Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ben
Making love to Paisley and holding her in my arms was so surreal. I loved everything about her, and she brightened my life once again.
“Paisley, I came here to tell you something, and I’m just going to tell you.”
“What is it?” she asked with a hint of worry.
“I love you.”
A smile fell upon her lips as she reached up and ran her hand through my hair. “I love you too, Ben.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes, really.”
I rolled her on her back and hovered over her. “You’ve made me one happy man.” I smiled and kissed her lips.
“And you’ve made me one happy woman.”
“I’m going to make love to you again, Paisley.”
“If you didn’t, I’d be sad.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“That’s the last thing I want. I don’t ever want to see you sad again, and I will do everything I can to make sure that every day of your life is filled with happiness. I promise.”
She pulled me down and forcefully smashed her mouth against mine. We made love again as the gentle breeze blew in from the ocean shore.
Paisley
“Where do you think you’re going?” Ben asked as I rolled over and attempted to get out of bed.
“To get the room service menu for breakfast. I’m starving.”
“Me too. We worked up quite an appetite last night.” He smiled.
I climbed out of bed and slipped on my nightshirt. Ben pulled on a pair of shorts and went out on the lanai. After taking the menu from the desk, I handed it to him and asked him what he wanted. After placing our order, I sat on his lap, and we watched the waves crash against the shore as his arms were tightly wrapped around me.
“After breakfast, I want to go surfing,” I spoke.
“Sounds like fun. Have you been surfing a lot while you’ve been here?”
“Every day. I was going to ask you this last night, but it never seemed to be the appropriate time. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
He chuckled. “I extended my leave of absence.”
“Why?”
“I never took any time off after Amy passed away, and with the holidays coming up, I just thought it was a good idea.”
“So when do you go back?”
“Not until after the first of the year.”
“So that means I get you all to myself until then?” I smiled as I kissed his lips.
“Yep, and after that, and after that, and after—” He laughed.
Room service arrived and set up our breakfast outside. It was a beautiful, clear, and sunny day, and it was going to be hard to leave here. I picked up my phone and sent Keaton a text message.
“Thank you, little brother.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you’re happy.”
“Very happy.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Soon. Tell the family that I’ll be home soon.”
“Well, hurry up. I miss you, and so does Romeo.”
“I will. I love you, Keaton.”
“I love you too, sis.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you!” I squealed as I looked at Ben. “I’m on the last chapter of my book.”
“Paisley, that’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. I want to finish it up. When we get back home, I’ll start sending it out.”
“Can I read it?” he asked with a smile.
“I would love for you to read it. But you have to wait until it’s finished.”
“Deal.”
Ben rented a surfboard, and we took them down to the water. As we paddled out, I looked over at him.
“Watch out for the sharks.” I smiled.
“That’s not even funny, Paisley. Wasn’t there just a shark attack here a couple of months ago?”
“I think so. But it wasn’t near here.”
“Doesn’t matter. Those fuckers swim all over the place.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. After we paddled out far enough, I stood up on my board.
“What are you doing?” Ben asked.
“What I came out here to do,” I replied as I took off my wedding ring. I looked straight out into the water as I held my balance on my board. “You said that one of the happiest times of your life other than marrying me was our time spent here. We made beautiful memories together. Being here, it’s like I can feel you with me. It's almost as if you’re watching over me. It’s time for me to move on, and I want to leave this symbol of our love somewhere close to both our hearts.” I brought the ring to my lips before throwing it as far as I could across the ocean. I sat down on my board, and Ben paddled his board to mine. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I smiled as I placed my hands on each side of his face.
We spent the next three days surfing, making love, and exploring Hawaii. In between all of that, I finally finished my novel. It was time to go home and let life fall into place. Things would change now that Ben was in my life, and we were a couple.