The Romeo Arrangement: A Small Town Romance

by Nicole Snow

  Taking my hand, he rushes me to the dance floor, and we step into the soft orange light. It takes roughly ten seconds for the entire crowd to go eerily quiet.

  Oh, boy.

  Dancing with him in front of these people is the last thing I need.

  “Ridge—”

  He holds up a finger.

  “Just trust me,” he whispers.

  After everything we’ve been through, there’s no doubt about that. I clamp my lips together.

  Then his hands are on my waist, and we sway to the rest of this country rock tune. Our own fluid movements mirror the rhythm and wailing lyrics. I think it’s a hit off this new album by formerly infamous pop star Milah Holly, singing in a style I barely recognize about a clown rodeo called love.

  Only, when Ridge bends me low in a thrilling dip, I see through the people clustered around the stage.

  It’s a live band.

  The Milah Holly is actually here, belting out her song. She’s tall, blonde, and picture-perfect, her eyes done up like an Egyptian goddess as she watches us and wipes a tear as soon as the song finishes to gentle applause.

  “Thanks, everybody!” She says into the mic. “And how about a hand for our hosts tearing up the dance floor? I think there’s a twister on fire in this little town tonight. You two lovebirds are sweet as pie. You remind me of a lot of folks back home...and it takes a special kinda man to shut down a freak show with drugs. Trust me, I know. Never let him go, Grace Sellers.”

  Dead.

  I’m a goner. A world-class artist knows my freaking name. I can hardly focus on the gentle applause rippling around us.

  “Darlin’?” Ridge purrs in my ear. “You still with me?”

  “I, um...seriously, Ridge? Milah flipping Holly? You told her about us?”

  “It’s Milah. She’s famous for being nosy.” He grins, entirely too coy and too gorgeous. “Plus, she’s got her own crew of badasses backing her up. Didn’t want a lady sending Enguard Security after my ass for refusing to answer a few little questions.”

  Wow.

  Just...wow.

  That’s putting it elegantly. I’m beyond frazzled.

  Even with the song over, he keeps us in the center of the floor, gazing into my soul with heavy questions it’d take a lifetime to decipher.

  “Ridge?” Now it’s my turn. “Still with me?”

  “Stay right here,” he tells me, suddenly peeling away, leaving me alone with about a thousand eyes glued to me.

  Questioning my own sanity, I stand there, glancing around nervously at the smiling faces, trying to make out the hushed murmurs going around.

  A second later, I realize Ridge jogged over and jumped on the stage. Milah Holly gives him a quick hug before passing him the mic.

  He says something to the guys on guitars and then faces the crowd again.

  Dear Lord, what’s he doing now? Singing?

  Listen, if this is some weird karaoke thing...I think I’m out.

  But the band begins a new tune, delicate and slow, and Ridge jumps off the stage with the microphone, heading for me.

  And yes—holy Toledo, he’s singing. An Elvis song I recognize. Can’t Help Falling in Love.

  Is there anything this man can’t do? He actually matches the King’s voice pretty well.

  All the feels are there in every line.

  All the fears in every raging beat of my heart.

  All the heartbreak if this isn’t the spectacular, miraculous, unbelievable Big Thing coming.

  My heart leaps into my throat as he holds out his hand, singing the last few lines with passion gushing out of him.

  Everyone is watching, so of course I do, too, trembling from head to toe.

  His eyes are locked on mine and they’ve never been so clear, so real, so beautiful.

  The spotlight above the floor reflects in his gaze like the Milky Way.

  Suddenly, I hear my mom’s voice.

  If you’ve got a light, you’ve still got a wish.

  Tonight, we both have all the light and—dare I say it?—love we could ever need.

  I do wish, Mom.

  I wish he’ll love me like this forever.

  When it’s over, I’m a teary-eyed, trembling mess. My eyes are so fixed on him that I can’t even worry about the public affection, the crowd erupting, clapping and cheering and yelling out encouragement.

  With his gaze still locked on mine, he whispers, “That’s why, darlin’. Didn’t think words could do the heavy lifting for this.”

  Stunned, I shake my head.

  He can’t mean...

  He can’t be saying...

  Oh my God.

  “Thank you, thank you very much,” he says into the microphone, again sounding exactly like Elvis as he bows to the crowd. Then, in his own voice, he says, “I also want to thank all of you for coming here tonight to our big celebration. One thing I’ve figured out about Dallas, North Dakota, is how this town loves secrets. That’s something you’ve got in common with L.A., and since we’ve got plenty of folks here from both...when Grace and I got engaged, we talked about it, but I never officially asked her. Go ahead, shame on me, but I’d like to remedy that right now.”

  Then, to my utter shock and awe, he goes down on one knee.

  “W-what are you doing?” I whisper, my lips trembling.

  Holding my hand, kneeling before me, he kisses the back while looking up at me. “Grace Sellers, you were the best stray who ever came into my life. I had my own demons when we met. Hell, I’m still working them out, but you showed me I was someone else, too. I love you more than I ever thought I could love, woman. I told you the only thing I ever expected when we took down Clay Grendal was for you to live. Yet you’ve shown me what living actually is. What loving can be. And now I’m just wondering one thing...”

  It’s the heaviest silence of my life.

  My face becomes a gooey red mess, but I so don’t care.

  I’ll never care about anything again except the next words coming out of his mouth.

  “Will you do me the honor of being my wife, Grace, so we can live the best way we can—together? Will you marry me?”

  No words could ever describe the torrential flood rushing through me.

  Happiness. Joy. Glee. Bliss. Nerves. Ecstasy.

  Butterflies with teeth.

  I don’t release my other hand over my mouth until I feel his lips brush my palm.

  Lowering my hand, I press it against the rapid thud of my heart and try to remember how to speak.

  “Yes!”

  One simple word with more feeling than I’ve ever known.

  Then his arms are wrapped around me, his lips attack mine, and my mind keeps shouting, yes, yes, yes until I can’t stop the joyful tears.

  24

  No Loose Ends (Ridge)

  As I hold Grace in my arms, the most beautiful woman ever made, I feel like a volcano.

  Even as I’m kissing her face off, there’s a growl in my blood, churning like magma.

  Now, it’s with excitement.

  Sweet relief.

  A moment ago, it was fear. The thought that she might say no scared me worse than anything I’ve encountered in my life.

  I think it’s the only thing that could’ve truly broken me.

  This heart beats for her. She’s put the love back in it and given me every breath, every beat, every heartfelt word I found the courage to say.

  All for a love I never knew I had in me.

  I lift her up, twirling her around, and kiss her again. Then I pick up the microphone I’d dropped on the floor.

  “Sorry for the mic drop,” I mutter into it. “But you heard what she said!”

  The crowd cheers and I kiss her again before taking the microphone back to the band, with Grace at my side, right where she belongs, tonight and forever.

  “Now, I can tell you the rest of the story,” I say, leading her to a quiet, somewhat secluded corner of the room.

  Her eyes are so bright, so mer
ry, even as she frowns. “The rest?”

  I kiss the frown lines between her eyes. “I mentioned you traveling with me when it comes time to shoot those films. You’ll develop an awesome eye for design with the best of the best. Bebe thinks you could even work on the set someday, if you want. I know you’ll like it, and you’re so damn good at those things. It’s a Western, after all.”

  “You what?”

  I nod, grinning. “I almost told you in the truck, on the way to town, but I figured I’d wait until we were back home. Alone. Which is when I also planned on asking you to marry me, originally. For real.” I kiss her hand. “I couldn’t wait. So I had to improvise here, tonight. And Milah Holly was down to help after we struck up a conversation, so...”

  “You know how to improvise like an eagle knows how to fly,” she says, leaning her head against my bicep.

  “I’ll show you more later,” I say. “In a bed full of rose petals.”

  “Rose petals?” She’s holding her breath.

  “My bed should be covered in them by now. There’s a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice with our names on it.”

  Her body shakes real sweet from laughter. “Don’t tell me you improvised that too. I won’t believe it. How long have you been planning this?”

  “A little while.”

  Only white lie I tell her tonight.

  Truth be told, the idea of being married to her was in the back of my mind for weeks.

  I just never let it hit with full intensity until I knew Grendal was on his way.

  The thought of losing her hit so hard and strong. The day after I got over the poisoned scotch, I put a plan in place for asking her tonight. Very, very privately since everyone already thought we were engaged.

  I knew I couldn’t do it until after Grendal’s entire ring was busted. That came together like lightning this week.

  “Are you sure, Ridge?” she whispers. “We aren’t exactly cut from the same cloth.”

  Shit.

  That’s exactly why she would’ve never agreed.

  Grace has this foolish belief she’s not worthy of me.

  Every second I look at her, I know it’s the opposite.

  I cup her face. “Thank God we aren’t. You’re cut from an angel’s robe, and mine’s more like the devil’s suit. I need you, woman. I’m going to keep needing you for the rest of my life. I love you like hell. Love you with everything I am, everything I’ll ever have, and every damn thing I’ll ever be.”

  I love how she pauses and takes a sharp breath.

  “I love you, too, Ridge. So much. But what if your friends find out about Clay? About my past? It could ruin your career.”

  I laugh. “You kidding? I’m the only idiot who could ruin my career, and it doesn’t mean nearly as much to me as you do. And anyone who has doubts will learn why they’re stupid soon enough. Clay’s being prosecuted. The Old Town Boys will be national news. Hell, friends of mine are already sniffing around about pitching a film based on it. You’ll be the heroine of that story.” I kiss her. “And I’ll be your hero.”

  “A little late. You are my hero.” She smiles awkwardly. “I know how cheesy that sounds, but—”

  “But nothing. I love it, darlin’.” I slide my hands over the silkiness of her shoulders, down her arms, and around to cup her ass. “Let’s go mingle a while so we can leave. Best not to keep that champagne waiting too long.”

  It’s after midnight before we’re finally able to leave after shaking so many hands it feels like a workout.

  The visions I’ve been having for hours turn into torment.

  Grace naked, on my bed, legs spread wide for the taking.

  “I saw you talking to Dad,” she says once we’re on the highway.

  “Had to apologize for not asking his permission first. He’s an old-fashioned guy.” I glance at her. “He forgave me, don’t worry.”

  She laughs. “He’s excited about your idea with the pumpkins...”

  “Yeah, he said he really loved that. I have the perfect place for him to start growing a patch. He can live in the cabin until he figures out if he wants to take off for Montana fishing. We’ve got the whole season to plant fields full of pumpkins and give hayrides to his heart’s content. Bet Rosie and Stern will enjoy the exercise, too, and you know Cornelius will love the visitors.”

  I wink and she laughs again.

  “Damn, do I love that rooster, though, even if I hate what he does to my eardrums,” I say, shaking my head. “I apologized for riling him up to take on Clay and promised him a few hens this summer.”

  I’d brought the farming idea up with Nelson while also apologizing to him for not asking his permission before asking Grace to marry me for real. Wanted him to get something out of the bargain. He’s giving me his daughter, after all.

  “I’m sure he’ll be a hit with the ladies,” she says, fluttering her fingers against my hand.

  Not the tease my dick needs right now, but damn if part of me doesn’t like it.

  “Jackie liked the idea for your dad, too.” I say, glancing her way to see how she reacts to that.

  Smiling, she nods. “Good. I like her a lot, and I’m happy Dad was able to make a friend, finally.”

  “Enough to have her as a stepmother someday? Because if I was a guessing man, I’d say ours won’t be the only wedding in the future.”

  She beams like the sun. “Nothing would make me happier. He’s been so lonely since Mom died, and he deserves a little happiness after what he’s been through.”

  “You do, too,” I say, taking her hand. “When’s the date?”

  “Date?” She folds her other hand around our clasped fingers.

  “Wedding date. Ours. When are we getting married?” I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Please don’t make me wait long. I have a few insane honeymoon ideas.”

  That gets a giggle out of her as sure as it paints her cheeks red.

  “Seriously. If we were in Vegas, we’d already be married. Fake Elvis and all instead of me singing his tunes.” I stare at her. “Want to fly there tonight? Tobin would probably love to book us a jet. He’s dying to feel useful again after having to take a week off.”

  “No.” She lifts our hands, kissing mine. “I want to see rose petals and drink champagne.”

  “Goddamn, do I love you.” I push down harder on the gas pedal.

  Within minutes of arriving home, we’re naked on the bed, throwing rose petals at each other.

  I never expected this day to end in a petal-fight with a woman who’s agreed to spend eternity with me, but here we are.

  Eventually, I hurl myself back against the pillows, arms wrapped around her, bringing her with me. “I’ve never gotten undressed so fast in my life.”

  She wiggles her lithe, perfect body on top of me and props her elbows on my shoulders. “I don’t know. I’ve seen you strip pretty fast before.”

  Her back is arched and her tits are just below my chin. I tweak one of her nipples between my thumb and forefinger.

  My other hand sweeps between her legs.

  I’m throbbing like a drum when I see how wet she is.

  “Fuck. So tonight wasn’t a record for getting undressed?”

  She shakes her head. “Sorry.”

  I tweak her other nipple, loving how it puckers at my touch. “Then we’d better set a new record. How many times can my cock take you over the edge tonight?”

  “That sounds fun, but what will we have to look forward to on our wedding night?”

  “Breaking the old record,” I growl.

  Whatever the fuck I have to say about records, I’m ready to break something right now. I lift my hips, grinding my cock against her folds, touching my swollen tip to her clit.

  She pushes off my shoulders and sits back on her knees between my legs.

  “I’m down with that idea.”

  I smile. “And we haven’t even cracked the champagne yet.”

  She shuts me up with a kiss that could douse the world in f
lames.

  “Save it for round two.” Her eyes are hot, big, ready to be shook into oblivion. “I want you now, Ridge.”

  “Ditto.” I grasp her sides as she rises up, plants her knees on both sides of my hips, and positions herself over my hard-on.

  “Or maybe round three,” she says with a whimper, lowering down on my shaft.

  I feel her like mad.

  Her pussy is so slick, so ready, so fucking mine.

  I love how it stretches just right, anchoring my dick deep inside her.

  “I’ll never get tired of this,” she whispers, sinking all the way down so I can feel her wetness on my balls.

  Damn!

  Then she rises up again, urging my hips to chase her. The sensation, the friction stalls my breath and breaks my inner beast off his chain.

  I suck a ragged breath as she lowers back down.

  Whether it’s truly the best ever, or I just think so because now I know she’s mine to keep, I’m not sure, but I know one thing.

  At this rate, I won’t last long.

  I reach down, gently flicking the tip of her clit as she rises up again, and then give it my thumb.

  She gasps, and then it’s my turn as her pussy tightens more, plunging down faster, then up again for another strike.

  Again.

  Oh, fuck, again.

  I grab her hips, slamming her down harder every time, and arch up to meet her.

  Driving, leading, taking her harder and faster with every stroke until we’re both soaring.

  “So close. So...oh! Ridge!” she screams, arching as she comes, my hands swinging her hips deeper into the storm.

  Her wet heat squirts on my dick.

  What little control I had left goes to shreds.

  “Grace, fuck!”

  Driving deeper one last time, a firestorm rips through my body as she takes me with her, coming pure lightning. My seed erupts in her, furious and hot, my balls pumping and aching to spill everything, to claim her from the inside out.

  The aftermath is just as perfect, just as electrifying as she collapses on my chest, my cock still inside her, still throbbing as her pussy quivers with the last of her aftershocks.

  We lay there, breathing hard, before she lifts her head and laughs. “I think you’ve convinced me. I’m ready to set some new records.”