One More Time

I hadn’t prepared to make a speech. I figured we’d cut the ribbon, some people would sign up, and then everyone would eat and go home. I looked down at Chanel, and she smiled at me. Then, she pulled a piece of paper from her pocket.

She had written me a speech, and I chuckled as I unfolded the piece of paper.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for coming out today. For making time in your busy schedules to usher a new business into the community. This surfing school has been a dream of mine ever since I was a Navy SEAL, and I hope the joy and relaxation I get from being out in the ocean can be passed down to anyone who wants to learn how to surf.”

That was it. Short and sweet, but somehow, it didn’t fully encompass what I wanted to say. My heart slammed in my chest as I turned my situation over in my head, and then I settled on my decision. It was now or never, and as I looked over at Chanel, I was filled with a type of comfort. She smiled up at me, her eyes sparkling with pride as I shoved the piece of paper into my pocket and fumbled with the ring I had been holding onto.

Then I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close to my side.

“It was a cruise, actually, that brought about this discovery. I would stand on the deck of the ship and watch it pierce the waters, and it was the greatest peace I had ever felt. That cruise forever changed the trajectory of my life, but not just because it opened my eyes to this business. That cruise also gave me back the love of my life.”

Everyone in the crowd sighed as Chanel’s eyes filled with tears.

Yep. It was now or never.

I sank down to one knee and pulled the ring from my pocket. I heard Ana squeal as Tommy whooped while my fingertips trembled with fear. I held the ring up for Chanel to see as tears ran down her cheeks, her hands covering her mouth as the entire audience gasped.

“Chanel, I never stopped loving you. From the moment I first saw you walking down the halls of our high school, I knew I had to have you. I knew you would bring a light to my life I would never find anywhere else. And even though misunderstandings and pain got in our way, we somehow managed to find one another again, to grow and become the people we are now. And somehow, we managed to stay the same, perfect for one another in every single way.”

“Oh, my gosh,” Chanel said in a whisper.

“Chanel Mathews, I love you with everything I have. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

She wasted no time in nodding her head as she threw her arms around my neck.

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, Rhett. I’ll marry you.”

The crowd erupted into applause as I took Chanel in my arms. I stood to my feet and swung her around, tears prickling the corners of my eyes. The celebration of my business had just turned into an engagement party, and the food truck was now churning out free food in celebration of our impending nuptials.

I planted my lips on Chanel’s and took it all in. The heat of her skin. The roar of the crowd. The smell of the food and the sweet scent of her perfume. I drank up how she clung to me, and her body trembled with happiness as I slid the ring I had purchased a month ago onto her finger.

“I love you, Chanel.”

Her lips crashed back onto mine, her body melting into my grasp.

“I love you, too, Rhett. I love you so much.”

Everything was complete. I had everything I could have ever wanted from my life. Luke was in prison, my business looked like it would flourish, and I was going to marry the woman who had never left my mind. My best friend was in love, the city was rallying around us, and Chanel’s writing was doing better than ever.

There was nothing that could stop us now. Absolutely nothing.

The End

It’s not over! I love my readers so much that I’ve included a brand new, never before published steamy romance: My Hot Stepbrother. Check it out on the next page…

So many reasons not to but staying out of my stepbrother's bed is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

ELI

Sure, I've screwed around. I've been with lots of women, but only because the one I want keeps running away from me. Hannah Ross may be stepsister, but she's the only woman for me.

Her dad is an asshole, she just doesn't know it yet. Sooner or later, she's going to realize it, I can't protect her from him and his motorcycle club's shady dealings. Not unless I'm willing to fight fire with fire. When their rivals approach me about taking my stepdad out, I hesitate for Hannah's sake. But once it becomes obvious that her life is in danger because of him, I'll stop at nothing to keep her safe.

HANNAH

Eli claims he loves me, that he's always loved me. He thinks I'm pushing him away because he's my stepbrother, but that's not really the reason. The reason I keep running back to Seattle is because I know he's not good for me. I know what I want out of life - to have a stable, loving family of my own. Something Eli has never had for himself.

When an ex shows up out of the blue, with his child in tow - a child he knew nothing about - I promise to be there for them. Even if it kills me to spend time with the man I love, and the child he never knew he wanted, I will do it for the baby. But the more we spend time together, the more obvious it becomes - I can't deny my desires for long. Even though he's got one baby already, I can't keep my dreams secret forever.