That isn’t true, though. I do have a home. Landon is home to me now. Even his arms around me feel as safe as going to sleep in my own bed at home. It’s like he’s made himself my house, my home, my comfort, and my future. I can’t pretend I don’t love this new arrangement. I just wish that my dad could fit into it somehow.
“You okay?” Landon says softly in my ear. I didn’t realize he was awake. I sigh and he pulls me closer without a word.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I understand that you’re hurting.”
“I just never expected all this. My whole life has changed so quickly.”
“I know. And I’m sorry that it’s because of me.” He pauses. “You know...if you wanted to go back I’d let you go. I wouldn’t question it. I’d leave your life forever if you wanted me to…”
“What? No! That’s not what I want!”
“I’m just saying. As much as I want you, need you, if having your father back would make you happy...I’d let you go. I’d rather suffer without you than see you suffer over a broken family.”
I turn to Landon and cup his face. “Stop it. This isn’t your fault. He’s the one who is closed-minded and cruel. You don’t have anything to be sorry for, and you don’t need to take the blame. If he was more accepting we would have worked things out. Don’t blame yourself, this is all on him.”
His eyes are soft. I don’t often see this gentle side to him. I’m used to the lusty animal inside him, but I like this look on him too. It makes me feel safe. “I just want you to know that the option is there. The decision is always in your hands, okay? I’d never force you to stay with me. Not even for my own happiness. I’d rather put myself through hell than let you anywhere near it.”
“I know, but I made my choice. I love you, Landon. And I never want us to be apart.”
He leans in to kiss me and for a moment, I forget all of our troubles. It’s just us and the beautiful scenery and the promise of a better life ahead. With him, things can only get better. As we pull apart, he strokes my cheek.
“Do you want to go for a walk on the beach?”
I smile. “That sounds nice, let me just freshen up and then we can go.”
It’s mid afternoon now as we step out of the house and head for the beach. Having all of this on our doorstep makes me feel like we’re in paradise. We walk for a while, talking about things that don’t matter, and stopping to kiss occasionally. There are a few others on the beach, but they don’t even bat an eye at us. It feels good to be away from judgmental people. It feels good to just be able to express how much I love him in a public. Jenny was right. This was the perfect place for us to come.
Landon stops close to the water and we stand hand in hand, letting it lap over our feet. He closes his eyes with a long sigh.
“I have thought about having this kind of relationship with someone for such a long time. I just never thought it would actually happen. And now that you’re here. I’m in heaven.”
I squeeze his hand. “You could’ve had anyone, and yet you chose me. Why?”
He turns to me with confusion on his face. “Why would you ask me that? You’re perfect. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You’re clever and witty and sweet, what’s not to love? I’ve never met a woman before who ticks every box, it’s like you were made for me. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and more.”
It makes my heart race to hear him say that. I’ve never been described as perfect by anyone before. I’ve always thought of myself as just another girl. Someone average, someone easily overlooked and I was okay with that. I thought I’d settle down with a cute guy and live an ordinary, boring life. But here I am, standing with this sex god with my feet dipping in the ocean and my heart full of a chaotic mess of emotions. My life isn’t perfect, but it’s full of excitement, lust and love like I never expected. In a few short days, what I want from life has been redefined, all because of Landon. Now, I see a different vision of my future.
A future I’m actually excited for.
Landon steps a little closer to me. “There’s something I have to say.”
I hold my breath. His face is unreadable. Is this going to shatter the illusion and break my heart all over again? Or is he about to say something that will make my life even better? He squeezes my hands.
“I love you so much. I’ve never felt this way before. I’ll never feel this way again. And yes, we’ve had very little time together, but meeting you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I never want to let this feeling go and that means having you in my life forever.” He lets go of my hand and reaches into his pocket. I gasp aloud as he takes out a box and reveals a diamond ring that seems like it came out of my wildest dreams. It’s so beautiful, so perfectly suited to me that I
