The Last Rose of Summer Read online

  “Sure.” Katelin was flustered by her attraction for Myles; she thought that maybe her time in Ireland might make her more objective.

  “Be careful,” he said taking her hand and guiding her through the maze of building materials in the front yard.

  As they climbed the steps to the porch Katelin noticed the swing that had been transplanted from the original cabin. The seat had been worn down over time; she had spent many hours contemplating life from that swing.

  The cabins contrasting textures of smooth river rock and sawn timber made it feel rustic yet comfortable at the same time. Entering the great room she observed how the steep angles of the rafters overhead echoed the mountain landscape surrounding the cabin. The fireplace was pieced together with fieldstone in varying shades of gray. She could imagine its fire warding off the chill of the Colorado winters.

  “When do you find the time to do all of this?” Katelin asked.

  “Most weekends and Bryan helps when he can.” Myles grabbed a clean t-shirt from his bag and slipped it over his head.

  “I'm impressed,” Katelin said moving her hand over a large oak banister that ran alongside the stairs leading to the second floor.

  After touring the main floor, she made her way out back; the deck faced the meadow Kate loved so much. The wildflowers were in full bloom, making the view spectacular. Splashes of pinks, lavenders, and reds, accented by the mountain sunset reminded her of one of her sister’s favorite paintings by Monet. In the middle of the field was a tall cottonwood from which a swing was dangling. It made a creaking noise as it swayed in the warm evening breeze.

  “A land developer wanted to buy the meadow. They were going to rip up the wildflowers and build tourist cabins. I told them they couldn't have your flowers or your swing, so I bought it.”

  Katelin turned to look at Myles. She was taken aback by the affection in his words. Caught off guard by the awkward intimacy of the moment, Kate turned to go back into the cabin. Her attention was drawn to the fireplace and the group of family photos in varying shapes and sizes sitting on top of the mantel. As Myles bent down to light a fire, her eyes scanned the pictures. She noticed the photo Joanna had taken the Fourth of July, four years ago—the photo of Nick, Katelin, and Myles.

  “Do you remember when that was taken?” Myles asked.

  “Yes, the Fourth of July,” Kate ran her fingers along the frame as she fondly remembered the special event.

  “It was the day I fell in love with you Katie.”

  The words caught her breath for a moment. Katelin looked up at Myles; their gaze met and just as quickly she looked away. Kate had wanted to hear those words for so long, but now that she had, she didn't know what to do with them.

  “Katie, look at me.” Myles gently took her face in his hands.

  After an uncomfortable pause Katelin asked, “what about Rachel?”

  “I called it off after I rescued you from The Celtic Rose.”

  “Oh,” she was unsure how to respond. Looking back at the picture, she asked, “...and Nick?”

  “I love my brother, but he's gone, and I think he'd want us to be happy, don’t you?”

  Pulling Katelin closer to him, Myles brushed her wavy auburn locks away from her face and leaned down to give her a long and passionate kiss. His kiss told Katelin how much he loved her. Myles lightly caressed her lips with his thumb before taking her warm mouth again. Kate felt her body melt into his arms as their kisses grew impassioned.

  Stopping for a moment, he looked down at her and said, “I love you Katie.”

  She smiled, kissed him, and said, “I love you too Myles.”

  Myles gazed at Katelin with an unwavering desire. She could see the love in his eyes; it surrounded her like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night. Kate slid her hand under his shirt, matching his gaze while she tenderly caressed his chest. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. She missed that feeling—she missed Myles.

  Myles took Katelin's face in his hands and began to kiss her. Stopping for a moment, he asked, “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, are you?”

  “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life."

  Myles needed Katelin; his love for her had become an insatiable longing. He pulled her close to him, and closing his eyes, Myles he breathed in her familiar fragrance. Being with her was like coming home. Little-by-little he began to undress Katelin as if he were peeling away the wrapping from a very special gift, until she stood naked in front him. Myles couldn't believe that she was actually here. Being with Katie felt comfortable, but there was something different this time. Was it the tenderness of the moment? Was it their unbridled passion for one another? Maybe it was the intensity of Katelin's passion for him. Whatever it was Myles knew he could no longer hold back anything from her.

  He began caressing her neck and shoulders deliberately making his way to her tender breasts. Slowly his tongue followed their curves as Katelin lovingly ran her fingers through his hair.

  “Mmmm,” Kate let out a low, sensual tone that excited Myles.

  Stopping to unzip his jeans, Myles pulled his pants down to the floor and tossed them aside. Katelin eagerly helped pull his shirt over his head. As her lips gently caressed his nipples, Myles tilted his head back and groaned with pleasure. His lean muscular form aroused Katelin. She wanted him more than she had every wanted anyone.

  “Myles, I need to feel you inside me,” she gasped, struggling to restrain her enthusiasm.

  She couldn't help but be aroused by him, or by the thought of being together again.

  Myles continued to kiss Katelin softly as he lowered her onto the rug in front of the fireplace. He could feel that her nipples were taut with excitement as he pressed his body against hers. Myles felt his manhood swell with desire as their bodies moved together creating a frenzied fervor that left them both breathless. Myles didn't want to rush their love making—he wanted to savor this moment. Slowly kissing her body he was reminded how much he loved the taste of her, how he loved the way she moaned in delight, and how she arched her back bringing her body closer to his.

  Feeling the warmth of her breath as she vocalized her pleasure and the way her body responded to his, Myles could no longer control his passion for Katie. He thrust himself into her as she brought her hips upward to take in all of him. Myles buried himself deep inside of her—she felt like warm satin. Full and hard, he moved inside of her with a steady tempo, creating waves of pleasure. Their love making had reached a final climax, when they both came, with a soul-shattering intensity neither of them had experienced before. As their bodies blissfully became as one, Myles could feel Katelin’s body relax beneath him.

  Having been completely exhausted by their passion, they lay in each other's arms savoring the moment.

  “Are you really here?” Katelin asked tracing his lips with her fingers.

  “Yes, I am here with you. Where I belong”

  Katelin's eyes filled with tears of joy and in the soft glow of the firelight she looked angelic.

  There would always be a special place in Katelin's heart for Nick. His love had opened her heart to endless possibilities, but what she felt for Myles was different. He made her feel safe, part of something bigger than the both of them. Her heart would be forever his. “Are you all right?” Myles asked

  “Yes,” she said in an almost dreamy tone.

  Katelin placed her head on his chest, and they feel asleep where they belonged—in each other’s arms.

  When Myles awoke, he noticed that Katelin was no longer lying next to him. Grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch, he went to find her.

  “Katie,” Myles called out.

  “I’m out here.”

  Katelin sat on the back porch looking out over a moonlit field of wildflowers. She knew now that this was where she was supposed to be. Life's journey, bumps and all, had led her to this place—to the one she was meant to be with. It had been Myles all along, and now that they had found each other, sh
e was going to take Patrick’s advice—and hold on tight.

  Myles wrapped the blanket around Katelin’s shoulders as he sat down next to her.

  “You know you'll have to come back to earth sometime.”

  “Not if I can help it,” she said with a smile.

  Myles sat and watched her for a moment. “What are you thinking about?”

  “You...this place—I love you.”

  “I know. So tell me about Ireland,” he said aware that her visit must have been on her mind.

  “I met Patrick.” Katelin paused and smiled. “My father,” she said as the idea of it softly landed in her heart, where her affection for Patrick was beginning to grow.

  “He told me to hold on to the people I love.”

  “Sounds like good advice to me.” Myles pulled her a little closer.

  “But you’re worried about Kasey, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, she’s keeping something from me.”

  Katelin looked over at Myles and noticed a look on his face. “You know something.”

  “I do, and don’t ask. Kasey will tell to you when she’s ready.”

  “She belongs in Ireland with Sean,” Katelin said staring off into the meadow.

  “I’m sure Kasey will find her way back to Sean, just like you found your way back to me,” Myles said kissing her softly on the cheek. “Love always finds a way.”

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve