That One Moment (Lost in London #2)

by Amy Daws

  “Mmm, you could have told me you have some time off coming up before I got in a huge battle with your brother, you know,” he moans and nips my neck playfully. “But I forgive you…because I get to see you in a bikini.”

  Cupping his head to my neck, I reply while he nuzzles, “Actually, I was thinking we could try one of those nude beaches.”

  His nibbling halts instantly. “Like fucking hell we will.”

  I bite my lip to stop my giggle. “It’s all the rage there. And I do hate tan lines.”

  “Look at me.” Hayden yanks my shoulder back so I’m lying on my back and he’s holding himself over me. All good humour completely evaporates from his face. “I can’t tell if you’re joking.”

  My eyes twinkle with mirth. “It’s a bucket list thing I’ve always wanted to try.”

  “You’re out of your mind, Vi, if you think I’m going to allow my girlfriend to traipse around a beach bloody naked for all of France to ogle. Christ, I’m actually getting fucking pissed off just thinking about it.” He runs a hand through his hair as my heart does little summersaults over his girlfriend title for me.

  It never gets old.

  I reach up and clasp his face in my hands. “Maybe we can work out an alternative.”

  “What is that?” he groans, his grey eyes watching me in agony. “I swear you just like to torture me.”

  I lift my brows archly. “Rooftop sex is also a bucket list item for me.”

  His eyes instantly heat with desire. The possessive side of him has to look around first, clearly noting that we’re the tallest building for miles and there’s no way anyone can see us from here.

  “Or we could always go back to the cinema.” He shoots me a salacious grin. “I know my Bunny loves the movies.”

  His head drops down to my neck and he places kisses down every square inch, all the way to the tops of my breasts. He bites down on my tank top strap and pulls it down my shoulder. His breath stutters with excitement when he sees I’ve ditched my bra for the night. “Fuck…Kissing you will never get old.”

  “You know what never gets old for me?” I ask and my breath catches just as he cups the weight of my breast in his warm, rough hand.

  “Hmm?” he asks as his lips continue their assault along my collarbone.

  “Hearing you call me your girlfriend.”

  “Mmm, you like that do you?” he asks, thumbing my hardened nipple. “I’ve got one better for you.”

  “What’s that?” I suck in a quick breath and let out a sudden moan as his lips wrap around my nipple and he bites down softly.

  “Future wife.” His head pops up to watch my reaction.

  My hooded eyes turn wide. My expression drops in shock. “I…I,” I stammer.

  “I’m not asking yet, Bunny. Believe me, when I ask, you’ll know. But I want you to know that’s where I see this going with you and me. I told you I wasn’t going to waste any more moments with you, so that’s why I’m telling you now.” His face is deathly serious. His grey eyes warm pools of open sincerity.

  “Okay then,” I croak in a lame reply.

  The corner of his mouth tilts up proudly. “So eloquent with words.” His wicked laughter vibrates against my chest as he touches his lips to mine in a sweet, final gesture.

  I wrap my legs around him and inspiration strikes. I blurt against his mouth, “Maybe you should move in here?” He pulls back and looks down at me with a distinct twinkle to his eyes. “Bruce and I have discussed it already and we both think it’s a good idea. I’ll have to warn you about Bruce Hugs, though. They can be rather intense. But it’d be nice to have you around to fix things, take him for a walkies, water the plants.”

  “Water the plants?” he asks, pursing his lips to conceal a laugh.

  “Yes. I think you’d do a proper job,” I state with a deadpan expression. “Vincent is such a flirt, ya know.”

  “Vincent is a flirt,” he grumbles. “I think I can water your plants. And I can take care of your dog. And I can take care of these precious assets,” he purrs, reaching down and squeezing my bum. “It’s time for more.”

  I reach up and touch the crinkles around his eyes affectionately all the while knowing that 11:11 has come and gone and he’s stayed right here with me…in the moment…in the present…talking about our future.

  “That’s the exactly what I had in mind.”

  THE RIPPLE EFFECT

  Standing outside of BOLT FROM THE BLUE CAKES and looking at Vi’s excited eyes as she awaits our mystery cake box delivery is an experience in and of itself. I don’t think I ever fully realised how much she loved this place the first time she brought me here. Her blue eyes are bright and twinkling. Her feet won’t stop shifting in anticipation. And she keeps beaming back at me like this is the best day of her life.

  I grin.

  Bunny has no clue what’s coming.

  That’s my new favourite thing about her.

  Life with Vi isn’t perfect. Far from it. But with her beside me, I don’t feel broken. I feel whole. I feel loved and I feel fucking fantastic because she makes me strong enough to know I can feel. Being angry or sad or upset doesn’t feel like the end when you have that one person in your life who wants to love you through it. No questions asked. She fucking loves me. Any ripple in our relationship is a wave we ride together. Our ripples make us…us. Loving her doesn’t make me weak. In fact, I’ve never felt stronger than when I hold her in my arms.

  Vi Harris makes me desperate to continue moving forward. She stirs the ripples.

  And now it’s time to make a fucking splash.

  The man behind the window returns with a very different type of box from the normal cardboard ones the mystery cupcakes usually come in. I imagine Vi is frowning in confusion, but I can’t see her expression…

  …because I’m kneeling behind her.

  She grabs the box and turns around with a puzzled look as she finds me on the ground. “Hayden?” she croaks, her mouth a strange mixture between an O and a smile.

  “Vi,” I start with a sneaky smirk. “Open the box.”

  She purses her lips together and with trembling hands, she strokes the lid that I’ve spent months hand-carving to make utterly perfect. It’s a baroque-style design, espresso-stained, wooden keepsake box. I carved in a round clock face with the time 11:11 engraved on the lid. Right next to it, there’s a tiny ornate genie lamp representing a wish. She swallows hard and opens the lid.

  Inside are two cupcakes with a ring box nestled in between.

  She smiles.

  She cries.

  She giggles.

  She makes me the happiest fucking man on Earth and I haven’t even asked her the question yet.

  “Vilma Harris, will you marry me?”

  My words are simple because I’ve spent the last year of our life together never wasting a single moment. If she looks beautiful, I tell her. If I love something she makes, I tell her. If she makes me spitting mad, I tell her. And then we fight. Hard.

  And then we make up. Harder.

  God do we make up. Vi makes me feel everything all the time. But mostly…she makes me feel alive.

  “Yes,” she answers with a squealing sigh. “God, Hayden, yes! I will so marry you.”

  She falls down on top of me, knocking me off balance and taking us both down as she goes. She giggles and smashes her lips into mine while clutching the box awkwardly between us. The corner digs into my chest and the pain is noticeable, but it’s also perfect because it’s not perfect. It’s exactly how life ought to be.

  “Happy birthday, Bunny,” I murmur against her eager lips.

  “I officially love my birthday.” She grins and kisses me sweetly once more.

  I smile up at her and reply, “It’s about time.”

  THE END

  There’s more London Love to be had!

  Reyna, Leslie, and Finley all have stories available. Go back and see where it all began with all of these fun standalones.

  Begin with Fin
ley in Becoming Us, a spicy college prequel.

  Or jump right inside Frank’s London house with A Broken Us.

  Leslie’s standalone is called London Bound.

  Rey’s emotional standalone is call Not The One.

  Read on for full reading order lists.

  And sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, giveaways, and more!

  MORE BOOKS BY AMY DAWS

  The London Lovers Series:

  Becoming Us, Finley’s Story Part 1…College Prequel

  A Broken Us, Finley’s Story Part 2…London Style

  London Bound, Leslie’s Story

  The Lost in London Series (a spin off from the London Lovers Series):

  Not The One, Reyna’s Story…Standalone

  That One Moment, Hayden's Story…Standalone

  One Wild Night, Julie’s Story…Coming Soon

  The Offsides Series: A new spin-off series featuring the sexy football-playing Harris Brothers! Coming in 2017

  Pointe of Breaking: A College Dance story by Amy Daws & Sarah J. Pepper…(standalone)

  Chasing Hope: A mother’s true story of loss, heartbreak, and the miracle of hope.

  First and foremost, I need to acknowledge those who suffer from depression and suicidal tendencies every day and continue to get up and live life and feel all the damn feels. Living in Hayden’s world for this book was an extremely eye-opening experience and I was honored to tell his story. I felt every word I wrote and he became a real person to me in so many ways. Please continue to feel, continue to screw up, continue to be mad, happy, sad…everything! Feeling anything, good or bad…is living. And know that despite what your depression tells you, there’s always someone who loves you. Let yourself feel that!

  A huge, tremendous thanks to my editor, Stephanie Rose. We made a splash together, girl! Seriously, you’ve been there for me since the creation of Hayden in London Bound and I twittered-stalked you into submission. Let’s keep rippling books together.

  My London Lovers Fan Group. You ladies have been calling Hayden yours for months now and I hope I did him justice for you. Thanks for the constant network of cheerleading and support, and for tolerating all the times I want to puke from anxiety or make out with you from excitement. You guys embrace my crazy (most of the time) and make this job freaking fun as hell.

  I had a great team of beta readers early on with this book whom I can’t begin to thank enough. Hayden upped the stakes and I needed you all. Jaci no K, thanks for the early chapter reading/cheerleading. My favorite British perv, Belinda, for your countless replies to my British queries. Your dirty mind speaks to my soul. To my PA, Alicia, for keeping my head above water. To my timeline-keeper-extraordinaire, Kelly. To Sayjil, Erin, Abby, Nikki Groom, and Kirsty for sharing their very personal thoughts and feelings on this story with me. Thank you! And thanks to my proofers, Mercedes, Becca, and Jen!

  Hubby…you tolerate me and my emotions and my multiple neurosis like a champ. Thanks for holding down the home front and making the yummy lasagna.

  To my mini me, Lolo. You were fussy Baby Marisa, honey, and I loved you through every colicky minute of it. Let’s keep wearing our shades when we walk into preschool every day. We look cool doing it and I love seeing your carefree personality shine brighter than the sun. All my wishes are yours, baby.

  To my six sky babies. Thank you for existing. It was a dark and horrid time when I was losing you all…but I was alive. I made it through, and now my good days outnumber my bad and I hope you all can see that. I hope I make you proud. Because all of you make me proud every day.

  Amy Daws lives in South Dakota with her husband and miracle daughter, Lorelei. The long-awaited birth of Lorelei is what inspired Amy’s first book, Chasing Hope, and her passion for writing. Amy’s contemporary romance novels are mostly London-based so she can fuel her passion for all things British. For more of Amy’s work, visit: www.amydawsauthor.com or check out the links below.

  www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor

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