by Loni Ree
My sister is still shocked by this new development. She recently met a man, and their relationship has gotten serious. Soon, I would need a new roommate or find a cheaper apartment if I stayed in Naverton. Now, she’s worried I’m only dating Bryce to have someplace to stay. I’m hoping to have Celine visit soon, so she can see that her worries are for nothing.
“Okay, guard the house while Mommy puts the laundry away.” Nacho gives me a “yeah right” look. If someone breaks in, he’ll hide and pray for the best, and we both know it.
The music is blaring through my earphones, and I’m trying to fit the last two towels in the back of the linen closet when hands wrap around my waist. The towels go flying into the air as I spin around to find Bryce standing behind me. “Holy shit. You need to give me some warning. You’re going to give me a heart attack.” I slap his shoulder when he smirks.
“Nat, you couldn’t hear a tornado over the train wreck you’re listening to.” He fake shudders, and I glare. One thing we don’t agree on is taste in music.
A couple of days later, I decide to visit Megan at the bakery. Bryce and Mitchell left this morning for a business trip. They’ll be out of town for a couple of days, and I’m already missing Bryce and bored out of my mind. “Watch the house, Nacho.” He gives me his, “yeah, okay,” look before I kiss his little furry head and rush out the door. I want to hurry, so I’m not late again for my afternoon cooking lesson with Libby.
I’m still getting used to driving Bryce’s huge SUV. He keeps offering to buy me a smaller one, but I’m resisting. We argue over me getting a job and him supporting me, and until we settle these differences, I’ll continue driving his beast or tag along with my friends when I need to go places.
After parking in front of the bakery, I’m stepping out into the bright sun when I hear a sneering voice behind me. “Well, well, well. Look, it’s the Mackenzie gold-digger.”
I turn around and find the three sleazy men who Bryce argued with months ago in the market. My skin crawls as I watch one spit on the ground next to his feet. Backing away, I try to make my escape, but the older one loudly announces, “You know every bitch in town tried to catch him using the same ploy, but you must have a golden pussy since you managed it.” Several people stop on the sidewalk to watch the display, and I’m horrified by his words.
I gasp and feel an arm wrap around me as Megan rushes up beside me. She glares at the trio. “Melvin, if one of the Mackenzie men hears you, they’ll kick all of your asses. Now, get lost.” Then she’s dragging me into the bakery and locking the door behind us. I see Tricia on the phone behind the counter.
My heart is shattered, and I need to get away. Before Megan or Tricia can stop me, I rush out of the bakery and head back to the ranch. The entire way there, my mind is filled with horror. The entire town thinks I’m a gold-digger who’s gotten her claws into Bryce.
By the time I get back to Bryce’s house, I’ve decided I can’t hurt him like this. His standing in the community means too much. I hastily throw my things into a bag and grab Nacho. I write Bryce a note, explaining that I can’t bear to hurt him, and leave it on the hall table.
It kills me to take his SUV to the airport, but I’ll send Libby a text with the vehicle’s location. There’s no way my heart can take me having any contact with Bryce right now.
Chapter Eleven
Natalie
Walking into the empty apartment sends sadness rippling through me. I’m thinking about Bryce as I unpack our bags and settle in for the night. Tears steadily flow down my cheeks the entire time, and Nacho watches me sadly. My little friend is angry at me for leaving Sweetbriar. He loves Bryce and the Mackenzies as much as I do. After giving Bryce my heart months ago, I’ll never get it back. Doubts have plagued me since I boarded the plane, and I’m sure I’ve made the worst decision of my life. I should have stayed and fought for Bryce, and convinced him how much I love him. I blocked all the Mackenzies’ numbers after I sent the text to Libby. It broke my heart, but there’s no way I can face any of them right now.
Once I’ve run out of steam, I drop onto the small sofa and stare at the wall. Nacho looks up from his bed near the small window that faces the side yard and whimpers. I’m about to give up for the night when there’s a loud banging on the front door.
Nacho jumps up, then runs for shelter under the dining room table. He’s definitely not a guard dog. I’m debating whether to let whoever it is just go away when I hear my name. “Natalie! Open this door or I’ll kick it in.” Holy shit. Bryce is in the dinky hallway outside my door.
Nacho comes running out from his hiding spot at the sound of Bryce’s voice and begins barking furiously. I look down and wince at my night outfit. Of course, I’d pick my oldest pajamas for my first night back here. After realizing Bryce’s knocking is getting louder, I make my way to the door and try to straighten out my hair on the way.
After I slowly open the door, Bryce pushes into the small hallway and pulls me into his arms. I open my mouth to speak but find his lips covering mine before words emerge. All thoughts flee my mind as his tongue tangles with mine. Bryce pushes me up against the wall and slides his knee between my legs. As his jeans-covered thigh rubs my sensitive center through my paper-thin pajama shorts, a groan works its way past my lips into his mouth.
Bryce pulls back and places his forehead against mine. “You ever try to leave me again, I’ll spank your little ass so red you won’t sit down for a week.” I cry out at his words as I feel wetness leak onto his thigh from my dripping core.
“I did what I thought was best for you.” Laying my face against his neck, my tears trickle against his skin as I try to explain myself. “The whole town is talking about how I fooled you.” I cry louder. “They’re saying I took advantage of you and your family. That I’m just a gold-digger, the maid trying to get rich.”
Bryce wraps his hand in my hair and tugs lightly to pull my head back. The sheen of tears shines brightly in his eyes as he kisses me lightly, then growls. “You’re what’s best for me. Without you, I have nothing, and I don’t give a flying fuck what anyone says.” He shakes me a little. “Fucking Ellis lied to you. No one thinks you’re a gold-digger. Anyone with eyes can see how fucking much I love you. So, if you want everything I own, you can have it as long as I get you.”
He kisses me again before I can argue, but I’m all out of arguments anyway. Life without Bryce is worthless. I’ll do whatever it takes to make him happy. Pulling away slightly, I promise, “I can be the kind of wife you need.”
Bryce walks over to the sofa with me in his arms and sits down. After Nacho jumps up next to us and settles in, Bryce takes my hand and kisses the back of it. “Natalie, you’re not listening to me.” He sighs and kisses me hard. “You don’t need to change. All I need is you, exactly the way you are right now. That old bastard was just spewing bullshit. I want to kick his ass for what he caused.”
“But…” I start, and Bryce lays his finger over my lips.
“There are no buts. I love you more than anything in this world. I should’ve told you that way more than I did. Melvin is a jealous old asshole who has no idea about what I want.” Bryce wraps his hands around my face and pulls me close to look into my eyes. “You’re the only thing I want in this world. Everything else can take a hike as long as I have you, Ms. Impossible.”
“I can’t cook,” I remind him. “And I’m not too organized.” My voice is barely a whisper.
“I’m not marrying you to get a cook or a maid. I’m marrying you because I love you and want a partner and mother for my children.”
It suddenly hits me that Bryce just said, “marrying you.” Swallowing, I lean back and bite my lip. “Uh. Bryce, I think you’re a little ahead of yourself.”
“Nope. I’m taking your ass to Las Vegas on the way home. I’m going to make sure you can’t pull another disappearing act on me. I have plans to turn you from Ms. Impossible into Mrs. Mackenzie.” The stubborn Mackenzie look I’ve grown accustomed to p
asses over his face before he sighs and looks up at the ceiling for a second. “Actually, if you want a big wedding with all the trimmings, I’ll give you whatever you want. As long as you promise to marry me and put me out of my misery.”
I look down at Nacho, and he’s giving me the “What the hell are you waiting for?” look that my Chihuahua has perfected. Then I throw my arms around Bryce. “I love you so much. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Twelve
Natalie
As Bryce shifts beneath me, his hard body rubs against mine, causing little sparks of electricity to shoot through my body. Leaning over, I run my tongue up the side of his neck while he rubs my finger gently. I lift my hand to run my finger through his thick hair and notice the huge ring sitting on my finger. “Holy cow.”
“At least I can use the ring to hold onto you,” he teases as I stare at the stunning diamond in the center.
I sniffle and smile through my tears. “The ring is beautiful, but I’m really addicted to the hot sex.”
A shocked look passes over his face before he throws back his head and laughs. “You’re going to keep this old man on his toes. That’s for sure.”
Bryce suddenly stands and grabs me around the waist. The next thing I know, I’m looking down at his muscular ass as he thunders down the tiny hall. “Which room is yours?” He runs his hand up the back of my leg. As his fingers slip between my thighs, they encounter the wetness seeping from my core, and Bryce groans. “I’m about to choose any fucking room here.”
“Oh, last room on the right.” I manage to sigh as his finger continues teasing my entrance.
Bryce rushes through the door and kicks it closed. A glimpse of the darkened room flashes before my eyes as he suddenly drops me on the bed and begins ripping at his clothes. I push up onto my elbows and watch while he tosses his shirt somewhere toward the foot of the bed and reaches for his jeans. He raises an eyebrow and winks. “I plan to spend the night giving you plenty of reasons to marry me.”
He begins to slowly dance while removing his jeans, and I realize I’ve been a total fool. I almost gave him up. Once he’s standing naked before me, my eyes move over his hot body. “I love you.” I smile. “It’s the only reason I need.”
Bryce winks. “Good to know, but I think you should still test out the merchandise. I have a no return policy.” I laugh, but then his eyes grow serious as he makes his way over to me. Slowly, he runs his finger over my collarbone before reaching for the neck of my old shirt and ripping it down the middle, and my gasp fills the room. Tugging on the waist of my sleep shorts, he pulls them off in one move.
As he spreads my legs, Bryce winks at me. “My favorite place to be.” Then he leans down and runs his tongue up my slit. I’m unable to hold myself up as pleasure shoots through my body, so I flop back onto the bed.
Bryce spreads my lips and laps at my juices like a starving man. When he wraps his lips around my clit and sucks hard, sparks explode behind my closed eyelids, and I scream his name.
He slowly kisses his way up my body, leaving goosebumps in his wake. “I’m definitely ready to buy,” I groan when his hard erection teases my entrance.
Bryce pushes in an inch or so, then pulls back several times, and I realize he’s torturing me on purpose. “Please,” I finally beg.
My nails dig into his back as I try to pull him closer, but he seems intent on tormenting me. He circles his hips while barely breaching my entrance, and I cry out my frustration. “Please fuck me.”
“I’m making love to you. I’ll pound the hell out of you when I’m ready.” He bites the side of my neck and continues the slow torture.
I finally reach my limit and shock us both when I grab his shoulders while locking my legs around him and using all my might to spin us. As I look down into Bryce’s shocked eyes, I smile. “I guess I’ll have to drive this train.” Then I place my hands on his shoulders and begin to circle my hips before sinking down onto his hard cock. My head falls back as pleasure shoots through my body.
“Fuck. I won’t last.” Bryce grabs my hips in a bruising grip and urges me to move faster.
The sounds of my cries and our skin slapping together fill the room. I drag my fingernails down his muscular chest, and Bryce roars. His hips arch off the bed as he rubs my clit, causing stars to dance behind my closed eyes.
His roar fills the room as he erupts, and I fall forward onto his chest. My orgasm is still flowing through me when he leans up to kiss my sweaty head and whisper, “I hope that’s the time I finally knock your ass up.”
Bryce makes good on his promise to stop over in Las Vegas on our way back to Sweetbriar. The whole trip is a blur, and before I can blink, we’re sitting in his SUV, leaving the Denver airport. “I hope your family doesn’t think we rushed things.” I’m staring down at the stunning engagement and wedding rings on my finger. I twirl them nervously as Bryce drives us home.
He looks over at me and laughs. “Honey, we held out longer than most of my relatives ever have.” Bryce reaches over and takes my hand. As he places a kiss on the back of my hand, goosebumps break out all over my body. “My brothers were starting to worry that I was switched at birth or something because I took so long with you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Bryce
My family is overjoyed when I bring Natalie back home with me. I text Mitchell to let him know we’re almost home, and he tells me they’re all at the bakery. Since it’s on the way, we stop by Sweet Beginnings on our way through town. The girls attack Natalie when we walk through the door. “It’s so good to have you back.” Libby cries into Natalie’s neck as she hugs her while Megan and Tricia wait for their turn.
Mitchell leans over and growls, “You’re lucky she came back with you. The girls were going to string you up if you showed up without her.” I’m pretty sure my family loves my wife a little more than they love me.
Megan is the first to notice the ring on my wife’s finger. “You eloped! Without us there!”
Devin whistles through his teeth as Harden steps back and whispers, “Dead meat.”
Mitchell turns to me and smirks. “They might string your ass up after all.”
Happiness flows through me when my wife steps over and wraps her arm around my waist before attempting to lie to protect me. “It was my idea to get married on our way back. I didn’t want to go through a public display after all the mess before.”
I kiss the top of my love’s head and smirk. “You assholes know better. I wasn’t about to wait another day. If the girls want to throw a party to celebrate, that’s fine.”
Libby glares at me, but I shrug and look away. Megan catches my attention and mouths, “Bryce cakes.” I guess I’ll be the talk of the town for way more than my hasty marriage.
After the jokes come the congratulations and hugs. We’re about to head home for our private celebration when Harden growls, “Look who’s walking past the front window.” As I turn and see Melvin Ellis and his wife Erma strolling by, intense hatred rolls through me.
“I’m going to settle this shit once and for all.”
Natalie tries to grab my arm, but Libby holds her back. “Let Bryce handle this.” Libby winks at Natalie, and I roar out the door. Behind me, I hear my family follow me out the door to watch.
“Hold the fuck up, Melvin,” I shout, and Melvin stops and turns to face me. Sweat is pouring down the asshole’s face, and I watch as he swallows. “I need to have a word with you.”
Ever-ready, Erma steps in front of her husband and points at me. “You’re awfully brave with your brothers standing behind you,” she sneers.
Shaking my head, I look over the pathetic pair. “My brothers are waiting to pull me off before I kill your useless, deadbeat husband,” I inform her before turning to the sleazy excuse of a man. “I don’t know if living with Erma has caused you to lose your mind, or if your cornbread just isn’t cooked in the center, but if you ever mess with another Mackenzie woman, dealing with Erma will be the least
of your worries.”
I turn and walk back to my family. Tonight is my first night at home as a married man, and I don’t plan to spend it in jail for kicking Melvin fucking Ellis’s ass.
A few days later, Mitchell kicks the Ellis family’s ass for all of us. He’s tired of all the trouble this family has caused over the years and decides it’s time for them to take their trouble somewhere else. Preferably, prison. His investigator digs up an interesting bit of information, and Mitchell uses it. His friend at the DEA appreciates the “anonymous tip” that leads to bringing down the Ellis drug-making empire. The entire family is looking at years behind bars for the amount of illegal drugs and drug-making supplies found on their property. The entire town secretly thanks Mitchell for his gift to our community.
Epilogue 1
Bryce-Five Years Later
“Damn. Your wife looks ready to pop,” Mitchell leans over and whispers to me as Natalie waddles across the room.
Rolling my eyes, I turn to blast the fucker, but my sister-in-law gets to him first. I barely contain my laughter when Libby walks up out of nowhere and smacks Mitchell on the back of the head. “Watch your mouth,” she hisses, and he rubs the back of his head.
“Ow. That hurt.” He glares at his wife before turning to me and teasing, “She’s huge. How many babies is she having?”
The joke is getting old. Yes, my wife is pregnant with our third set of twins. Our oldest sons are only four. Next, we have two-year-old daughters, and we’re about two months away from another set of girls. It turns out the smartest family member is our dog. Nacho stays at Mitchell and Libby’s house every day to watch his soap operas. I think the smart little fucker has found a way to get peace and quiet for a few hours.