The Boy Who Paints Me (33 page)

I let the tears roll down my cheeks as I stood there in shook.

"It's ok for you to be happy, Rainie; don't 
ever
 feel guilty for being happy. I promise you...you deserve it."

"You're wrong," I whispered causing her eyebrows to scrunch up in confusion. "I think you are going to heaven," I continued. I watched as she smiled at me through her tears. In that moment, somehow, everything had changed.

* * *

"How much further?" I asked as I let Leighton guide me towards the unknown destination that I had been trying to figure out for the entire journey.

"We're here," he chuckled as the sound of water filled my ears.

"You really have got a thing for water haven't you," I chuckled.

"Nope, I have a thing for 
you
 in water," he replied as he untied the blindfold from around my eyes.

"Oh my gosh," I gasped as I looked up at the waterfall. It was the same place that he had brought me to after Megan's barbeque. We hadn't been here since then and it looked even more beautiful.

"I thought you might like it," he laughed as his hands wrapped around my waist and his breath tickled my neck. I let my eyes fall closed as I leaned into him.

"I love this place," I whispered.

"Want to get in?" He whispered into my ear.

"Seriously?" I said as I turned around in his arms and began laughing. "You're crazy you know."

"Yes, I'm crazy about you. Now, are we getting in or what?" He asked with a huge smile on his face.

"Should we?" I said as I bit my lip.

"Remember what I said when we first came here?" He asked as I scrunched up my face in confusion. "I said that this could be one of life's greatest moments and that you should never pass on a great moment." He smiled.

"Then I guess you better take me in," I chuckled before he lifted me up so that my legs were wrapped around his waist. He ran towards the water as we both started giggling like little children.

"Leighton, wait, are you sure?" I screamed as we got closer to the water.

"Yes!" He screamed before he jumped in with me in his arms. We sank under the water immediately as I kept myself wrapped tightly around him.

"Wow, that was..."

"Perfect," he finished as he kissed my lips. "I miss this," he said against my lips.

"What, jumping into water with me?" I giggled.

"Yeah, that and giving you knew experiences," he smiled.

"This is new?" I asked as I lifted an eyebrow at him.

"It's about to be," he laughed as he walked us through the waterfall into the cave that he had painted for me.

"Gosh, this is even more beautiful than I remembered," I gasped as we entered.

"It became more beautiful from the day that you walked in here," he said as he kissed my lips again. "Rai, if I could change everything bad that has happened in the past then I would but I can't, but what I can do is make sure that your future is filled with a whole lot of goods," he smiled as he stroked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"I'd like that," I whispered.

"Good," he said before his hands slipped down to my waist. He gently pushed me away from him and turned me so that my back was against his chest.

I was about to ask him what he was doing when my eyes connected with the rock that I had sat on the day that he nearly kissed me. It wasn't the rock that had taken away my ability to speak; it was the little black box that was sat on it. I didn't say a word because right now I was floating on cloud nine, and I wanted to stay there. I stepped slowly over to the rock and picked up the small box. I lifted the lid up gently as a small gasp escaped my lips. Inside was the most beautiful ring. I didn't even take much notice of the details of the ring because I was more concerned with the man that was giving it to me.

"Is this real?" I breathed as I looked up at him.
 

"If you want it to be," He said as he walked towards me until we were face to face.

"Rai, I have no intention of just being your for now...I want to be your forever," he said as he looked into my eyes with a serious expression on his face.

"Really?" I said as I began laughing. I was in shock. I hadn't expected this.

"Really, baby. This is so real."

"Yes," I nearly screamed. "Yes!"

I expected him to say something but instead his lips just crashed into mine hungrily. He kissed me with so much passion that I wanted to cry. As I felt the tip of his tongue enter my mouth, I disappeared into a realm that didn't even exist. 

"Say something then," I chuckled as we gently pulled apart and leaned against each
other’s foreheads.

"Words are not enough, babe..." He said as I laughed.

I watched as he slid his hand down to mine, took the ring and slipped it onto my finger.

"It's perfect," he breathed as he stared at me. He was looking at me with an expression that I couldn't quite explain but it was beyond love.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I've just got to concentrate because this is definitely a moment that I'm going to have to paint later," he said causing me to laugh.

"Yeah? Then it can be a wedding present," I said with a huge grin on my face.

"Rai, you really are trying to kill me. You have no idea how good that sounds coming out of your mouth," he said before pulling me towards him and kissing me softly. "Gosh, I love you, Rai, so, so much."

"I love you too, Leighton."

"Forever?"

"And beyond..."

"I don't know if that's possible but I'll take it," he chuckled before kissing me again.

"Hey," I whispered against his lips.

"Yeah," he whispered back.

"Fancy having the honeymoon before the wedding?" I asked mischievously.

He raised his eyebrow at me with a smile on his face.

"You really are trying to kill me, aren't you?" He chuckled.

"Actually, it's the complete opposite," I whispered before kissing my future husband.

I don't know how it goes in fairytales but in my world, right now...this was every bit the 'happily ever after' that it should be.... 

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COMING SOON

Make Believe (Pretend Series, Book #2)

It has been 8 years since the accident and life is great. Aiden and April are finally engaged and busy with wedding plans and their new life. When Anthony goes on vacation, Aiden is left alone to run their business. When Aiden decides to hire the young and bubbly Leah to help with the work load he thinks that he has everything under control. What he doesn’t know is that she has a plan that is set to turn his and April’s world upside down...

Acknowledgments

             
I have to always start this by saying my biggest thank you to God. Without you, I wouldn’t even be in this position where I can encourage and inspire so many people. I thank you for granting me with the knowledge to write a book that I pray will inspire millions of people to realise that they are worthy of love and that they do get another chance no matter what someone has told them their entire life. I pray that I remain humble at all times and will be a constant blessing to other people.

Secondly I have to thank my amazing family for their continued support. No matter what, I always know that you have got my back. You have put up with long nights, having to become beta readers (reluctantly lol) and I am just so incredibly grateful.

Mom, Dad, Ren and Ty, without you life would be so incomplete...I love you forever and always.

Holly!! My twitter bff, you just know how much I love you
, honey! Introducing me to the best romance books and just supporting me in general. You are an amazing woman and a great friend, thank you!

To my church family, your prayers and kind words are forever in my heart. I thank you and love you for your support and love, it will never be forgotten.

And last but by no means least...my fans. Oh, you guys are just awesome. I see your comments, reviews and words of encouragement on so many of my books. It means the world to me that you not only support me but also stick with me. Your loyalty is amazing and I love you all so much. This wouldn’t even be possible without you and I will never forget that!! xx