Heart And Soul (Angel Sands 8)

“Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be.” He brushed his lips against her temple. “Us supporting each other. When one stumbles, the other one holds them up.”

“I like the sound of that.” She tipped her head up, her eyes shining bright.

“Me too.” He traced the line of her jaw with his thumb, then feathered it along her bottom lip. He replaced his finger with his mouth, his lips connecting with hers, kissing her hard and deep the way he’d been dreaming of for weeks.

She curled her arms around his neck, her soft body arching into his, and he felt desire pumping through him. His tongue slid against hers, his hand sliding down her back to pull her against him. He groaned when he felt her heated skin through the thin fabric of her pajamas. She was so warm and ready and completely accessible.

“Take me to bed,” she whispered, and he felt himself begin to throb against her.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “I’m sure.”

He kissed her again, lifting her with ease, and her legs wrapped around his waist. Then he did what she requested, carrying her to the bedroom and kicking the door open so he could walk inside.

And when he laid her down on the bed, he had to take a breath and stare at her for a moment. To marvel that this woman he loved so much was also in love with him.

They were going to spend the rest of their lives together, starting now, and it felt like the best gift he’d ever been given.

He wasn’t afraid, he was exhilarated. So in love it made his body ache. He climbed over her, kissing her again, and he knew that she was it for him. He’d found the love of his life in the apartment next door to his, and this time he wasn’t going to let her go.

And from the way she held him, her lips moving against his, Meghan felt exactly the same.

Epilogue

“Happy birthday, dear Isla, happy birthday to you!”

Meghan grinned and hunkered down, holding the cake out to her daughter. Isla puffed out her cheeks and blew the nine candles out.

It was the perfect day for a birthday party on the beach. The sun was shining, the ocean sparkling like sapphires, and they were surrounded by all their friends. Families, too.

Belle was using her new Sandrider wheelchair with its oversized wheels that made getting across the beach so much easier. She’d bought it with the proceeds from her art sales. She was currently working on a new show – this one would be held in L.A., thanks to her new agent.

Meghan’s parents were there, too, sitting on chairs her father had carried from his car, and sipping gingerly at the lemonade they’d put on the catering table.

Then there were all their friends. Harper and James, Autumn and Griff from the pier, along with the other couples in their group that Rich and Meghan had gotten to know since they’d officially started dating. Gloria was sitting between Grant and Kevin, looking amazing in her flowered kaftan. She was due to have a pacemaker fitted next month, and was already planning a cruise once she recovered. Next to her, Jeannie was talking to the women who’d become Meghan’s friends – Ember, Brooke, and Ally.

Dylan and Natasha were there, too. He’d told his security guard to take a break and grab a coffee from Déjà Brew while they celebrated Isla’s birthday. Luckily, even Ger had accepted there weren’t any security risks in Angel Sands. Especially since Carlyn had sold the gallery a few months ago – the last they’d heard she was running a new gallery in Sacramento. They’d breathed a sigh of relief when they passed The Sunshine Gallery and seen the sign ‘under new ownership’.

It felt like everything was finally slotting into place.

Dylan had come back from his tour a month ago, and Isla had already been to stay with them once. She’d go again next month, and Rich and Meghan were planning a trip away to make the most of their alone time together.

“Is it gift time?” Isla whispered. Her friends from school were here, too. They’d had a magic show earlier, followed by ice cream from Meghan’s shop.

“Yeah, I think it is,” Meghan said, ruffling her hair. “You want to see what Rich and I bought you?”

Isla nodded, her eyes wide. They got even wider when she saw Rich carry over the gift wrapped guitar. “Is that what I think it is?” she whispered.

“Yep. Dylan told us you love playing his instruments when you stayed with him. Especially the guitar. So we thought you’d like one to practice on at home, as well.”

Isla threw her arms around Meghan. “Thank you, Mommy,” she whispered. Then she reached for Rich, who lifted her up with a grin. “I love it,” Isla told him. “Thank you, Dad.”

“You’re welcome.” His voice was gruff. He’d gotten so emotional the first time Isla had called him that, she’d seen tears roll down his cheeks. He’d insisted on talking with Dylan to make sure he was cool with Rich having the name. Dylan had shrugged and told him the more the merrier.

“You have to wait until you come to our place to see your present in real life,” Natasha told Isla. “But in the meantime, we bought you a few more things.” Natasha and Dylan were getting married next month, and they’d asked Isla to be their flower girl. They’d also invited Rich and Meghan to come to the ceremony and party afterward.

It felt as though they were settling into a rhythm that worked for all of them, especially Isla. She was blooming in all the extra love she was receiving from Rich, Dylan, and Natasha. It made Meghan’s heart feel like it was going to burst.