Page 104 of Summer Love

He reared up, removing his shirt. I worked on his buckle, shoving down his pants. He helped me remove mine, and then we were skin on skin, his cock nudging my entrance.

He paused, his hands braced on either side of my head, his fingers interlaced with mine. "I always want to feel this close to you."

"Me too."

He slid inside me. "Being with you is like heaven with never-ending storms."

I wasn't sure anyone had ever said anything more romantic before. We made love to the sound of the rain pounding on the roof.

No matter what happened with the article and social-media posts, we were stronger than ever, and that was all that mattered.

Epilogue

HUDSON

After talking to Sienna, I found a used drum kit online, set it up at the community center, and secured lessons for Shane through a local music store. The drum kit was loud and took up a lot of space that Sienna didn’t have at the moment. So this was the best solution.

Elena had been fielding messages and comments from news outlets across the country commending her for standing up for journalistic integrity. She’d gotten several offers to work with various magazines and online news sources, but she hadn’t made an official decision yet.

She wanted to do her research before she decided what her life would look like going forward, and I’d support her every step of the way.

The important thing was that we were able to be together most of the time. We were open to the possibility of her needing to travel occasionally, depending on which position she took.

I wanted to wait until the worst of the buzz from the article died down before I took the next step with Elena. Soon everyone would know she was mine. I’d be off the market for good.

Shep was reveling in the attention he’d received. The buzz about whether he was a bad boy or not had spurred a lot of speculation online. He enjoyed it, but I was ready to move on.

Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be much of an issue for the business's reputation. Every once in a while, a client would mention it, but it was more of a joke.

I was grateful the situation was behind us, and we could move on from it.

Tonight was bingo night at the senior center, and one of the prizes was a free interior design plan from Luna and a discount on renovation services from Kingston Construction.

Dad wanted all of us to be present at the event. He was still worried about our reputation after the article.

I didn’t mind because it meant a night with Elena and Grams. I helped Grams and her friends secure a table.

They set up their markers and good luck charms in the middle of the table as the room quickly filled to capacity.

“I can’t believe the turnout tonight,” Grams grumbled.

“I don’t know if I like everyone showing up to our bingo night,” Mabel added.

“I’m sure the excitement will die down after the prizes are announced and everything will go back to normal, Grandma,” Hazel said.

Brady hovered nearby, seemingly unsure what to do with himself, while Shepard and Cooper made their rounds in the room, laughing and joking with everyone.

As irritated as I got with Shep, he knew how to charm people. He might be just the person to improve our company’s reputation.

Right before the event was about to start, Hazel said, “Oh,” and ducked under the table. When she stood, she held up her hand with a sparkling diamond ring on her finger, and everyone gasped.

“Are you engaged?” Mabel asked. Then before Hazel could answer, she continued, “It was my dying wish that you get engaged and married before I go.”

“Since when are you dying?” Grams asked her.

Mabel waved a dismissive hand in her direction. “I knew you and Brady would get together one day. I just didn’t think it would be this soon. You’ve made me so happy.”

Hazel’s eyes were wide, her hand still suspended in midair as Mabel stood and hugged her and Brady. “I can’t wait to plan a wedding. This is going to be amazing.”

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