One week later…Standing in front of the mirror, I hold my locket between my two fingers. I take a moment to remember my mom, and my eyes water knowing she would have loved to be here today. It’s days like this that I miss her most of all. What girl doesn't want their mom beside them on their wedding day?“You're breathtaking, honey,” Margaret says as she comes to stand behind me. “You look so much like your mother.” I blink rapidly, trying not to cry and ruin the makeup Margaret put on me. I turn around to face her.“Thank you for being here. You’ve really been an amazing stand-in mom for me over the years.” I lose the battle, a few tears escaping.“Oh honey.” She pulls me in for a hug. “You're the daughter I never had and one day soon I’m sure you’ll make me a grandma.”“Yes.” I nod. I love the idea of our kids calling her "Grandma.”“Now, let's get you cleaned up.” Margaret grabs a tissue and pats my cheeks with it to stop my makeup from running.“My turn?” Dad asks, stepping into
“We’re not to that part yet,” Margaret says and clears her throat.We break the kiss, and Margaret begins to read the vows. I stare into Yusef’s eyes knowing every vow he says to me he will always keep. I will do the same because I love him with every part of my heart.“I’m so happy there isn’t a reception,” I tell Yusef after Margaret announces us as husband and wife.He’s been killing me this past week because he wanted to wait until we were married before we went all the way. Not that we didn’t get to do other things, thankfully. But he said he wanted it official the first time he was fully inside me.He takes my hand and leads me back toward our room while Margaret and my dad go meet Sean and Tessa to finalize the details. Yusef lifts me off my feet when we get to the door and carries me over the threshold and into the bedroom.“Did you do as I told you?” He places me on my feet, and I nod.“Always,” I answer as he slips his fingers under the thin straps that hold up my wedding dr
We’ve decided to take an overnight trip to the mainland for a mini getaway. Leo and Margaret are staying with the kids, although at this point there’s not really a time they aren’t with the kids. Some people would think that four boys is a lot to handle, but one look from either of their grandparents, and it’s game over.We rented a small cabin on the water, and it faces out onto the crystal blue ocean. It’s almost as nice as the view from our island, but it’s good to have a change of scenery. Especially before Phoenix gives birth. She’s only got a few weeks left, and this was our last chance for her to travel.When I step out onto the deck, I see her in the distance walking over to the young kids selling haupia by the beach. They’re carting around a little stand with wheels, and it looks like something our boys would do. That’s probably what made her go over there in the first place.As I watch her from behind, I see she’s wearing her bikini top and a wrap around her waist. She’s so
Ariana Henshaw wishes her relationship with Gavin wasn’t built on lies and deception. What will happen if he finds out the real truth about her? Will their fall out be worse than she expects?From the beginning, Gavin knew Ariana’s secrets. But will she figure out all of his?--------1: Ariana.Nothing in this world makes me smile more than when I see my daughter's beautiful face. It doesn't matter what mood I’m in; the moment I see her, a sense of peace fills me. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but she’s the one thing I’ve done right in this world.I make my way across the quaint coffee shop to where she’s sitting in the corner. She clicks away on her laptop looking adorable, and I wonder if she’s nervous to start a brand-new high school next week. It’s her senior year, and I’m sure she’s finding out everything she can about Craven Cove High.I thought she should spend her last year of high school actually in school since over the years we’ve shifted between homeschooling an
The time before school starts is always my favorite time of year. Apollo is going to be a senior next week, and then he’s headed to college. This summer felt different because I knew change was coming. This was my last summer with him at home, and I’ve spent as much time as possible soaking it up.This morning we got out on the water and took the boat for a ride. I need to go into the office today, but I wanted to get coffee with Apollo before that. He told me he has plans to hang out with Jackson this afternoon, so we’re just stopping in for a quick drink before we have to go our separate ways. I made him promise to have dinner tonight with me at least three times this week, and he agreed without much of a fight. He’s such a good kid. He’s my entire world.There are a lot of wrong turns I made, especially being a single dad his entire life, but seeing him thrive and become an incredible person has been my life's joy. When I was younger, some of the guys at the country club used to tr
It’s always been easy for me to get a read on people, but it never really takes much. To my surprise, Gavin Jenkins isn’t proving to be so easy. I had an idea of who he was in my mind with the small amount of information I’d gathered on him. Turns out I was wrong with that as well, and I’m finding myself a bit off balance.“Is there something in particular you’re looking for at the market?” he asks, putting his hand on the small of my back. The simple touch cascades through my body, and I’m not prepared for how good it feels.“Not really. I’m a terrible cook, but I could pick up some fruit,” I admit. Celeste can cook, but I don’t have the patience for it. Everything I make is either burnt or not cooked all the way. We all have our talents in life, and cooking isn't mine.“I’d be happy to cook for you anytime.” He shoots me a charming smile as he moves in closer to my side. Anyone seeing us right now would think we’re a couple. Which is nothing like the Gavin Jenkins I’ve read about.I
“So you can tell me my fortune?” I ask as we exit the restaurant.“Maybe,” she hedges, but I see the smile she tries to hide.“I’ve never met anyone who uses tarot cards before.” Reaching down, I take her hand as we walk down Main Street toward her car.It’s late, and we were at the restaurant long enough for the stars to come out. I’d gotten a text from Apollo at dinner telling me he was eating with Jaxson and would be home late. Then Ariana got one from her daughter Celeste saying she’d grabbed food on the way home and was watching a movie.When her hand is in mine, it feels like we’ve done this for a long time. It’s natural and easy with Ariana, and I’ve never felt so pulled into a woman before.With Apollo’s mother it was a drunken one-night stand, and I didn’t even know her before that night. When Heather told me she was pregnant, I was shocked to say the least but was ready to step up and be the father my son deserved. I’d even made a room at my family estate for her to live wit
“What am I doing?” I mumble to myself, putting my phone back down on the kitchen counter. I told myself I was going to wait to text Gavin. It’s already been a handful of days since I saw him, and I can’t stop thinking about the man.I run my fingers across my lips, thinking about that kiss. It was something else. I don’t think I’ve been kissed that way in all my life, but it’s not exactly like I’ve gotten a ton over the years. Men don’t play me anymore—I play them.Long ago, I wiped away my desire to have a partner in life. What’s the point really? All they bring you is pain and heartache. I can take care of myself; I’ve been doing it all my life. Gavin made me question that, and it scares the hell out of me.I almost believed what he told me about not being with anyone in almost two decades. It wasn't that far-fetched to me. I could relate to it, but I’m not a man. Everyone knows men only care about one thing, so there’s no way a man like him hasn't been with anyone in that long. Eve
Two years later…“Which pajamas do you want?” I hold up the polka dots and the Star Wars and my daughter Violet giggles as she grabs for Darth Vader. “That’s my girl.” I smile as I brush through her wet curls and get her ready for bed.“Sam wasn’t coming out until he was a whole prune,” our nanny Theresa jokes, and Sam giggles in her arms.When Eris and I had the twins, we were more than overwhelmed. And while the family was always here to help at a moment's notice, we’ve all got little ones at the same time so it’s not exactly easy for any of us. Living together in our own little compound has been a blessing, but having Theresa live with us has made all the difference.Eris and I don’t have parents or grandparents to show us what to do or to step in, so after we brought the twins home from the hospital we were lost. One day we were in the grocery store together staring at the formula while the twins were screaming, and Theresa walked by. She didn’t say anything to us, but as soon as
“You look so beautiful!” Rosy squeals.She’s had the time of her life planning this wedding. It’s not a big wedding, but that didn't stop her from managing everything down to the smallest detail. I actually had fun doing it with her, which was more than I expected. I guess being in love has changed my perspective.“The dress is beautiful.”“It is, but you’re the one making it breathtaking. Where did you get your ass?” she gushes as I look over my shoulder.“One of the good things my birth parents gave me, I guess.” I shrug.“And your hips! You really fill out that dress, and Justin is going to be all over you.”I let out a laugh. “He’s always all over me.”“True.”She’s right though. I do look damn good in this dress, and I have no doubt Justin is going to end up ripping it off of me. My soon-to-be husband is more than a little possessive, yet somehow he manages to keep it under control at work. It’s one of the many things I love about him because he has no problem with me technically
I take her off my lap and place her on the bed beside me as I stand up. We’re both still completely naked, and although I came, I’m still just as hard as when I first walked in here.“Justin?” Her voice is soft as I walk to the bedroom door, determination straightening my back.“Stay,” I say to her over my shoulder as I go into the living room and get what I need. When I come back, she’s still sitting in the same spot, but she’s worrying her bottom lip, and she looks like she’s on the verge of tears.“I know this is shocking, but it’s not like we planned it,” she says, her voice close to breaking.I walk over to the side of the bed and kneel down next to it as I place the small velvet box between us. “I know that you may not be ready for this, but I came here today to put this on your finger.”“Oh my god,” she whispers as she brings her hands up to her mouth.“You’re going to marry me, Eris.” Her eyes sharpen, and she doesn’t like me ordering her, but I don’t care. “You are mine.” I p
My mind is trying to play catch up with everything he said. I don’t know if I want to throw myself at him or tell him I need time to digest this. I am still reeling with the fact that I’m pregnant, but at least I know he’s not here because of that. He really does want me, and if anyone can understand making sacrifices and tough choices for the people they love, it’s me. But words of love haven’t come out of his mouth even though his actions show it. Right now I need him, and I can’t deny that there’s more still between us.“Hard.” The one word slips past my lips, and that’s all it takes before Justin is on me.He lifts me off my feet, and his mouth crashes down on mine. I close my eyes and soak up the feeling of him pressed against me. It’s been too long, and all my emotions come crashing down at once. My heart pounds as we cling to each other, and I think maybe part of me thought I’d never kiss him again.“Kiss me back, princess.”I dig my fingers into his shoulders and open my mouth
Over the past couple of years, my business has taken me all over the globe and away from some of my favorite parts about my work. Being in the lab and working with my hands to figure out problems, streamline production, and see the success being built in front of me gives me an internal reward that being in a boardroom never did.So I should be happy that the past month I’ve thrown myself into the work, but instead I’ve been fucking miserable.As soon as Eris left me standing in her hotel room, I saw every mistake I’d made up to that point. When I went after her, it was too late. She’d left everything behind and chartered a plane off the island before even Mary knew about it.It took hours for me to get another one to follow after her, but as soon as my feet hit the ground, she was already in the air again. I didn’t know where she'd gone, and it was like she fell off the face of the earth.Topher wouldn’t give me anything, but he also didn’t fire me or tell me to fuck off. Instead, he
A month. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve set eyes on Justin. I thought the pain would get easier over time, but it hasn't, and I think it’s getting worse. I still wake in the night reaching for him, and when I do sleep, I dream about the life I thought we might have together.He used me.In all the struggles I’ve had in my life, I don’t recall that being one I had to suffer. Until him. I’d opened my heart and everything to him, and I’d never done that with anyone before. He ruined what could have been between us, and I haven't even begun to pick up the pieces yet. I’m not sure I can because he took some of me with him, and I’ll never get it back.“What are you doing?” Topher asks, jerking me out of my thoughts. I’m standing in front of his door about to knock, or at least the plan had been to knock. I knew if I didn't come to him he’d be tracking me down to my place the second he knew I was back in town.“I’m sorry.” My nose burns and tears begin to build.“Don’t fucking apologiz
The last of the storm finally passed, and it’s been two days of pure paradise. Not only did this time on the island bring forth some great ideas on how the departments can operate more efficiently, but I’ve spent every moment I could with Eris, buried inside of her.I’ve fucked her in every available storage closet in this hotel and even once on a table in the ballroom. I’ve never had this much sex before and never with the same person, and god, this is so different. It’s more than just the act of getting off, there’s a connection that’s bonding us every time we’re together. It’s dirty and hot, but it’s also so much deeper. If I really look closely at what I’m feeling, I’m afraid it will scare her off. How can someone fall in love after only a few days?The storm gave us an excuse to sneak away and be alone, but as the sun came out, I realized I didn’t want to hide any part of how I feel about Eris.Understandably she didn’t want to flaunt it at a work retreat, and I respected that. B
“Justin!” I gasp his name as he enters me, and I close my eyes.His words should scare me, and I should be pushing him away, but all I do is hold him closer. My arms and legs wrap around him instinctively, and I never want him to leave. I’ve never really thought about having a baby because I didn’t think it was something I’d have the chance to do. But from what he’s saying, he’s making it clear how far he wants to take us. This isn't some fling.“Fuck, you feel too good.” He lets out a loud groan as he steels himself.His cock is buried deep inside of me, and I’m thankful for the cover of darkness. The tears in my eyes aren't because of how far he has me stretched or the burn I feel, but because I’ve never felt so close to another person before.Justin is a big man, and he’s even bigger between his legs. But in this moment, I feel connected to him with more than just our bodies. This is different, and he makes me experience emotions I’ve never felt before. It is overwhelming, but god,
With one aggressive tug, her shorts are off, and her panties are in shreds nearby. I don’t give her time to catch her breath as I pin her to the wall and throw her legs over my shoulders. Her hands grip my hair, and she cries out as I bury my face in the soft curve of her thighs and pussy. She smells like coconut oil and tastes like sunshine. I moan as my tongue divides her lips and wiggles across her clit. My hands dig into her ass and squeeze the thick flesh as I pull her closer to my face.“Justin, oh shit, I can’t, oh shit, oh shit.”In answer, I growl and suck so the sensation is more intense. She responds by opening her legs and rocking her hips closer to my face. I’m smothered in her juices, and I decide I don’t want air in my lungs ever again because I want to die with my face buried in her cunt.Her legs shake and just when she’s begging me to keep going, I slip a thumb in her pussy. She cries out and that’s when I taste her sweet release laced with her own secret sunshine.W