by Sophie Blue
Once we’ve said our goodbyes, I lead Charlotte to the elevator and push the button for our floor. As the doors close I turn to her. “You ok?”
“Yes, I’m good. Amazing, actually. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my chest and I can breathe freely for the first time in ages,” she admits with a smile. The doors open and I follow her to our room. Putting the key card in, I motion for her to enter first.
“How do you mean?” I ask, carrying on our conversation from the elevator.
“Like, I hit rock bottom. With the whole video thing and then thinking you betrayed my trust. But I’m still here. I’m still going. I guess I feel like the events of the past year have shown me that I’m stronger than I thought. I can weather any storm that comes my way, as long as I take it one step at a time.”
Smiling, I pull her into my arms and kiss her on her forehead. She melts into my embrace and I feel like I’m finally home.
“I’m so proud of you, you know that right?” I ask, twirling a loose strand of her blonde hair around my finger.
“What for?” She looks up at me.
“For being this strong, courageous woman. For facing your fears and rising above them. For knowing you deserve better than a liar or a cheat and walking away from me when you thought I had betrayed you, because you knew you deserved better. You’ve come so far from that coffee snob I picked up from the airport.”
She laughs and I cup her cheek. Looking into her ocean blue eyes, I realise that Gram was right. The ocean does heal. Because this beautiful woman, with eyes the colour of the ocean, and hair the colour of the sand, has healed me completely.
“I love you,” I whisper into her lips as I claim them. She moans into my mouth and follows my lead. I will never get enough of this woman. Slowly, I lead us to the bed and push her down onto it. Pulling my t-shirt over my head, I watch as her eyes fill with desire. She smiles as she sits up and pulls her dress over her head, throwing it onto the floor and lying back. Climbing up next to her, I lean down and cover her with kisses. Charlotte deserves to be worshipped, and I vow to spend every day doing just that.
Slipping a hand behind her, I unclip her bra and pull the straps down her arms, before letting it join her dress on the floor. Taking a nipple in my mouth, I suck hard and smile at the moan she elicits. I love how she loses her inhibitions in the bedroom. She’s not anxious about anything or anyone, she’s just pure, unadulterated Charlotte.
“Please,” she begs, and I smile against her breast.
“Please what?” I ask, licking my way back up to her face and planting a kiss on her collarbone.
“Please get naked,” she pants and I chuckle.
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” Pulling back, I stand and unfasten my jeans. Her eyes follow my every movement and fuck, it’s one hell of a turn on. To know I affect her as much as she does me.
Pushing both my pants and briefs down, I climb back onto the bed and kiss my way up her body. The soft moans she emits are almost my undoing.
This is where I belong.
Epilogue
Charlotte
Sitting on the porch, watching the sunrise, I’m still blown away by this view. The waves lap against the shore, dissolving into foam on the soft sand. The soothing sound has me smiling into my coffee. The mix of the oranges and pinks from the sun and the blues and greens of the ocean are stunning, making me wish I were an artist and could capture it in a painting.
The front door creaks open and I turn to see Ollie walk out, shirtless in a pair of loose-fitting jeans. Suddenly the view of the rising sun doesn’t seem so impressive.
“Morning, beautiful,” he says, his voice still heavy with sleep, and I bite my lip. His eyes darken and I blush, turning back to the view of the ocean. His rough chuckle has the hair on the back of neck standing to attention.
“Morning.” It’s been two months since he flew over to England to find me. Two months of getting to know each other better, date nights, and getting the B&B ready to open next week. We’re already fully booked for the next month, and I couldn’t be happier.
“You’re up early.” He drops a kiss on my head and leans against the railing, looking out to the ocean. My eyes make their way from his back to his jeans. I still can’t believe this is real. That we’re real. These past eight weeks have been nothing short of magic.
Standing, I make my way over to him and wrap my arms around him, placing a soft kiss on his back. He turns with a sinful smile and cups my cheek, causing sparks to shoot through me. His touch never fails to set me alight, his gaze always penetrates my soul. Every part of me was made for every part of him. Leaning forward, he kisses me like he always does, like he can’t believe I’m real. And I know the feeling.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer, moaning into his mouth when his tongue touches mine. Desire spreads through every part of me, and I want to lose myself in him.
With a tortured groan, he pulls back. “Let’s not start something we can’t finish, sweetheart. Melody and Scott will be here soon.”
He’s right, I know he is, but I still pout and bury my head into his chest. His deep chuckle makes my head bounce and I lightly smack him so he stops.
“I’ll never get over this view,” he says, his voice filled with wonder and I turn to look out to the ocean.
“I know, it’s something else.”
“I feel like it’s my duty to make sure everyone knows how beautiful it is, to get people to come here and find themselves and make memories. How lame is that?”
“It isn’t lame, it’s beautiful,” I say, smiling up at him. “Tell you what, why don’t we start spreading the word now?”
He looks at me in confusion, not sure where I’m going with this and I smile and pull back. Grabbing my phone from the table, I pull up the camera and put it on selfie mode before handing it to him.
“Let’s take a selfie for the B&B’s social media, show the world why they need to visit.”
If you’d told me a couple of months ago I’d be uploading my life for all to comment on again, I’d have laughed in your face. But right here, in this moment, there is nothing I want more than to capture this perfect moment with this perfect man. To shout from the rooftops that he’s mine.
“Yeah?” he asks, knowing what a big step this is for me. But I’m done letting the past dictate my future. You only get one life, and I’m going to enjoy every moment of mine.
Nodding, I snuggle into his side, smiling as he brings the camera up to get both of us and the beach in the picture.
“Smile,” he says, and I do.
I never stop.
Acknowledgments
To my wonderful friends Sybil and Becca. I am forever grateful for all of your support and encouragement. You have no idea how much I treasure your friendship.
To my family. For being my biggest supporters and such a great sounding board. Special shout out to Mum and Nan for reading all my books, even if they make you blush.
To Alex – Thank you for being you. Your graphics, teasers, and words of encouragement are appreciated more than you know. Our random conversations, gif wars, rants, and daily rambles make me smile. I have no idea how I got so lucky to have you as a friend, but I’m afraid you’re now stuck with me forevermore. Sorry, not sorry.
To Lou at LJDesigns. Thank you for another wonderful cover, formatting that never ceases to blow my mind, and for being a wonderful friend. And special shout out to Jax and Opie! Love you guys.
To Beth at Magnolia Author Services. Thank you for making my words shine. You’re a joy to work with.
To my reader group. You guys rock! I’m beyond grateful for your support.
Another huge thank you to my wonderful husband. You make me laugh every day, put up with the crazy hours I spend writing, and always support me. I love you more than coffee.
And as always, to my baby. I love you so much. Thank you for making me smile every day.
Thank you for reading! I really appreciate you taking the time to re
ad my words. If you wouldn’t mind leaving a review, I would be eternally grateful!
Books by Sophie Blue
What Are You Weighting For? Series
Weighting On Love
Fighting For Love
Running From Love
The Carrington Brothers Series
Blindsided By The Billionaire
Standalones
Meet Me In The Sunflowers
Co-Writes with Alexandra Silva
Love 2 Jingle U
Love 2 Hate U
N2HU
About the Author
Sophie Blue is a hopeless romantic and avid reader. She fell in love with reading at a young age and can always be found with her nose in a book. She started writing after having her baby and published her debut rom com in May 2020.
A coffee addict and HEA lover, Sophie lives just outside of London with her husband and mini me. She writes contemporary romance filled with fun, sweet feels.
www.sophieblueauthor.com