She looks lovely and happy, effervescent andfree—and it’s just how I always imagined. It’s like the stars have aligned, like some great wrong has been set right in this twisted universe.
I follow her into the water, knowing that I will always love her like I do at this moment—excessively, obsessively, and impossibly deeply—with my entire mind, body, and spirit. And even then, I will find a way to love her more with each passing moment.
The water licks at my lower legs, saturating my dress pants and slicking them to my skin, but I hardly feel it. I move closer to Eloise, pulled by some invisible thread, the inexplicable force that’s tied me to her since the moment her eyes met mine.
And when I touch her, wrap her up in my arms and kiss her, I understand everything I had been missing in my life. Eloise returns my embrace, sliding her tongue over my lower lip, taking it deeper.
Breathless, she pulls back, only to wrap her arms around my middle, pressing her face deep against my chest. Her chest shudders, and I gaze down, surprised to find tears spilling down her cheeks.
Like tiny crystals, they drip from her wide blue eyes, carving trails down her face and neck, coating my chest. They flow and flow with no end in sight, and no way to dam the ocean of emotion crashing through the walls.
“Eloise?” I grip her chin hard, pulling her face up to meet me. “What’s wrong, sweet girl?”
“Nothing,” she whispers. “Nothing at all.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Because… because I’m finally happy.” She leans into my touch, closing her eyes with a relaxed sigh. “Thank you, Riot.”
“For what?” I ask, rubbing my thumb lovingly over her jaw.
“For saving me.”
My breath shudders, overwhelmed by the love shining in her eyes. “You didn’t need anyone to save you, sweet Eloise,” I say. “You did that all on your own. I’m just the lucky bastard who gets the luxury of watching you soar. Who’s been given the gift of you.”
She smiles—a pure, honest one—and it’s the most beautiful, precious thing. But it still pales in comparison to what she does next.
Eloise reaches up, cupping my cheek in her small, warm palm. Her eyes are shining, but it’s not with tears anymore. It’s with love. Pure, honest love. The kind I’ve never experienced before.
“I love you, Riot,” she says. “I love you so much it hurts. I love you now, and I loved you before, and I will love you tomorrow.” She presses on her tiptoes, her lips brushing mine in a tender embrace. “I’m yours, Riot. All yours.”
I can’t take the agony any longer. Cupping the back of her neck, I crash my mouth to hers, showing her just how much her words mean to me. It’s soft and it’s sweet, beautiful and passionate, and it heals some part of me I didn’t know was broken.
I break away, cradling her face in my palms as I press my forehead to hers. “I love you, Eloise. I love you.I love you.” I open my eyes, electricity crackling through my veins at the look of wonder in hers. “God, do I fucking love you.”
“And I love you,” she whispers, bringing her hands up to rest on top of mine. “You’re mine.”
“And you’re mine. All fucking mine.” I press my lips to hers, losing myself in the beauty that is her.
She’s my Eloise. My beautiful, magnificent little muse. She’s taillights in the fog, a lifeline in the middle of the ocean. She’s as stunning as the sunrise, warm as summer rain, sweet as a cherry blossom, and a million other extraordinary, heavenly things.
And me?
Well… I’m still just a washed-up, bad-tempered, crazy rock star. Still reckless, broken, impulsive, and messy.
But I’m loved by a woman.Mywoman.
And that makes all the difference in the world.
The End.
Epilogue
RIOT
1 year later…
The cool December air whips through my hair, stinging my eyes as I speed down the main road toward the beach. The people of Saltbloom have already started bringing out their sweaters despite the fact it’s barely gotten below seventy degrees.
