Rhett (Rhett #1)(58)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Oh, Rhett.” She said again and pulled me towards her. “I love you.”

“I can wait for eternity, Clementine. You’re my home. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you, Rhett.” She kissed me softly and everyone around us clapped. I looked around in shock. I’d completely forgotten that we weren’t alone. “I love you so much.”

“You don’t know how much that means to me.” I held her tight to me, my heart overflowing with joy.

“I’m just so shocked. Why are you doing this?” Her eyes searched mine.

“Because you once told me that you wanted a man who would give you the stars.” I paused. “But I want to do more than that. I want to give you the moon, the stars, the entire galaxy. I love you with every beat of my heart. I can’t live without you.”

“I love you too, Rhett. I’ve always loved you.” She reached over and touched my face gingerly. “I don’t want to be with anyone but you. I’ve never wanted to be with anyone, but you.” She kissed me then and I grabbed the back of her head and ran my fingers through her hair as I kissed her tenderly. I could hear everyone around us still cheering and when Nanna said “Finally,” we both drew apart and started laughing.

“This is forever.” I whispered in her ear. “I hope you know that.”

“I’ve always known.” She smiled at me gently. “I’ve always known, Rhett.”

“I guess that you Clementine O’Hara will soon have to tell everyone you have a boyfriend.” I grinned at her.

“Are you sure?” She winked at me. “I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was getting serious with someone.”

“You sure as hell better let everyone know.” I grabbed her around the waist and swung her around. “I want the whole world to know that Clementine O’Hara and Rhett Madison are together and no-one is going to break that apart.” I put her back on the ground and she held my face in her hands and kissed me softly.

“The world already knew.” She whispered against my lips and we both stood there holding hands, grinning like idiots. I felt like the happiest man in the world. I wasn’t sure what was going to come next, but I knew that whatever happened, Clementine and I would get through it. We could get through anything together. That’s what love meant at the end of the day. It meant taking life’s journey together and supporting each other, no matter what happened.

Epilogue

“Would you go on Big Brother?” Clementine nibbled on her pen as she sat in front of the TV making a list.

“Nope.” I shook my head and looked at the pile of clothes in front of me. “Would you?”

“Maybe. If I thought it would be fun.”

“Do you think it would be fun?”

“Maybe.” She grinned. “How’s it going?”

“Not great.” I sighed. “I don’t know what to pack.”

“Do you want me to help you?” She stood up and walked over to the table and stared at my stack of clothes.

“If I let you help me, I’ll never live it down.” I laughed. “You’ll always tell me you really are my maid.”

“I do have the French Maid’s outfit now.” She grinned mischievously.

“Are you trying to make it so we don’t leave tomorrow?” I raised an eyebrow at her. “Because I will take you in the bedroom right now and I won’t be finished with you until tomorrow morning.”

“We’re leaving at 6am.”

“Not if you put on that maids outfit.”

“Rhett.” She giggled and kissed me. “You’re a goof.”

“A goof who’s in love with you.”

“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” Her eyes widened. “I can’t believe you’re coming to Massachusetts with me.”

“Hey, I didn’t get into Harvard, but Boston College is just as good.” I smiled. “I’ll tell everyone about my girlfriend that’s smarter than me.”

“I’m not smarter than you.” She blushed and I grabbed her and pulled her towards me.

“Hmm, can I say sexier then?” I winked at her and she pressed her body against mine. “Definitely sexier.”

“I think you’re pretty sexy yourself.” She laughed and ran her hands up to my hair. “All the girls are going to go crazy over you.”

“I couldn’t care less. I’m a one woman man.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” She kissed me softly. “Let’s just hope all those Harvard geeks aren’t after me.”

“They won’t make it past the front door.” I grinned and kissed her hard. “So don’t even think about bringing them home. I don’t care if you call them a friend or a study partner.”

“Oh, Rhett.” She shook her head at me. “This is going to be crazy. I can’t believe we’re going to be living together.”

“I know.” I held her hands in mine. “It’s a big step.”

“I’m surprised my parents said yes.” She made a face. “I thought dad was going to have a heart attack when I told him.”

“Yeah, thank God for Nanna.” I grinned. “I’m not sure they would have been cool with it, if she hadn’t said something.”

“She’s just so happy we finally got together.” Clementine started sorting through my shirts. “I think she’d almost convinced herself it was never going to happen.”

“I finally came to my senses though.” I shook my head. “Though, I have to admit, your sexiness helped.”

“I was wondering how many bras I had to take off to get your attention.” She grinned and I stared at her in shock.

“You slept braless to turn me on?” I growled and ran my fingers to her br**sts. “Do you know how many times I stared at your ni**les and had to turn away because I felt like a scumbag?”

“No.” She giggled and moaned as I squeezed her br**sts in my palms.

“You little tease.” I shook my head. “You totally knew.”

“Well, it’s not like you ever tried to move your morning wood from my ass.” She reached down and grabbed the front of my pants. “I’d wake up to your hardness every morning I slept over.”

“I didn’t know you felt it.” I made a face. “You never said anything.”