Dream On(107)

“Cassidy Walker, the last two and a half years with you have been the best of my life. When you chose me that day at the festival, I felt like I’d won the lottery on a cosmic scale. But what I didn’t know is that every day after that would be even better than the last. The way you see the world, and the possibilities within it, inspires me to be my best self because that’s what you do—uplift everyone around you simply by being yourself. You’re courageous, caring, kind, and the most brilliant person I’ve ever known. Each day with you is a gift, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life anywhere except by your side.”

He flips open the lid to reveal a silver band holding a square-cut emerald. It’s the same shade of green as his eyes, which he knows all too well is my favorite color. “Will you marry m—”

I throw myself into his arms. “Yes!”

Standing, he takes my trembling hand and slides the ring onto my finger.

“I love you, Perry.” I look up at him, and he kisses me—long, slow, and sweet. Smiling against his lips, I flatten my palms against his chest and push him onto the bed. We both laugh, and he tugs me down on top of him. Rose petals scatter around us like falling snow.

The mood changes, urgency blooming between us. Gathering the hem of my dress, he yanks it up and over my head. In between kisses, I manage to remove his shirt, pants, and boxers. He groans when I curl my fingers around his hard length, and the sound burrows into my belly. Eyes shining in the candlelight, he unlatches my bra and tosses it aside before scooping me up and flipping me over so I’m stretched out beneath him.

I moan as he drags kisses over my jaw, down the line of my neck, along my collar bone, and lower still. When he traces his tongue along the curve of my hip, I arch my back, and he peels off my panties in one fluid motion. My skin flames everywhere he touches me. His delicious weight, the friction of skin against skin, and every sinful swirl of his tongue sends me spinning closer to bliss. But I can’t get close enough. Can’t get enough of him.

Blood pounds through my veins. “I need you,” I rasp. “Now.”

“Okay,” he whispers, dragging his thumb over his glistening lips. Climbing up my body, he nudges my legs wider, positions himself, and enters me in one long, slow slide. I gasp at the sudden sensation of fullness. Stilling, he runs his fingers through my hair, gazing at me in pure reverence. “I love you so much.”

While his kisses are tender, his pace is not. We move together, faster, more desperate, until we’re both panting with need. The pleasure builds. I’m close. So close.

When he reaches between us and circles his fingers where I want them the most, I tip over the edge. Several thrusts later he joins me, and we collapse in a satisfied, sweaty heap.

“You know,” I say between heavy breaths. “I think I’m the lucky one here.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” He’s equally out of breath. Arm tossed above his head, eyes half closed, hair disheveled from my raking fingers—this is my favorite Perry. Perfectly happy, utterly unguarded, and authentically himself. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful.

Rolling onto my side to face him, I prop myself up with one arm. My emerald ring winks in the flickering light of the candles, sending tingles down my spine. It couldn’t be more perfect if I’d picked it out myself. Smiling, I trace my fingertips along his chest. “Because I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Turning over my hand, he kisses my open palm. “And what a life it will be.”

What a life, indeed. Nestling against his bare chest, I close my eyes. He presses a kiss to my temple, and I sigh.

Perry is my fate, my forever.

He’s my dream come true.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS




Dream On started as a literal dream, and I feel fortunate beyond words for all the love and support I’ve received from so many, without whom this book never would have come to fruition.

Huge thanks to my agent, Jess Watterson, for cheering me on every step of the way, even when the (pandemic) going got tough. You’re the deliverer of dreams and my publishing journey guru. I’m so very grateful to have you in my corner (#bestagentever).

To my wonderfully talented editor, Molly Gregory: working with you is an honor and a dream come true. This story never would have come together the way it did without your insightful feedback, brainstorming help, and support—thank you. Heartfelt thanks to the entire Gallery Books team for their support as well: my publisher, Jen Bergstrom; deputy publisher, Jen Long; publicity/marketing director, Sally Marvin; publicist, Lucy Nalen; marketing specialist, Mackenzie Hickey; managing editor, Caroline Pallotta; production editor, Christine Masters; copyeditor, Faren Bachelis; art director, Lisa Litwack; and editorial director, Aimée Bell.

To my UK publisher, Headline Eternal, and editor, Kate Byrne: thank you, once again, for bringing my words to readers across the pond! I’m thrilled and deeply grateful.

To anyone who’s experienced pregnancy loss and felt moved to talk about it: from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I patterned the pregnancy loss in Dream On after my own miscarriage a few years back, and I never would have mustered the courage to revisit the experience and reflect it in the pages of a book if it weren’t for the many brave individuals who have chosen to share their stories. (P.S. If you’re reading this, and you’re among the one in four who have encountered pregnancy loss and experienced the complicated trauma that can accompany it: please know I see you, I feel you, and I care. Support is out there. You’re not alone.)