Page 37 of Rum and Roses
“THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.” I giggled. Bouncing as I gave Silas a half hug, following him down the aisles while cradling Socks in my arms.
Not long after, we were back on the road. A few hours passed before we made it to the outskirts of our destination. Silas pulled into a small, rundown motel.
“Looks cozy, doesn’t it?” he quipped sarcastically.
“Charming.” I laughed, rolling my eyes, still holding a sleeping Socks in my arms.
“We are just resting for the night. I have a place for us, but we can’t get the keys until the morning. Come on, let’s go.” Silas grinned, climbing out of his truck. We proceeded to check into our room. Once inside with our bags, Silas closed the door behind us. I released the kitten to explore its new surroundings.
“Socks needs a bath before you even think of letting her sleep with us in the bed,” Silas advised.
I rolled my eyes. “You need a bath if you want to sleep with me.”
He shot me a look. “Hey!”
“Well…” I quipped, giggling as Silas used the motel phone.
“I’m going to order us some wings and fries… sound good? I’m starving. Then we can clean up and get some rest.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I bathed Socks, and once she was clean, Silas and I showered together. By the time we were freshened up and in our pajamas, our food had arrived. We devoured it, far hungrier than either of us realized.
Silas cleaned up our motel room, ridding it of the trash and dirty towels while I lay in bed, reading a book with Socks curled up at my feet. The TV was on, but I wasn’t paying much attention to it.
The atmosphere was relaxed and warm.
I loved it, loved not being in the basement anymore.
I felt a shift in the bed, and before I could comprehend that Silas was lying next to me, the soft warmth of his body radiated against mine. My heart skipped a beat, his fingers brushed my thigh. My breath hitched.
“Rosalie,” he murmured.
“Mhm?” I breathed, my heart pounding as he leaned in, his lips centimeters from my neck.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered.
“Thank you,” I choked out, quite flustered by the way he was touching me. His fingers were getting dangerously close to the space between my legs. “What are you… doing?” I asked, trying to focus on the chapter I was in the middle of.
“Keep reading baby… I’m going to take my time with you tonight…” he whispered. Silas’s lips met my neck, gently kissing and suckling at my flesh. A soft breath left my lips, followed by a smile, trying to keep reading while his hands explored my body.
Fuck, I was so in love. How was he so perfect? He was almost too good to be true.
25
Silas
The neon lights of Las Vegas flickered like fireflies. Laughter, shouting, and music filled the air as Rosalie and I wandered hand in hand through the dazzling chaos. I felt alive. While I wasn’t big on crowds, or people, I liked how easily Rosalie and I could stroll about without being noticed. My heart was racing. I still couldn’t believe that I managed to pull this off. Rosalie looked so happy.
I want to spend the rest of my life with her… why wait? Why not start now?
I turned to her. “Marry me?” I asked abruptly.
Rosalie's eyes widened. “What?”
“Marry me, right now.” I gestured to the little white chapel across the street. “I’ll get you a ring… and we can elope, right here and now.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Yes, yes, I want nothing more,” she repeated, wrapping her arms around me. I hugged her back just as tight, peppering little kisses all over her face.
