Careless Whisper (12 page)

Using his forearms to brace himself, Ryan covered her cheeks, chin and lips in kisses. “That’s my line.”

She threaded her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. A lazy, sated smile kinked her mouth. “You left me otherwise speechless.”

He sighed. “As much as I want to lay here limp in your arms, we need to go home. I’m not done loving you.” He stood and yanked his pants up past his hips.
 
He marvelled at her beauty and sense of adventure. She deserved the world but fell in love with him. Finally luck ran his way.

“What are you thinking?” She righted her jeans and finger-combed her hair from her eyes. “I should be able to read you and it’s a bit fuzzy.”

“I need to get you a ring.” Tugging on her belt loops, he pulled her into his arms. “A
diamond,
or something more exotic? You strike me as the ruby type, if I had to guess.”

Samara snuggled in his embrace. “This is
all the
ring I need.”

“So I don’t need to buy a diamond?” Didn’t matter, she’d get the most beautiful ring he could find—in the morning.

“I wouldn’t turn one down. It
is
tradition.”

“Then let’s go home and start a few more traditions, including making love all night.” Leading her to the driver’s side door of her
Monte Carlo
, Ryan slid his hand into her back pocket. “First one home chooses which room we initiate next.”

“The other chooses who wears the handcuffs first?”

He slapped her ass as she wriggled from his arms. “Baby, you read my mind.”

Epilogue

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Ryan, you may kiss your bride.”

Felicity snorted as Ryan wrapped his arms around Samara. “She looks hideous in red. Weddings are white, or crème or ecru. Red is for date night and getting laid.
Duh.”

Matilda dug her elbow into Felicity’s side. “Hush. Red is actually her colour.
Brings out the caramel tones in her hair.”
She brought her hands together in silent applause. “That tux should be bronzed. Fits him like a second skin.”

“Gag me.” A shiver ran up Felicity’s spine as she folded her arms. She gritted her teeth. The tuxedo shrouded Ryan’s body, accentuating the curves of muscle. She longed to run her hands over the soft silk of the lapel. Her heart squeezed tight in her chest as she stifled a sob. “You and I both know he was supposed to love me. He barely waited a week for me to disappear to saddle up with her.”

“Not what I heard.”

Jerking at the certainty in Matilda’s voice, Felicity turned. “Oh?” Her lip curled in a sneer. “Not that I should listen to you. You’re still pining over Laurence. He’s been dead for forty years and moved into the light.”

“You don’t get it, do you? I just got points with the Big Guy for doing something good. Tearing Ryan and Samara apart only keeps you in this—this limbo longer.”

“Then how do I get out? You took this good deed.”

“Find the man you truly loved.”

“He married
her
.”

“You’re so young.” Matilda sighed. “I can see into your heart and know you’re full of shit. Ryan wasn’t the man you loved any more than you love me.”

 
“Ugh, I don’t do girls.” Felicity sneered, realising what—or rather, who—Matilda meant. “You mean—oh no. He moved to
Cleveland
to bartend. I think his metal band is still headquartered there. But he never loved me.”

“Goodbye, Felicity.”

“You aren’t leaving me! I just found you and I do not want to be alone.”

“I have another job in another place.
But you?
You’re going to the city of rock and roll to set things right or serve your forever punishment. But hey, you never know. I could show up and cause all kinds of trouble. It’s in my genes, so they say.”

“Fuck.” As the scene before her faded and reshaped into a bedroom, Felicity blinked back tears. “Look out, John Babcock. Here I come. Are you ready for me?”