by Holly Jaymes
“This is just lovely, Hallie,” my mother said, sitting next to Mrs. Thorne. “Did you know you can talk to her house?” My mother looked at Gabe, “How come I can’t talk to my house?”
I laughed.
“You want to talk to your house, Mom, I’ll arrange it,” Gabe said.
Hallie’s father lifted his glass of iced tea, “I’d like to make a toast.”
We all lifted our glasses of various beverages.
“I can’t tell you how happy we are to have Nate in Hallie’s life - to have helped her with this home, to have gotten his brother Gabe to create a space that my wife and I can live in.”
Hallie’ eyes teared up. I gave her hand a squeeze.
“And we’re so happy to meet the rest of Nate’s family. Hallie always spoke so wonderfully about you that my wife and I feel like we know you already.”
My mother nodded.
“To good friends and family,” Mr. Thorne finished. We all clicked our glasses and drank.
“I have something I’d like to say,” I said, standing up.
Hallie’s eyes looked up at me quizzically. I patted her shoulder.
“Today, I have a successful publicly held business, new friends, and a feeling of contentment I’ve never had before.”
“Gag,” Will said under his breath.
My mother gave him the evil eye.
“The one thing that has made all that possible is having Hallie in my life,” I looked down at her. It was still a wonder to have such a tremendous woman loving me. She smiled up at me, making my heart swell and giving me the courage to continue on.
“Recognizing that all the good I have right now is because of you, Hallie, it only makes sense that I make sure that I always have you in my life.”
My mother and Samantha gasped. Hallie’s eyes widened.
I dropped to one knee and pulled out the engagement ring used in our fake marriage with the intention of making it real this time, “Hallie, will you marry me?”
“Oh my God, Nate,” she looked at the ring and then at me, “Yes!” She leaped up from her chair and launched herself into my arms, knocking me back on my ass. I lay back, cradling her in my arms.
“Get a room,” Will called out as Hallie lay sprawled on top of me, cascading kisses all over my face.
“For real this time, baby,” I said as I held her close ignoring my brother.
“It’s always been real, Nate.”
She was right. Even when I proposed our arrangement, there had been something special about Hallie. At the time, I had thought it was just lust. Now, looking back, I could see the seeds of respect, admiration, and love were there. And now they’d be there for as long as she and I lived.
Book 2: Epilogue
Epilogue
Hallie
Six months ago, if someone told me that my life would go from really difficult after my home caught fire to being in love and about to get married, I’d have thought they were punking me. If they’d said I was marrying my boss - sexy, smart Nate Sloane - I’d have thought they were drunk or high.
And yet here I was, looking in the mirror as I wore a light ivory dress, that went better with my complexion than white, my hair was done in a pretty updo, and my makeup flawless as I prepared to become Mrs. Nate Sloane.
“You look beautiful, honey, just beautiful,” my mother sat in a chair, watching as I finished getting ready.
“Thank you, Mom,” I turned to her, giddy with happiness and grinned. “I can’t believe this.”
She smiled, “Believe it. You deserve every bit of happiness.”
There was a knock on the door. “Come in, unless you’re Nate,” my mother called.
My father poked his head through the door. “It’s time to get you in your spot,” he said to my mother, moving her walker closer to her.
She stood and reached out her arms to me. I went to her, welcoming her embrace.
“You’re the most beautiful bride ever,” she said.
“Well, pretty close,” my father said. “You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen on our wedding day.”
I smiled and hoped that after thirty years of marriage, Nate would think the same of me.
My father helped my mother from the room, “I’ll be back for you in a moment.”
I nodded and sat on the edge of the bed in Nate’s guest room. The bed that had been mine until I started sleeping with him during our fake marriage. This time, the real-time, neither Nate nor I wanted to wait too long to get married so we’d opted to have a small ceremony at home.
At first, we’d thought we’d have it at my house, but we were concerned about my parents feeling overwhelmed at having a wedding party at their home. Instead, we decided to have it at Nate’s house, which had a larger yard and would be our home after the wedding.
I’d wanted to rebuild my home to care for my parents, and in the end, Gabe had designed a home that gave my parents a great deal of independence. They could live there without me, at least for the time being. When the time came that one or the other needed more help, Nate and I would address it then.
My father returned to the room, “Nate’s looks pretty spiffy. And anxious.”
I frowned, “Anxious as in getting cold feet?”
“No, anxious as in wanting to get hitched.”
I grinned, “Me too.”
My father held out his arm, “Well, let’s get this done then.”
It was the end of summer, but Nate’s garden still looked spectacularly green, with the bright colors of flowers in all shades. Chairs had been arranged for our guests that included friends from work, as well as family. Clair and Jolene had been understanding when Nate finally told his staff about our ruse and then reality.
“In the end, you still got the man,” Jolene said.
That I did, I realized, as I looked to the arbor where Nate stood. My father was right. He looked spiffy. He looked better than spiffy. He was so handsome it made my chest ache. He wore a dark suit with a tie that matched my dress. He made everything he wore look elegant and sexy. In a few hours, I’d have him in his birthday suit. He always looked sexy in that too.
My mother sat in the front row, while Nate’s mother sat across from her. Nate’s brothers, as well as Samantha, sat with her. We’d opted not to have attendants, so it would just be Nate and I standing before our friends and family as we formally joined our lives. Emotion swelled at the miracle of this moment. I knew so many people didn’t have what I had right now. I wanted to savor it. To remember it forever. I made a vow to never take Nate or our love and happiness for granted.
A small string quartet started playing the wedding march. All eyes turned to me, including Nate’s. I saw his breath catch, and a gorgeous smile spread across his face. He watched me as I moved toward him, and at one point, he wiped his eyes. I couldn’t blame him - tears were forming in my eyes as well. How was it possible to have so much love all in one place? All on one day?
I finally reached him, and it was all I could do to not launch myself in his arms.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered to me as my father did the traditional handing over of his daughter. It was old fashioned and probably sexist, but I didn’t care. I liked the idea of being Nate’s. And he was mine.
“You’re too handsome for your own good,” I murmured back.
The minister started the ceremony, but I hardly heard a word he was saying. All I could do was look at Nate and love him. I wanted the ceremony to be over so I could hold him and kiss him and finally call him mine.
Finally, the ring exchange came.
“Hallie, this ring is a symbol of my everlasting love. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you that you’re surrounded by my never-ending love always and for real,” Nates voice was thick with emotion. He slipped the ring on my finger, the same ring he’d given me in our fake marriage. We’d discussed getting new ones, but we both agreed that making the fake real meant more to us. The rings at first were simply costume in
a farce, but now we were making them a symbol of our love.
I slipped his ring onto his left ring finger and repeated the words, “Nate, this ring is a symbol of my everlasting love. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you that you’re surrounded by my never-ending love always.” Then remembered what he’d added, and so I added, “And for real.” This time there was nothing fake about our marriage.
Finally, the minister said the words I’d waited forever to hear, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Nate grinned as he pulled me to him. His kiss was firm yet sweet. Everyone else faded away except Nate. I could have stood there all day in his arms.
“I love you, Hallie,” he said when he pulled away.
I pressed my palm to his cheek, “I love you so much, Nate.”
“May I present Mr. and Mrs. Sloane,” the minister announced as our friends and family clapped for us.
Having a reception after a wedding seems like a good idea unless you’re the couple getting married. Once Nate and I were officially wedded, all I wanted to do was to be alone with him celebrating our love and commitment as only two people in love could.
Unfortunately, we had guests. Caterers brought out champagne and hors d'oeuvres, and later we had a sit-down meal. But the whole time, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Nate. Each time I looked over at him, his gaze was on me as well.
As the sun started to go down, he made his way to me, “Do you suppose anyone would notice if we left?”
“I don’t know that I’d care if they did.”
He grinned, “Ever since the minister said ‘I pronounce you husband and wife,’ I’ve wanted to get you alone.”
“Me too.”
He looked around the yard at our guests. They were talking and laughing and having a wonderful time.
He returned his attention to me, “Let’s go.” He took my hand and led me around the pool, back up to the house and through the kitchen, where he stopped at the table, “If no one was here, I’d consummate this marriage right here. The first place I ever made love to you.”
“I like how you think.”
But since there were people in the house, he led me out to the garage where he helped me into his car.
“I loaded up our bags earlier,” he said as he started the engine.
“You think of everything.”
He took my hand and kissed my knuckles, “Let’s go have a honeymoon, Mrs. Sloane.”
I nearly swooned to hear him call me Mrs. Sloane. An hour later, we were on a private jet lifting off the ground on our way to a private resort in the Caribbean.
Once we were at cruising altitude, Nate took my hand and led me to the bedroom in the back of the plane, “Do you remember the last time we got naked on a plane?”
“Oh, yes.” Already my skin was burning up with the need for his touch.
“I was thinking we needed to make mile-high sex a regular staple in our lives.”
I nodded, “You’re always so smart about these things.”
He grinned as he shut the door behind me, “You inspire me.” He pulled me into his arms, “You make me feel so much, Hallie. And all of it is real.”
My heart swelled with love, “I love you, Nate.” I pushed his coat off his shoulders. “Now get naked because I can’t wait another minute for you to touch me.”
Four orgasms later, we landed in Antigua & Barbuda and then we were off to a private island resort.
“You’re going to spoil me, Nate,” I said when he scooped me up and carried me into our bungalow.
“Good. That’s the plan,” he agreed as he gave me a quick kiss.
“I want to spoil you too.”
He tossed me on the large soft bed, “Then get naked again.”
Later that evening, I lay sated and content in his arms, “I never thought that saving you from Janine Madison would lead me here.” I traced a pattern around the tattoo on his chest with my finger, adoring the way the bluish glow of the moonlight highlighted it.
“It was always my grand plan.”
I lifted my head to look into his face, “Was not.”
His hand gently caressed my back, “I’ve always had a thing for you, Hallie.”
I pursed my lips and studied his face for the truth.
“No joke,” he rolled me under him, “even before our fake marriage, I was getting off on you.”
I snorted.
“What’s so funny?” he quirked a brow.
“I can’t imagine you having to take matters into your own hand, so to speak.”
“I did and images of you and your sexy body and pouty mouth got me there. But now, I have the real thing.”
I opened for him, taking him in again. The feel of his body, the way his eyes shone with awe and love for me, told me that yes, this was the real thing. I wrapped my arms around him, “It’s always been real, Nate.”
Book 3: Her Mountain Hero
Book 3: Her Mountain Hero
OMG…I’m pregnant with my brother’s best friend’s baby!
At twenty-one I gave my v-card to my brother’s best friend, hot billionaire Mitch Sloane.
And then he broke my heart.
Nine years later, he “saves” me from being stranded in the mountains.
He’s off limits but the attraction is too strong to deny.
I let him touch me with those strong hands and play with me like he owns me.
It was supposed to be just one month.
No strings.
No love.
No one would ever know our secret.
But you know what they say about best laid plans…
Six weeks later my heart is broken,
My brother is pissed,
And I’m staring at a positive pregnancy test.
Can we let go of old betrayals and take a second chance on love ever after?
Book 3: Prologue
Prologue
I believed in women’s liberation, but I also agreed there were distinct differences between men and women, beyond the obvious physical features. My twin brother and I were the epitome of that. I graduated from a small private liberal arts school last week, celebrating with family and a few close friends. My brother graduated from his larger university today, and his celebration pretty much only included his drinking buddies, of which there were many.
I wouldn’t say I was a girlie girl. I could change a tire, and I could kickbox my way out of danger if needed. But I did like being a woman and many of the traditional aspects of femininity. Coco Chanel was my hero with her sophisticated casual-chic style and of course, her signature perfume Chanel No. 5.
My brother was all boy, or I guess I should say, man. He played hard and worked hard, which I supposed would serve him well when he went to law school this fall. Most of his friends were the same. They were rich, entitled young men who liked to party, but when necessary, could pull it together enough to finish school and get a professional career, except for Mitch.
Mitch Sloane was his own man. He’d grown up in a modest family with three other brothers, but he and my brother became friends during youth soccer as kids. Like my brother’s more affluent friends, Mitch could party like the rest of them, and yet, even when he was with them, there was something that made him apart from them.
He finished college a semester early. I supposed earning a million dollars in your own tech company as a junior meant that he knew more than his college business program. Most of the tech giants before him simply quit college, but Mitch had honored his parents’ wishes and sacrifices and arranged to finish last December. I liked that about him.
Actually, I liked a lot about him. Mitch was sexy handsome in that rugged sort of way whereas my brother and his friends were clean-cut and boyishly handsome. Mitch was dark, wore a scruff of beard, and had tattoos. He was my first crush when I was fifteen, and while I dated other boys in high school and college, whenever I saw him, my reaction to him was always more than with anyone else. Perhaps that’
s why I was still a virgin. No one else did it for me like Mitch did.
After my brother’s graduation ceremony, we had a little party at home, but then my brother moved the celebration to my parents’ weekend home along the river. He’d invited me along because, despite our differences, we were close. Since several of his female friends would be there too, I thought it would be more fun than hanging with my parents. But maybe I went to see Mitch.
Mitch showed up looking perfect without trying. While my brothers and his friends all wore khakis and knit shirts, Mitch dismounted from his motorcycle and strode toward my brother wearing faded jeans and a white t-shirt. Yum.
“There’s the nerd millionaire,” my brother greeted him with a hug. “You’ve already outdone us all.”
“That’s ‘cause I party less and work more,” Mitch said, taking a beer from the large cooler.
“Boring,” my brother said.
Mitch shrugged. “So’s grad school.”
“Aw…he got you,” one of their other friends said to my brother.
Tina James sauntered up to the group. In high school, she and Mitch dated, but then she dumped him right after graduation. Apparently, he was fun to be around and knew his way around a woman’s body. But as for a long-term man, his middle-class upbringing wouldn’t have cut it for her. She broke off with him when he headed down to Blacksburg to attend Virginia Tech. Since then, she’d been with various men from more affluent families, including my brother last summer.
Now that Mitch owned a billion-dollar tech company, her attitude changed if the flirty smile she was giving him as she pressed her palm to one of his impressive pecs was an indication.
He smiled at her, but I could see in his eyes he was just being nice. Deciding to save him from her, I joined the group.
“Hey, Mitch.”
His eyes lit up. “Hey, Hope. How are you?” He disentangled from Tina to hug me.
“Good. What are doing wasting your time with these losers?”