Pieces Of Us (Angel Sands 6)

When they parted, they were both breathless, their eyes shining brighter than the sun above.

“I love you,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her warm throat. “I promise to never hurt you again.”

Just then, a little child kicked a ball in front of them, wobbling on his feet as he ran after it, his mom following close behind. The ball bounced against Griff’s feet, and the boy stopped dead, looking up with wide eyes at the man-giant in front of him.

Griff winked and kicked the ball back. The boy picked it up quickly, snatching it against his chest. He still couldn’t take his eyes from Griff, though. Funny how he had that affect on children. They were awed, but not afraid.

“How many do you want?” she asked, laying her head against his shoulder.

“Balls?”

She laughed. “No, children.”

He kissed her temple, sliding his arms around her. “One, five, twenty. I’ve no idea.”

“But you want children one day?”

“Yeah. If you do.”

She turned her head to the side, smiling into his eyes. “I do, too. One day.”

Griff stood, pulling her up and sliding his arm around her shoulder. “In that case, we have some practicing to do,” he told her.

She laughed as they walked along the beach, the warmth of the sun reflected in the heat radiating inside her. He was a giant, he was vulnerable, but he was all she ever wanted. For so long she’d been a shadow of herself, torn by those who wanted pieces of her.

Here in his arms, it finally felt like she was whole. She lifted his hand to her lips and

kissed his palm, feeling the rough skin against her mouth. “I love you,” she whispered. “So much.”

His eyes crinkled. “Come on. Let me take you home.”

Epilogue

If there was one thing Autumn had learned since she’d moved to Angel Sands, it was that time here ran at a different pace. Maybe it was the lack of distinct seasons that made things seem slower and more laid back. In New York, it was either too hot to work or too snowy to get into the office, with only a few days in spring and summer that felt just right.

Sure, the temperature in Angel Sands dipped a little in the winter. Griff would pull a half suit on over his body when he left early in the morning to meet his friends for a surf before work began. And Autumn would slide a pair of jeans on to wear with her tank or t-shirt. If it was really cold she’d pull a thin sweater on, too. But for the most part, each day felt the same as the ones before and after.

There was a comfort in that. Unless you were desperate for your pier to be repaired, that was. The six months she had planned for the rebuilding had stretched into nine, then twelve. More than long enough to have a baby, as Ember had pointed out.

But now it was ready, and her heart was hammering against her chest as she looked around it. Not only was the structure itself rebuilt with deep green painted ironwork and light varnished wood, but there was a brand new restaurant and office, along with two shops that she’d rented out before the construction was even complete. Each building was painted in a different pastel color; green, blue, pink, and yellow. They looked like the ice cream Delmonico’s served in tall glass bowls, with swirls of cream and curled chocolate on top.

And at the end of the pier, floating proudly in the water, was Griff’s rebuilt boat. He’d renamed it, too, making Autumn christen the side with a bottle of champagne before he revealed the gold paint. Forever Autumn.

“I’ve heard of guys getting tattoos of their girlfriend’s name on their arms, but this is the first time I’ve seen a boat named after one,” she’d told him, trying to swallow down the tears.

He’d kissed her softly, brushing the hair from her face as he cupped her chin. “I like it,” he whispered. “Now I’m branded by you.”

She walked steadily up the pier, toward her office which was now two stories. The top floor was where she worked, and the bottom was outfitted with sofas, along with a huge mirror on the wall where a bride-to-be and her party could be primped and preened by her beauty team, before heading out to the pier to say her vows.

Rapping on the door before opening it, Autumn smiled when she saw Brooke sitting there, her hair being curled into barrelled ringlets as she sipped a glass of champagne. She’d been so sweet about the delay to her wedding, and refused to even consider moving venues. “I’ll wait until the pier is ready,” she’d told Autumn. “However long it takes. I can’t imagine a better place to get married.”

Ally was sitting next to Brooke, having mascara carefully applied to her lashes. Ember was on the sofa with Arthur, who looked adorable in a tiny suit and bow tie. He had a car in his hand and was running it over the cushions, making engine noises through his lips.

Caitie and Harper would be here later. Though Caitie was working hard on her water phobia, she knew her limits. So the two of them were getting ready at home, and would arrive for the ceremony, where Breck and James would be waiting for them.

“Everything okay?” Autumn asked her friends.

“It’s wonderful,” Brooke said, grinning at her from the mirror. “I feel like a princess.”