Page 42 of Sweet Madness

A reluctant sigh escapes me, unnoticed by Ella, as I begrudgingly admit to myself the simple truth. A truth I can’t admit aloud.

Ella’s closeness brings me a sense of solace I thought I would never feel again. She brings so many feelings I’ve kept buried for so long to the surface, and all it takes from her is her lovely smiles and gentle nature.

With a gruff nod, I dismount from Peppermint. I gently reach out to help Ella down by holding her by the waist. My hands linger on her small waist for a moment longer than necessary, and it takes everything from me to let her go. The feeling of her in my arms sends a bolt of electricity through me. The same feeling I experience every time we touch.

Once Ella’s feet touch the ground, I release her with a subtle clearing of my throat, masking the intense reaction her gentle touch invokes. “Go wild,” I grumble, pointing towards the vibrant tulip field. Despite my best efforts to maintain my tough exterior, I can’t deny the softness that seeps into me as I watch her touch every pink flower with delicacy and gentleness.

I stand back and watch her in wonder as she too stops and smells the flowers, looking happy as can be.

How is it that she enjoys the little things so much? Things we all take for granted, too busy hustling and busting our asses every day to reach her level of wealth. So, we can have the finest things in life and yet the multibillionaire heiress finds beauty in the little things.

How… perfect.

I think as I watch her.

Then out of nowhere, a gentle rain starts to fall, its soft droplets soothing our skin against the harsh sun. I cast a sideways glance at Ella, noticing the way her black and pink curls glisten with raindrops and her eyes sparkle with delight. “Rain!” Everything around me stops when she throws her head back, her laughter ringing out like an angel’s song. I watch her in a trance. Her joy is infectious, her laughter a melody that dances in the air and wraps around me like a warm blanket after being in the cold for so long. I can’t help but be captivated by the sight of pure bliss on her face over something as simple as the rain.

I have to let go of the reins to rub my chest, chasing away the tightness.

I watch her in awe, the sound of her laughter filling every lonely corner of my soul with magic and wonder.

Most people would imagine that the rain falling on a pink tulip field would be a breathtakingly beautiful sight, but it pales in comparison to the image of Ella Kenton laughing with her whole heart while soaking wet. In this moment, her happiness illuminates the world around us.

“Moonshine…” I whisper so only I can hear, the pressure in my chest growing stronger the more I look at her.

Then she laughs louder while she dances in a circle, her face tilted toward the cloudy sky as rain cascades around her.

As I watch her, a wave of realization washes over me. I have never felt this way before while staring at another woman. This strange feeling in my chest that only intensifies when this lovely creature sprinkles me with her magic and sweetness is rare and new. Scary as fuck, too.

It feels like the walls around my heart are crumbling, the barriers I have built to shield myself slowly melting away in her presence.

But along with the rush of emotion comes fear, a nagging doubt whispering in my mind. I know I am in deep trouble. I also know that Ellaiza Kenton can awaken a part of me that I had thought dead and buried. A side of me that I buried along with a tragic past and the one person who swore to love me above everyone and everything else.

For so long, I have shut myself off from the world, not caring to let anyone in, afraid to feel the pain of loss again. But now, with this sweet creature, I can’t ignore the truth anymore. She has touched something deep within me, something I thought I had lost forever. Something that the woman I loved most in the world took with her.

The ugly memories from the past fade away when she turns and fixes me with her deep and soulful eyes.

And as I look at her, fear and longing swirling in my chest, I know that I am on the brink of something life-changing, something that could alter the course of my very existence.

And it is all because of her.

Because of Moonshine.

Space Note

“There are five planets you can see with the naked eye, not using a telescope: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.” -E

Chapter

Twelve

POPPY LOVE

Ella

“When life gives you lemons, make cupcakes.

Cupcakes are always a great idea.” – E