Page 121 of His Last Shot
With a gentle pull, I bring her closer, the warmth of her body against mine as our lips meet again in a passionate kiss. On instinct, my hand squeezes her thigh, her flesh soft against my calloused skin, feeling like the silk I remember.
As if I could ever forget.
Reluctantly, I pull back, and our gazes lock. “Want to stargaze with me?”
She bites her lower lip. “Yeah.”
She tries to get off of my lap, but I clamp her in place. “Let me.”
Hooking one arm under her knees and the other around her waist, I stand as she lets out a yelp followed by a giggle.
Having her in my arms again … is far better than I could have imagined. I never realized how much I missed her until this very moment. She wraps her arms around my neck. Hooded eyes meet my intense stare, filled with love and longing as I walk to the bed of my truck.
I place her on the air mattress, and she scoots back and under the blankets. With a flick of a switch, darkness falls as the lights go out. I kick off my shoes and snuggle into the bed to join her. “Come here,” I whisper my plea while pulling her close, feeling the softness of her hair against my cheek as I take her in my arms. She rests her head on my chest, and in one swift motion, she slings her leg over mine. We lie quietly as I run my fingers over her arm.
Except for our breathing, there is only silence.
It’s peaceful and safe.
Something we haven’t felt in a long time.
Scanning the vast sky above us, she hums. “The stars are so bright tonight. It’s so beautiful.” But I’m not looking at the stars. Instead, I’m mesmerized by the most beautiful woman, a sight that leaves me speechless.
I can’t believe she is mine. Again.
“Youare the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
She tilts her head, our eyes colliding. “I love you.”
I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. Goosebumps erupt over her arm. “I love you too.”
After that, we do little stargazing. And a lot of kissing.
Besides, we have our whole lives to look at the heavens. Right now, the only person I want to gaze at is her.
Forever. For the rest of my life.
After our non-stargazing, she rises on her elbow, resting her head in her hand, and gives me a concerned look. Her fingers rest on the cotton of my shirt. “I do have one question for you, though. It’s something that has been gnawing away at me for years now.”
“Anything.” I’ll tell this woman whatever she wants to hear as long as we never leave this truck and those goosebumps running up and down her arm as I rub it never leave.
Then, a knowing smirk appears on her face. “So, exactly what happened in Daytona all those years ago?”
Except that.
My huge billowing laugh echoes into the night.
Of course, eventually, I’ll tell her about that night in Daytona.
Because we have our whole lives to tell each other our secrets.
Today, tomorrow, and forever.
Epilogue
Rachel & Johnny
Six months later
