Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
A huge part of me wanted to move with him, but I had my own dreams too. I wanted to accomplish so much; I just never imagined it would be without him.
Not in this town.
The one I loved so much.
The one I wanted a future in.
Raise a family in.
The one I finally had a life in.
For a few seconds, I sincerely thought that maybe I was getting through to him. That he was going to choose me in the end, us, and this would be the beginning of our fairy tale.
Until he expressed, “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
I lost.
Maybe in another life, we could have been together.
Maybe it just wasn’t the right time for us.
Maybe we just weren’t meant to be.
Maybe…
Maybe…
Maybe…
I repeated his same words, “I’m sorry, I can’t.” In reference to leaving with him.
“Why?” he instantly argued.
I could see his anger fueling.
“How can you ask me to leave? You know how much this place means to me. Your whole family is here. Why would you want to leave?”
“You know why.”
“Ugh! You can’t just ask me to leave with you and expect me to say yes. That’s not fair.”
Neither one of us said anything for I don’t know how long. Both of us were lost in our own thoughts. The future played out in front of me, almost like a crystal ball.
I didn’t like what I saw.
What I felt.
It was awful.
I didn’t have my best friend.
“Please don’t go,” I begged, needing to get through to him.
“Please come with me,” he pleaded, wanting to get through to me too.
Again, silence.
It was truly deafening and loud at the same time.
He kissed me.
Softly.
Affectionately.
It was a goodbye kiss.
The one you see in movies.
Read about in books.
I wanted to understand him, but I couldn’t, and I hated him for that. The emotions were conflicting, each and everyone.
“Please don’t do this…” I proceeded, my will to not leave with him dwindling.
I didn’t think it was over.
Even after he left.
Even after I realized much later that this would be the last time we’d see each other for the next thirteen years, yet he still didn’t say…
“I love you.”
CHAPTER 26
NOELLE: NOW
“Ishould have said it then to you,” he confessed like he knew exactly where my mind went.
He didn’t hesitate to grip the back of my legs and carry me inside the gingerbread house.
Talk about full circle.
It had a heater, along with an obscene amount of food and blankets. He turned it into a cozy place for us to hang in. What a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve.
He set me down on the table he built for me with his own bare hands. Once I was sitting between his legs, he kissed me.
“I’m so sorry, Elle,” he coaxed between kissing. “For hurting your perfect heart.”
“I know.”
And I did.
“I’m sorry too.”
And I was.
“I wish we could go back and change things to not have to lose all that time.”
“I wouldn’t change anything.”
“Really?”
He smiled against my mouth. “It led us to this place in time where I know without a shadow of a doubt that you’re my person.”
I smiled back onto his lips. “Like your soulmate?”
“Like my everything.” He grabbed my face. “It’s crazy because I knew in the back of my mind that it’s always been you. I didn’t even realize how much everyone else knew too until I arrived here. I never realized how much everyone could see it. My friend Dan, who has never seen us together, knew just by hearing me talk about you.”
My eyes rimmed with tears.
“He told me to just give in to you, into us, and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. You’ve made me realize just how much is missing in my life. My family. You. A puppy.”
I giggled. “He is awfully cute.”
“I realize now that this is not only where I need to be but also where I want to be.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying… I love you, I love you, I love you…”
My eyes widened as he leaned back, unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and freed his cock. Grabbing my hips next, he lifted me and pulled down my overalls.
In one quick, sudden motion, my chest was pressed against the table, and he thrust deep inside me.
“Yes...”
I savored in the feel only he could give me. His hands made their way down to my ass, guiding my movements, finding a rhythm that drove me into a wild frenzy. I was overpowered by the feelings he stirred all around me, and I allowed the familiar ache to take over.
He placed my face between his hands and peered at me adoringly. “No more bullshit between us, Elle. You’re mine.”
I came, and he growled, “You’re going to let me back in.”
I panted, “You are in.”
He didn’t let up on his rough thrusts. “You’re going to not only give me your heart, your soul, your friendship, and pussy, but you’re also going to give me your ass… and you know what else?”