Callum leans down to kiss my temple as I smile, taking a sip from my sparkling water, feeling warmth spread from my chest at the support and love I've been shown.
...
Callum and I sway softly on the dance floor, in a sea of couples dancing together, but it feels like it's just us. Surprisingly, I don't feel tired or sluggish, I feel completely wired right now. There's an anticipation growing in me, and I think he feels it too.
Callum's hand is on my lower back, his fingers flexing slightly, pulling me closer to him. His other hand is in mine as we slow dance to the soft, romantic music. I close my eyes and breathe him in, feeling almost overwhelmed with the emotion that's threatening to burst from me.
So I let it.
"Callum?"
He leans down to kiss my head and murmurs against my temple. "Yes, baby?"
"I love you."
I can literally feel every muscle in his entire body tense at my declaration, spoken so plainly like I was just stating a fact.
Because it is a fact.
He pulls back to meet my eyes. I don't flinch, I don't waver, I look right at him, and I smile.
Callum swallows, and he reaches his hand up, caressing my cheek with his thumb as he practically begs,
"Say it again."
"I love you, Callum Rhodes," I oblige, giddiness flooding me.
I feel so alive, so full of joy and gratitude that I've been given the gift to fall in love with this wonderful man. The entire journey to now has been some of the greatest and scariest moments of my life.
And I wouldn't change a single thing.
The words fall from my lips as easily as breathing. There's no more fear, there's no second-guessing, doubts, no other choice.
I choose Callum.
I love Callum.
His brown eyes glisten at the edges with tears, but the smile that grows on his face is so wide and bright and happy.
"I love you, Sophie."
The words strike me hard, landing in my chest and flooding me with warmth. His voice is rough with emotion, but his face is so confident and assured. I've heard the words before, but I don't think I've ever felt the confidence and belief in them as I do with Callum.
It's the fairy-tale happy-ending love everyone dreams of.
I had thought I had found that before, but I was wrong. I'm not wrong now, though, because through the hardest moments of my life, I've been able to smile and laugh through them because of this man's love. Because of his respect for me. His care and his words of support, and the way he just shows up and chooses me every single moment of every day.
Becausethat'slove.
Callum leans in and kisses me, and I melt into it, into him. His beard gently scratches against my jaw and cheeks as we deepen the kiss. My fingers tighten around his lapels, and his arm wraps around my waist, the other still on my cheek. Once I feel his tongue brush against mine, I know we need to get out of here—now.
Reluctantly, I pull back and kiss his cheek, whispering in his ear. "Let's go back up to the room."
"Yeah?" Callum asks breathlessly, pulling back so that he can meet my eyes.
I nod eagerly, biting my lip through my smile. Callum looks like he wants to pick me up and toss me over his shoulder, but composes himself.Barely. The walk to the elevator is in tense, silent silence.
When we step into the elevator, though, Callum loses control. He backs me up to the mirrored wall and kisses me—fiercely, passionately—and I softly moan into his mouth. His hands wander from my back, down to my ass, where he squeezes briefly, groaning into my mouth.
