The Fall - Book 2

218. I love you, my sweet, wonderful husband.

MAY 31, 2020  — KILLEAVY, IRELAND — RÉA

I don't know what I expected to see when Bucky told me I could open my eyes, but it certainly wasn't the building in front of me.

"A castle?! We're staying in a castle?! This is amazing!" I fling my arms around his neck and cover his face with kisses. "Thank you, Bucky."

"You're welcome, Réa."

Hand in hand, we walk to the castle door; Bucky opens it then scoops me up, carrying me bridal-style over the threshold.

"So," he sets me down and turns the deadbolt on the front door, "you get to pick our room."

"Really?!" I grin at him; he nods, and, filled with excitement, I grab his hand and take off through the castle, my husband in tow.

I look in each of the bedrooms, eventually reaching one with butter-yellow walls.

"Oh, look at this view! It's gorgeous!" I exclaim as I dart to the window and peer outside, taking in the expanse of vibrant grass and leafy, towering trees.

After a few moments I turn from the window and look through the rest of the suite; Bucky follows.

"Wait...the dressing room is round...this is the tower!" I dart up a spiral staircase, passing a small window and arriving in an en suite with black and white floor tiles, white and silver fixtures, and a white, mosaic-tile shower. "Oh, wow! This shower is amazing! And...ooo, more stairs!" I quickly dart up the next spiral staircase, my jaw dropping as I take in the large, clawfoot soaking tub.

"OH MY GOSH! I WISH I COULD TAKE BATHS!" I shout.

I hear Bucky's approaching footsteps; eventually, he enters the en suite.

"Look at this!" I point to the tub. "I mean, my pool is awesome, but this is...well, this is awesome, too!" I move to this window, looking through the embellished panes. "Even with the sun setting, there's still so much natural light in here...in the entire suite." I turn to Bucky. "Can we stay in this room?"

"Wherever you want, doll."

With a nod and a grin, I start back downstairs, my husband close behind.

"I'm going to grab the luggage...I'll be right back," he says.

"The luggage can wait," I reply, my tone sultry.

Bucky closes the small distance between us, pulling my body flush against his, our lips meeting in a searing kiss. My lips part, and his tongue slips into my mouth; my hands grip the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, holding him to me as I move backwards toward the bed. He follows me, covering my body with his as we tumble onto the mattress. He presses kisses down my neck to the curve of my shoulder, gently nipping before he crushes his mouth back to mine. His hand slides into the hair at my nape, angling my head to deepen the kiss. I arch into him, pushing his jacket off his shoulders and undoing his tie. I begin to unbutton his shirt, and he pulls back, his gaze on mine.

"Wait, Réa, hold on," he pants.

I can't help the slightly puzzled frown that forms on my face. "I...I thought you...I mean, you made that comment. About this dress. And I thought y—"

"I did." He gently brushes the tendrils of hair back from my face. "And then I realized that I'm only going to get one first time with my wife...and I want to go slow; to make it last."

I melt at his words and the sweetness behind them; I reach up and rest my hand on his cheek.

"I'd like that," I murmur before pulling him into a tender kiss.