He’s out on the balcony having a cigarette. I know it’s a hard habit for him to break. I crack the door. “Don’t come out here. As soon as I’m done, I’m getting a quick shower, so you won’t have to smell the smoke.”
“That’s not what I want to talk about. I have a confession. There’s something we should discuss.”
Killian puts the cigarette out and takes his shirt off. I move aside for him to come in. He shoves his smoke covered shirt in a plastic bag and seals it.
“That’s a bit overboard isn’t it?”
“Not taking any chances with you and our baby.” Moving into the bathroom he drops his pants and kicks them aside. I sit on the toilet lid and watch him start his water. “What’s this confession?” My man steps in the open shower, and I lose my train of thought watching him soap up his naked form. I could watch him do this for hours. “Liri?” He prompts with an adorable grin.
“Right. Sorry. Um, I accepted an illustrator position with a publishing house in Chicago. I’m supposed to join my mom and Cooper there after the first of the year.”
“Well it’s not as far as Paris. Do they know that you’re pregnant?”
“Yes. They want to help.”
A scowl crosses his face. “We don’t need their help.” He squirts shampoo in his palm and rubs it through his hair.
“Well that was before we got back together. I wish you could have been at the crazy dinner I had to endure.” I go into detail telling him about the fighting and how everyone was arguing about adopting my baby.
Stepping out of the shower he wraps a towel around his waist and shakes his hair at me like a dog. “Well, all their fighting and planning was wasted. No one is raising our baby but us. We can get a bigger apartment. You can stay in school. I can get a job working construction with Dillan. I’ll support you and the baby.”
“Killian, babies are expensive. If we go to Chicago we can live with Mom and Cooper until I start making my salary, and you could finish your degree.”
“I’m not living with your mom and Cooper. I doubt they want me in the equation. I don’t care what they want.”
“Just think about it. We could have a fresh start and leave all the drama of Crestwood behind.”
“I don’t want your family’s handout.”
I follow him from the bathroom to the bed after we both brush our teeth. Killian slips his boxer briefs on, and I strip down to a tank top and my panties. He turns the covers down, and I slide in on the right side. My husband to be gets under the covers on the left side but automatically moves to the middle and pulls me into him, spooning me from behind. One hand resting on my stomach he kisses my neck and I melt. I’ve missed this…being in his arms and feeling safe.
“Will you consider moving to Chicago if we get our own place?”
“Is this job what you really want?”
“I don’t know. I know your family is near Crestwood, but we could always come back to visit them. I don’t want to deal with Jackie or Hunter.” Their names makes me cringe.
“Why don’t we sleep on it and tomorrow we can make a list of pros and cons and see where we end up.”
“Deal.” I turn around to face him. “Look at us being all mature.”
“I told you, baby, this time around I won’t let you down.” I want to believe with everything in me that he does mean it.
**
“I told you he’d come around.” Noelle beams at me.
“Is this crazy?”
“You marrying Killian?”
“Yeah. Do you think we’re ready?”
“If you put something off until you think you’re ready, life is gonna pass you by. Think about how long it took me to get Dillan to commit to actually setting a date. I didn’t think this day would ever come. Does it feel right to you? Do you want to marry Killian? If the answers to both those questions is yes, then what’s it matter what I think?”
I smile at her. “You’re good at this whole advice thing.”
“I merely tell it how I see it, chick.”
“Here’s your drinks ladies. This one is yours.” Hayley hands one of the daiquiris to Noelle. “And the virgin one is for you.” I accept the glass and suck it down through the straw.
“Why aren’t you drinking?”
“I’m just not.” Killian wants to wait until after we are married to announce the baby. Which makes sense. He doesn’t want people to say that he only married me because I’m pregnant. I know that’s not the reason, but people love to talk. Not that Noelle would think that but others back in Crestwood will. People like Jackie.
“I already know. I wanted to see if you’d tell me. I overheard Dillan and Killian this morning. Killian told him he’s going to be Uncle Dill.”
“Sorry. We were supposed to wait and tell everyone together.”
“It’s fine. I’m really happy for you guys. I never thought I’d see the day Killian would settle down. Happiness looks good on him.”
I set my drink to the side and lay my head back enjoying the pedicure I’m getting. The guys sent us to the hotel spa after we got back from the courthouse. Killian and I officially have our marriage license and have one year to tie the knot.
“What’s your story?”
“Me?” I hear Hayley say.
“Yeah you. Which one of them boys is yours?” Noelle presses her.
“Um…”
“Both of them.” I bust out laughing.
“Shut up. They are not,” my cousin whines.
“Uh, Liam is your ex-boyfriend you still talk to, and you’re dating Woodrow.”
“Ooh, girl. I do not envy you,” Noelle tells her with a grin. “So, which one do you like more?”
“Liam,” Hayley and I both answer.
“Except Liam has been seeing someone else. I don’t know if he’s serious about working things out, or if he’s enjoying the thrill of having the best of both worlds.”
“You both need to break things off with the other people and get together,” Noelle tells her.
“Or you tell them both to kick rocks and move to Arizona and meet someone new,” I suggest, and they both give me a side eye glance.
“If I’m in Arizona I might not be around when you have your baby, and I’m not missing that.”
“Killian and I could be in Chicago when the baby comes.”
“What?” Noelle screeches. “You guys aren’t moving away. My niece or nephew is gonna be brought up with Hope and Sadie. And not to make you feel bad, but Conrad is sick, and Killian should be there in case the worst happens.”
My stomach drops. I feel so selfish. I completely forgot about Conrad going through chemo. “How’s he doing?”
“Honestly, not great. He’s not responding to the treatment plan like we’d hoped.”
“Does Killian know?”
“They’ve not told him everything.”
If we go to Chicago and something happens to Conrad, I don’t know how Killian would handle that and it scares me. Right when I feel we are getting to a good place there is something else waiting in the shadows and lurking read to pull the rug out from under us.
“But today is going to be a good day. We gotta find you a dress to get married in.”
I put on a smile and put the negative thoughts in the back of my mind. I’m getting married.
I’m freaking going to marry Killian. My boyfriend is going to be my husband after tomorrow.
Chapter 26
Killian
“Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride in her dress?” I smirk at my girl. She’s beautiful in a pale blue dress that matches her eyes. It halters around her neck and flows to her ankles.
“Is it too different?”
“It’s perfect like you.” She twirls around and the silky material moves with her.
“Are you sure? I didn’t think white was appropriate since I’m not a virgin.” Cheeks blooming pink she holds a palm over her belly. Looking at her you wouldn’t know she’s pregnant. Her stomach has begun to pro
trude some but not enough that its noticeable. I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her shoulder.
“I’ve never been surer than I am about this.” I stroke my fingers over her belly and kiss her neck. “I can’t wait to hear you say I do.”
“Ditto. Now help me out of this thing so I don’t wrinkle it.”
Sweeping her hair out of the way, I kiss the back of her neck. Getting her undressed is all I can think about as the sun goes down. This time tomorrow she’ll be Liri Hendrix. “You’re a fuckin’ dream come true, baby.” I slide the zipper down and she eases out of the dress. The blue silk puddles at her feet. “Leave it,” I murmur, trailing my finger down the ridges of her spine.
“It’ll wrinkle,” she gripes and bends down. I grip her hips and press my growing erection into her ass. “Killian…” That giggle I love so damn much passes through her lips.
“I can’t control the way you make me feel. You drive me so damn crazy, Liri. I want you all the time. Every minute. Every second. I think about getting lost inside you and leaving the rest of the world behind.” Grabbing her dark hair, I wrap my fist up in it and tug her upright. My pretty girl in nothing but ice blue scraps of lace that barely covers her nipples. “Mmmm. I think these have grown.” I flick my thumb over her taut skin that’s poking through the top of the lace. Her head lolls to my shoulder, and I stare at her through the mirror. “Eyes on mine, Mrs. Hendrix.” I look down and see she’s still in her heels. Fuck. So damn sexy.
“I like the sound of that,” she muses, eyes burning bright with desire.
“Your skin is flawless.” With light touches up and down her arms, I work my way down until I reach her pussy. Pulling her panties aside, I shove a finger inside her sweet heat. My girl is melting sweet like sugar for me. Forgetting the dress Liri surrenders to passion…to me. “You’re my everything.” I slide a second finger inside her. Hearing her cry out I grow harder. Her eyes snap closed and her mouth parts letting out little pants as she gasps from the pleasure of my thick digits working her body, stretching her to take my cock. “Hands on the dresser,” I growl in her ear.
Liri complies, and I continue pumping my fingers inside her, deeper and harder.
Her juices coat my hand. I rub them along her forbidden hole, teasing at her. We aren’t ready to go there but one day I know I’ll claim her tight ass. She’s an erotic sight in the mirror. Bra straps down her arms, lips in a perfect O, nipples hard, her skin flushed. Her inner thighs are sticky with need. Leaving her lace bottoms on I keep them pulled to the side and slide right in she’s so wet for me.
Pushing inside Liri I feel the gates of Heaven have opened for me as she clenches around me. Her body squeezes me tight. My name on the tip of her tongue as she cries out with each beautiful thrust that sends me surging deeper inside her. “I’m close, Killian. So close. Harder, baby.”
Her powder blue eyes hold me hostage in the mirror. “Come on this cock, pretty girl.” I squeeze her ass and bite her shoulder. Her heat washes over me. Body trembling and shaking with her honied release.
“That’s what I like.” Drawing out I thrust back in finding my own orgasm. Cock twitching inside her I pull her head back by the chin and claim those lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, Killian,” the words leave her swollen lips in a breathy and spent tone.
Pulling out of her I lead her to bed. Liri’s head hits the pillow, and I smile when her eyes flutter shut. I fucked her ass to sleep. Cradling her in my arms, I kiss her hair and hold her tight. “Tomorrow our life together begins,” I whisper into her ear then slide down the bed to remove her heels that match her dress.
I hang the garment back up in the closet. I know she was worried about wrinkles. I go through the motions getting things ready for the morning. Setting an alarm on my phone. Ordering breakfast from room service so I can feed Liri in bed when she wakes first thing. I want our big day to go smoothly as possible.
Crawling back into bed, I pull her body into mine, and flatten my palm over her stomach. I can’t wait to watch her body grow and change. I never thought I could have this, or hell even want it, but I’ve never felt more at peace than I do with her in my arms.
**
“I wasn’t sure what you’d be craving so I ordered a little of everything.”
“Babe, this is way too much but so sweet.” Liri’s mouth is practically watering at the sight of the spread I have set up for her.
“Just tell me what you want, and I’ll get it.”
“You trying to spoil me? I gotta tell you…I might expect this everyday once we get home. I know your dirty secret…that you can cook.”
I chuckle. “Whatever will make you happy, baby.”
“I want bacon. Ooh and syrup. Waffles. Strawberries.” She sits up higher salivating at the food on the cart. “Is that whip cream?” Her eyes brighten.
“Yup.” I load her plate and sit next to her on the bed. “How’s this?”
“Perfect.” She grabs the fork from my hand and digs in. She shovels it in so fast I almost can’t bear to watch. “What?” She smears the fork down my nose, getting me sticky.
“Nothing. I’m happy. It feels…”
“Weird?”
“No. Good.”
My girl smiles at me and dips her bacon in the syrup. I get up to pour her some juice when Hayley starts beating down our door. “It’s wedding day. Open up. You two shouldn’t be seeing each other.”
Liri motions for me to let her in.
“Ugh. You aren’t even out of bed. Seriously. Killian, get out of here. It’s bad luck.” She shoos at me.
“We’re making our own traditions,” Liri tells her, cheeks blooming pink. I wonder if she’s thinking about how damn good it felt last night when I took her against the dresser? The way her gaze moves to the mirror tells me that she certainly is.
I grab some strips of bacon and fold them up in a napkin. “I’ll see you later.” I peck her sticky lips.
“I’ll be the girl in blue.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Me either.” Her arms go around my neck, pulling me down for another kiss. “Hayley can you come back in like fifteen minutes,” Liri says, her eyes never leaving mine.
“Oh, gross. Fine whatever. Have your morning quickie, but I’ll be back, and you better be ready to go to the salon. And you.” She points at me. “You better be gone.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” I grin down at my wife to be and get lost for another half-hour.
Chapter 27
Liri
Noelle fluffs her red hair one more time, and I straighten her veil, smoothing it in the back. “You look beautiful. Dillan is going to lose it. How much you want to bet he cries,” I tease her.
“I just wish the girls could be here for this, but I’m so happy we’re doing this at all.”
“They’ll see all the pictures and the video of their mommy resembling one of their favorite princesses.”
“I can’t wait to see Dillan in a tux. I’ve not gotten him in one since we went to prom.” Noelle has a dreamy glint in her eye, and I can only hope Killian and I still feel the same after ten years.
Hayley fusses with my flowers and it hits me. I don’t have a ring for Killian. I’ve been so caught up in simply being with him that it completely slipped my mind. “What’s wrong? Do you feel sick?”
“No, kind of. I feel so stupid and selfish. Killian doesn’t have a wedding band. What time is it?”
“We have like twenty minutes until the car will be here.”
“I have to go to the gift shop like now. We can’t get married if he doesn’t have a wedding band.”
“Killian won’t care about that. When he sees you in that dress, he’ll only be thinking of getting it off you.”
I blush. “Um…he saw me in it last night.”
“Liri.” Hayley smacks at me. “That’s bad luck.”
“I’m not worried. I’m going to marry Killian today. Nothing will stop me.”
“Atta gir
l,” Noelle cheers.
“You grab Liam and have him meet me downstairs.” Hayley takes off out the door to do my bidding. I look to Noelle. “How big is Dillan?”
Her eyes go wide. “What?” She laughs.
“I mean what’s his size?”
“That doesn’t sound much better.” Her red lips curve upward.
“Shoo.” I stomp. “His ring size.”
“Oh. Like fourteen I think.”
“Okay. Thanks. I’ll be back.” I squeeze her shoulder.
I rush to the elevator, holding my dress up as I run and pray I don’t trip in my heels. I’ve never been big on wearing them, but I need them with the length of the gown. When I step off the elevator Hayley and Liam are in the lobby. They are so darn cute together. She’s wearing a white slip of a dress that is similar to mine and Liam is in a suit looking like sex and danger with his tattooed hands and lip piercing.
He’s brushing his fingers along her cheek and she’s blushing. I hate to interrupt, but they can sort their shit later. I’m on a mission. “You’re with me, hot rod.” I grab his other hand and start tugging him toward the gift shop.
“Hey,” Hayley calls out after us, but I don’t stop.
“Where’s the fire?” Liam chuckles, attempting to keep up with me as I sprint faster, working up a sweat. I’m probably ruining my makeup.
“I don’t have a ring for Killian, and we need to get something fast.”
“Okay. Calm down. We’ll figure it out. Just breathe. Nothing will stop Killian from marrying you today.”
“You’re right. I know. So…what’s going on with you and my cousin?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” He glances away sheepishly.
“Don’t play dumb with me. Are you with Beth?”
“It’s complicated.”
“That’s so not an answer.”
“Well it’s the only one you’re going to get.”
“Rude.” I pout, and he shakes his head at me.
The gift shop doesn’t have the biggest selection, but they have one that’s perfect. When the salesman takes it out of the display, I know it’s fate. The band is silver but has a dual inlay of blue that matches my dress and my ring. “See if it fits you.” I practically shove it on Liam’s ring finger.
The Conclusion of Killian & Liri (Cruel Love Book 2) Page 15