by Leia Stone
On the dance floor, close to them was Tessa and Jared. Definitely something going on with those two. And was that … well, I’ll be damned. Looked like Kyle was going full steam ahead with his Sasha plan. Although, knowing that kickass chick, she’d been the one with the plan all along. Sasha had been the only SWAT human to accept the wedding invitation, but I was still going with my theory that she wasn’t actually human. Too much awesome in there for her not be something a little more.
“Can you take a break from all of your evil plotting?” Ryder came out of nowhere and I turned, smiling.
“What did you have in mind?” I raised an eyebrow. It was very dark out now, with only candles and the moon to light the night.
He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “I’ve always wanted to have sex on the beach.”
I grinned. “What a coincidence. So have I.”
Jayden caught my eye as we were leaving and blew me a kiss. I winked and blew him one back.
Okay, so sex on the beach was a loose term. I wasn’t really that keen on sand in my ass. Thankfully, Ryder had already thought of that, and we had rented an exclusive cabana house on stilts that was literally out in the ocean.
We didn’t really speak; there was no need for words as Ryder slowly undressed me, his mouth caressing every part of my bare skin. The warm breezes embraced us though the open windows, white sheer curtains flowing in the wind as Ryder made love to me. He kissed me at least a thousand times over every inch of my body, touching each spot reverently.
This was it.
This was my happy.
I didn’t need marriage or kids with Ryder. Just being together, like this, forever. That’s all I wanted. No labels required.
Afterwards, when I was barely coherent, and my body still trembled from the sensations, Ryder held me tightly, stroking softly up the side of my neck. After a while he sat up, the sheet falling to reveal all of his glorious naked body. He pulled out his cell phone.
“I want to show you something,” he said, flicking through his phone quickly before handing it to me.
It was a house. The front of a beautiful, modest, Craftsman. The address said Portland. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.
“What’s this?”
“Our new home,” he said. “If you want,” he added quickly.
OMFG, he’d bought us a house. “I want!” I shouted, and threw myself on him, kissing him.
He smiled. “Good, because it closes next week and Oliver bought Jayden the house down the street.”
Jayden and I were going to be neighbors? Oh the shenanigans we would get up to. If I had it my way, then Tessa and Jared wouldn’t be far behind us. Then Sam and Becca. I was grinning like an idiot and Ryder was looking at me with a serious gaze.
“What?”
He chuckled. “When I saw you all those months ago at the club, I knew you would be special, but I never thought you were capable of this. You changed everything, Charlie. You changed the way the world lives. But most importantly, you changed me. I was a shell of an ash and man. I never even knew what I was missing.” He kissed my lips softly. “I love you.”
I was lost in his kiss, before pulling back to express my absolute adoration and love for him. I’d never imagined a few months ago, when I turned ash and I thought my whole world was falling apart, that I would end up here. I had found my family. Or added to it at least. I had so much more now than I ever imagined.
“You know it wasn’t just me that changed the world,” I said, kissing him softly. “We did it together. I love you more than anything. You are my greatest reward.” The rest of my words were lost in our kisses. I never wanted to stop kissing him. He was the best thing that ever happened to me. They all were.
THE END
Loving books from team Jaymin & Leia? Keep your eyes peeled for Queen Heir, Book One in the NYC Mecca Series, their new fantasy paranormal romance crossover coming early 2017.
Acknowledgements from Leia: As always I am so thankful to my amazing best friend and writing partner Jaymin Eve. She took a chance on me when I said I had a fun idea but didn’t know what to do with it and asked her if she wanted to co-write something with me. Now we have created this amazing world with these amazing characters that I will always love. You have made this process so fun and I can’t wait for our next series together. A big thank you to Steven Smithen for the big rig consult =) We really appreciate it. Also to all of my readers and especially the Ash Enforcers, we love you guys so much! I’m so grateful to my supportive husband for taking time off of his career to support mine and help with our kids. Love you to the moon and back babe~!
Acknowledgements from Jaymin: The end of an era. Okay, not really an era, but it has felt like an epic nine months of being in the Hive world. First, and always, I love Leia Stone. She is the best friend an author, human or other could ask for. We talk a lot about fate bringing us together, and I have never been more sure of that. Written in the stars. BAFFs for life. Next I want to thank Andi for being a truly supportive friend. She beta reads all of my books (usually more than once) and is always there for support and reassurance. When I fall into a heap of author mess, she picks me up, dusts me off, kicks my butt, and sets me on my way again. She’s a keeper. Huge thanks to my release team. I’d love to mention you all by name, because I feel like we’re a family, but just know I love and appreciate every single one of you. Also to my Nerd Herd and Ash Enforcers. You guys rock!! I love spending time with you all. Your support means everything. Thank you to Lee for your awesome editing, as always, you took our words and made them so pretty. And to Tamara, our cover artist. You’re awesome! We love every single thing you do for us, you bring our worlds to life. To my family. Thank you so much for all your support and love. I couldn’t do what I do without you, and I never forget that. I love you more than words. And I’m an author with a lot of words. Lastly to our fans. We love you. You have no idea how blessed we feel to be able to do this as a job, to be able to create worlds, and fall in love with these amazing characters. And we can do that because of you. All of our books are for you. xxx.
Books from Leia Stone
Matefinder Trilogy (Optioned for film)
Matefinder: Book 1
Devi: Book 2
Balance: Book 3
Matefinder Next Generation
Keeper: Book 1
Hive Trilogy
Ash: Book 1
Anarchy: Book 2
Annihilate: Book 3
Stay in touch with Leia: www.facebook.com/leia.stone/
Mailing list: http://goo.gl/0EX98P
Books from Jaymin Eve
A Walker Saga - YA Paranormal Romance series (complete)
First World - #1
Spurn - #2
Crais - #3
Regali - #4
Nephilius - #5
Dronish - #6
Earth - #7
Supernatural Prison Trilogy - NA Urban Fantasy series
Dragon Marked - #1
Dragon Mystics - #2
Dragon Mated - #3
Supernatural Prison Stories
Broken Compass - #1
Sinclair Stories
Songbird - Standalone Contemporary Romance
Hive Trilogy
Ash - #1
Anarchy - #2
Annihilate: #3
Stay in touch with Jaymin: www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Author
Website: www.jaymineve.com
Mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bQw8Kf
" class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share