“It was our last vacation before she died. My dad took us to the beach because she wanted to see the sunset over the water. I remember her sitting in a lounge chair with a big floppy straw hat on and big white sunglasses. I was building a sandcastle and just as the sun was starting to set she called me over to her and had me sit on her lap. She pointed to the sunset and said, “See that Ellery, there is nothing more beautiful than the sun setting over the ocean water. I want you to remember something for me, if you ever feel sad or lonely or need to talk to me, come here and wait for the sun to set and I’ll be here with you.”

Connor lifted me up and turned me around so I was facing him. He stroked my face with the back of one hand while the other was around my waist. “Memories are our way of holding onto the things we love, and I plan on making the most beautiful memories with you.”

I stared into his enchanting eyes as I leaned over and softly kissed his moist lips. I could feel him harden beneath my thighs. “I love you Connor Black,” I whispered.

He hardened our kiss as he ran his hands through my hair. “I love you to.”

I jumped up and took his hand, pulling him behind me. “Where are we going?” he asked as he adjusted himself.

“You’ll see,” I said.

I took him to a lighthouse I noticed earlier in the day at the end of the beach. I prayed the door would be unlocked as I turned the handle and it opened. I turned to Connor and smiled.

“Ellery, what are you doing?”

I shut the door and pulled him by his shirt into me, kissing him passionately.

“You said you wanted beach sex. Well, this is the best I can give you right now. We’ll call it sex in a lighthouse on the beach.”

He growled and then his face lit up. “You kinky girl,” he said as he pushed me up against the wall.

His hands moved up my shirt and to my breasts as his tongue explored my neck. I unbuttoned his pants and took him in my hand. He moaned as I ran my hand up and down the length of him. He easily took down my shorts and panties and slid his fingers inside me to make sure I was ready for him. He wasted no time as he grabbed himself and entered me, not gently, but rough and with such force it made me scream. He moved in and out of me what seemed like at the speed of light as he savagely kissed me. He grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head with one hand as he took the other hand and pulled my leg up to his waist. His roughness was something I never experienced before and it made me wonder if this is what sex was to him with other women. My body shot up in flames as he brought me to the point of no return. I moaned his name as he commanded.

“Tell me you want me to fuck you; I want to hear you say it.”

I obliged by telling him what he wanted to hear. He gave one last hard thrust as we both moaned and came together. He buried his head in my neck as he let go of my wrists and I held him tight. As our breathing slowed, he lifted his head and brought it to mine.

“You never cease to amaze me.”

I smiled, “Let’s get out of here and go home.”

Chapter 33

Home; referring to us going home is bittersweet. Connor walked over to the easel and looked intrigued by my painting.

“I have to say Ellery, you are a very talented artist; this painting is stunning.”

I walked over and slipped my hands in his back pockets and put my chin on his shoulder.

“Thank you. This is my glimpse of a future; it looks so peaceful there.”

“It’s very beautiful, I suggest you keep it and don’t sell it,” he said.

I kissed him on the cheek, “Maybe I will.”

I paused for a moment as I looked into the depth of my painting, “I was going to tell you, ya know.”

He reached for my hands and brought my arms around his waist, “Tell me what?”

I took in a sharp breath, “About coming here and seeing Dr. Murphy. I wanted to talk to you about it that day but you were so angry; I heard you on the phone, in your office, with Ashlyn.”

He looked down, “I’m sorry, I never should have said those things to you, I was…” He couldn’t find the words he needed to say, so I interrupted him.

“You need to tell me about her Connor, we can never move forward if you don’t and I think I have a right to know.”

He turned around so he was facing me and pressed his forehead against mine, “I know and I will just not tonight baby.”

I was starting to wonder if he was ever going to tell me because if not, I would have to find out for myself and that was something I didn’t want to have to do. I sighed as we headed to the bedroom.

I awoke to the sensation of my neck being covered in small light kisses. I smiled as I rolled over to view the sexy man who was sending shivers throughout my body.

“Happy Birthday baby,” he smiled as he lightly kissed my lips.

I interlaced our fingers and nestled into his chest, “Thank you.”

It amazed me how fast things changed. I was dreading this day not too long ago for the fear of celebrating alone. Not that I would celebrate because it was just 8 short years ago that I was diagnosed with cancer the first time and here I am facing it again, but Connor being here made things better; he made me feel safe and happy.

“Don’t move,” he said as he swiftly got off the bed. I bit my lower lip anxiously waiting for his return.

Wearing only dark gray pajama bottoms he strutted into the bedroom holding a tray. I could do nothing short of holding my breath as I looked at his perfectly chiseled chest and his exposed hips as his bottoms hung so perfectly below them. Connor Black knew he was a sexy man and he didn’t have any trouble letting me know. He sat the tray across my legs and sat down next to me. With a grin that went from ear to ear, I looked down at the scrambled eggs, bagel, fruit and bacon that sat before me.

“How, when, where?”

He laughed as he took my fork and stabbed the eggs, “Since you didn’t have anything besides eggs, I headed down the street to the café.”

He smiled as he opened his hand and handed me my daily dose of 15 pills; needless to say I rolled my eyes. He picked up the fork and brought it to my mouth as I graciously removed the eggs from it.

“You are amazing,” I smiled.

I grabbed the fork from his hand and shared my eggs and bacon with him. A happiness grew inside me I never thought could exist. I was too happy and it scared me; it scared me to death because all I kept thinking was nothing lasts forever and I never wanted this feeling to end.

“Present time,” he smiled as he reached one arm under the bed. He pulled out 3 beautifully wrapped boxes and then removed the tray from my lap.

“I love presents,” I squealed.

The expression on his face was of pure bliss. He was just as happy in this moment as I was. He handed me the first box and I carefully unwrapped it. My mouth dropped as I pulled a new iPhone out of the box.

“Your phone number is the same as your old phone; you know the one you threw away?” he smirked. “Who just throws away their phone?” he shook his head.

I playfully smacked him on his arm, “I’m crazy remember?”

He laughed and kissed me on the head. I turned the phone on and instantly there were text messages from all my friends wishing me a happy birthday.

A text from Peyton read, “Happy birthday bitch, nah, you know I love you, call me soon, we have a lot to catch up on.” By the way have lots of birthday sex you deserve it.”

I shook my head and laughed. Connor knew how Peyton was so he didn’t even ask what she said, he could just tell by my reaction.

He took the phone from my hand and set it on the bed while he handed me the next box. I smiled as I bit my bottom lip anxiously unwrapping, excited like a child on Christmas morning, the perfect silver square box. I removed the top and inside sat a stunning silver bracelet with the infinity symbol encased in diamonds. I gasped as I ran my finger along the diamonds.