Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

But these were my friends. I looked around the room, at the bright smiles and light-hearted camaraderie. This was my family. I loved two of these men like brothers and the third was my soul-mate. I couldn't be happier if I tried.

Together, we headed to the elevator. Gabe made fart jokes as we rode down that made me wonder how he ever got girls to go home with him.

Outside, the Florida sun was bright and hot. The air shimmered with heat and humidity and just breathing felt like I was being cooked alive. I missed my Caribbean ocean breezes keeping the heat to a tolerable level.

“You guys go on ahead,” Leo said, catching my hand. “We'll catch up in just a minute.”

Bastian narrowed his eyes. “Be good. She's still my sister and I'll still kick your ass.”

“Oh, give the lovebirds a minute. You don't want to see them making out.” Gabe made a gagging motion. “We'll meet you there.”

Leo pulled on my hand, leading me around the corner of the building to a small nature area where employees could eat their lunches. A small man-made waterfall was the centerpiece with a little brook that meandered around the lunch area.

“I want to thank you, Charlotte,” Leo said, pulling me to him. “You saved me.”

I looked up into his blue eyes, seeing only love and a future of happiness within them. “I love you, Leo. You should know that by now.”

He grinned and my heart pounded in my chest. Even after all that had happened, his smile still made me weak in the knees.

“I am the luckiest man in the world,” he whispered, leaning down to press his lips to mine. Right before they touched, he breathed, “I love you.”

And then he kissed me.

I kissed him back, the sound of the waterfall drowning out everything but him.

Epilogue

I never thought this day would come.

I look down at my white dress and giggle. It feels so surreal. I have to be dreaming, and this has to be the best dream of my life.

I'm going to marry Leo Westbrook.

I've dreamed of this day since I was thirteen years old, and now, finally, it's coming true.

“You ready, Char?” Chloe, my childhood best friend asks. She's grinning at me, looking gorgeous as usual. The same dark hair she shares with her brother is curled into perfect waves. “Everyone's waiting.”

I take one last look in the mirror and then I nod.

I was born ready.

Just outside the door, Bastian is waiting. He's leaning against the wall, pretending to be calm and collected, but I know better. He's nervous. The tick in his jaw and the way the little scar above his eye is pulsing show me that he's nervous.

He smiles and his face softens as he sees me. “Wow,” he whispers. “You look so beautiful.”

I grin. “You don't look so bad yourself,” I tell him. He stands up a little straighter and puffs out his chest.

“Eh, I thought I should dress for the occasion,” he teases. He looks handsome in his dark gray suit with a small white lily in his lapel. He holds out his hand for mine. “Ready?”

I nod. “Are you?”

Instead of starting to walk, he pulls me into a hug, his big arms encircling me and holding me close. For a moment, I am not a grown woman. I am a small girl of five years old and he is my older brother, protecting me from the world.

“I love you,. You are my sister,” he whispers, his voice gruff.

I can't cry. Not yet. Crying is for when it's over.

“I've been ready for ten years,” I remind him. Bastian laughs, releasing me from his hug.