Jordyn's Army, page 32
He drags his nose along my neck. “But that means I have to let you go.”
“You never have to let me go. I’m in this for as long as you’ll have me,” I say honestly.
He lifts his head and smiles. “Until death? Because I have no intention of ever being without you. I want to be in bed with you every night.” He kisses my nose. “Have meals with you every day.” He kisses my cheek. “And spend every day telling you how much I love you.”
I smile. “I can’t believe this is real.”
Someone groans from the doorway. “Oh, come on,” Parker says. “I don’t need to hear this.”
“Problem, Maxfield?” Finn asks.
“Yeah, I don’t want to hear the mushy stuff you’re saying to my best friend.”
“Well, she’s my girlfriend now, so get used to it.”
Parker doesn’t turn, just keeps his back to us. “I want better than girlfriend, Finn. B isn’t someone you screw around with then leave when you’re bored or when shit gets tough. Remember, I know where you live, and Cy and I are quite capable of breaking down your door and kicking your ass.”
I chuckle. “I know you are, but this is only the beginning of Blair and me. I’m not about to propose to her yet.” Yet. I hang on to that word. Maybe one day, he will. I shouldn't be thinking about marriage. One fucking date and I have us reciting vows.
Finn tickles my side, bringing me back to the present. “There you go again, getting lost.”
“It was a good thought.”
He smiles warmly. “That’s what I like to hear.”
“Okay, enough,” Parker says. “Get dressed and get downstairs. Eve’s cooking breakfast and I’m still pissed at them for volunteering me to come up here. I love you, B, but I never want to see you tangled in the sheets with Bradley again.”
I take the pillow from behind my head and launch it across the room at him. A pitcher, I am not. I end up hitting his calves.
“Nice shot, ace,” he says before leaving. Then I hear him yell down the stairs, “You’re lucky they weren’t fucking, or I would have punished all of you!”
I chuckle and face Finn again. “You sure you know what you’re getting into with me?”
"I do, and I love every second of it. You're mine, Blair. And I'm going to show you every day how much you mean to me.”
“I’m counting on it.”
We spend the next thirty minutes in bed. No, we don’t bother to close the door. Screw anyone who wants to come up here. Let them get a show. I’m going to prove to my man how much I love him and make him call out my name as I do so. Because I finally get my happily ever after. With all I’ve been through in my past, this is well deserved. True love does exist.
Want More?
Want to learn more about the characters in my Arrow Falls series? You can read Where I End, which features Cy and Eve, and Where I Am which features Parker and Tori. You’ll gain more insight into Blair and Finn’s lives who are featured in Where I Escape. Links available on my website: https://www.michelledare.com/
About Michelle Dare
Michelle Dare is a romance author. Her stories range from sweet to sinful and from new adult to fantasy. There aren’t enough hours in the day for her to write all of the story ideas in her head. When not writing or reading, she’s a wife and mom living in eastern Pennsylvania. One day she hopes to be writing from a beach where she will never have to see snow or be cold again.
www.michelledare.com/
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Capturing Tomorrow
Kingsley series book 5.5
Haylee Thorne
1
Phoenix
Today it is exactly three-hundred and sixty-five days ago that my life completely changed. Changes that left me with feelings that are bitter and sweet all at once. Last year around this time, I never knew about my dirt bag father—Mason Kingsley, and the cruel things he did to my poor mother. And I didn’t know that I had siblings—my younger siblings, twins Mika and Mikaela. And when I finally did find them, (or rather they found me), I didn’t just gain an amazing brother and an incredible sister, I also got access to a ridiculous amount of money, and was a thrown into a lifestyle that to this day feels surreal.
Twelve months ago, I was serving tables at a little hole in the wall café and teaching dance classes on the side to support my dreams of pursuing a career in art. Today, I own my very own dance school, I have art studios around New York City and my work is actually selling. And then there is River. The man that occupies quite a big portion of my heart, and a large amount of my thoughts, but unfortunately, due to the fact that we are both starting out at promising careers, not as much of my time as either of us would like. And now that I am responsible for planning Mikaela’s bachelorette party since our sister-in-law Raeva who is the maid of honor wanted me to have a big part in our sister’s wedding, I am busier than ever. The pressure of coming up with the best bachelorette party ever is almost crushing. Although each of my new family members has gone above and beyond to make me feel welcome and part of the family, it sometimes still feels like I am earning my spot. Which is probably why I have been sitting here for the past six hours meticulously going over the final details of my sister’s rite of passage. I am so focused on my task at hand, that I nearly jump out of my seat when Eddie, my bodyguard clears his throat.
“One of these days, Eddie,” I tell him clutching my chest. “I am going to tie a damn bell around your neck.”
Although the expression on his face remains stoic, I don’t miss the slight twitching of the corner of his mouth. Clearly, he’s amused. Maybe that should annoy me, but the small crack in his armor feels like a win to me. Especially since it has only been the second win since I’ve known him. (The first being that he stopped correcting me when I called him Eddie instead of Edward. Not there is anything wrong with his actual name, but I felt it was just too formal.) Eddie has been my main bodyguard for months now, and he still refuses to call me anything but Ms. Kingsley. I swear, I’ve never met anyone as robotic as Eddie. His brown hair is always perfectly styled, never a single strand out of place. His clothing unfailingly immaculate, and the expression on his face has no other setting than grave. But, at least I only have to deal with one bodyguard, unlike Mikaela, who has four of them to contend with since she kept ditching hers. Our brother is overprotective to the extreme, and he takes our safety more seriously than anything.
“You left this downstairs,” he tells me as he hands me my cell phone.
I smile gratefully as I thank him.
“My mom used to tell me that I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached to my body,” I add.
I am sure he has a response, but in usual robotic fashion, he simply nods and excuses himself. I can’t help but smile and shake my head.
One of these days I am going to get that man to crack a smile. I tell myself
I look down at the phone in my hand and notice the multiple missed calls. I barely have time to scroll through them before my phone starts ringing again. Butterflies go rampant deep inside my belly when I see his name flash on the screen. River Ray. Images of his perfect dimples and panty-dropping smile flash through my brain. I swipe right to answer the call.
“Hey there,” I breathe.
“Hey there, PK,” he replies.
My heart flutters each time he uses his nickname for me. I can hear the smile in his voice and I immediately return the smile. Even if he can’t see it.
“You were already gone when I woke up this morning,” I tell him, unable to completely mask my sulkiness.
“I know, I’m sorry. But you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to wake you up. Besides, it gave me a chance to ogle you freely for a bit.”
Images of me, drooling onto my pillow come to mind and I can quite literally feel my cheeks redden.
“That’s a little creepy, River,” I tell him in a feeble effort to deter him from doing this in the future.
He chuckles.
“I’m actually okay with that.”
I groan.
“Please tell me there was no drool involved.”
“From you or from me?”
That earns him a laugh. “Either.”
“No drool,” he tells me. “But some light snoring.”
“I. Do. Not. Snore.”
“Oh, no? I have it on video, want me to send it to you? Or I can post it on Facebook?”
“River Ray, so help me God, I will kill you dead,” I tell him disgruntled.
“Calm down goddess, I am just teasing you,” he replies, amusement apparent in his voice. “I would never post it.”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Good. It’ll be easier kissing you without that phone in the way.”
I turn around and my gaze drops upon his smirking face. My heart skips a beat and then decides to run a marathon inside my chest cavity. Any trace of annoyance disappears the very second I take a load of those dimples. Damn it, they get me every time. But there is no way I am letting him know that.
“You think that I am letting you kiss me after that?” I challenge.
He takes a step forward, his eyes flicker to my mouth. A small shiver rolls along my spine when I see the hunger in those dark windows to his soul. If I really had any intention of denying him, this moment right there would have destroyed my resolve. He takes another step closer, as he rakes a hand through his unruly mane of raven locks. I feel like prey in the grasp of a predator—but oh what a willing prey I am…
“I think,” he purrs. “That I might be able to persuade you.”
No fucking doubt about that. I think to myself.
Our eyes lock and the blood that is flowing through my veins heats up.
“You think so, huh?” I hum.
River closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms. One hand sliding across the nape of my neck to grip my hair, as the other simultaneously slides to the small of my back and pulls me against him.
“It’s a fact,” he growls, before his mouth crashes onto mine.
I melt into him, give myself over to the kiss. Tongues are dancing, teeth are clashing and lips are being bruised. My ability to make rational decisions is fading fast. As the lust rises, so does the fog in my brain. Before I even know what is happening, my legs are firmly wrapped around his waist, and I am propped up against the wall. My hands are furiously raking through his hair, and I am overwhelmed with the need to feel him even closer. Things are heating up and fast.
“River Ray. Step back, and drop the hot lady in your arms.”
We both freeze when we hear the sound of Raeva’s voice boom through the room. River pulls back and gently lowers me to the ground while muttering some colorful language under his breath.
“I’d say get a room, but we have to go!” Raeva says as she rolls her eyes.
“Ever heard of knocking, sis?” he grumbles as he turns to face her.
“Sorry to cramp your style little brother, but we have places to go, people to see.”
“Yup, and we are already running late. And, from the looks of it, we were about to be really late,” Jill adds with a snicker.
It’s only now that I realize that all the girls have filed into my studio and I can feel myself flush with embarrassment as I look upon their amused faces.
“Sorry River, I am going to have to steal my sister,” Mikaela says as she steps forwards and drapes an arm around my shoulder pulling me toward her. “My last weekend as a single lady is upon us, and she is our fearless leader,” she adds with a wink.
Undeterred by our audience, River moves towards me and plants another kiss on my lips.
“Have fun, Goddess,” he mutters against my lips. “But not too much.”
“Don’t you know what they say?” I yell over my shoulder as I am being dragged from the room. “Whatever happens in Nashvegas stays in Nashvegas.”
I can’t help the smirk on my face as I see the look on his face.
2
Phoenix
The flight to Nashville takes about two and a half hours and quite literally flies by. And not just because of the comfort of flying private—there is nothing like being able to bypass the hustle and bustle of a crowded airport security with the ease of private terminals— but having all the girls here combined with cocktails and all our joyous spirits, we have so much fun that it seems that we have blinked twice when the pilot announces that we are descending into Nashville. There are several places in the United States that are infamous for bachelorette parties. The most notorious, of course, being Las Vegas. But it seemed so cliché, and it was important to me for this event to be anything but. Besides, Mik is a huge country music fan, so I thought to myself; Why not take her to the country music capital of the world?
After we land, and our collective security guys have cleared the perimeter, we are ushered discreetly into the waiting white hummer limo and head to the incredible Gaylord Opryland resort. When we approach the impressive structure all of us agree that it is a beautiful building. I have reserved a few amazing adjoining suites with a view of the gorgeous atrium for us girls and a third adjoining suite for all our collective security detail. It seems excessive, I know, but with Mason Kingsley out for all of our necks, Mika isn’t taking any risks. And the only way to get him to agree to this trip was beefed up security. If I am totally honest, half of the time I forget that they are even there anymore. So, I readily agreed. The anal-retentive tendencies in me have contributed to every tiny detail of this trip and I have a full fun-filled agenda. Starting with an amazing spa day I have planned for us. The hotel has amazing amenities, including a top of the line spa. I booked the entire facility out for the six of us this afternoon. It certainly wasn’t cheap, but since the six of us are towing around a small army of bodyguards, it made sense. Even though I still feel “guilt” every time I spend any of the money I inherited, I didn’t even hesitate to spend that money to make Mikaela’s bachelorette party unforgettable. The checking in process is smooth, and we get escorted to our suite within minutes. (I am still getting used to this VIP treatment!)
“Good lord, it’s easy to get lost in this place, it’s enormous,” Rae says, as she links her arm with mine as we step off the elevator.
I look down the long corridor that seems to be never-ending and nod in agreement. We follow the hotel staff and our security as they lead the way.
“Good lord, all I am missing right now is a tricycle.” Jill mumbles.
“Tired already? Do we need to get you a little scooter?” Rae teases.
“Tired? Try creeped out! Shit, I am getting some serious redrum vibes from this hallway.” Jill replies.
We all turn to her with questioning looks on our faces.
“Red what now?” Mackenzie asks.
“Have you people not seen The Shining?” she says with an exasperated look on her face.
“Oh, oh, oh,” Raeva says excitedly. “Heeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”
“Yeah Rae, all you need is an axe,” Jill says rolling her eyes. “I swear though, if I see two creepy little girls asking me to come and play, I am outta here.”
We all burst out laughing, everyone except, of course, Eddie, who is peering down the hallway for anything that might be out of the ordinary. When we arrive at our suites, two of our security detail exit our suites and let us know the rooms are all clear. We all walk in and the first thing I do is open up the dividing door to our rooms. Our luggage has beaten us up here as well and it isn’t long before we are all settled in. As requested, there is a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for us and also a chilled bottle of sparkling grape juice for our pregnant sister-in-law. I pop the cork and fill our glasses.
All the ladies have gathered around as I pour and pass them each a glass of bubbly. I raise my glass.
“I am so happy to have everyone here to celebrate Mik’s last few days as a single lady! I hope you guys are ready for some good old-fashioned fun and shenanigans! Cheers ladies!”
We clink our glasses and take a sip. The delicious liquid has barely made its way down my throat when there is a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I call out over my shoulder.
The door opens and several staff members walk in with bouquets of flowers. Six of them in fact. One for each of us. It isn’t hard to deduce who sent them. Eric has sent Mikaela some gorgeous wildflowers—her favorites. Mackenzie received stunning sunflowers from Ashton. While Ben has sent Jill an incredible arrangement of lilies. From the look on Hannah’s face, Drew hit it out of the park with the enormous arrangement of white peonies. Raeva’s smirk is almost face breaking as she looks at the beautiful and colorful mixture of freesias. And then there are the exquisite long-stemmed white roses that River sent me. I’d say I can’t believe that he remembered that roses, specifically white ones, are my very favorite flowers, but River remembers everything I have ever told him. Even the tiniest detail, down to the name of the street I grew up on. His eidetic memory is one of the sexiest things about him to me.
“How sweet is this?” Hannah says with a dreamy tone in her voice.
“Our guys know how to knock us off our feet, that’s for sure,” Raeva chimes in.
“That they do,” Mackenzie agrees.
“Okay enough of the guy gushing. We need to go get our Nashville on!” Jill adds.
The alarm I set on my I-watch goes off indicating that it is time for us to go get our spa on.
“And we will,” I tell her. “But first, we are going to get our spa on! You ladies ready for the royal treatment?”
