Epilogue
EPILOGUE
KILLIAN
I 'd been home for a few days, spending time with Noelle between training sessions. I'd hired a local trainer to put me through my paces. He coordinated the efforts with my team since I had another race in a few weeks.
It was the perfect schedule. I got to see a lot of Noelle and my family, and she would travel with me to most events. I was ecstatic I wouldn't have to leave her behind again. And if I did, she'd know how I felt.
But tonight was special. We were finally going snowboarding. I'd been out plenty of times, but she hadn't.
I'd asked Eli if we could have the mountain to ourselves for the night, and he'd agreed, telling everyone it was a private event.
We took the lift to the top of the mountain.
"It's so weird to be here by ourselves." The night was quiet, the slopes lined with white lights.
At the top, Noelle easily glided off the lift as if she did it all the time. "Where are we? Isn't this the back of the mountain?"
"I wanted to show you something."
She placed her hand in mine, and I led the way to a clearing in the woods on the very top of the mountain. "It's gorgeous here."
"It could be the spot for our future home."
Her mouth dropped open. " Our home?"
"We're already living together, but I wanted to officially ask if you'd build a house with me." I wanted to build so many more things with her, but I needed to ensure we were on the same page.
Her gloved hand slipped from mine to cover her mouth. "You're going to build a house here, in this spot."
My brow furrowed. "If you don't like it?—"
Her gaze shifted from me to the view. "No, I love it."
"Will you help me design it and move in with me when it's finished?"
Her hand fell away from her face, and I tipped her chin up slightly so she could meet my gaze. "Yes.”
I kissed her, reveling in the coolness on her lips, the thick puffy clothes between us. I pulled away slightly. "Now are you ready for a ride?"
She nodded. "Let's do it."
We snowboarded away from the site of our new home and came to a stop on the top of the slope. I squeezed her hand. "Are you scared?"
She shook her head. "Not really."
"It will come back to you."
Snow fell in fat flakes. "I trust you."
Her words meant so much to me. This woman didn't trust anyone to be there for her, and I looked forward to proving her wrong for the rest of my life.
"How do you want to go down?" I asked her, mimicking something we used to say to each other when we were teens.
"Hard and fast," she said with a grin.
I squeezed her hand one more time. "That's my girl."
"I'll see you at the bottom,” she said with a cheeky grin.
I pushed off, not waiting for her to follow because I could hear the second she took off, the slice of her board peeling through the air. I loved these conditions. It was cold and dark, and there was no one else on the mountain.
I executed a few easy jumps, hoping she’d follow suit just like old times. Gliding through the air was exhilarating. I loved the speed, the wind rushing over my cheeks, and the snow-covered views.
I came to a stop at the bottom and skidded sideways so I could watch her finish. She took the last jump soaring high, her knees tucked, a smile on her face. She landed a few feet away, then glided toward me.
"How was it?" I asked her.
"It felt amazing.” Her voice was filled with awe.
I grinned. "You want to do it again?"
"Let’s do it.”
We went down again, side-by-side, easily falling in sync. At the bottom, I tugged her toward me and kissed her. When I pulled away, I said, “I have one more thing to show you.”
“What else could there be?” she asked as we headed toward the lift.
We went to the top again, where we’d discussed building our house. This time, there was a table and chairs set up close to the edge. There were a few poles with lights strung between them, creating a romantic space.
"What's this?" Noelle asked as we approached.
"I thought we'd have dessert."
Underneath the domed cover, there was a large slice of chocolate cake drizzled with more chocolate and sliced strawberries. When she sat down, I dropped to one knee in the snow. "Noelle Richards, will you always be by my side whether we’re snowboarding or walking? Will you marry me?”
She nodded jerkily, her eyes wide with shock. "Yes. Of course."
I tugged off her glove and slid the ring onto her finger.
She lifted her hand, the diamond sparkling in the light. "It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful. You shine as bright as this diamond." I stood, leaning down to kiss her upturned face.
This felt like us. We’d met at the lodge, we’d grown closer while snowboarding, and we’d come back together when the timing was exactly right for both of us.
I saw the future unfolding in front of us exactly as we wanted it to. Except this time, we’d do it together.
I hope you loved Noelle and Killian’s story! To read more about their happily ever after download their bonus epilogue .
Elena and Hudson’s romance is next in Summer Love! When a journalist from the island’s top magazine sets her sights on the Kingston brothers for an exclusive feature, eldest brother Hudson is reluctantly put in charge. The last thing he wants is to be labeled one of the island’s most eligible bachelors, but his father insists it’s great publicity for their family business. Now, he’s stuck with a stunning reporter shadowing his every move—and resisting her might be his toughest challenge yet.