Chapter Sixteen
“We’ll talk soon, Liam, and remember, you’re coming to Maine for Christmas this year…okay…I love you, too…bye.”
Angel ended the call and set her phone down on the arm of her Adirondack chair. She wrapped her fleece blanket tighter around her shoulders and gazed out at the mountains she loved so well.
“How’s Liam doing?” Ethan said as he stepped out onto the balcony with two steaming mugs in hand.
“Thank you,” she said before taking a sip of hot chocolate. She closed her eyes and let the rich, bittersweet taste coat her tongue. Then she looked at Ethan, whose brows were drawn with concern. She lifted her shoulders. “He’s okay. It’s a lot for him to deal with. And no matter how many times I tell him he’s not to blame for his dad’s death, I know it’s eating him up inside.”
Ethan nodded, his lips pressed in a grim line. “This will stay with him. It will harden him, but he will come to understand that we are all accountable for our own actions.”
“You’re right,” she said. “Liam will be okay. He just needs time.”
A notification popped up on her phone. She picked it up. “Speaking of needing time.”
“What is it?” Ethan asked.
“Another text from my mom. I wish Liam hadn’t given her my number.”
“What does she want this time?”
“Forgiveness.” She set her phone down. “I will forgive her—she’s my mom. But I’m not ready yet.”
Ethan nodded his approval. “Don’t let anyone rush you.”
She took another sip of rich chocolate and looked out over the distant mountains awash in myriad colors, orange, yellow, bright red, and deep green. October brought a chilly crispness to the air, and the foliage was so beautiful it stirred her heart and stole her breath.
“I still can’t get over this view, Ethan,” she said as she stood and walked to the railing.
“Neither can I,” he said, his voice deep and unhurried.
She turned and realized he was looking at her. She blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear.
He stood up and crossed to her side. “Can I ask you something?”
She smiled. “Of course.”
“Why the name Sullivan?”
A sad smile curved her lips. She shrugged. “My best friend growing up, the one whose family Lockwood screwed over. After everything went down and they lost the business and their home, they ended up moving to Ohio where her mother had grown up—you know, to make a fresh start. Her name was Skye Sullivan. I took it as my alias to honor her.”
“The two of you haven’t spoken?”
She shook her head. “Her family forbade her to have anything to do with me.”
He cupped her cheek and softly ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “I could help you set things right with her. You could give her family the money owed them.”
“Really?” she said. “You would do that?”
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I would really love to do that. It could help me make my own fresh start.” She set her mug down and looked out upon the sea of vibrant color. “That is what I want—a fresh start. My eyes are wide open, and I’m looking forward without fear.” She turned then and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thanks to you.”
He pulled her close. “So, what do you think of the name Calloway?”
A smile tugged at her lips. “It’s my favorite name.”
He took a step back and slowly dropped to one knee. Her heart lodged in her throat. She swallowed hard as she watched him reach into his pocket and pull out a ring. The diamond glinted in the cool light. “You are already my Angel. Will you also be my wife?”
She threw her arms around his neck, causing him to fall backward. “Yes,” she shouted.
His strong arms surrounded her. His smiled melted her heart, and his blue eyes pierced her soul.
For so long, she had been alone, her life void of true warmth, true joy.
But now…she had found true love.
The scent of his body ignited her desire. She needed to feel him, to know he was real, to know he was hers. She kissed him with all her love, all her passion, and he returned her kiss with an intensity that stole her breath.
Beneath the warmth of the fleece blanket, he eased her pants off. She spread her legs wide, taking him into her arms. He filled her. His body stroked hers. Need built within her, so dire, so painful, and yet so exquisite. She cried out, desperate for the pain to stop, and yet she never wanted it to end, the promise of repletion just thrusts away. “Don’t stop,” she begged. His own strangled cry sounded just as she crested toward fulfillment. They clung to each other as wave after wave of pleasure rocked through their bodies, leaving them sweating and panting in each other’s arms where they would find happiness together, forever.
The End.
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