But, the truth was, I did love her.
I’d been a little bit in love with her for years, and I’d worried that I’d had her on such a pedestal that she’d be unable to live up to my expectations of her. But, in reality, she exceeded my expectation.
She was everything I wanted in a wife, a life partner, and then some.
I didn’t want her to freak out, so I’d hold on to the words for now, but I would show her in every way possible that I loved her, and planned to cherish her for the rest of our lives. I’m sure Ireland would help, it was a country presumed to have all the luck.
I could only hope that Natalie was beginning to feel about me, the way I felt about her.
Natalie
Do I look okay?” I asked, probably for the billionth time, like some annoying version of my younger self who lacked self-confidence. But as we walked into the restaurant where we’d be meeting business associates from Dublin, I couldn’t help but be racked with nerves.
I was attending a business dinner, on Carson’s arm … like his girlfriend.
It didn’t bear thinking.
I mean, not that I wasn’t flattered and completely grateful to have the role, even if it was just for a short time, but I’d seen the women he’d had on his arm for other events, and let’s just say, I was much more a jean shorts and tank top homebody than a runway model.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Carson replied, turning me so that he looked me dead in the eyes when he said it.
God, he looks like he actually believes what he’s saying. Which made it easier for me to believe it, and for my nerves to subside a bit.
“Thank you.”
Carson brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles, I love it when he does that, and said, “We’ll try to make this quick and painless.”
I nodded, then let him lead me into the dining area and over to the table where five gentlemen were sitting enjoying cocktails.
“Gentleman, this is my girlfriend, Natalie,” Carson said as he pulled out my chair for me.
At the word girlfriend, I almost tumbled right out of it.
Holy crap, he actually said it. What does it mean? Is he wanting what we had to continue after our time in Ireland is up? Do I? How would that work, with me working for his company and all? Would I have to quit?
“… and this handsome fellow, is Clive,” Carson was saying, and as I came out of my musing, I realized he’d just introduced me to everyone and the only name I’d heard was Clive.
Crap.
“Nice to meet you,” I said vaguely, with what I hoped was a genuine smile.
I was freaking out.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like the moniker; to be Carson’s girlfriend would be absolutely amazing. He was lightyears away from Zeke, practically the perfect man. In fact, maybe he was the perfect man.
I can’t think of one flaw Carson has … Is that normal? Am I making him out to be something he isn’t? Some, fairytale dream man?
“Nat,” Carson said, in a tone that hinted that it wasn’t the first time he’d said my name.
“Yes,” I replied, blinking and turning my head toward him.
“The waiter was asking what you’d like to drink.”
“Oh, ah,” I stammered, turning my attention to the waiter, who was watching me patiently. “A dirty martini, please. And a water.”
The men chatted around me, but I didn’t hear what they were saying, I was too in my head for that.
Seriously, it was like I thought of my perfect man, and conjured Carson, only I didn’t know he was my perfect man until he brought me on this trip. Maybe there was something to be said about the luck of the Irish. It had taken the magic of this place for me to realize that Carson was everything I’d ever wanted, but never knew I could actually have.
I started to feel panicky. My palms were sweating, it was hard to breath, and my heart was racing.
I was in love with him.
With Carson.
My boss.
Carson put his hand on my thigh and I jumped.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice conveying his concern.
“Yes,” I said, a little too loudly. “I just need to go to the ladies room really quick … I’ll be right back.”
Carson half stood as I got to my feet, and I smiled shakily at the men around the table before making my escape.
Once in the bathroom, I rushed to the sink. I wanted to dunk my head in cold water, but didn’t want to ruin my makeup, so instead I took some paper towels and wet them. Once they were pasted to the back of my neck, I stood up and began pacing as I kept my hand clasped to my neck.
I barely registered the sound of someone else coming into the restroom, until I heard Carson’s voice behind me.
“Natalie, what’s going on?” he asked.
I turned to him, my eyes so wide I was surprised they weren’t popping out of my head.
“I have to ask you something,” I managed.
“Anything.”
“What’s happening … with us?”
“What do you mean?” Carson asked, taking a step closer to me.
“Before, on the plane, you said you wanted to be with me for two weeks, but then, the other day, you said something about love … and just now, you called me your girlfriend,” I said quickly, needing to get the words out. “I’m not trying to force you into something, or make this something it’s not … I just need to know what’s in your head. What the boundaries are.”
“Natalie,” Carson said calmly, crossing the floor and placing his hands on my biceps. “When did I ever say I only wanted to be with you for two weeks?”
“On the plane…”
“No, I said I brought you here for two weeks, and that I planned to court you, but I never said we had an expiration date.”
“We don’t?” I asked, my heart leaping painfully in my chest.
“No,” Carson said, his lips turning up in that sexy way of his. “I did bring you here to court you, to see if we’d suit, if maybe there could be something between us, because that’s what I’ve wanted, Nat. For over a year, I’ve wanted you, but I knew you needed time. Time to heal, and figure out what you want … to be on your own.”
“And, do you? Think we ... suit?” I asked, thinking I knew the answer, but needing to hear him say it anyway.
Carson laughed and his smile took over his face.
“God, yes. You suit me better than I’d ever imagined. The other day, I was worried it was too soon, and knew you were starting to freak out, but I have fallen in love with you, Natalie. I do want you to be my girlfriend, but more than that … like I said, I don’t see an expiration date for us. I want you as my girlfriend, then fiancé, and finally, my wife. There’s no way I’d ever get enough of you in two weeks, Nat. I’m in this for eternity.”
I felt my eyes well up as a joy so full and pure ignited within me.
“Oh, Carson, I want that too,” I admitted, hugging him tightly. “I didn’t know what I was going to do after our time in Ireland was through.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, because I’m never going to let you go. I’m going to make sure you spend the rest of your life being pampered and knowing how special you are,” Carson said, dropping his head to seal his promise with a kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I said, so happy it almost seemed like a sin.
“As much as I’d like to make love to you right now, there are a few Irish men wondering where we disappeared to.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and cried, “Oh, I’m so sorry. They must wonder what you’re doing with me.”
Carson caressed my face and looked at me lovingly.
“No man on earth could ever look at you and wonder that,” he said, and I practically melted into a pile of goo on the floor.
Epilogue - Carson
No peeking,” I chided as I urged a blindfolded Natalie up the stairs.
“Where on earth are we going?”
she asked, amused.
It had been a little over a year since our life-changing trip to Ireland, the best idea I’d ever had … well, at least until now.
“Patience is a virtue,” I scolded, mockingly.
Natalie stuck her tongue out.
I chucked and helped her inside, then slowly lifted the blindfold off of her eyes.
She blinked adorably, trying to adjust to the light of the jet.
“Where are we going?” Natalie asked as she looked around the plane.
“Ireland,” I admitted, unable to keep the smile off my face.
“Really?” she squealed, jumping into my arms.
We hadn’t been back since our trip there, but it was the perfect setting for what I’d imagined.
I kissed her to the edge of madness, then lifted my head and looked into her blue eyes.
“And, we aren’t going alone,” I teased.
“We aren’t?”
I shook my head.
“You know how Brady and Ming and everyone said they were leaving town for a family reunion, and couldn’t meet up for our monthly dinner?”
“Yeah,” she replied slowly.
“Well, they lied. Everyone is in Ireland waiting for us.”
“Really,” Natalie asked again, still confused. “Why? I mean, it’ll be fun to show everyone Ireland, but why now?”
Rather than answering, I took her hand in mine and bent on one knee in front of her.
“Oh my God,” she breathed, her free hand covering her mouth.
“Natalie, love of my life, woman of my heart. Say you’ll let me whisk you away to the place we fell in love, so I can marry you in front of all of our friends, making me the luckiest man to ever step foot on Irish soil. Be my wife?”
I pulled the rose gold solitaire ring, with our names engraved along the inside, out of my pocket and held it up for Natalie to see.
“It’s so beautiful,” she managed, her eyes filling with tears.
“Say yes?” I asked, when she just stood there, her hand in mine, her gaze on the ring.
“Yes,” Natalie whispered, then her voice got louder and she said again, “Yes!”
I slid the ring on her finger, then stood and took her in my arms, kissing her everywhere I possibly could.
“I love you so much,” I said between kisses. “I’ve taken care of everything. We have a wedding planner who will give you your choice of venues, dresses, and all the other choices. I know two weeks is a short time to plan a wedding, but I’ve been assured this woman is the best, and will make sure you have everything your heart desires.”
“All I need is you,” Natalie said, then held her hand out and gazed lovingly at her finger. “Well, you … and this ring.”
“You’ve got both,” I assured her. “For eternity.”
The End.
Did you enjoy For Eternity? If you haven’t read the rest of the books in The Time for Love Series, the series is complete and available on all retailers!
www.bethanylopezauthor.com
Acknowledgments
Allie, of Makeready Designs, thanks for creating this beautiful cover to go with the rest of the series.
Kristina, of Red Road Editing, thanks for always having time for me, and for your input on my work.
Ann and Raine, thanks for your feedback while I was writing Carson and Natalie’s story.
My Beta Readers, Lori, Kristi, Marilyn, Jennifer, and Autumn, thanks for loving this series and being excited about this story.
My Family, I love you.
About the Author
Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.
Also by Bethany Lopez
Young Adult:
Stories about Melissa – series
Ta Ta for Now!
xoxoxo
Ciao
TTYL
With Love
Adios
Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale
New Adult:
Friends & Lovers Trilogy
Make it Last
I Choose You
Trust in Me
Indelible
Contemporary Romance:
A Time for Love Series
Prequel - 1 Night
8 Weeks
21 Days
42 Hours
15 Minutes
10 Years
3 Seconds
7 Months
For Eternity - Novella
The Lewis Cousins Series
Too Tempting
Too Complicated
Too Distracting
Too Enchanting
Too Dangerous - Coming Soon
Three Sisters Catering Trilogy
A Pinch of Salt
A Touch of Cinnamon
A Splash of Vanilla - Coming Soon
Romantic Comedy/Suspense:
Cupcakes Series
Always Room for Cupcakes
Cupcake Overload
Lei’d with Cupcakes
Cupcake Explosion
Women’s Fiction:
More than Exist
Short Stories:
Contemporary:
Christmas Come Early
Harem Night
Fantasy:
Leap of Faith
Beau and the Beastess
Cookbook:
Love & Recipes
Love & Cupcakes
Children’s:
Katie and the North Star
For Eternity: A Time for Love Series Novella Page 6