We hung up and I proceeded to grab my Aunt Leelyn’s car keys. Forty minutes later, I pulled up in the driveway of Gael’s house.
Getting out of the car, I stopped and watched the moss sway in the evening breeze. My eyes traveled to place on the tree that had Daniel and Sophia’s initials carved into it. Seeing how strong their love had been brought a smile to my face. The mystery behind how Devlin fit in the picture still loomed in the back of my mind, but Sophia and Daniel would find their way through the storm. I was sure of it.
Love conquered all. Didn’t it? I refused to answer that question any other way but yes. If the answer was no, I feared for what that meant when it came to Harris trying to ruin any chance I had with Gael.
The key slid into the door easily. I opened it and entered. The house looked undisturbed. Lights were on, which I knew were from the timers Gael had set to give the impression someone was here. Glancing in the living room before heading to the kitchen, I saw the couch Gael and I cuddled on as he read to me.
Being here reminded me of him and made my body yearn to feel his touch again. My fingers touched my mouth at the thought of his lips on mine. A faint fire smell permeated my nose. I’m sure he built many fires and I loved the residual smell it left, only adding to the feeling of home.
Focus, Ashlin. Focus.
Turning, I headed to the kitchen to where I remembered the wine refrigerator being. Sophia and Daniel had spent their honeymoon here and were going to make a life on the island with their baby. To have someone’s child growing within you must be an incredible feeling. I longed to have that experience and be there for someone unconditionally, unlike my father.
My child would know that they were enough—that I loved them with my whole heart, regardless if my own was shattered.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I opened the small fridge and saw a note in Gael’s handwriting.
My feet felt like they were encased in concrete, unable to move. Gael isn’t due back until tomorrow. Could it be? Is he back early?
Finally, my feet connected with my mind and I searched for the flowers as I made my way to the front of the house. About to head into the living room, I glanced up the stairs and saw calla lilies placed up the steps. A candle burned on a dark-brown table at the top landing.
Hurriedly, I climbed to the top of the stairs. Another calla lily laid on a piece of paper with writing on it. My name caught my attention on the note.
Running my fingers over the note, excitement sprung through me. Gael’s room was the first on the right. Ready to give myself to Gael, I turned and saw three more flowers leading to his door. This was something that happened in storybooks and I wanted to pinch myself that it was real.
Hurriedly, I picked up all three flowers before entering his room. A fire crackled in the fireplace and I realized that had been the smell I had recognized when I had first entered. Sporadically, candles were placed and lit. To the right, Gael stood in jeans and a lightweight green sweater. My memory had not done him justice. In the low light, his dark hair was disheveled. At the same time, we smiled.
My heart came alive and soared.
Gael approached me and before I could say anything, his lips were on mine as his hands came to the sides of my face. Tingles rippled across the surface of my skin where he touched me. His tongue sought entry and I granted it, needing more of him. There was no restraint with our need for each other.
I moaned into his mouth as he held me like I was a dream.
He pushed back slightly. “I missed you. I’ve thought about you every second of every day. And now I have you back in my arms.”
“I’ve missed you, too. I can’t believe you’re holding me again.”
His mouth consumed mine, but this time there was more passion and fire.
Gael took a step back and I whimpered at the loss of contact. “Don’t let go of me.”
“Sweetheart, I want to savor every moment while we bare ourselves to each other. This will be forever etched in my mind as one of the greatest experiences I’ll ever have, Ashlin. Having you is a dream come true.”
I gasped at his words. “No one has ever made me feel as special as you do with words alone.”
“I’m going to make you feel special with my body, too, Ashlin. I’m going to worship you.” His words were serious as he looked at me with tenderness. His eyes blazed with desire.
A nervous excitement came over me as we sat at the precipice of our relationship changing. Not able to express what I wanted to say, my shaking fingers went to the hem of my sweater and brought it over my head, leaving me in my lace black bra that showed my nipples. Gael’s eyes widened. Kicking off my ballet flats, I pushed down my leggings to reveal a matching pair of underwear. There was an unexplainable wantonness that came over me, not caring about my brazen side coming to the surface before Gael had removed anything.
“You’re the most breathtaking woman I’ve ever seen.” His words were reverent as he stared at me with unmasked appreciation.
My hair was down and I nervously intertwined the strands between my fingers. It had been awhile since I had been with anyone, and even then, sex had been robotic and unemotional. The connection with Gael was more than I’d felt with anyone else.
Barely above a whisper, I responded, “Thank you.”
Gael dragged his shirt over his head to reveal a lean muscular body that had my fingers reaching out to trace the ridges of his abs. The muscles underneath my touch shuddered. His fists were clenched to his sides and I looked into his eyes. “You can touch me, Gael.”
“I can’t.” His voice was strained and he swallowed hard. “If I touch you, I won’t be able to stop myself from ripping your lingerie off and taking you. I want you more than I’ve wanted anything else.”