“I don’t need any of those things. I have everything I could ever want. All I need, all I’ve ever needed, is the way you look at me.”
I pull her into my arms, realizing with sudden clarity this is the woman. She’s the one. The one I didn’t think existed I’m holding in my arms. I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her. Stepping back, I gaze into her eyes and for the first time in my life, I can see my future. Our future.
And it looks good.
Chapter 38 Avery
More than two months after the situation with Hannah, I’m sitting in the living room, as I wait for Ellis to join me. He walks out dressed casually in his jeans and t-shirt bringing a smile to my face. I love him like this. He sits next to me and I rub his hand.
“Hey. I have an idea.”
“What?”
“The dust has settled and things have returned to normal. Equis is thriving again, and you and I are just living life. It’s good.”
“Very.”
“Not long ago, I was given a special gift, and I saved it for this very moment, when I knew without a doubt that it was over. That you didn’t have to live with that lie hanging over you anymore. That moment is now.” I stand and walk over to my bottle of scotch. “Would you share a drink with me?”
Ellis nods as a smile graces his face. “I always hoped I would part of the celebration when you opened it.”
“You’re the reason for the celebration.” After cracking the seal, I pour two glasses, no ice, no soda, just straight so we can enjoy the age of this liquor. Carrying them to the couch, I hand Ellis one, and as we clink glasses, he leans in close and kisses me.
“This is all happening because of you. You pushed me to do the interview, and it was the reason the public finally sided with me. There are no words to express how grateful I am that you came into my life. No words grand enough, so I’ll use the only ones I have. Thank you, Avery, for being you, for believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself, for seeing the man inside of me who was worthy of loving you. I am grateful beyond expression, but I will live each day showing you what you mean to me.” We each sip from our glasses, and he finally smiles. “This is bloody fantastic.”
“It is.”
“We’re not in Paris, but how would you fancy spending the day getting pissed drunk on the best bottle of scotch and ending up very naked in bed with me?”
“I think that sounds like my idea of a perfect day.”
As we drink down our scotch and Ellis refills our glasses, I take a moment to reflect on everything that’s happened since I stepped foot in London. I did what I said I would, but I got a lot more than I could have anticipated. I needed Ellis just as much as he needed me.
“Cheers, love. To the rest of our lives?”
I clink his glass. “To the rest of our lives.”
One year later
Avery
Sitting at a table in my favorite place in the world, I look up to see my favorite person. Ellis enters the room, smiling as he carries a single rose to me. I don’t know how he managed to rent out the entire Palace of Versailles to celebrate our one-year anniversary but he did. I’ve learned he’s magical like that.
Sitting in my ball gown, the blue one I wore the first time in Paris, I take the rose as he hands it to me. We’ve just finished dinner, a beautiful meal of filet mignon with roasted potatoes. I’m feeling heady with love, desire, and too much good French wine.
“What should we do now, love?” Ellis asks.
“Eiffel Tower?”
“Perhaps tomorrow. It’s getting late and I have plans for you back at the hotel.” He smiles. “After a dance of course.”
“We’re going to dance again?”
“Of course.” He extends his hand, and I take it as soft classical music fills the room.
Smiling as he twirls me around, I can’t believe this night. “This is so amazing.”
“I knew we had to come back here. It was here that it all started to come together. I knew without a doubt I had to tell you how I felt. I had to take the chance. I had to push us over the line.”
“That was the best day of my life.”
“I hope tonight will replace it.”
“So far, so good.”
“I’m not done.” He dips me low, before lifting me back up and kissing me. “I’m so proud of you, Avery. The woman you’ve become truly astounds me. I know leaving the only professional world you knew was hard, but watching you grow as a writer truly inspires me.”
“Thank you.” He twists me around as my thoughts drift back to the past year. It was scary, but exhilarating to decide I wanted no more clients, even though I was suddenly in demand again. Even Hollywood knocked on my door again, but I had everything I ever wanted in Ellis. It wasn’t difficult to get my first writing project published, Scandal: The Secret Life of a Hollywood Publicist, even though I named no names. Now, with Ellis’s arms wrapped around me in my favorite place in the world I couldn’t be happier with my decision. “I wouldn’t have done it without your encouragement.”
“Yes, you would’ve. Once you put your mind to something nothing can stop you. I’ve benefitted greatly from that tenacity.” He smiles. “The last year has been the best of my life. Waking up with you beside me fills me with such content and joy, emotions foreign to me prior to experiencing your love. I am a better man because of you, and I look forward to so many more years in your arms.”
“You’re a beautiful man, Ellis. Watching you overcome all that drama to bring Equis back into its proper standing has been my honor. I’m proud of how you’ve shown your heart to the world.”
“Only part of it. The best part is yours alone. Avery…” He steps back, extending our arms between us. “Everything I am, I give to you, my love. I am yours until I take my last breath.”
I start to speak, but am halted when Ellis drops to one knee. My mouth falls open in surprise. We haven’t talked about this at all, and in fact, he’s been silent about any talks about the future for the past few months.
Taking my hand, he smiles up at me. “The moment you told me you loved me, I knew I would spend the rest of my life trying to earn that love. I’ve known for a long time I would ask you this question, but it took me a bit of time to make sure I could make this night happen in this way. Avery Michelle Kennedy, will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you be my wife?”
“Oh my god,” I murmur. “I can’t believe this.”
“You can’t believe I’m proposing? You didn’t know I would do this? That I would beg you on bended knee to marry me? Don’t you know, my love, that because of you, I want everything I didn’t even know I wanted?”
I smile. “Yes, I do know that. I just can’t believe you made it happen like this. In this perfect, dreamlike place. I’m gobsmacked.”
Ellis smiles. “Is that a yes?”
I nod as my eyes fill with tears. “Of course it’s a yes.”
He pulls out of his pocket the mother of all diamond rings making me gasp when I see it. “I had it made for you, so I hope you love it as I love you.”
“It’s stunning, Ellis. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Fitting for the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He slides it on my ring finger while I just stare at the cushion cut diamond, so big it could blind you if it caught the sun.
A slow smile spreads on my face as Ellis stands, gazing down at me. “It’s funny, isn’t it? How it all started?”
He smiles. “It is.”
“We must mind the line,” I say, using my best Ellis accent, as he just laughs. “That damn imaginary line turned out to be the best thing for us.”
“Everything we both wanted was just on the other side of it.”
“And now here we are. Engaged.”
“In Paris.”
“All we need is scotch.”
“I’m sure we can make that happen.”
Scotch, Paris, and naked Ellis- three of my favorite things.
He extends his arm. “Shall we retire for the evening, future Mrs. Worthington?”
“Avery Worthington,” I practice aloud. “I sound British.”
“You are British, love.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him softly. “Thank you for all of this. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being the amazing man you are. I love you, and I’m proud to be your future wife.”
“I am honored.” He bows slightly before a sexy grin spreads across his lips. “Now, I just have one more question.”
“What’s that?”
“Fancy a shag?”
Throwing my head back, I laugh. “I fancy a shag and a bit of scotch with a naked Englishman.”
“Lead the way, love.”
About the Author
Hi there. Thanks for picking up my book. Here’s a little info about me. I write contemporary and erotic romances. I love alpha males with a soft spot, flawed characters, and strong, sassy women. Lately, I’ve been into boys loving boys because love is love and the sex is fire. My characters usually have a side of kink and aren't afraid to demand what they want. I don’t apologize for that. I’m a sucker for a happy ending as long as it comes with a lot of heat.
I call Phoenix, Arizona home, but I’m a Bostonian at heart. The way to my heart can be reached with a foreign accent, a shot of Fireball, and an unlimited supply of cupcakes.
I’m also known under my alter ego, J. Domenico, author of time traveling romances, because why not. The first title is Lost Within. https://amzn.to/2BH1bk6
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Other Books by Jennifer Domenico
Turn Towards the Sun: Book 1 of 3 Romantic billionaire meets regular woman
After the Rain: Book 2 of 3 Romantic billionaire meets regular woman
Forever in Bloom: Book 3 of 3 Romantic billionaire meets regular woman
Have my Heart: A Holiday Novella
Beautifully Twisted: Light BDSM/Second Chance
Chasing Desire: Office Romance
Londyn Falls: Professor/Assistant
Exposed: Celebrity movie star meets small town girl with a secret
Break Me Down: Sex addict falls in love with her therapist
If I Told You: Best Friends to lovers
When I Found You: Spin off of If I Told You
At First Glance: Love at first sight
Unexpectedly Royal: Common girl meets her prince
Reckless Devotion 1: BDSM Book 1 of 2
Reckless Devotion 2: BDSM Book 2 of 2
Lost Within: Time Travel
Brendan: A Scrooged Christmas: Novella, Scrooge themed.
Worship: Priest finds his long lost love- Taboo
Revealing Him: MM, age gap “daddy” romance
The Thing About Us: MMF Menage
Mind the Line Page 33