“Completely.”
“But--but your business. What are you--?”
“You leave that to me.”
“And, I mean, I leave in two days for--.”
“We’ll figure that out, too.”
“You want to come with me?” I asked.
“If you’ll have me.”
I paused. “Of course, I’ll have you, you idiot. My god, I love you so much.”
I pulled his lips back down to mine and the flowers fell to the floor. We stumbled into the couch, falling over the back of it and crashing down onto the cushions. His lips kissed my tears away as I arched into him. His hands pawed at me, tearing away my sweaty clothes and stripping me naked underneath him. He kicked off his shoes. Pulled off his coat. I loosened his tie and pulled it from around his neck. We rolled onto the floor, my naked body straddling his as we giggled with delight.
And as my lips crashed back down to his, I felt him grp my ass cheeks.
“You’re coming with me,” he growled.
I giggled. “And here I thought it was the other way around.”
He paused, standing up with me in his arms. “You really want me to come with you?”
“I wouldn't want it any other way, Eli.”
The tender kiss he pressed against my lips took my breath away. He walked me through the room, navigating the boxes strewn everywhere and the cockeyed furniture sprawled out in my bedroom. He walked us all the way into the bathroom, where I proceeded to turn on a hot shower for us to share. He set me down on the bathroom counter. His lips kissed down my salted neck. He wrapped his lips around my puckered peaks, making me drip down my ass crack for him.
“Eli, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I love you, Giana. More than I can fucking stand.”
He shed his clothes as his lips covered me in kisses. Steam filled the bathroom, shrouding up and wrapping around us. Trying to push us closer. I ran my hands along his naked form, feeling the rippling divots of his muscles. I kissed his chest, right where his heartbeat, and I heard him sigh with relief.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you more,” he murmured.
He picked me up with ease and walked us into the shower. And as the hot water bashed against my back, I captured his lips again. I cupped his cheeks, feeling my body molding to his. A shape it would take on forever as we journeyed to this new city together.
A thought that made my heart leap with delight.
He pressed me against the shower wall, guiding his cock straight into me. And I didn’t fight him over it, either. I’d missed him. I missed how he kissed me. How he smiled at me. How he touched me. How he filled me. I groaned as every thick inch pressed into my body, my walls quivering around him. He growled as he sank into me, my juices dripping down his shaft. I ran my fingers through his hair. I gazed into his glorious, darkened green eyes. He rolled his hips slowly. Swiveled his hips deftly.
And as my body stretched for him, I breathed the air he afforded me.
“Don’t ever leave me again,” I whispered.
“I sure as hell never make the same mistake twice, beautiful.”
I kissed his lips. “I love you.”
He nuzzled my nose. “I love you, too.”
“We’ll have to pack you up quickly.”
“For you, I’ll do anything.”
He thrust harder. “Oh, Eli. Yes!”
I bit into his shoulder. “That’s the spot, Giana.”
And as the steam from the water cloaked our bodies off from the rest of the world, he pounded into me.
Our moans collided. My pussy walls trembled around him. My tits jumped against his chest as our lips connected in sloppy, eager kisses. I locked my legs around him. I pulled him into the crook of my neck with my arms. I raked my nails down his back, hearing him growl and grunt against my skin. My eyes rolled back. My toes curled against his skin. I rolled against him, trying to meet him, thrust for thrust. Desperate to swallow him whole as our worlds crashed together.
“Giana. Fuck. Holy shit, woman. I--I love you. I love you. I love--.”
“That’s--the spot--Eli!”
My head fell back into the tiled wall of my shower as my pussy exploded around him. I felt juices spraying against his skin, my body trembling with convulsions. His cock coated the inside of my body with his hot seed. I felt him filling me until our intermingled juices dripped from between my legs. I felt him sliding me down the wall, collapsing into me as he slowly sank to his knees.
And as he knelt there in the tub of my shower, his face fell against my breasts.
Kissing the spot where he felt the beating of my heart.
20
Giana
One Year Later
“Where are we going again?” I asked.
“You remember that steak place we always pass by in town, but we always forget it requires reservations?” Eli asked.
“Nice! You finally remembered to make reservations?”
“Hey, I said ‘we’ in that statement.”
I giggled as I slid the earrings into my ears. I stood in the mirror, wondering why in the world Eli had me dressing up for something like this. The great thing about Lake George was that very few of the places around here required such fancy getups. Especially with all the outdoor activities around here, it was commonplace for sweaty individuals clad in hiking boots to walk into an Asian fusion restaurant and enjoy a meal without once being stared at.
Something that would have never happened back in the city.
“Oh! I also got an update from the home office,” Eli said.
“Are things going well with that new hire of yours? I know you were a bit hesitant to leave the business solely in their hands,” I said.
“Well, that’s the good news. Violet says he’s settling in very well, and he just won his first big case in court.”
“Eli, that’s outstanding! Is that what we’re celebrating tonight?”
“Among other things, yes. For one, it’s our one-year anniversary.”
“Well, duh. Yes.”
“And two, I love you.”
I smiled at him in the mirror. “I love you, too.”
“So, for once, let me shower you with some things.”
I snickered and shook my head. I smoothed my hands over the navy dress I’d picked out, then slipped myself into some heels. He was right, though. Officially, today, was our one-year anniversary. And while moving him with me to Lake George had really put a strain on our relationship, we made it through. The first order of business had been figuring out what to do with Eli’s business. He wanted to open up his own small-time shop here. But, we knew he’d have to keep the one in New York City open as well if he wanted any stream of income while opening up something here as well. That, in and of itself, took a while to coordinate. Which meant I moved into the cottage a good four months before Eli finally joined me.
We made it work, though.
Some days, however, I wasn’t sure how.
“Ready, beautiful?” Eli asked.
He offered me his arm, and I gladly took it. “Ready, handsome.”
“That dress looks incredible on you.”
“Mm, so does that suit. Is it new?”
“Yep. Tried out that new tailor in town. And I think he nailed it.”
“I have to say, I think he did, too. Love the paisley design on the tie. You should get more like that.”
“Duly noted.”
I smiled as he escorted me out of our little cottage. And as we walked out to my convertible, I thought back on everything we’d been through. Renting out the condo had been a bigger pain than I imagined it ever would have been. But, with Janie’s help, I ended up finding a tenant that took things seriously as a renter. I paid the manager of my old complex a nine percent fee off the top to coordinate things on that end. Everything from checking up on my tenant to using his staff to fix whatever issues might arise with the place. And with that extra stream of income, we were able
to open up Eli’s small-town attorney’s office right here in Lake George without digging ourselves into debt.
Which felt nice.
“Have you talked to your father lately?” Eli asked.
His voice pulled me from the beautiful views passing us by. “Actually, I did. I talked with him a couple days ago, just before they left for their trip.”
“Sounds like fun. How’s he doing?”
“I think he’s finally coming around to the idea of us living together.”
Eli snickered. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“Have you talked with your father at all?”
He nodded. “A bit, more and more, as time goes on.”
“How’s his health?”
“Well, it’s not terrible. I swear, my father will survive the nuclear holocaust. But, he’s still made the decision to pass things over to Julian.”
“Wait, everything?”
He nodded. “Yep. Absolutely everything. As of a week ago, my father is officially retired.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s a big step for him. And Julian.”
“Yeah.”
“Have you talked with your brother about it at all?” I asked.
“A lot. I’ve talked to him the past three days. And he sounds completely overwhelmed. But, despite the fact that I don’t agree with the lifestyle, I know this is what he wants,” he said.
“I get that.”
“I know you do. It’s one of the many reasons why I love you.”
I smiled as he brought my hand to his lips, kissing every knuckle he had access to. I blushed underneath his touch, enjoying the ride and the beauty around us while the sun started setting. I’d never get used to it. I’d never get used to waking up to the sounds of nature and being a five-minute walk away from one of the most gorgeous lakes this state had to boast of. Lake George was phenomenal. And I kept my eyes peeled for any houses that went up on the market around here.
Because Eli and I knew damn good and well this is where we wanted to plant our roots.
We pulled up to the restaurant and he quickly jumped out. He came around, opening my door before offering me his hand. I giggled as I took it, relishing the truly gentlemanly nature of his actions. He wrapped my arm around his before escorting me into the restaurant. But, I found it odd that we didn’t stop and wait for a hostess to seat us.
“Uh, Eli? Shouldn't we wait for--?”
The second we emerged into the back room, however, I gasped. Candles were lit everywhere. There was a bottle of red wine chilled and waiting for us on a table in the middle of the room. The flames flickered along the walls, casting serene and mysterious shadows as the silken tablecloths sparkled with delight. My jaw fell open in shock. I walked over to the table and traced my fingertip around the edge of the crystal wine glasses.
But, nothing prepared me for the shock that flooded my system when I turned back around. To face Eli.
And found him down on one knee.
“Eli,” I breathed.
He smiled up at me as his hand slipped into his pocket. He pulled out a red velvet ring box, popping it open to reveal the most amazing ring I’d ever seen in my life. My hands flew to my face. Tears crested my eyes. I walked slowly over to him, taking in the dazzling diamond surrounded by emeralds and iridescent gray-like stones.
The colors of both our eyes.
“Giana, from the second I laid eyes on you, I knew you were my world. You stunned me in my tracks with your beauty that night. And the fact that you saved my brother’s life was simply icing on the cake for me. I caught a glimpse of your strength that evening. Your cool, calm, collected demeanor. I got a glimpse of what it meant to be in your presence, and I knew I needed more.”
“Oh, Eli,” I whispered.
“You swept me off my feet. Even with running smack dab into me that morning, you swept me clear off my feet. And I knew I couldn't go another second without knowing who you were. What you wanted with your life. Even if I only got one date out of it--even if I only got one conversation out of it--I knew it’d be worth it. And now, here I am, kneeling before you in the hopes you’ll answer one very loaded question for me.”
“Ask,” I said softly.
His smiled brightened as he stood up. He plucked the ring from the box, holding my left hand softly within his right palm. Tears streaked my face as he poised the ring just beyond my ring finger, the anticipation building within me.
“Giana Ricci, will you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife?”
And as I slipped my finger into the ring, I laughed with delight.
“Yes, Eli. Of course, I’ll become your wife.”
I threw my arms around him and kissed him. Until clapping from the shadows caused me to cry out. I leapt into Eli’s arms, listening as he chuckled softly against my ear. He pressed kiss after kiss against my skin. My cheek. The shell of my ear. The corner of my lips. And when I saw my father emerge from the shadows, my heart sang with delight.
Then, my mother followed.
Then, Julian followed.
And even still, Eli’s father and mother came out from the shadows.
“Oh, my gosh,” I whispered.
“Surprise,” Eli murmured.
And as I turned my head toward him, gazing into the eyes of my future husband, I wanted for nothing. I wished for nothing. I dreamt of nothing, because I had everything.
I had my life. I had my future. I had everything I could have ever wished for out of my life.
“I love you so much,” I said, my smile spanning from ear to ear.
“And I love you more than you’ll ever know,” Eli said.
I guess good things really do come in time.
Want to know what happens next?
The next book, Ciro, releases in November!
About Savannah Rylan
Savannah Rylan is a romance writer that spends most of her time writing and reading with her cat, Gris. When not penning the next great American novel, (HA), you can find her on the beach with a drink in her hand or at the gym testing out some strange new position. Yoga, obviously. She lives in Southern California with her husband and Gris, the true love of her life.
You can join her mailing list here!
Check out her website!
About Kasey Krane
Kasey Krane is a tattoo artist living in the beautiful (and hot) state of Texas. She enjoys drawing but writing has recently become a new passion for her. Especially when it's too damn hot to do anything outside. Whiskey neat is her drink of choice and she's never met a truck she doesn't like. Enjoy her bad boys, she sure does.
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More Books by Savannah Rylan
Series
Cage (Dead Souls MC: Prospects #1)
Bear (Dead Souls MC: Prospects #2)
Saint (Dead Souls MC: Prospects #3)
Ryker (Dead Souls MC: Prospects #4)
Texas (The Lost Boys MC #1)
Stone (The Lost Boys MC #2)
Bronx (The Lost Boys MC #3)
Notch (The Lost Boys MC #4)
Jace (The Black Hornets MC #1)
Maverick (The Black Hornets MC #2)
Duke (The Black Hornets MC #3)
Colt (The Black Hornets MC #4)
Thor (The Black Hornets MC #5)
Jagger (The Black Hornets MC #6)
Knox (Dead Souls MC #1)
Grave (Dead Souls MC #2)
Brewer (Dead Souls MC #3)
Rock (Dead Souls MC #4)
Diesel (Deal Souls MC #5)
Girth (Marked Skulls MC #1)
Rodeo (Marked Skulls MC #2)
Abe (Marked Skulls MC #3)
Oz (Marked Skulls MC #4)
Dash (Marked Skulls MC #5)
Hawk (The Road Rebels MC #1)
Talon (The Road Rebels MC #2)
Snake (The Road Rebels MC #3)
Fox (The Road Rebels MC #4)
Gunner (The Bad Disciples MC
#1)
Hunter (The Bad Disciples MC #2)
Tank (The Bad Disciples MC #3)
Glock (The Bad Disciples MC #4)
Eli (Sinful Shadows Mafia Book 2) Page 13