belt and laughing because his hands were shaking, causing her to chuckle beside him as she yanked off her heels… letting them drop on the wooden porch.

They kept trying to shush each other from making noise, giggling quietly as they stepped inside.

Ryan swung her up into his arms, causing Sophie to yelp slightly, as he kicked off his shoes noisily, blindly thumping them against the wall near their bedroom door, as she kissed him. Neither cared anymore about the noise they made entering the home, regardless of the guests.

No, for Sophie, it was more of the desperate need to love her husband and see that beautiful glimpse of his soul as he touched her. She only prayed that this feeling was the same for Ryan as she suspected, and hoped that this never, ever faded or burnt out over time.

Ryan opened the bedroom door, kicking it closed behind him, before setting her down on her feet. Her breath caught as he locked the door and turned to her…

Sophie smiled and held out her hand invitingly.

CHAPTER21

REAPER

“I need your help… again,”Ryan began as he looked at Armadillo at the front of the classroom. They were doing practical application today and would be going over a few things before taking turns to take off with the students.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I want to renew my vows with Sophie,” he said quietly, feeling a little foolish as the cowboy turned to him in surprise. “I don’t want her to know, and I just need it to be something simple. Our friends and their families, you know? I just…”

“Dude, you don’t have to explain,” Armadillo interrupted, grinning. “I’m just a little surprised that our ol’ Reaper is such a softie when it comes to his little woman.”

“She’s my entire world.”

“I understand completely – and yeah. You know we’ll all help out. Got any ideas? I mean, you leave in what…”

“Eight days,” Ryan said bitterly. “I don’t get leave again for almost a year, so I want this to be something that neither of us forget.”

“You sure you want something simple then?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Simple, emotional, and quickly put together… right?“ Armadillo asked, pulling out his phone and texting someone. “This might be easier than we realize. Can you get a few things together? Like candles or flowers? I’ll contact Dixie and ask her about a cake. I’ve got the perfect place… trust me.”

“As long as it’s not a barn – fine.”

“Har-de-har-har…”

“I’ll run to the store tonight to get some things…” Ryan began, feeling almost excited at the idea of surprising Sophie. “Do you think Delilah will be up to taking a few photos for us?”

“So long as you don’t need them developed before you leave,” Armadillo warned protectively. “She’s going to have the baby anytime now and I won’t have her stressing out or trying to do too much.”

“I wouldn’t ask that of her. I just want a way for us to…”

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