Chapter 23
Chapter
Twenty-Three
brIGHTEST STAR
Ella
“All good things take time.” – E
W hen I reach the stables, the evening sky is painted in hues of pink and gold, with a gentle breeze blowing my hair. I find peace here, but I do not find Shaw. He must’ve mounted Peppermint and disappeared through the fields.
After talking with my parents, my heart feels calm, but my mind is still a mess with thoughts of a suffering Shaw. I hate seeing him in pain. I don’t ever want to witness it again. I truly hope all his days moving forward are filled with happiness and peace.
Knowing that the reason I can’t find him is probably because he doesn’t want to be found, I decide to let him be. With a sigh of resolve, I saddle Geraldine. With a gentle pat on her neck, I mount the horse and guide her toward the path leading to the lake.
The ride, although short, is soothing, with the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats mingling with the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. As we approach the lake, the sun dips lower on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water’s surface. It is a magical scene, untouched by all that has hurt me today.
As I ride Geraldine, everything that was holding me back slowly fades with the wind, allowing me to breathe freely.
When we arrive, I dismount near the shore, letting Geraldine graze nearby as I take a moment to absorb the breathtakingly beautiful surroundings.
You can’t get this kind of scene in the city…
Before me lies a magnificent lake, mirroring hues of pink and gold like a flawless mirror. It seems as if the sun is kissing the water.
Soon, thoughts of Shaw invade my mind. I think of how happy he makes me just by being next to me or sharing a fleeting smile. Without words, he makes me feel like the prettiest girl or the most special creature to ever exist. With him, I feel completely myself and don’t worry if I say or do the wrong thing. I simply exist, and there’s nothing more beautiful or perfect than that. I know that with him, I can be myself, and he won’t judge or mock me.
I think of how he has stepped out of his comfort zone just to make me happy, perhaps without realizing it or acknowledging it. Deep down in my soul, I know that what has bloomed between us is more than just a friendship.
Does he?
The image of his whiskey-brown eyes races through my mind, causing my heart to race in my chest. I’ve never felt this with anyone else, which is how I know he’s the one for me—my favorite galaxy. My very own constellation.
Looking at the sunset, I smile with my entire heart, allowing that blissful feeling of love to spread through my body. With that same smile and a happy heart, I walk toward the shore of the lake, its surface shimmering like liquid gold under the fading light of the sun. I love the sounds of nature in the background—the rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds dancing below the clouds.
I hesitate only briefly, glancing around to ensure I am truly alone, then slowly shed my sundress, the fabric slipping from my shoulders to pool at my feet. Standing at the water’s edge, I take a deep breath, letting the cool evening air kiss my skin.
The water beckons, its surface rippling invitingly. With each step, I feel a sense of peace that only happens while I am here, on this ranch, with its owner by my side.
Without thinking twice, I step into the lake, the water enveloping me in its refreshing embrace. The initial shock of coldness fades away as I begin to swim, each stroke cutting through the water with determination.
How is it that in this small town I feel the freest? I never imagined such freedom could exist, especially for me, but it has. In this blissful place, I feel as though I’m in my own world, and nothing can touch me. At least, nothing bad.
As I swim happily under the gaze of the setting sun, I welcome the inner peace this place offers me. My movements are gentle and effortless as I let the water carry me.
Then, sensing someone’s gaze upon me, I slowly turn, somehow feeling him before seeing him. As I pivot, my eyes meet his. Even from a distance, I find myself lost in those whiskey-brown eyes. No one on this earth has eyes like Shaw Banning.
He stands at the water’s edge, wearing a cowboy hat atop his head and ripped blue jeans, with no shirt on. My gaze lowers to his perfectly tanned torso, a bead of sweat trickling down his defined six-pack.
Oh, my.
I had imagined what his body might look like, but the reality far exceeds my vision. This man is insanely blessed. Nothing about him is ugly, not even his past. Not to me.
Locking eyes with him, I ponder whether it is too soon to love him. We aren’t officially a couple, and beyond kisses, nothing has happened between us. Yet, we aren’t strangers, not truly. I have always felt a connection as if we have known each other in previous lives—that for a while, we were just starting down a different path.
He’s always felt like a part of me, even during times when I didn’t truly know anything about life.
Another realization that has dawned on me these past few days is how much I take pleasure in watching Shaw. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing—he could be silently fixing a fence or tending to the animals—and I find him the most interesting person in any setting.
Butterflies flutter in my belly as we lock eyes, no words necessary.
His penetrating gaze holds me captive, his features softened by the fading light of dusk. There is a depth to his stare that always says more than words ever could, revealing secrets and emotions he has kept hidden beneath layers of self-preservation and strength.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moves, caught in a silent exchange that transcends words.
A rush of a million emotions, stirred only by him, surges through my body. I become acutely aware of the intimacy of the moment, of being seen naked but on a level that touches my soul.
Only by him.
Only ever Shaw.
After a long while of just staring at one another, Shaw takes a tentative step forward without breaking eye contact. I hold his gaze, my heart racing with a mix of anticipation and excitement, knowing that there is no turning back now.
His walking toward me feels like he has finally shattered all the barriers that held him back from going after what he wants.
Me.
Shaw
Throughout the day, I keep myself busy with work while moments from last night replay in my mind like scenes from a vivid dream. I never tell a single soul on this earth about my final moments with my mother, the image I hold of her in those last moments.
I wonder if it was the right thing, now that my mind is less clouded by the dark nightmare. I also question whether opening my mind and heart to Ella, like I did, was a good move. Showing someone the depths of one’s mind is dangerous, and it makes me feel vulnerable. Yet, when she looked into my thoughts with those understanding and kind eyes, I felt a weight lift from my chest. It was as if, after years submerged underwater, she held me and whispered sweet words of solace, allowing me to finally breathe again. She reached into the darkest corners of my soul and brought a flicker of light.
Her light.
Her gentle touch against the turmoil within me brings a sense of peace, ending the internal war I’ve been trapped in.
More thoughts of Ella flood my mind. I can’t shake the image of her from last night—how perfect she looked, ethereal and serene. Ella’s beauty has always been striking, but under the moonlight streaming through my window, she appeared otherworldly. Her big doe eyes, normally a deep shade of blue, seemed to reflect the cosmos itself, shining brighter than every star in the sky and the moon combined. Her hair, a cascade of black curls that usually frames her face with wild abandon, was tamed that night. A few pink and black tendrils escaped her ponytail, framing her features delicately. I loved the way the moonlight danced on those curls, turning them into strands of silver and pink that shimmered with every movement.
Fuck, nothing more beautiful has ever existed.
After waking up from the best sleep I’ve had in years, I find that Ella is no longer by my side. An emptiness settles in my chest at not seeing her there.
I leave the house early and spend most of the morning and early afternoon tending to the horses. Then I make my way towards the tulip fields, working tirelessly, hands deftly pruning and tending to ensure the blooms thrive. Each snip of the shears, each careful stroke as I arrange the blooms into orderly bouquets, is a deliberate effort to regain my composure and keep my mind occupied and away from thoughts of her. The scent of earth and blossoms fills my senses, grounding me in the present moment. But I find myself missing her. I fight the urge to go back to the house and kiss the hell out of her. With Ella, it’s more than a physical attraction. It’s much more.
When she’s not around, the world seems darker. When her eyes are not on me, I feel like I’m missing something. When I don’t hear her laugh or her sweet voice, I find myself wanting to seek her out so I can listen to her forever.
I know I’m screwed the first time that beautiful creature makes me smile, but now, while surrounded by her favorite color, I know deep in my tattered soul that Ellaiza Kenton is what was missing from my life.
Laughter.
Sweetness.
Love.
Then, as if my heart senses her, amidst the rustling of leaves and the gentle swaying of tulips in the breeze, I see her.
My heart stops in my chest as I spot her.
Dressed in one of those sexy summer dresses, Ella rides Geraldine gracefully toward the lake with a smile on her face, laughing as she goes. The sight of her takes my breath away.
Her black curls, which I’ve come to love so much, flutter behind her like a cascade of ribbons as she urges Geraldine forward.
Everything she does drives me wild. I can’t get enough of her, even when I try my best to stay away.
Before her, women were just an escape. A meaningless moment to drown my sorrows in, but Ella is different.
I never wanted to be better or more for someone else, but for her, I do.
I want to be the kind of man who deserves a princess like her. I want to be the one she gives all her smiles to, the one she turns to when the world is cruel, the one who punishes that world for hurting her.
Despite knowing that I shouldn’t go after her, I ignore it and follow my heart instead—a heart that’s beating like a drum inside my chest, as if it knows its owner is not far away.
With determination written on my face, I quickly saddle Peppermint. With a flick of the reins, we set off toward the lake. The wind tousles my hair as we gallop, and my heart races in rhythm with Peppermint’s strides.
As we near the shore, I spotted her naked silhouette against the shimmering water, reflecting the pink and orange hues of the sky above.
She looks like a vision in gold amidst the rippling waves.
Without hesitation, I dismount and approach the water’s edge, needing to see more of her. Pausing for a moment, I take in the sight of Ella bathed in the soft glow of the sun, her laughter echoing like a comforting melody across the lake as she floats.
When I’m close enough, I murmur, “You’re... beautiful,” unsure if she hears me. But then she turns, and everything around us stops; everything that isn’t her fades into the background.
I stand transfixed at the edge of the lake, unable to look at anything else but her. My breath catches as her piercing blue eyes hold me captive. Then the little vixen can’t resist flashing a wicked smile my way—a smile that tells me all I need to know from the woman who has stirred every emotion I’ve long kept guarded.
There’s no denying it: I need her like I need my next breath. I need to touch her and have her close. I need… her.
The decision to join her in the water feels like shedding layers of armor I’ve worn for too long. With a deep breath and a made-up mind, I take off my mud-stained shirt, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.
My gaze flickers toward Ella, who is watching me with curious eyes filled with a desire that matches my own. I kick off my boots and step out of my briefs and jeans, leaving them in a heap beside my shirt. Ella’s smile widens as she wades deeper into the lake while I follow, each step bringing me closer to her.
The lake embraces me as I enter, the water cool against my sun-kissed skin. Once underwater, I open my eyes enough to see where she is. I take her in my arms and come up for air.
“You found me,” she laughs, jovially, her eyes twinkling.
“I found you,” I murmur, pulling her closer until her wet tits are pressing against my naked chest. Fuck, she feels good. She feels… right as if here, in my arms, it’s where she was born to be in.
The evening air is alive with the whispers of nature, the only sounds are the soft lapping of water against our naked bodies and the distant chirping of birds.
We are all alone.
Good.
If she had undressed where others could see her, we were going to have a problem. The green little fucker that lives inside me, comes alive with jealousy, but when she touches her button nose against mine, I melt.
I fucking melt while she calms the beast in me.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispers closed to my mouth, her lovely breath a mix of cherry and mint captivating me, just like every little thing she did. “I’ve dreamed of you for so long, Shaw,” Ella draws a long breath before she continues her thought, my heart beat rising with each word out of her sweet mouth. “At times you don’t feel real.”
“Likewise, moonshine,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper, my gaze never leaving hers. “I’m still not sure if you’re a dream my fucked-up mind has conjured after so many nightmares.”
Her eyes soften. “I’m real, beautiful man, and I’m here,” she replies simply, her words feeling like a promise.
This sweet little thing in my arms makes me feel strong yet weak at times and I’m hooked with the feeling.
I’m hooked on her. There’s no point in denying it any longer.
So, without hesitation, I reach out, my hands gently cradling her beautiful face, my touch tender yet filled with undeniable need. I slowly explore her naked and wet body until I reach her lower back, once there I grab both ass cheeks and make her moan aloud.
Shit.
She looks so pretty when she moans and I find myself imagining how she would sound moaning my name aloud.
Before this moment ends, I’ll find out.
“Shaw.”
“Yes, princess?”
“Kiss me,” she demands, her husky voice tinged with need.
I don’t think about it twice before I close the distance between us and take her plump lips in mine. She really does taste like candy. Fuck.
Time seems to slow down as we kiss, each moment filled with unfamiliar emotions— an intoxicating blend of desire and tenderness. The water around us whispers secrets of our shared longing and the world around us fades into nothing as we lose ourselves in each other’s embrace.
Suddenly, Ella breaks the kiss and pulls back to look into my eyes. “Make me yours,” she whispers shyly, her voice husky with desire.
Her words make my heart skip a beat, and blood rushes through my groin as my gaze searches hers for any hint of uncertainty. Yet, all I find is a desperate need that matches my own.
As I hold Ella close, my heart racing in sync with her own, I whisper close to her mouth. “If I make you mine,” I begin softly, my voice a gentle murmur against the backdrop of the tranquil waters, “I’m not sure I could ever let go.”
My confession lingers in the air, revealing the depth of my feelings for this woman and the profound effect she has on my once-guarded heart.
When I think she will pull away, afraid of what my confession meant, she surprises me by reaching up, tracing a gentle finger along my jawline, her touch a soothing caress and such a simple gesture yet it meant so much. “Then don’t,” she whispers.
I trace a finger along her nose, my gaze locked with hers. “Have you ever been with a man?” I ask softly, as I disguise the jealousy I feel about thinking of another man’s hands on her body.
I’ve never been a jealous man. Never cared about anyone enough to feel green with envy until now.
Until her.
The thought of her with another man drives me mad yet I calmed myself not wanting to scare her.
Ella meets my gaze with a mixture of shyness and honesty as she contemplates her response. “Just once,” she admitted quietly.
Just once.
My eyes harden and my jaw tense with a surge of jealousy. Noticing my reaction, she reaches out instinctively, taking my face gently in her hands, a silent plea for me to understand. “But it meant nothing,” she hurried to explain, her words rushed but sincere. “It was just once and I have regretted him ever since it happened.”
Her touch softened my expression, her earnestness breaking through the haze of jealousy that clouds my thoughts. “Is it fucked up that I want to kill him. I want to kill anyone who has ever laid a finger on you,” I admit quietly, my voice thick with jealousy and well… murder.
“A little bit, yeah,” she laughs.
I half smile, as I stare down at her.
Her thumbs brush lightly against my cheeks. “Erase his touch from my skin,” she asks, her voice steady with urgency. “I only ever wanted you, Shaw Banning. Only ever you.”
Those words do it for me because next thing I know, all rational thoughts leave and all I can focus on is making this girl mine and indeed ruining her for all men.
The hand I had on her back, moves slowly from her ass to her front. I lean down, and take her mouth in mine and kiss her gently but deeply wanting her to understand what this all meant and to feel what I do with just one kiss. Pulling away from her mouth, I look down at her while I gently rub her tiny and soft pussy.
I ground my teeth as I feel her soft pussy lips on my thick fingers. Fuck. After a long moment of hearing her sweet as fuck loans as I touch her pussy, I stuck a finger in and that only makes her clench around the digit. “Shaw,” she moans my name and I almost come like a prepubescent fuck.
“You’re so fucking tight, baby,” I hiss.
“Another one,” she spreads her legs wider.
“Fuck, yeah. Greedy little thing,” I smile, enjoying the way her body responds to my touch.
“Now,” she snaps, and I almost laugh. I would have if I wasn’t so fucking horny.
“As you wish, princess,” Then I give her what she asks for. I finger Ella slowly and gently at first and when I can’t take it any longer, I pull my hand away, and position my cock at her entrance instead.
Brown eyes meet blue as we both catch our breaths. This close, I can feel the beat of her heart, and it’s in perfect sync with my own.
Mine.
Mine.
Mine.
My own heart thrums wildly in my chest.
“Shaw,” Ella kisses my nose tenderly and so sweetly. Everything she does feels out of this world to me, yet so right.
“Ella,” I whisper close to her mouth.
“I counted my lucky stars for you.” With that lovely confession, I lose all resolve and control. I push all the way inside of her and groan when her tight pussy takes every inch of my cock.
“Ahhh.”
“Fuck.”
We moan at the same time.
With nothing left to say because our bodies and our kisses were saying more than enough, I gave her everything— every single part of me. The good, the bad and the tortured with every thrust and every desperate kiss.
After making her mine, there was no going back with Ella. She wasn’t just under my skin, she’d burrowed down to my bones, infusing the marrow with everything that is her. Good. Beautiful. Magical.
My brightest star.
The only star in my dark sky.