Brothers of Paradise Series

“You do?”

“Yes. He’s a big fan of your work.” I wrap my arms around her waist, walking her backwards. It’s no effort at all to press kisses against her cheek, her neck, her skin warm under my mouth. “He’s very interested.”

Her laughter rings out in my ear. “Is he?”

“Yes. Very, very.”

“Good, because as it happens, he might be my favorite fan.”

“He’ll be happy to hear that.”

Lily kisses me, long and deep, before she breaks into laughter again. “If it makes you this happy, I’ll paint you over and over again.”

“You make me happy,” I say. “Just you.”

Her hand stills on my cheek. Her green eyes glitter with love and trust, and my chest feels so full of emotion that it might burst.

“My handsome rogue,” she whispers.

“Very handsome,” I agree, bending to whisper in her ear. “I’m still waiting for you to hire me as your nude model, you know.”

Lily grins. “I’m not done with your gentleman portrait yet, the one with the hounds at your feet.”

I chuckle at the mention of that old joke. “Something for my mantlepiece?”

“Yes, or you can hang it in your office.”

“Mmm.” I run my hands down her back, finding the soft curve of her spine. She feels amazing in my arms-always has-like she belongs here. It’s still hard to believe we spent so many years apart, when I’m close to her like this. And I know I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure we’re apart as little as possible. “Move in with me.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Into my house, or me into yours, or we sell it all and buy something else. I don’t care, I just never want to say goodbye to you.”

“I like the sound of that. A place just for us.” She presses a soft kiss to my lips, the feeling like home. “People will say it’s too fast.”

“People?” I know exactly who she’s talking about. But her parents haven’t said a negative word about us, not since Lily told them. I think they know they risk losing their daughter forever if they do.

“Yes, people. But they’d be wrong. I’ve loved you since I was ten years old, Hayden Cole.”

I bow my forehead to hers, closing my eyes. Her words never fail to stop me in my tracks completely. “There’s something else I’m going to ask you one of these days,” I say. “I’m trying not to move too fast in that regard, though.”

Lily’s breath catches in her throat, and I hear her swallow. “That’s interesting.”

“Yes.”

“Hypothetically,” she murmurs, “I think you’d get a positive response, if the question is what I’m thinking it might be.”

“That’s interesting,” I echo, smiling at her. “Expect it when you least expect it, that’s all I’m saying, Lils.”

“You’re good at keeping me on the edge of my seat, aren’t you?”

“Always,” I say, kissing her softly, holding the first and last girl I’ve ever loved in my arms.

A few months later…Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Michael Marchand is quiet next to me on the large porch. The ocean is calm in the distance, the sun beginning its slow descent. It’s late fall, and the air is cold. We’re heading for winter.

I asked him out here for a reason, and judging by his silence, I wonder if he suspects. But he always was difficult to read.

“Well, Cole? What did you want to discuss?”

“I’ve been back for months now,” I say. “Lily and I live together, and I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

Michael looks at me. There’s more gray in his hair, and I’m two inches taller, but he’s still able to look down his nose at me. It used to bother me once-intimidate me at the same time as it raised my hackles.

It doesn’t anymore.

“Are you asking for my permission?”

“No. I respect Lily and her opinion far too much for that. I don’t need your permission.” I face him fully. “I would, however, appreciate your blessing. We both know it would mean a lot to her.”

“And to you?” His eyes are narrowed, but only slightly.

Ten years ago, his approval would have meant anything to me. The symbol of finally fitting into Paradise Shores-into the family-and proof that I was finally good enough.

Now, I know I am.

“It will make family get-togethers a hell of a lot easier,” I say dryly.

To my surprise, Michael laughs. It’s a dry, throaty sound. “Damn, Cole. You always did swim against the stream.”

“You asked me to leave once,” I say. “But I won’t leave again. For as long as Lily wants me, I’ll be here for her.”

“I know that,” he says calmly. “I saw that the second you returned. And that’s good. My daughter deserves no less.”

“She deserves everything.”

“Spoken like a man truly in love.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, and I try to hide my surprise. “I was wrong about you once, son. You’ve made something of yourself.”

I meet his gaze head-on. “I have. But I’m not too proud to recognize I had help along the way. My uncle. Lily. You.” I incline my head, struggling past my pride. “I’ve never properly thanked you for my tuition all those years.”

Michael’s eyes glitter, like he’s seeing exactly how difficult this is for me. “You don’t like being in someone’s debt.”

“No,” I say, gritting my teeth.

“Neither do I.” His gaze turns thoughtful. “A self-made man. Just like I was, once. That’s something none of my sons can say.”

I don’t nod, but I don’t contradict him, either.