Chapter 19
Worth the Wait
? Everywhere, Everything - Noah Kahan
Ruby
I give Aiden one last push on the swing and duck out of the way. He pumps his legs a few times. When he reaches maximum height, he launches off the swing and dismounts perfectly in the patch of sand below.
“It’s going to be dark soon,” I say. “We should head back inside.”
“Aww. One more time?”
“You said that last time and the time before. I’m not falling for it again. And don’t give me those puppy dog eyes, either.”
Aiden kicks up sand, muttering something under his breath, and I almost give in. Almost. I hold out my hand and lead him to the front door.
When we step inside the house that has come to feel so much like home, I find Liam standing in the entry, slipping into his boots.
“I was just coming to find you,” he says. “Uncle Connor needs your help with something, Aiden. He’s in the kitchen.”
“Ok!” Aiden dashes down the hallway, leaving me in the dust.
Once we’re alone in the entry, Liam pulls me into his arms.
I clasp my hands around the back of his neck and skate my fingers through his hair, studying his handsome face and taking in the subtle glint of something in his eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re up to something?”
“Because I am. I have a surprise for you,” he murmurs.
“A surprise? For me?”
“Yeah, Goldie. Go soak in the tub and meet me at the back door in an hour.”
He starts to walk outside, but I call out to him, stopping him in his tracks. “What are you planning, Mr. Murphy?” I smirk.
He glances back at me, one hand on the doorknob. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
When I get upstairs to my bathroom, the massive tub is already filled. Steam billows out of the water with my favorite scents lingering in the air. There are lit candles placed around the room, and soothing ocean sounds playing over the speakers.
The only thing missing is Liam. Someday I’ll get him in here with me.
I sink into the water, letting pure bliss wash over me. If this is what surprises from Liam are like, count me in.
My chest flutters in anticipation as I approach Liam. He’s waiting for me near the back door as promised.
His eyes rake over my body from head to toe and back. “You look beautiful.”
I glance down at my white sundress with the delicate blue flowers, trying to see it through Liam’s eyes. “I look the same as I always do.”
“You’re always beautiful.”
My breath catches in my throat at the sincerity in his voice.
Weaving our fingers together, Liam guides me outside and tugs me through a thicket of trees. The moonlight glows faintly between the branches, casting shadows on the forest floor. My eyes stray to where our hands are joined. When will this dream end?
Liam stops when we reach the clearing I’ve only seen glimpses of from my bedroom window, and the air whooshes from my lungs.
It’s more magical than I could’ve imagined.
There’s a canvas tent set up on a raised platform, with candlelit lanterns scattered throughout the area, and string lights hanging between the trees.
A small campfire flickers in the middle of the grove, its cascading warmth enveloping everything around us, easing the chill of the crisp autumn breeze.
My guitar is leaning against the side of one of the log benches, and Liam’s battered vintage Taylor is there, too.
He truly thought of everything. I press a hand to my chest. “You did all of this?”
Liam’s palm touches the small of my back, and my skin tingles beneath his touch. “I’d do anything for you.”
I feel like I’ve walked right into a fairytale—one I never want to end.
“Wait here.” He disappears into the tent, returning a few minutes later with two insulated cups. He hands me one and motions for me to take a seat on one of the long log benches.
Liam joins me and wraps his arm around my back, pulling my body flush against his side. I watch the embers crackle in the stone pit as the flames dance into the night sky, and a quiet peace settles over me. I take a sip of my drink, smiling when I recognize the flavor of my favorite boxed wine.
“What are we doing here?” I ask.
“Thought that was obvious. This is a date. I’m not sure if you’re familiar, but it’s when two people spend time together in a romantic setting.”
I elbow him in the ribs, and he splutters into his wine before quickly composing himself, swiping a hand down his face.
Sensing there’s more he’s not saying, I ask, “Why here?”
“I’ve always loved camping,” he says. “The world can be a cruel and unpredictable place, but out here, I have control of my surroundings. I can anticipate danger and act accordingly. I can protect those I love from the dangers lurking in the shadows. People aren’t like that—they can change on a dime.
I guess you could say this is where I’m most comfortable. ”
“Another sanctuary.”
“Yeah, but there’s one thing missing.” He takes the wine from my hand and sets it down on the ground. “Play for me.”
Without an ounce of hesitation, I pull my guitar onto my lap and begin to play.
Liam sits across from me on one of the shorter logs, waiting for his time to join in.
When the first chords ring out from his guitar, in perfect time with my own, something clicks into place inside my chest, like a skeleton key finding the right lock after years of searching.
We lock eyes as the tempo slows, humming along to a melody I haven’t figured out just yet, and Liam follows along seamlessly like we were always meant to be a team.
His deep timbre joins in alongside mine, and suddenly the words are within reach, playing like a movie reel in my mind.
For the first time in a long time, I feel wholly myself.
No glitz and glamour, no spotlights or smoke machines.
Just Ruby and the man she loves, weaving the most perfect melody.
There’s something freeing in being with Liam that I’ve never felt before, and I know I’ll never feel it with anyone else. He sees me—all of me—and he doesn’t look away.
I see him, too, despite how he tries to keep himself guarded.
I see the hurt behind that stoic exterior.
I see the fierce protectiveness and the unwavering loyalty.
In spite of all the hardships he’s endured, he’s never let them turn him cold.
He might like to think he’s a hardened man, but I see his softness, too. I always have.
A part of my heart has belonged to him since I was eighteen, sitting on his tailgate writing lyrics to a song that still haunts my dreams, and he’s taking another piece as we sit in this small clearing writing lyrics to a song that might tear open the very heart of me… and I’m going to let it.
Liam
I can’t help staring as she loses herself in the music, every detail of her soft features highlighted by the faint glow of the moon and the string lights hanging between the trees.
The fullness of her lips, the way her eyes sparkle even in the dark, and every soft curve and dip of her gorgeous body.
She’s perfect, and I almost lost her. I can’t let my fear ruin this thing we have. For better or worse, I’m hers.
I lean my guitar against the tree and sit behind her, caging her between my thighs. She glances over her shoulder, a soft smile on her glossy lips. I let my instincts take over from there.
I’m not a soft man, but I can be soft for her.
I sweep a strand of hair away from her temple, gliding my knuckles along her cheekbone, her head tilting as her eyes close.
She hums a soft melody, each delicate note contrasting against my innate need to claim her in the most visceral way.
I need her like the earth needs the sun, like fish need water, like a melody needs Ruby.
“You have no idea how stunning you are like this,” I whisper, my lips a breath away from her ear.
She rests her forehead against mine and draws in a slow breath. I place a light kiss on her cheek and another on her jawline, trailing my lips behind her ear and brushing back the curtain of hair to tease along her collarbone. Goose bumps spread over her skin with each deliberate movement.
I pull down her dress strap with my teeth, my beard scraping gently over her exposed flesh. Her breath hitches, and the music stops. Silence falls all around us, with only the buzz of cicadas and the crackling fire to keep us company.
Her eyes dart to my lips, and the air around us grows heavy with anticipation. Ruby lays down her guitar and turns to face me. One hand travels to the nape of my neck while the other rests gently over my heart.
I use my thumb on the underside of her jaw, tilting her face upward. Her brows draw together as her eyes plead with me for something—relief or salvation. I know it because I feel it too. Every atom of my existence is thrumming with the need to finally take what’s been mine from the very start.
“Liam… I swear to God if you don’t kiss me this ti—”
She doesn’t get to finish. My mouth descends on hers, and I steal the last words from her tongue. Her eyes drift shut as I pour every ounce of pent-up longing into that one kiss. She whimpers; the sound is like music to my ears.
It’s soft, at first. Unhurried. I didn’t wait years for this moment just to rush it. I savor every lingering touch and brush of her lips on mine, taking time to explore her mouth and discover how she likes to be kissed.
She takes everything I give her and gives it right back. She nips and sucks and teases like we’ve been doing this for years—like she knows exactly what I need and doesn’t hesitate. Why did I wait so goddamn long?
She sighs and melts into me, her lips parting on a stuttered breath. Her fingers dive into my hair, tugging at the roots as her desperation seemingly takes over. Nothing will ever taste as sweet as Ruby.
I could stop there—I should stop there, but I don’t. It’s not enough.
I bring one hand down to the hem of her dress, gliding it over her soft belly and up to her generous breast. She moans against my lips, arching into me.