Finally, when the orgasm spiraled through her, she screamed loudly with the pleasure of it. Moments later, he spilled his semen into her and collapsed on top of.
If this wasn’t love, she didn’t know what was.
It wasn’t just a meeting of their bodies but also of their minds and souls. She felt totally in tune with Nick. He was the only man who made her feel that life was worth living. With him, everything looked beautiful, special.
A few hours later, she walked with Nick along the beach. The crashing sounds of the waves, the flight of the seagulls as they flew overhead, and the tall, and the swaying trees on the beach made her feel as if she was in paradise. She’d recovered from the nightmare easily enough once she was back among her friends and with Nick.
They made her feel whole again.
“What are you thinking?”
She clutched his hand tightly. “If there is heaven on earth, this might be it.”
“Then surely you must be an angel.”
She laughed, raised his hand to her lips, and dropped a kiss on it. “Only you could say such a thing.”
“I only state the truth.”
From the moment he found her again, Nick didn’t make her feel sad or guilty for a single second. She’d thought he might be angry at her for putting herself in that vulnerable potion, but instead, he was the soul of generosity and care. After being raped and beaten, she felt used, but slowly, over time he made her realize that it wasn’t her fault. She was the victim, not the perpetrator of the crime. Joseph was behind bars and he would remain like that for a long, long time. Seeing Gabby’s courage, other women he enslaved came forward and testified against him. It made the case stronger, and now Gabby didn’t have to worry about him.
Her life with Nick was just perfect. She couldn’t have envisioned a better ending to that whole mess. Now they could really live without any fears. This vacation with Nick was the ultimate icing on the cake. She was surprised when he sprang this idea on her, but Gabby quickly warmed to the idea of getting away from the routine for two weeks and having a lazy vacation on an island.
This was the first time in her life when she didn’t have to work. It felt divine. As she strolled on the beach on bare feet, she could feel every bone and muscle in her body relax. “We should take souvenirs for everyone.”
“Who all?”
“Ronald, Willow, Tasha, and Matt. Miles, too.”
He laughed. “Matt also.”
“Of course. Now that we’ve gotten over our mutual pique, I find him to be an intriguing guy. And I can never forget the fact that he came to rescue me along with you.”
“They all love you, Gabby.”
“And I love them.” She stopped and turned. “I love you, Nick, more than I can explain, more than I can express.” She never got tired of saying it. Now that she saw death so up, close, and personal, Gabby didn’t fear to voice the emotions that swirled in her heart. Why had she withheld these feelings for so long? If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t be alive. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t know what love was.
He taught her to trust others, to love freely, and to believe in the goodness of people. Not only was he her savior but also her lover. No other woman was as lucky.
She loved him – and he felt the same way.
This was her truth and reality and she wasn’t scared to shy away from it anymore.
“I have something to ask you,” he said. Digging his hand in his pocket, he pulled out a black, square box. Opening it, he presented a ring.
She gasped when her gaze feasted on the sparkling diamond ring that glittered in the sunlight. Tears sprang into her eyes. “Nick?”
“Marry me, Gabby. Make me the happiest man on this earth. Without you, I have nothing to live you. I don’t want anything else more than I want you. I’ll do my best to make you happy, and together, we can be a real family,” he pleaded.
Words were trapped in her throat. She couldn’t say them out loud. The silence was deafening. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Was he actually asking her to marry him? She raised her eyes and met his. The love that glowed in their depths was all for her. There was no denying the fact that he was crazy about her, and she felt pretty much the same way.
Gabby didn’t want to wait anymore. “Yes, oh yes.”
Putting her arms around his neck, she kissed him while the ring was crushed between them. When they parted, he took it out and slid it on her finger. “You’ve made me the happiest man, Gabby. We are good together.”
“Yes, we are.” She gazed at the shiny ring. Once, she believed that she would never get this. Now that she had it, Gabby was scared of losing it. Nick was the ultimate man. He was hers, and she was his for as long as they both lived. “I love you,” she repeated the words that meant so much.
Hand in hand, they walked back towards their hotel. It was the perfect beginning for their new life – and from now on, they would be happy forever.
THE END