He gestures next door, to the plot that stretches down the bay.
“No hotels,” I tell him, only part joking.
He chuckles. “I promise. No, I was thinking more along the lines of a house. A home,” he adds, glancing down at me with meaning in his eyes. I squeeze him tight in answer, loving the thought of him right there next door to me.
Or even closer.
Because Ash’s smile turns knowing. “Besides,” he adds. “Just because you’re running the B&B, it doesn’t mean you have to stay living in that little studio. I’m sure I’d have plenty of room for you with me.”
“You mean, so I can come over and use your pool?” I tease.
Ash suddenly sweeps me into his arms. “I was thinking more, my bed,” he corrects me, his eyes dark with a passionate intent that makes me forget the crowded yard, and all the workmen bustling around. “Every night, and every morning, and everything in between.”
The moment shimmers between us. The promise of a future.
“I love you,” I whisper, and he smiles.
“I’ve been falling in love with you since the minute we met. And I’m going to keep falling, forever.”
He dips me back and kisses me hard, until there are whoops and whistles around us in the yard. But still, we don’t stop.
This is just the beginning, and I don’t ever want to stop.
THE END
(Almost!)
Epilogue
You are invited to celebrate the wedding of
Alicia Kathryn Wright
&
Dexter James Callahan
1 Beach Lane,
Beachwood Bay
3pm
Dress: formal
Noelle & Ash
“Don’t drop that!”
Noelle’s breath caught as she watched Ash unload the huge covered cake tray from the back of the car. For one heart-stopping moment, the load teetered in his hands; then he gripped it firmly and sent her a reassuring smile.
“I’ve got it, don’t worry.”
“I’ll worry until the moment the happy couple are cutting into their perfect wedding cake.” Noelle followed him into the house, keeping her hands free in case she needed to make a lunge to keep the tray from hitting the ground. Already, the place was bustling with caterers, florists, and assistants, all working to unload the vans and carry everything down to the beach. But her cargo was the most precious of all—at least, in her opinion.
Ash chuckled as he maneuvered expertly towards the kitchen. “You know as long as it tastes great, nobody will mind.”
“I do!” Noelle knew he was teasing her, but she couldn’t help taking the bait. “I was up all night baking, I want everything to be perfect.”
“I know you were up all night.” Ash carefully set the tray down on the countertop, amongst the crates of glassware and hors d'oeuvres. He turned suddenly, sliding his arms around Noelle’s waist and pulling her close enough to whisper in her ear. “I was the one who made sure you took plenty of breaks.”
“You mean, tirelessly distracted me.” Noelle flushed at the memory of his hot lips on her skin.
“You know me.” Ash dipped a kiss to her neck. “When I set my mind to something, I always achieve it. Multiple times,” he murmured.
Noelle melted against him—until a caterer came barging through with a load of silverware. She leapt back. “I still have to assemble,” she said, slipping out of his embrace.
Ash watched as she unpacked her supplies and eased the lid off the trays, revealing three separate tiers of cake, already adorned with ice-smooth fondant. Noelle bit her lip with concentration as she carefully spread more frosting between the layers, using it as cement to secure the towering stack in place.
He loved watching her work. To Noelle, baking was an art form, and every minute in the kitchen transported her to a different world. Sometimes she would lose track of time completely, and he would stand in the doorway as she mixed, and rolled, and tasted, totally oblivious to his presence—or how temptingly sexy she looked with flour in her hair and sugar on her lips, just waiting for his kiss. He would move behind her, kissing his way across the slope of her shoulders as she tried to finish the task at hand—and failed. He couldn’t count the number of times the smoke alarm had blared, reminding them about a batch of burning cookies in the oven while they were lost in a tangle on the kitchen floor.
It was why the plans for their new house had heated floors. And plenty of counter space. And just about the biggest master bedroom suite he’d ever seen. In fact, while Noelle was getting all worked up over her dream kitchen, Ash had been secretly designing the house around every single place they would be having sex.
There were worse ways to plan a life together.
Now, Noelle dusted the top of the wedding cake with a glitter of sugar crystals, and scattered sugared rose petals on each tier. She finally glanced up, and found him watching her. “What?” she asked with a smile.
“Nothing.” Ash lied. She didn’t need to know about the ring box hidden in his desk drawer just yet, and besides, he wasn’t about to steal his brother’s thunder on his big day. “Dex and Alicia are going to love this cake,” he said instead.
“I hope so.” Noelle finally stood back. “There,” she said proudly. “Done.” She snapped a quick photo and then secured the whole thing under a dome. “Don’t let me touch it again,” she told him, and Ash grabbed both her hands tightly.
“Promise.”