Chapter Sixteen
Leni
One Year Later
I TIGHTLY WRAP MY ARMS around Liam’s waist as we ride Liam’s black stallion, Jet, through the pasture. Resting my cheek against Liam’s back, I gaze out toward the horizon where the oranges, purples, and pinks of the sunset are fading into each other like a beautiful watercolor painting.
This is my favorite part of the day on the ranch. After a day of hard work, the sky shines with serene beauty as the land falls to slumber. Our ride is always accompanied by the calming song of the birds singing and the crickets chirping and the warm winds of dusk.
It’s magical.
Or maybe this is just what true happiness feels like. Perhaps everyone who’s found their way on this journey we call life feels the same way as I do right now. I don’t know though. Sometimes, I think that no one on earth could possibly be as happy as I am.
We put Jet away in the barn and walk hand in hand toward Mimi’s house. We’re greeted with strawberry rhubarb pie and vanilla ice cream.
“This is heaven, Mimi, per usual.”
“So good,” Liam chimes in through a mouthful of pie.
I can’t help but laugh.
“What room are you all working on now?” Mimi asks in reference to the house that Liam’s having built for us.
He’s been involved in every aspect of the design, making sure his friend Gunner creates the perfect floor plan.
“Leni’s studio,” Liam says proudly.
“Oh my gosh. It’s amazing. It spans across the entire end of the second floor, and the walls are nothing but windows. So, I’m going to get the best light all day long. It’s so great.”
“That’s wonderful. You need a good space to create. How many shows do you have lined up?” Mimi asks.
“So far, about ten over the next year.”
I can’t believe how well my art has been received. I can get into any art studio I want in Texas, and all the decent-sized cities have some incredible studios. My Texas-themed canvases are huge sellers. The great thing is, I only have to step outside my house, and there is inspiration everywhere. I feel like I’m exactly where I was always meant to be.
I get to spend my days with Liam and Mimi. I can help Liam on the ranch anytime I want, which is more often than I would’ve thought because the truth is that I miss him throughout the day. I can paint and create whenever I want as well, and I’m actually making really good money, selling my work.
Liam’s parents spend quite a bit of time with us at Mimi’s house, and I know Mimi’s heart is full with joy. I’m happy I’m here. I’m so glad she’s not alone. She actually has a large extended family now, one that loves her.
I’ve tried to reach out to my mother, but there’s really been no progress made with my parents, and I’m actually okay with it. Now that I’m an adult, I get to choose my family, and I’ve chosen a pretty incredible one. I have no complaints. I’ve finally realized that I can’t change them, but I can stop allowing them to affect the way I feel.
We help Mimi finish cleaning the kitchen before we say good night.
Stepping out onto the back porch, Liam threads his fingers through mine. “You ready, wife?”
“Ready, husband,” I say with a snicker, still giddy over the fact that I’m now Mrs. Moore.
Liam and I got married a month ago at dusk below a candlelit archway in the field where we first met so many years ago. Only Mimi and his family were in attendance, and it was perfect. He’d offered me a grand wedding, but I had no interest in it. I’ve learned life lessons at warp speed during the time I’ve spent here since returning from New York. I no longer crave the acceptance of a couple of hundred people oohing and aahing over me in my wedding gown. That sort of affirmation from others isn’t required anymore. I only desire it from one person, and he already thinks I’m the most beautiful woman in the world—even in the mornings with bedhead and morning breath.
We walk the path from Mimi’s house to our dream home. It isn’t complete yet. It’s still very much a construction zone, but it has the basics to live in, and it’s ours. Liam stops on our front porch and swoops me up in his arms, causing me to laugh.
“You don’t have to keep doing this!” I exclaim. “You’ve carried me over the threshold for a month now. I think we’ve made our point.”
He doesn’t listen as he walks me through the front door and sets me down. He takes my face in his hands and leans down until he’s just a breath away. “I love it,” he whispers, his voice husky and deep. “I still can’t believe you’re mine.”
“Well, you’d better start believing it because I’m not going anywhere.” I stare into his deep brown eyes, so full of love.
He kisses me, and it makes me feel amazing, like it does each and every time. I pray I never tire of kissing Liam. I don’t know how I could. We’re going to be those eighty-year-old grandparents that can’t keep their hands off of each other. It’s going to be awesome.
He pulls his lips away. “Bath?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
The kitchen, master bedroom, and bathroom are the only completely finished rooms in the house so far. But, honestly, that’s all we need. We don’t really use the kitchen since we eat with Mimi, so actually, we have more rooms than we require.
Liam runs the water in our huge claw-foot tub, adding some lavender salts to the water. We went all out on our master bedroom and bathroom. They could be straight from a magazine; they’re absolutely stunning.
I remove my jeans, dropping them onto the tiles.
“Let me help you, Mrs. Moore.”
Liam steps behind me and pulls up my T-shirt. I raise my arms as he removes it. He pulls down one of my bra straps and kisses my shoulder where the strap just was before repeating the motion on the other side. He sweeps my hair over one shoulder, and his soft lips trail across the back of my neck as his fingers lightly caress my arms.
I sigh in contentment.
He kisses down my back until he reaches my panties. He pulls down on them, and as they fall to the floor, he playfully bites my ass, causing me to jump.
“Ouch!” I cry and turn toward him.
He’s laughing. “That didn’t hurt,” he says with a huge grin as he removes his clothes.
“I guess not,” I agree stubbornly. “But it didn’t feel the best.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “It would have if you were a little more turned on.”
True.
I roll my eyes at him before stepping into the hot water.
Liam gets in behind me, and I lean back against his chest. I run the soapy sponge up and down our arms as we talk about our day. Liam and I never run out of things to talk about. He truly is my best friend.
“Are you and your dad running to Austin tomorrow?” I ask as I turn around to face him, straddling his lap.
“Yeah. Do you want to come?” His soapy hands find my breasts.
I close my eyes as his fingers focus on my nipples.
“Uh, no . . .” My breaths come out harder. “I’m going to . . . finish . . . a few pieces . . .”
He starts to rock against me, his hard desire hitting me right where I want it.
“For the show . . . next week.”
Liam moves one of his hands down under the water until he finds me. I drop my forehead against his chest, panting, as he pleasures me below the warm water.
“Oh . . .” I moan.
“Does that feel good, baby?” Liam asks, his voice needy against my neck.
“Oh God . . . yes.” I rock harder against his hand. “I want . . .”
“What do you want, Leni?” His fingers pick up their pace.
“I want . . .” I moan.
“What, baby?” his hot breath whispers into my ears. He bites softly on my earlobe.
“You,” I cry. “I want you, Liam.”
He slides his hard length into me, and I plunge my body down onto it. Our mouths find each other, and we exchange sounds of ecstasy through our kisses. Liam wraps his arms around my back and holds me against him as our bodies move faster, both desperate to find our release.
Water splashes. Moans echo. Skin slaps.
Every time with Liam is the best time. Each time we come together, it’s mind-blowingly good. Our minds, bodies, and souls were destined for one another.
After our bath, our bare bodies lie in our bed, snuggled up together under the blankets. We’ve yet to get the house wired for TV, so our evenings are spent talking and making love. I have zero complaints.
Liam holds me in his arms as the side of my face rests against his chest. I can hear his heartbeats, and I’m grateful for each one.
“I love married life,” I sigh, my body humming with contentment.
“Me, too,” he agrees, his fingers tracing light circles against my skin.
I prop my head up, so I can stare into his eyes. He’s so gorgeous. In his face, I see the six-year-old boy I met so many years ago, full of curiosity, energy, and mischief. I also see my twenty-five-year-old husband—strong, steady, loving, and good.
“Are you happy?” I ask, already knowing his answer.
“The happiest.” He grins and kisses the tip of my nose.
“Me, too.” I smile back. “Thank you for loving me,” I say.
This conversation is a regular one in our home.
“Always,” he says, his answer the same as usual.
Every day, I have to remind myself that this life is real, and it’s forever.
Liam’s lips find mine, and I’m lost in his kisses once more.
Most of my life, I never thought I’d find this level of joy. The nagging feeling that it just wasn’t in the cards for me was ever present. I spent years running and searching, trying to fill a void, when, in actuality, I’d always had everything I needed to be happy. I don’t regret anything though. I think the journey was crucial for me to truly appreciate the destination.
The book has closed on the lost chapters of my life, the ones where I wandered aimlessly, searching for meaning. Now, I get to write a new story with Liam. He makes me feel more loved than I knew possible. I feel safe and accepted and so very cherished. Every day is a new adventure full of laughs, love, and lots of kisses. We have so much to look forward to. We’re just getting started. I can’t wait to build a big, beautiful family with Liam, one in which our children will be loved unconditionally. We have years of pure bliss ahead of us, and I’m going to cherish every second of every minute of every day because I know how precious this life is. It’s a gift I’ll never take for granted.
#bestlifeever