toward the elevator. “Tonight we’re going to learn everything about each other.”
My heart is already racing with anticipation.
An hour later we’re in bed doing just what he wanted—looking at each other in the light of the moon and talking. A lot. He opens up to me more than he ever has, though I can tell it’s hard.
“There’s no hurry,” I say. “We have all the time in the world.”
“Do we?”
“Yes. I’m not going anywhere, Liam.”
I have no doubt he’s thinking about the events of tonight and how they will affect the rest of his life.
He traces a line up and down my arm. “For years I’ve wished him dead and prayed my uncle would go down in flames. Now that it’s happened, I realize it’s not even important. What’s important is you. Nothing else matters.”
“You’re not like Don, you know. You’ll never be like him. You’re a good man. And someday you’ll be an amazing father.”
“I didn’t understand that until now. I’m not scared anymore—about anything.” A happy tear rolls down my cheek. He catches it with his thumb. He rises on an elbow and gazes thoughtfully into my eyes. “You can say it, you know. I want to hear it. I want to hear it every day.”
I run a finger along the stubble of his jaw. “I love you.”
He sighs as if I’ve opened the gates to heaven, then he feathers the most sensual kisses up my neck. He whispers in my ear, “I love you too, El.”
My eyes fly open in surprise. It’s the first time in his life he’s ever said the words. My heart is so full, it’s about to explode. This man is everything I want in life. He’s my best friend, my soul mate, my love. The look in his eyes tells me he feels the same way. And I know. Suddenly, I know for sure that wherever life takes us, we’ll go together.
He cups my face. “Someday I’m going to ask you to marry me again, Mrs. Campbell.”
I smile. Because … how could I not? “Someday I’m going to say yes.”
***
My dear readers,
Most of you have come to expect an epilogue at the end of my books. However, like Crew and Bria, Liam and Ella’s relationship is just beginning. You’ll see much more of both couples in the next book, so to have an epilogue at this point would be premature. I hope you understand. If you’re eager to see more of them and the rest of Reckless Alibi, you can order the next book in the series, Reckless Reunion, here:
Liam’s story was hard to write at times. It was also very rewarding. The subject of male sexual abuse is often discarded, but some sources claim its prevalence is almost as high as female sexual abuse, so I knew it was a story worth telling.
It’s not always clear to children that they are being abused. And if they don’t know, it can be tough for the adults in their lives to see it as well. If you are being abused, or think someone in your life is, please call the national sexual abuse hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
As always, there are many people to thank.
To my special editor who has been with me since the beginning, Ann Peters, thank you for your continued support. Also, a great big shout out to my copy editor, LS, at Murphy Rae Solutions.
To my beta readers, Shauna Salley, Joelle Yates, Laura Conley, Jeannie Hinkle, and Tammy Dixon—you ladies all have unique ways of finding things that have slipped past everyone else.
Thank you to Susan Phelan of the Denver-based band, Ryan Chrys and The Rough Cuts. You’ve helped me get inside the heads of rock stars.
And finally, to my Facebook reader group, Samantha’s Sweethearts. The first thing I do each morning and the last thing I do every night is pop into the group to share in the love and encouragement you fine ladies give one another.
About the author
Samantha Christy’s passion for writing started long before her first novel was published. Graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Criminal Justice, she held the title of Computer Systems Analyst for The Supreme Court of Wisconsin and several major universities around the United States. Raised mainly in Indianapolis, she holds the Midwest and its homegrown values dear to her heart, and upon the birth of her third child devoted herself to raising her family full time. While it took time to get from there to here, writing has remained her utmost passion, and being a stay-at-home mom facilitated her ability to follow that dream. When she is not writing, she keeps busy cruising to every Caribbean island where ships sail. Samantha Christy currently resides in St. Augustine, Florida with her husband and four children.
You can reach Samantha Christy at any of these wonderful places: