Love Hurts

Twenty

Camilla,

         It has been three weeks since I returned to work, and it feels like I never left. Hoss and I have been doing well. He spends most nights at my house, but I stay at his place two nights a week. Tonight is one of those nights, but when I arrive, I find the door unlocked and Hoss nowhere to be found. My heart sinks.
       I call out for Hoss, but there is no response. I consider that he might be in the shower, so I call out again, but still no answer. I cautiously enter the house and notice lights flickering under Hoss's closed bedroom door. I tilt my head in confusion. What could be going on?
     Curiosity gets the better of me, and I approach Hoss's bedroom. I hear muffled voices coming from the other side of the door. I decide not to jump to conclusions just yet. I quietly open the door and peek inside. To my surprise, the room is filled with lit candles, and the radio is playing Bon Jovi's "Bed of Roses" softly in the background. A smile spreads across my face as I gaze at the bed, covered in rose petals.
     I follow the sound of running water and enter the bathroom. Candles surround the bathtub, and lilies float in the lavender-scented water. 
    "Wow," escapes my lips in awe.
     When I looked up from the bathtub, I saw Hoss on the other side, smiling at me and holding a small box. I asked him if it was what I thought it was. Hoss replied in a husky voice, "Why don't you come closer and tell me what you think it is?" I hesitated, unsure if I was ready for this after everything that had happened. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I walked closer to Hoss. It was indeed what I had thought, and it was beautiful. But was I ready to get married again? As I pondered this in my head, Hoss walked around the tub and knelt down on one knee. He asked, "Camilla Gracie Mason, will you do me the honor of being my everything for the rest of our lives? Will you be my ride or die until the end of time?"
      As tears stream down my face, I find myself questioning if I can be everything he needs, just like I did with Alan. I try to gather myself, reminding myself to stay strong. But then, I lock eyes with Hoss and make a decision. "I will marry you," I say, "but only if you promise me one thing." Hoss eagerly responds, "Anything, baby." I take a deep breath and say, "Promise me that you will always remain the same person you are right now. The sweet, funny, and caring person that I fell in love with." Hoss stands up, wraps his arms around me, and pulls me closer. "I promise," he whispers, kissing the top of my head. In that moment, I feel myself melting into his embrace. "So, baby, what do you say?" he asks, making me laugh. Without hesitation, I reply, "Yes!"
      Hoss reclines, a smile on his face.
      "Really?" He asks.
     He spins me around, showering me with kisses.
     I giggle. "Put me down," I say, breathless.
     "Never," he replies, gripping my waist and lifting me up. I wrap my arms and legs around him, and we kiss passionately. Then, we slowly undress, piece by piece.
     When we are both naked, he lays me down gently on the ground, kissing every inch of my body. Starting at my temple, he whispers sweet words in my ear.
    "You're so beautiful, Camilla."
     "I can't get enough of you."
     "You smell like the sweetest sin."
    "You're mine, all mine."
    "Yes!" I exclaim, breathless. "I am yours."
     As he moves downwards, he pauses at my chest. He takes one of my breasts into his mouth, biting and teasing my nipple. His kisses continue down my stomach, causing me to moan his name. He flips me over, and now I'm on all fours. He licks me from my anus to my clitoris, devouring my backside and vagina as if he can't get enough. It's as if he's famished. He moans, gripping his erect penis and stroking it while licking my vagina. I'm on the verge of climaxing, and I shout that I'm about to come. He thrusts his tongue into my vagina, vigorously rubbing his fingers in rapid circular motions over my clitoris. I scream his name as I reach orgasm. Before I have a chance to come down from this intense pleasure, he penetrates me. He grabs my hips and thrusts in and out of my vagina, grunting and moaning. I feel his finger exploring my anus. I moan in response. "Do you enjoy that, baby?" Hoss asks. "Yes," I reply. "Do you want me to finger your tight little anus?"
    "Yes!" I moan.
      He caresses me with his finger, sending waves of pleasure through my body. The intensity builds until I reach a mind-blowing climax, seeing stars in the process. He encourages me to let go and come on his cock. With increased speed and force, he thrusts in and out of me, eventually releasing his load deep inside my pussy. I feel an incredible sense of liberation and happiness, thanks to the man who just made love to me on his bathroom floor.
     Thirty minutes later, we sit at a beautifully set table, enjoying the delicious meal he prepared for us. I can't help but smile at him throughout the entire meal. Is this real? Have I truly found an amazing boyfriend who would do anything to keep me safe? A man who would go to great lengths to prove that we are meant for each other? He even took the time to take me to Disney on Ice because I mentioned wanting to go someday. I don't know how I got so lucky to find him, but one thing is certain: I will never let him go.
       After finishing our meal, we retreat to the bed where Hoss has prepared wine and strawberries. It's clear that he has put a lot of thought into this. Hoss feeds me strawberries as we make love a couple more times. Eventually, we both fall asleep, but I wake up suddenly from a nightmare, drenched in sweat. Not wanting to disturb Hoss, I quietly slip out of bed and make my way to the kitchen for a glass of water.
      As I reach for the glass, Hoss wraps his arms around my waist, causing me to jump in surprise. "It's okay, baby. It's just me," he whispers, planting a gentle kiss on my shoulder. He senses that something is wrong and asks if I had a nightmare. I admit that I did, and Hoss turns me around to face him. "Hey, look at me," he says reassuringly. "I promise you, baby, nobody is ever going to hurt you again. That is one promise I intend to keep."
      I whisper back, "You're right, but the thought of him shooting her and blaming me for not preventing it still haunts me. I can't shake off the guilt." Hoss wraps me in his arms, providing comfort and support.
     After a moment, we both realize that we are thirsty and grab a glass of water. The next morning, Hoss makes love to me again before he heads to the shower and prepares for work. I must have fallen back asleep because when I wake up, there is a note on my pillow that says, "Sweet dreams, my beautiful soon-to-be wife. I love you." Reading those words, I can't help but melt with love and happiness.
Me: Thank you for the note. It really brightened my day.
       Hoss: You're welcome.
       Me: I hope you have a great day at work, and I'll see you tonight at my place. Love you.
      Hoss: Love you too, baby.
      I get ready for work and head downstairs to Hoss's house to grab some breakfast when I hear a knock on the door.
      I wonder who that could be. I open the door and it's the girls - Olivia, Jasmine, and Stella.
     "Hey girl, hey," Jasmine says.
     "Hey, what are you guys doing here?" I ask.
     "We came to take you out for breakfast before our shift starts, and to see that rock," Olivia says.
     Of course, they already know about the engagement.
     "Let's see it, sister. Don't keep us waiting," Stella says, bouncing with excitement.
      I laugh and hold out my hand for the girls to see the ring.
      "Wow, that's stunning," Jasmine says.
     "So, have you set a date yet?" Stella asks, and I just look at her.
     "Stella, honey, he just proposed last night," Olivia says, patting Stella on the shoulder.
      "Right."
       Alright, let's go get some breakfast," I tell them. We head to the little diner down the road and grab a bite and some coffee before our shift starts. Once we walk through the hospital doors, it's total chaos. "What's going on?" I ask as I head to the nurse's desk. Beverly, our head night nurse, tells me there was a building that collapsed downtown with multiple wounded and casualties. We put our stuff away and get right to work. There are several people brought in with multiple broken bones. It's a miracle they survived. The next flood of victims came in and they were worse off than the last bunch. We lost half of them. This went on all day and night. It's been 24 hours since I saw Hoss and I'm missing him like crazy right now. My shift is finally over, so I grab my things and head out with the girls. When I make it to the front door of the hospital, I notice a figure standing at my truck and smile when I notice it's Hoss. I walk over to him and throw my arms around his neck, hugging him so hard. "Long day, babe?" he asks. "You do not know," I reply.
       "Well, let's go grab some food and you can fill me in," he says to me.
       "Honestly, I just want to go home and sleep," I tell Hoss.
       After I woke up from my nap, Hoss and I shared the good news with my family.
      "Slow down," I laugh. "We haven't even set a date yet."
     "Right, well get on it, girl," Mom says.
     "You'll be the first person I call when we have a date. I promise," I tell her.
      "I'm so proud of you, darling."
      "Thank you, Momma."

@Crystal Steadman 2023