Page 199 of Wallflower

When he finds his release, the roar that rips from his chest shakes the heavens, I swear.

It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.

Half comatose and near boneless, I slump against his chest. His heart thunders beneath my cheek, proving to me this is real. He’s here.

“Hey,” he whispers, “look.” Ripley gently jostles me from the dazed state. Turning to look over my shoulder, I suck in a gasp.

Frozen in place, memories play behind my eyes. The lights, the headache, on the cruise deck with Sam. If that was somehow real, is this? There’s no storm rolling in by the looks of it.

The aurora borealis lights up the sky, its gorgeous greens and reds dancing brightly, as my stomach swirls with nausea.

“They’re pretty,” I manage to choke out, not wanting to ruin this moment.

Ripley picks up on the downturn of my demeanour immediately. “Are you okay? Did I cross a line with the outfit?”

Shifting back to him, I reply, “No, that was amazing.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to lie and say “nothing”, but I’m too sated and tired to fight. “I saw the same lights in the otherplace.”

Ripley stiffens beneath me. “We aren’t there anymore. We’re here, together.”

“I know.” I nod, slowly turning my sights from him to the aurora borealis illuminating the crashing waves below. What I haven’t told him is…I don’t trust it—this. It feels as real as thelast place, and I’m terrified it will be ripped away just as terribly as the last time.

He tugs me close, planting a kiss to my temple. “Want to go home?”

A smile curls my lips. Despite my trepidation, I don’t want to bring down the mood. If this is just anotherplace, I’m glad I get to experience it with him again. “Not just yet.”

Stop!

If you want to live in a world where Ripley and Rose get their happily ever after, DO NOT READ ON!

If you want your brain scrambled just a little bit more, feel free to proceed.

I will not be held reliable for your feelings when you’re done.

Good luck.

“Swim with me.”

“No, flower, it’s cold. I’m naked…you’re naked.”

Well, duh…that’s the point of skinny dipping.

“Just for a minute?” I plaster an exaggerated pout on my face. “Please?” I whine, “The lights in the sky are so pretty.” The man before me rolls his eyes, surrendering to my plea nonetheless.

Slowly, he walks into the dark water, hand cupping his dick and balls as the cold water tickles his taint. “You’ll owe me for this.”

“You want me to agree to something with no parameters?” Leisurely, he nods. “Fine,” I huff, feigning annoyance. My hands tingle at my sides, waiting until he’s close enough to launch at. Ijust want to get back at him for scaring me, and having him come into the cold, salty water is half way there.

Water swishes around my legs as he nears. His cold, stuttered movements mix up the sand, making the already black water murky and impossible to see through.

“All right, I’m here. What are your other two wishes?” he teases.

“Payback,” I shout, jumping from the water and wrapping myself around him. He grunts. Erratically, I throw my weight from side to side, hoping to topple him.

“Rose, what the hell are you doing?” His hands try to grip onto something, but my wet skin works against him.