His lips meet mine in a soft, sweet caress. One hand moves through my hair, cupping my head gently as he kisses my cheeks, my eyes, my temples.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” he murmurs. “I love you so fucking much. Have probably loved you for years, though how I felt then is nothing to what I feel now. You walking into my office for the first time was the best and worst moment of my life.”
I giggle, drawing back to see his smile. “Why the best and worst?”
His thumb grazes my cheek tenderly. “It was the worst because you looked at me like you wanted to tear me to pieces, and because I wasn’t sure I could—or wanted—to stop you.”
“And the best?” I whisper.
“It was the best because I knew I was going to help you. That you were mine, had always been mine, and I was just as much yours. You didn’t bring me back to life, Amelia. You gave me life.”
I don’t know whether to sob or laugh, so I kiss him instead. I kiss him until the darkness of the last sixteen days dissolves completely. Eventually we become aware of our surroundings, the presence of children and adults in the garden.
“Can we take this somewhere private?” he whispers in my ear.
I laugh and stand, pulling him up with me. “Yes, but there’s something we have to do first.”
He frowns, disgruntled. “You really want to walk the labyrinth?”
“Nope.” I check my watch. “We’re going skydiving with Kinsey and Nix in exactly one hour, so we’d better get moving.”
The shock on Leo’s face is everything.
Epilogue
Leo
Dropping my briefcase inside the front door, I follow the sound of voices to the kitchen. Unnoticed on the threshold, I take in the scene before me. The space is absolutely trashed. Eggshells leaking onto the counter, empty boxes of baking mix on the floor, flour all over the stove. Ferdi’s sitting on the kitchen table, tail twitching as he surveys his kingdom.
It’s absolutely perfect.
Amelia and Vince have their backs to me, chatting as they layer icing onto a hundred cupcakes for a school fundraiser. Vince hangs on his stepmother’s every word, staring at her with blind adoration. Like father like son.
I gaze at my wife, her blond hair in a messy bun, her oversized T-shirt and leggings liberally sprinkled with batter and chocolate icing. I’m torn between the desire to bask in appreciation for my family and the need to drag her into our shower for a quickie.
“Do you think your friends will tease you?” asks Amelia, her concerned tone diverting my attention from the tantalizing outline of her ass.
Vince is quick to respond. “No way! They think you’re awesome. They’re already jealous I have three moms and that none of theirs are as cool as mine. They’ll just be more jealous that I get to see you whenever I want.”
Amelia ruffles his hair. “Aw, thanks, buddy. I’m so glad I get to be one of your moms.”
I frown, trying fruitlessly to figure out what they’re talking about.
“Besides,” continues Vince, “I won’t be in middle school for another year. Dad says there’s no point worrying about things that haven’t happened yet.”
Now I understand. Amelia recently landed her dream job working as a guidance counselor. The middle school just so happens to be in Vince’s school district, a huge blessing since it’s close to home and means less hours apart.
“Your dad is pretty smart.”
“Yeah, for an old guy.”
I clear my throat loudly. They jump, spinning with guilty smiles.
“Hi, honey! How was work?”
“Dad! Look at all the cupcakes!”
I can’t hold my frown. “Work was fine. Cupcakes look great. What do you two feel like for dinner?”
Vince grins. “Amelia said I could go to Theo’s house for dinner. They’re having pizza and then we’re going to play the new video game he got for his birthday.”
My smile grows as I behold my wife’s mischievous grin. “Sounds good, bud. When are you heading out?”
Vince looks expectantly at Amelia, who waves a hand. “Go, go. I’ll finish up here. Don’t forget to thank Theo’s parents! We’ll pick you up at eight.”
“It’s only a block away!”
“I don’t want you walking home in the dark.”
“But I’m almost eleven!”
Amelia batts her eyelashes, and it’s game over.
Vince mutters, “Fine,” and stomps from the room.
I take advantage of the moment, crossing the kitchen to pull her into my arms. “You have us wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?”
She grins up at me. “You like it.”
I nuzzle the warm, soft skin under her jaw, breathing her scent like it’s my first taste of oxygen. After a long day, it might as well be. I already feel revitalized.
“You know what else I like?” I murmur, kissing beneath her ear where I know she’s extra sensitive. She rewards me with a breathy little moan.
“Ew, you guys!” exclaims Vince. “Can you at least wait till I leave?”
“Bye, Vince. Love you!” chirps Amelia.
“Have fun at Theo’s,” I add.
A few seconds later, the front door slams. I chuckle into her hair. “Do you think we’re scarring him for life?”
She laughs, leaning back in my arms. “You’re the psychiatrist.”
I grin. “Then the answer is no. Definitely not. Besides, it’s my job to show him how to treat a partner he loves.”
“Mmhmm,” she says, eyes dancing.
I wipe a spot of frosting off her cheek and she grabs my finger, sucking it into her mouth. My cock twitches in interest. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I walk backward, bringing her with me. Halfway up the stairs, I almost trip when she sucks a second finger into her warm mouth.
With a sultry laugh, she rubs against me. “Well, hello there.”
In reply, I sweep her off her feet and carry her the rest of the way to our bedroom. By the time my knees hit the bed, I’ve lost any and all patience. Luckily, so has she. As I tackle my tie and belt, she whips off her shirt and kicks off her leggings, then falls back to the comforter. Perched on my knees, I watch my goddess spread her legs and touch herself.
“You’re wet for me, Amelia.” My voice is low, harsh. I’m hard as a fucking rock and haven’t even touched her yet.
She arches her back. “Always.”
I don’t bother with my shoes or socks, or even removal of my pants. They dangle from my hips as I crawl over her and circle my tongue around one pretty, pert nipple.
“Forget the foreplay,” she moans, her small hands finding me and guiding me to her entrance. “I need you.”
I capture her mouth, sweeping my tongue against hers, then rise up to watch her face as I sink inside her. The flush on her cheeks, her panting breath, the love and desire in her eyes… Nothing on this earth is more beautiful. Or fierce. Courageous. Rare.
Her legs come around my hips, nails digging into my waist. I give myself over to my need and hers, finding a rhythm that elevates her to a writhing, sweaty, gorgeous mess. She climaxes fast and hard, pulsing and squeezing me like a vise, and I follow her greedily off the edge.
“Fuuuck,” I groan into her mouth.
“We just did,” she whispers back.
Chuckling, I roll us over so she lies replete on my chest. We’re a wet, sticky mess—just the way I like us. Amelia stays still for less than a minute before propping her arms and chin on my chest.
She grins. Wicked—joyful. “Guess what?”
I tuck an errant hair behind her ear. “What?”
“Vince is going to be a big brother.”
It takes a few seconds for her words to filter past my pleasure-soaked mind. Then they register. Happiness pours through me like sunshine, building into a grin and misting my eyes with tears.
“Really? You took a test?”
She nods, smiling ecstatically. “Eight of them. You know, just in case. Aw, are yo
u crying?”
I tug her to me, kissing her hard. “I love you. I’m so happy. Are you happy?”
Her laughter rings in the quiet room. “So happy I’m flying. I do have a favor to ask, though.”
Nuzzling her nose with mine, I answer her unasked question. “Julia for a girl, Jackson for a boy.”
She sighs contentedly. “Oh, and—”
“Pistacchio gelato in the freezer.”
Her eyes soften with emotion—gratitude and love and the barest shadow of the old lie she told herself. That she doesn’t deserve happiness. That she isn’t worthy of it.
I kiss her until she remembers she is.
The End
I hope you enjoyed Amelia and Leo’s unconventional love story! If you have a minute, please consider leaving a brief review on Amazon.
xo,
L
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Also by L.M. Halloran
THE VISION SERIES
Double Vision
Perfect Vision
The Art of Sin (2019)
THE RELUCTANT SERIES
The Reluctant Socialite
The Reluctant Heiress (novella)
STANDALONE NOVELS
The Muse
Breaking Giants
About the Author
When not writing or reading, the author enjoys walking barefoot, subjecting her husband to questionable recipes, and chasing her spirited toddler. She's a rabid fan of coffee, moon-gazing, and small dogs that resemble Ewoks. Home is San Diego, CA, but her heart lives in Portland.
lmhalloran.com
The Fall Before Flight Page 22