Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
A single tear slips from one of her brilliant blue eyes, and I watch it travel down the softness of her cheek. Avril takes in a quivering breath. When she breathes out, she says, “That’s quite a speech, Mr. Hawthorne.”
“I’m pretty sure groveling speeches are required in situations like this,” I tell her.
Avril then lets out the most beautiful laugh I’ve ever heard, and it gives me hope because she finds me amusing right now.
“So, you really love me?” she asks with faux skepticism.
“It’s not just about loving you, baby. It’s about accepting the concept of love and opening my heart fully to it. I’m there, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready to show it to you if you’ll let me.”
I’m not prepared for Avril’s arms to fly around my neck, nor the force of her pulling me out of my squat and over the top of the armrest. It’s an awkward position, but I let her bury her face in my neck and hug the shit out of me while I try to work my arms around her in return.
“Fuck it,” I mutter as I stand and lift her from the chair.
Avril’s legs wrap around me, and she clings hard to me. I take two steps, turn, and sink down onto the noisy couch. I position her across my lap, and let her continue to hug me while I hold her close.
Finally, she pulls her head back and looks at me with eyes still awash with tears of happiness. I’ll never mind her crying as long as there’s joy shining back at me.
She nods her head, placing her palms on my cheeks. “Of course, I’ll give you another shot. You’re my love. I’m going to give you shot after shot, Dane. If you falter, I’m going to give you another shot, too.”
“I’m not sure why you’re doing this after how badly I hurt you.” Apparently, I’m still plagued by some insecurities.
“For seventeen years, I’ve been by your side. Ups and downs and chasing your dad away with a bat. Sex clubs and threesomes and eating ice cream in bed. You’re it for me, Dane. It’s you or no one, so even if things get hard again, I’m not letting go.”
“I’m not either,” I promise. “I swear it’s us till the end.”
The smile she gives me is so sweet and full of love I can barely look at it. My head tilts, and I’m the one burying my face in her neck now. I am not about to show her my naked emotion.
Not just yet.
Instead, I murmur against her skin. “Tell me, Avril. Tell me what I really want to hear.”
Her hands come to the back of my head to hold me to her as she says, “I love you, Dane.”
“God, I love you too,” I mutter, and then press my lips to her neck. I kiss her there gently, then pull my face away so I can put my mouth on hers.
She opens up to me, and my tongue finds its homecoming alongside hers. Avril’s moan slides right down my throat, and my hand slips inside her bathrobe to cup her breast.
“I fucking missed this body,” I say as I pull back to stare at her. “Please tell me your bed doesn’t squeak like this couch.”
She laughs and nods. “’Fraid so.”
“Fuck it.” I stand from the couch and head toward the tiny hall where I’m assuming I’ll find her bed. “The neighbors can share in the happiness of our reunion.”
And I get that beautiful sound again.
Avril laughing all the way back to the bedroom.
EPILOGUE
Andrew
Three months later…
It’s the wedding all of Las Vegas and the entire biotech industry’s been talking about. Mega-millionaire entrepreneur Dane Hawthorne marrying his long-time best friend and chief operations officer Avril Carrigan.
The church is almost filled to capacity. Avril’s family takes up two rows on her side, and Dane just has his father sitting in the first row on his side. Lyndon Hawthorne is sitting up straight in what looks to be a new suit, although he tugs at the tie uncomfortably. He and Dane are still getting to know each other, but I can tell this is really what Dane needed to fully heal.
The doors to the back vestibule open, and Avril stands there looking radiant and happier than I’ve ever seen her in her life. She has on a pure white strapless dress that has no adornments on it. Her veil doesn’t cover her face and only comes down to her lower back. No clue what type of flowers she holds in her hand, but they’re really pretty.
The music starts, and everyone stands as Avril is led down the aisle by her father. His chest is puffed out with pride. Avril looks left and right a few times at the wedding guests, but then her face turns and she locks eyes with me. With every slow step that she and her father make, my heart beats faster. The closer she gets to me, the more chills race up and down my spine.