by Olivia Rose
"There you are, beautiful. I was beginning to think this was all a dream and you'd done a runner on me." Mason is sat up in bed, the comforter at his waist giving me the most beautiful sight. I sigh. He calls me beautiful with no real idea of just how beautiful he is inside and out. I walk closer to him and he takes my hand, kissing it.
"As if I'd ever leave. You're my forever and you know it." I tease and he pulls me onto the bed and into his arms, smothering my squeal with his lips.
"One day soon, I'm going to make that a reality, Erin Michaels. You mark my words." His eyes smolder as he declares he wants me forever too and it does delightful things to my insides.
"I'm going to hold you to that you know?" I tease, as he lifts me by the hips and places me over him.
"You look good in my shirt." He leans forward and kisses my neck, one arm clamped around my waist as his other hand grabs my hair and pulls my head back giving him better access. A breathy moan escapes me as I grab his shoulders. He leans back, taking a breath and removing his t-shirt from me all at once.
"You really are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life," he rushes before capturing my lips with his.
WE WALK THROUGH DOWNTOWN, and I know that today is our last day in Nashville before we move on to New York, and I can't help but already feel like I'm leaving a part of my heart here. With Mason's hand wrapped around mine, I sigh contentedly as we explore more of the history and music this amazing place has to show us.
We keep walking through downtown when we reach Riverfront Park, and it's just stunning, and an experience I can't fully describe. There are musicians dotted along the river front, no main event playing on what looks like a floating stage, but the atmosphere here is like nothing I've ever known before. People are just so happy to be here, to be living and experiencing everything this place has to offer to them.
I'm walking down the promenade, just taking it all in when Mason pulls me toward the water. The sun is shining down on us and my face almost hurts from smiling so much. He stops, looking around and clearing his throat, then he turns to me and takes both of my hands in his.
"Are you okay?" I ask him, and he laughs. He drops one of my hands and kneels down on the floor and my hands cover the squeak that rushes out of me.
"Erin... I... you told me once, that you felt small, like the whole world was closing in on you. When I was lying there on the floor that day, bleeding all over you as you tried to save me, I swore that you would never feel that way again. That I would fight for the rest of my life to be the best version of myself, to be the man you deserved because on that day, in that moment, I knew there was nobody else in the world for me. You are my world. My one. My forever and always. You are everything, Erin Michaels. I know people will say it's sudden, and that we're too young, but they don't know what we know. Life is short. It can be cut short in the blink of an eye, and I don't want to wait any longer. I want to show the world, the moon and the stars that you are mine and I am yours. And so, I hope you say yes, that you want the same things that I want, that you will make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife."
He opens the small black box he pulled out of his back pocket, but I barely see the sparkling beauty through my tears. My brain is having a hard time accepting the events unfolding. I never expected this from him. I love him and I know he loves me, but...
He sees my moment of hesitation and says, "I know we're young, and I know you have college. I'm so excited and proud of you. I want you to stretch your wings and fulfil your dreams, but I want you to make me your home."
It's crazy. We're barely out of high school. I was never going to be one of those girls, the kind that got married and threw away their dreams, their potential; but with Mason, it's not like that. I hear his words and I believe them. I know I can do everything in the world I ever dreamed of, and he will simply be by my side, giving me strength, shoring me up. Home? The word sounds so beautiful falling from his lips. So right. A tear runs down my cheek as I try to say yes, but the words don't come. Instead, I nod and run to him. He stands and catches me in his arms, kissing me like I'm the only air he needs.
"Yes," I murmur as he pulls back.
"You're sure?" He whispers into my hair.
"I've never been surer of anything."
He places the ring on my finger, and I know right then that when we fall, when life sends us a challenge, we'll be right by each other's side.
Not ready to be done with Erin, Mason & co? Well all is not lost!
After It All, Rocky Falls book 2 is coming soon!
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AUTHORS NOTE
I have sooooo many to people to thank for helping me get this book to where it is right now. First, I want to thank you for taking a chance (or another chance as might be the case) on Erin & Mason. Their story warms my heart, and it will be continued very soon!
Firstly, I want to thank you, the readers who dared to take a chance on an author you’ve never read! I hope you enjoyed Erin & Mason as much as I enjoyed sharing them. Thank you for daring to wander into the unknown, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.
This story wouldn’t be where it is today without my genius editor, Andrea Long. I’m sure I drove you bonkers with my wordybollocks, so thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you did.
Abigail Davies – if I didn’t drive you insane with the covers for this series (and just everything you do for me) I’ll be amazed! How you put up with me is beyond me, but thank you because I don’t want to do this without your arty genius.
Vicki Fryer – my lifesaver, tantrum handler, pa extraordinaire. I’d say don’t leave me but I’ll never let you quit ahahaha! Thank you for reading this after my illness addled rambling and helping me believe in my words again.
The ladies over at Bare Naked Words & Give Me Books for coping with my last minute requests and changes. I’m a nightmare, I know! One day, I’ll be organized.
Finally to my husband who gives me the space and love I need to be able to create the worlds that live in my head, and for supporting me when I need it the most.
I know a lot of people read this book before the changes, and I expect you all to be like OMG so much has changed, and that’s a good thing... I just want to thank you for sticking with me on this journey, even with the changes and I can’t wait to see how you guys react to what is coming!
Olivia
xoxo
WORKS FROM THE AUTHOR
When We Fall, Rocky Falls #1
After It All, Rocky Falls #2 Coming Fall 2019
End Game, Playing the Game #1 Coming Summer 2019
Long Game, Playing the Game #2 Coming Winter 2019
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