by Alicia Rae
I loved Raelyn beyond words, so I choked down my real thoughts and swallowed the lump in my throat. “Then, we’ll have pink flowers brought in by the truckload.”
Her brows jumped, and her lips fought a twitching smile. “Wow, you really do love me.”
“With all that I am,” I cut in, not faltering in the slightest.
“That’s good because that face you just made”—she lifted her finger and circled it around my face—“told me everything I needed to know about your feelings toward the color pink.”
I laughed, good and proper. “Guess I’m not good at hiding my facial expressions, huh?”
“Nope.” She chuckled. “Good thing I wasn’t planning on having pink though, right?”
I couldn’t stifle my relieved sigh. “You’re not?”
“No. I want dozens and dozens of flowers, but I’d like them all to be white lilies and silver roses.”
That piqued my curiosity, so I questioned, “Why silver?”
She set her hand on my face and caressed my cheek. “Because your grays get a hint of silver in them when you’re with me.”
“I fucking love you.” I leaned over and pressed my lips to hers, giving her a luscious kiss before pulling back. Nothing could rob me of the grin on my face. “So, the flowers will be white and silver. That’s one thing scratched off our list. Now, on to the location. What churches and reception halls have you been looking at? Maybe I can help narrow them down for you.”
“Well, that’s just it.” Raelyn flipped through several pages of her magazine until she landed on one with a beach. “The first time you kissed me was on the beach. Our first date was on a boat, out in the ocean.”
I instantly followed the direction of her thoughts, so I said, “So, you want to get married on the beach?”
“Yes,” she answered swiftly. “I don’t want to feel guilty for skipping out on tradition though.”
“Do you want the beach? Yes or no.”
She nodded, briefly biting on her lower lip. “Very much so.”
“Then, a beach, it is.” I wondered where the best location was. It came to me within seconds. “I first kissed you on the beach of my backyard. I think that’s the perfect place to exchange our vows,” I added sincerely.
Raelyn’s stunning greens glowed with awe. “Really? You wouldn’t mind having a wedding at our house in our backyard?”
“Of course not.” I brushed my thumb along her cheek, soaking in that smile of hers. “I told you, anything for you.”
“Our backyard, it is.”
“Good.” I redirected my attention to the thick magazine. “Does this thing have any cakes in it?”
“Yes, the fourth sticky note, about three quarters of the way through the magazine.”
I followed her directions and stared at the page. There were at least eight cakes on here. “Which one do you like?”
She pointed to a five-tiered square cake. “This one.”
It was all white with pearls around the bottom of each layer. “I like it. A lot.” It was the truth.
“I’d like to add a couple of small white lilies and silver roses to the sides of each layer, all staggered.”
I envisioned her thoughts. “That will look great.”
“I think so, too.”
“Done.” This isn’t so bad. “Now, all we have left to do is hire an officiant, a photographer, and a DJ.”
“And get my wedding gown.”
“And a dress.” I grinned rather boyishly. I couldn’t wait to see that. “You take care of the gown, and I’ll take care of the others along with hiring a wedding planner to see it all through. I want this to be stress-free for you.”
“Okay.” She nodded.
I closed the magazine and gently grabbed hers. I flung the papers hard, making sure they landed on the deck. Then, I rotated on my side. We swayed left and right.
Raelyn latched on to my upper arm and screeched, “Damien, what are you doing? We’ll tip!”
“Relax. I got this.”
We continued to rock as I moved her to the center of the floaty, came up over her, and pushed my legs between hers. My hips rested in the middle of her thighs, and I lowered my elbows on either side of her rib cage. My longer torso nicely compensated for our height difference, as I was able to be close to her.
“There,” I stated, quite pleased with myself for not rolling us into the pool.
With my feet dangling off the floating device, I padded us out around the pool. Raelyn’s hands found my hair where she ran her fingers back and forth. It made my head lower to what happened to be the center of her breasts.
She wiggled them seductively and asked, “Comfy?” Her voice was drenched with amusement.
I kissed each finger of hers. “Very.”
A quietness settled over us as the minutes passed. When I had been younger, no noise had bothered me. But here, with Raelyn, I found it to be enjoyable and serene. We didn’t need to talk, for we could peacefully enjoy one another.
The sun was hot on my back yet perfectly so.
I could feel Raelyn’s heart beating beneath me, and I counted the beats, feeling them match my own. Everything was right in the world when it was just the two of us. There were no stresses. No one was interfering with our happiness. No one was trying to pry her away from me. I wanted to stay here, hidden away from outsiders, forever. I longed for life to be that simple.
Eventually, that perfect sun became too hot. I inched my way up to find Raelyn’s delectable body covered in a light sheen of sweat, matching my own.
Her stunning greens flickered open and fixated on mine, gazing at me with pure adoration, as I hovered above her.
“Yes?” She hummed, seeming content with our former resting position.
“It’s time to cool off, gorgeous. I’m roasting.”
She shook her head, denying me, and offered, “I’m good. You can swim if you’d like though.”
That just didn’t work for me. I wanted her by my side—or preferably wrapped around my body—as we waded through the water.
“No can do. Let’s cool off together, and then we can return to floating.”
“Stubborn as ever,” she muttered, more to herself than to me.
“And you’re my stubborn match.” I grinned and then switched my tactics, going for distraction. “Kiss me then,” I demanded gruffly.
I didn’t give her a chance to respond. I pressed my lips to hers, giving her every part of me and taking everything of her in return. I deepened the kiss, and she moaned into my mouth, instantly going soft beneath me.
I had my girl right where I wanted her.
I snuck my hand to the side of the floaty and pulled, capsizing us. The cool water covered my burning flesh, and I welcomed the feel of it. Raelyn landed on top of me, pushing me deeper into the water. I kicked off the bottom of the pool while grabbing her waist to take her with me.
We both came up, gasping for air, with the floating device over our heads. I quickly shoved it out of the way, so we could wade freely.
Those greens of hers landed on me once again. This time, they weren’t filled with adoration though. Nope, they were fiery. She was a firecracker fit to burst.
She pointed that finger of hers at me. “You…” She trailed off, losing her words while fighting a smile.
I tuned out her wrath, determined to swoon my girl again, and I tugged her into my arms. “Sorry, gorgeous. I couldn’t resist.” I failed to keep a straight face.
“You are such an ass!” She struggled against me.
“You fucking love me. Don’t deny it.” I gave her my boyish grin, the one reserved just for her.
Slipping my hands around to her backside, I hauled her toward my body before gliding my hands beneath the scrap of material covering her sex. Ever so teasingly, I trailed my finger up and down the folds of her center. A bolt of pure, raw love and passion for this woman shot straight to my groin, and I went rock solid in my shorts.
“Impossible man,” s
he whispered under her breath.
My heartbeat skyrocketed.
Then, she ravished my mouth, and I fucking loved every second of it.
seventeen
Raelyn
It was still dark when I peeled my eyes open the next morning. I was one of those people that, once I was awake, there was no going back to sleep, so I sat up and stretched. The white satin sheets were so soft and inviting, I nearly lay back down. I didn’t though. Instead, I turned to face Damien.
My heart beat faster.
My Damien.
His strong cheekbones that led to a square jaw were mostly relaxed. However, there was a slight sign of tension or fear or something radiating out of him, and I had a feeling I knew exactly what it was about.
His family and his past.
The truth was, he’d never truly understand just how thankful I was for him pushing me when I’d been ill, for him fighting for my right to live when I’d been tired and weak and wanted to succumb to defeat.
The emotional battle of me surviving an aggressive tumor and him standing by my side and loving me through it all—the good, the bad, the ugly—had bound us together forever.
Now, here he was, whisking me away on a getaway when I’d been on the verge of feeling my recovery slip between my fingers, only concerned about my well-being.
Yet I was worried about his. I didn’t know how to make him believe that I’d always love him and that nothing would ever break us.
And then it all came to me.
My eyes went wide, and a smile spread across my face at my brilliant plan. I restrained myself from flying out of bed, remembering to be mindful not to wake him, as I lightly lifted off the mattress and tiptoed over to his shorts to find his wallet.
I opened his wallet and dug through each of the tiny pockets. When I found what I had been looking for, I went back to the bed. Damien was still fast asleep. I thought about waking him, but then I decided against it. I wanted to ready one other treat for him before I woke him.
I tiptoed out of the elaborate master bedroom on the second floor before dashing down to the kitchen. My silky black robe splayed out with my hasty movements, so I tightened my sash. I went to the Keurig and made us each our cup of coffee, even making his first, not that he’d ever believe me after our last little coffee quarrel.
Then, I slowly carried the two steaming hot cups back up to the bedroom where I brought my secret finding and our drinks out onto the patio overlooking the water.
I leaned over the balcony and took a minute to calm my shaky nerves. I had no idea why I was nervous. This was everything I’d ever wanted. He was everything I’d ever wanted.
The sun was just beginning to rise as I felt my pulse steady. Then, my ease went flying right out the window when I heard the sliding door open at my back. My heart leaped, and I spun around to face him.
Damien came to me, looking as handsome as ever with his disheveled hair and sexy grays. Then, he rendered me speechless with his smile.
God, that smile.
“Good morning, gorgeous. What has you up so early?” His hands settled on my waist and wrapped around me as he placed a soft kiss on my lips.
I kissed him, lovingly and tenderly, before I responded, “I was catching the sunrise while waiting for you to wake.” My hands went to his bare chest. I was surprised to find his heart was beating as rapidly as mine.
“I have a surprise for you.” I beamed, biting my lip.
“I have one for you, too.” His grays shimmered with a gentle understanding. Then, he brought one hand to my mouth and skimmed the pad of his finger across it, forcing me to release my lip. “You seem nervous.”
“I am.” I laughed softly.
“Would you like to go first, or should I?” His inquisitive gaze roamed back and forth over my face.
“Definitely me,” I answered without delay. I had to voice my thoughts before I surrendered to my nerves and chickened out.
“Okay,” he drawled, all throatily.
I lifted my hand between us. Watching my hand tremble, I showed him the paper. It was the tattooed bands he’d designed for us. “You once told me these tattoos were a symbol of forever. That the ink would be permanent, as love was meant to be, in good and bad, sickness and health, and laughter and tears. It’d be a reminder that, no matter what life threw at us, it would always be you and me. Forever,” I said, reciting the speech he’d given to me in the hospital, nearly word for word.
He sucked in a sharp breath, and it took every last ounce of strength to keep my voice strong when my eyes landed on his breathtaking grays.
“We’ve had so much good since we’ve known one another. I’ve fallen completely and irrevocably in love with you, Damien,” I cried, feeling every emotion I possessed stir within my heart and soul. “We’ve conquered the bad, and we will continue to overcome anything in our path, together, just you and me. You saved me from my sickness and brought me back to health. You’ve given me so much laughter that my cheeks ache some days, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. You-you’ve wiped my tears, held me, and cared for me in my time of need.” I released an uneven lungful of air. “So, you see, Damien, in my mind, I’m already yours, and you’re already mine. The only thing missing is our tattooed bands, forever binding us together with ink.” My lips quivered as I smiled up at my man and clarified, “Black ink.”
If I’d thought I was brimming with emotions, it was nothing compared to the storm in Damien’s eyes. His grays, which captivated me with their unique beauty, were molten pools of all-consuming love and never-ending adoration.
Seconds were equivalent to eternity as I waited for him to say something, anything.
He didn’t.
Instead, he slowly lifted his hand between us. A small black velvet box revealed itself when he opened his palm. I threw my free hand over my mouth and gasped in shock. My body felt weightless, and my heart swelled with unbelievable happiness. I nearly fell to the floor when he lowered to one knee.
“You stole the words right out of my mouth and my paper with my tattoo designs.” His mouth curved into a knowing beautiful smile. “But you stole my heart long before that, gorgeous girl. From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were supposed to be in my life forever. You made my heart beat again. You made me feel what it was like to be loved for the first time. You complete me in every way.”
Endless tears poured down my face as he flipped the lid of the small box, revealing an emerald cut diamond ring set in a thick platinum band. It was stunningly beautiful.
“I want to start our life together because one lifetime simply won’t be enough, and I don’t want another day to pass without you being my wife. Marry me, Raelyn.”
As I was overcome with emotions, my legs gave way. I sank down beside him, needing to be near him. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Still not close enough, I launched myself at him. Damien caught me as I threw my arms around his shoulders and flattened him to the ground while pressing my lips to his.
I kissed him before pulling back. “You complete me, too, Damien. I’ll never stop loving you.”
He grinned roguishly. “I fucking hope not because your ass is hitched to mine indefinitely.” His hand reached for mine, and he slipped the stunning rock on my finger. “It’s just you and me and the stars, baby.”
Our smiles beamed incredibly bright as our mouths gravitated toward one another. It was as though gravity were pulling us together, as it always had since he came into my life, and we kissed.
There was something different about this kiss. It wasn’t just full of love; it was a deeper love. The passion, emotions, and feelings that transpired between us were like no other. It was a profound connection, one full of promise and devotion, as we embarked down this new road in our lives.
I barely felt our movements as Damien lifted me and carried me back to the bed. Our mouths stayed molded together as we continued to kiss. They were a perfect fit.
This wasn’t one of those stea
my, red-hot moments where we desperately ripped our clothes off and had sex. No, this embrace was the soul-baring kind of intimacy that left a permanent imprint on one’s heart, where we took our time worshipping and loving one another.
An insatiable need and longing spread through every nerve ending inside me, and I treasured every single touch and every single sensation he invoked within me. It wasn’t long before we each found our release.
Minute after minute passed as we held one another until our breathing evened out and steadied. I was perfectly relaxed and content. Everything was just as it should be.
Wanting some fresh air, Damien and I had driven into town. We’d had a late lunch at a cute little restaurant overlooking the water. Then, we’d walked through some small local shops until I finally found what I had been looking for.
Tattoo Kissed Parlor came into view after we crossed a four-way intersection.
I peered up at Damien with a delighted look on my face and tightened my grip on his hand. “Come on, let’s go inside and take a peek around!”
Surprise filled his face, but he followed me without hesitation. “Okay.”
I lifted my sunglasses and put them on top of my head once inside the building. I was instantly impressed with the tasteful artwork on the walls and the clean atmosphere. There were four tables behind the front desk. Two were empty. Of the remaining two, one was occupied by a man, and the other by a woman, both appearing to be in their early thirties or so.
The buzzing noise coming from the man’s tattoo gun paused. It was too late though. The sound of the machine had made me cringe.
Oh, this is going to hurt. So bad. And I’m terrified of needles.
The man glanced up and gave Damien and me a friendly smile. “Can I help you two?”
“We are just looking around,” I told him, reciprocating his expression.
“Of course. Feel free to browse through any of the albums on the coffee table to view some of our work.” He gestured to the corner of the waiting room. “Please let us know if you have any questions.”
“Thank you.”
Damien went to pick up one of the black scrapbooks before taking a seat. I joined him after grabbing an album of my own. Damien and I began to flip through the pages. I was immediately impressed with several images of tattoos. The colors and intricate details were remarkable.