Page 91 of Chasing Forever

He dipped his head down and kissed her, long and slow just like the first time. She forgot all about the sunset, the crowded beach, and everything else. There was only this, only them—her muse, her hero, her love.

Finally, they came up for air, smiling at each other like lovers do. But was that all they were?

“There was one chapter in particular that stood out,” he said, his eyes sparkling in the twilight.

“Let me guess. The one where they had sex for the first time.”

“Nope.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “No?”

He shook his head. “It was further along in the story.”

Callie sucked in a breath, afraid to believe she knew what chapter he was referring to.

Chase placed his index finger under her chin and tipped her head up. Pinning her with his gaze, he said, “It was when they said, ‘I love you,’ for the first time.”

“Ohhh…” She assumed the sun had completely sunk into the ocean because she felt a chill wash over her.

“You captured the moment just right. I believe they were on a beach just like this.”

She nodded, mesmerized by his words, the way he was looking at her, and his hand pressing into her lower back.

“The hero, Chad, looked into Cassie’s eyes and told her he loved her and that he couldn’t imagine his life without her.”

“You memorized it?”

He nodded. “I can relate. I came to this island looking for something, but I didn’t know what it was until I found you. And now I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I love you, Callie.”

Thank goodness he was holding her up; otherwise, she might have collapsed on the sand. She stood there, staring at him, absorbing the words and trying not to cry.

“I believe this is the part in the book where the heroine tells the hero she loves him too,” Chase prompted.

“Ohmigod. I’m so sorry,” she said, finally coming around. “I love you too! And I’m so glad you feel the same. Otherwise, I would be seriously mortified right now!”

He tipped back his head and laughed loud and long. They were virtually alone now that night had fallen, and only a few stragglers were left further down the beach.

“Kiss me again,” she said once he’d stopped laughing.

“Gladly.”

This time, he hauled her into his arms, leaning back so her feet came off the ground. They kissed like nobody was watching, and afterward, when he set her back down, they were both breathing hard.

“We should probably head back, even though I’m not ready to leave you,” she said.

“It’s only temporary. After Quinn leaves, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He took her hand, and they slowly walked back up the path to their condos. They paused outside her patio door, reluctant to part.

“I wish I knew how your story ends.”

Smiling up at him, she replied, “I’ll let you read it when it's finished, but I guarantee there’ll be a happy ending.”

Epilogue

One Year Later