by Nina Levine
We fall over into a sweaty, panting mess. Our breathing is labored, and we are exhausted.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you two.” Greyson is the first one to speak as he lays there with one hand over his face and his other hand wrapped around his softening dick.
“I think we’ve missed you, too.” Lila rolls over and runs her hand down his chest.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up and have something to eat. I’m famished.”
The three of us rush into the cool water of the grotto, and it feels fantastic against our heated skins. Lila wraps her arms around Greyson and kisses him, then reaches out and does the same for me.
“My men.” She grins as Greyson holds her in a floating position. “I’ve missed us being together.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “It doesn’t feel right you not being here.”
“I know. I felt a little bit of my heart remained when I left. Nothing felt right,” he confesses.
“Never again,” I tell him. Pulling his lips to mine, his body is wrapped around Lila. “The three of us are it now,” I say, looking between Lila and Greyson. I love you, Lila,” I tell her. Those blue eyes widening in surprise at my confession. “I never knew the right time to tell you, but I do.”
She reaches out and kisses me. “I love you, too, Auggie.” She grins, resting her forehead against mine. “And I love you, too, Greyson.”
Greyson stills. Those words were very much unexpected from Lila.
“I’ve fallen in love with you as well, Lila.” He nuzzles into her neck.
“So, this is it. Our little family is back together again.”
We all nod in agreement.
“I never dreamed I could ever be this happy in my entire life.” I wrap my arms around the two of them.
16
Lila
Ten Years Later
I know. Who’d have thought the three of us would have made it this far, but we have, and we couldn’t be happier. Ten years ago, today, I married my Prince Auggie in front of the world. It was the wedding of the year, the tabloids read.
Later that night, Auggie, Grey, and I had our own ceremony where my sisters were the witnesses and declared that the three of us were married.
One year later, I welcomed twin boys, Jasper and Rupert.
Auggie’s parents were beyond excited welcoming two little boys into the family, and they were doted on by their Uncle Grey.
Three years later, a little girl, Karina, arrived, who’s the apple of her daddy’s eye.
Auggie and I were complete. Our family felt complete.
But I didn’t feel like it was complete for Greyson and me.
I made a decision that Greyson and I would have a baby, at least one. I could feel it deep within me that our baby was waiting for us. We fought with the king over my decision, but I explained to him that I had done my duty to the crown. I gave him and the country everything they desired in my perfect little family. I was going to be selfish and have a family with the other man I love.
So, two years later, we welcomed a little boy, Theodore. Greyson making a wonderful dad and Joss an exited grandpa.
Two years after that, a little girl, Beatrix, came along, and our blended family was complete.
And from that, our non-traditional reign began.
Also by JA Low
JA Low lives in the Australian Outback. When she's not writing steamy scenes and admiring hot cowboy’s, she's tending to her husband and two sons, and dreaming up the next epic romance.
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The Trouble With Love
Kat T. Masen
Prologue
A father’s love for his daughter is immeasurable.
From the first time she’s placed in his arms, his heart will beat a melody that no other can play, for there’s no greater love than one for his own child.
A man, if you’re blessed enough to have, will give his soul to protect you.
Once upon a time, she was a little girl, the apple of her father’s eye, but soon grew up to become a beautiful woman.
A woman who began to explore the world and one who stood up for what she believed in even if that strained their once-so-perfect relationship.
And while the love between a father and his daughter will never be compromised— impossible with a bond built on unconditional love—his fear of losing her soon weighed heavy on his thoughts.
Because he no longer felt like her entire world. He may have been her first love, but soon she began to drift away to another world where she’s loved by another man, though this love is entirely different.
It’s consuming, heartbreaking at times, and everything her father worried he’d lose her to one day. For he knew precisely how intoxicating a love so strong could render. He experienced exactly that with her mother a very long time ago.
And he also knew that when a love so profound consumes you whole, you’ll fight anyone to be with the person you can’t merely breathe without, including your family who loved you first.
It’s the trouble with love. When it conquers, there’s no hiding it.
Unless, of course, your father is Lex Edwards.
A man who wields power and will stop at nothing to protect his firstborn daughter.
Even if that means he needs to break her heart first.
1
Amelia
I stare at the three envelopes sitting in front of me.
For the last two years, it was all I could think about. What exactly did I want to do with my life, and more importantly, what sacrifices am I willing to make for a future that may not be right for me?
I sought comfort in knowing that I wasn’t alone. Most of my peers had received their acceptance letters in the last few weeks, each one getting into their first or second choice of colleges.
My cousin, Andy, is still waiting. He and I had followed the same method—our personal choice, our mother’s choice, and our father’s choice.
However, Andy had been fortunate to have both his parents support his choices, never mentioning a preference as to where they thought he should apply. So, all his applications were of his own doing—three different colleges for three various reasons.
I wasn’t that lucky.
My mom let out a sigh, sitting beside me as I hold the letter opener in my hand, staring blankly at the envelopes.
“They’re thick,” Mom comments, touching my hand softly. “Go ahead.”
I take a deep breath, counting down in my head while giving myself a pep talk.
Don’t define yourself just because you get rejected.
Remember, each school has its pros and cons.
Jamming the opener into the corner, I slide it across to slice the envelope open. Pulling out the letter, my eyes move toward Dear Amelia, Congratulations! I am pleased to offer you admission to the University of Southern California.
My shoulders slump as I slide the acceptance letter toward my father, who sits across from me. Within moments, his eyes beam with triumph. I’m not surprised by his reaction since he chose the college, which means I can stay as close as possible to home. He doesn’t say a word, especially after we butted heads earlier over a party I want to attend tonight.
“What’s going on?” My sister, Ava, enters the room while munching on an apple.
Wearing her denim shorts and white midriff top, I’m shocked Dad hasn’t reprimanded her for showing skin since the rule is either the short top or short shorts—not both.
Ava wraps her hands around my father, hugging him tightly. She has a
lways been his favorite, unlike me—the black sheep. When it came to Ava, she got anything she wanted, and I swear, when she entered the room, he looked somewhat relieved to see her rather than focus on me.
“Amelia has received her college responses,” Mom softly says before scowling. “Ava, what’s with that top? Don’t you think it’s a bit too tight now?”
“All the more reason to go shopping,” Ava responds with a grin, taking a seat beside my father and grabbing the letter. “Oh, USC, you can live at home.”
I ignore her, knowing all too well she understands my hesitation in remaining close to home. Dragging the letter opener through the next envelope, I pull it out quickly to read, Dear Amelia, Congratulations! I am pleased to offer you admission to the University of California, Berkeley.
With a pleasing smile, I slide it over to Mom. Her chocolate-brown eyes dart back and forth until the corners of her mouth turn upward. Momentarily, she glances toward my father, who offers no emotion upon reading the acceptance letter.
The final envelope sits in front of me, the most crucial one of all. The college I chose, the college I have dreamed of attending for as long as I can remember—Mom’s alma mater—Yale.
The navy logo sits in the corner, the envelope not as thick as the others. I prepare myself for the worse, the possibility of my dreams being shattered all in this one moment.
I have so desperately wanted to study law, and aside from Harvard, which I opted not to apply to, this is the one place where I want to start my future.
The sharp blade glides once again across the seal as I take a deep breath, my stomach tied in knots. I close my eyes briefly before pulling the letter out and opening it wide.
“What is it?” Ava asks in anticipation.
Dear Amelia, Welcome to Yale!
I release a loud breath, falling back onto the chair, overjoyed at the words which seal my fate. The straight A’s, and everything I did to make my college application as best as it could be, has paid off—this letter proof of exactly that.
My eyes do a double-take before Mom’s hand rests on mine. “Congratulations, honey. You’ve worked so hard for this.”
Clearing her throat, she follows with, “Lex, would you like to say something?”
Slowly, my eyes lift to meet my father’s. Unlike Mom, who is on the verge of tears, his reaction is the complete opposite. The hard stare and the way his hands clench against the tabletop is anything but welcoming.
Growing up with a father who also happens to run a billion-dollar empire wasn’t always easy. Sure, we had a beautiful home and nice cars—money was never an issue. But Lex Edwards is a known tycoon. His intimidating stare alone frightens anyone who has the audacity to challenge him. All but Mom, she somehow has him under some sort of weird spell.
And being the oldest had its disadvantages. I was the guinea pig of his rules. The only saving grace was Mom. She understood me and had often played the mediator between us. The last few years had been the hardest. We had somewhat of a distant relationship, though I never truly understood why.
However, this time, I doubt he’ll listen to her.
Yale is across the other side of the country, and even though it has been my dream, my father’s slow and steady gait warns me that the battle has only begun.
I hold his stare, crossing my arms, knowing we’re about to get heated.
“I don’t expect a congratulation from you, Dad. But you, of all people, understand the importance of working hard toward your goals, unlike some other children of yours who’ll remain nameless.” I purposely ignore Ava’s roll of her eyes. “I have studied hard to get straight A’s. I didn’t spend my weekends shopping or attending parties. In fact, I declined almost every social invitation aside from tonight’s, which you so easily refused my attendance. I’ve done nothing but invest my time into making sure I got the results which were needed to get into an Ivy League school.”
His eyes soften, and perhaps, my words finally get through to him.
But, of course, my victory is only momentary. He toys with his cufflink, still wearing the suit he wore to work today. Although he has removed his jacket, his white business shirt and navy tie remain. Steadily, his gaze fixates on mine. The emerald- green orb’s I’ve grown so accustomed to are slowly shifting to a darker shade.
“Congratulations, Amelia. You have worked hard to achieve the result you desired,” he says in a significantly neutral tone, “But I’m sorry, you’ll not be moving across the country.”
Pushing his chair out, he stands up, his tall stature demanding attention. “You’ve got other excellent choices. I suggest you choose one of them.”
And just like that, he exits the room, an audible breath expelling as the reality of his words begin to sink in.
Everything I have worked so hard for seems impossible to attain because of the one man who controls my life.
Lex Edwards.
My father.
2
Amelia
“Millie, can you imagine all the hot college guys?”
Ava jumps onto my bed, causing the mattress to shuffle and disturb my momentary silence.
“Californian guys, since it’s obvious where I’m going,” I answer bitterly.
Beside me, Ava lays on her back as we both stare at the ceiling. “He’ll come around.”
I shake my head. “Maybe with you. He treats me differently.”
“Well, it’s not exactly like you make an effort with him either.”
“Two-way street,” I inform her so easily. “You’re his favorite.”
I recall a childhood full of great memories, and given our close age, we were inseparable. My younger sister, Addison, arrived years later, then the youngest, Alexandra, much later than all of us. According to my parents, a surprise baby. I didn’t need any more details.
Unlike some of my friends who have fathers from divorced marriages or those who ran wealthy companies, my father has been present. He often attended our sporting events and every single school milestone, Mom ensuring he never missed out. With certain things, her word held more weight. I know my father worked hard, and Mom often called him a workaholic, which led to several arguments, but he never made us feel unworthy by absence. He traveled, but when he was home, the attention was on my sisters and me. Being one of four girls, I did feel sorry for him since he suffered through more gymnastics and ballet than most other fathers I knew.
Yet, it must have been in middle school when our relationship began to shift, and my interests changed. I started to like boys. My friendship circle grew in junior high, which included more boys, prompting my parents to give me ‘the talk.’ It was uncomfortable, awkward, and I’d never seen my father so quiet. Mom carried the whole conversation, and, of course, in front of him, I kept my questions at bay.
“Let’s talk about the party tonight.” Ava changes the topic.
“The one Dad won’t let me go to?”
“Austin will be there…”
“I know.” I sigh, knowing this is the biggest party of the year. The one I had been anticipating with the reward should my hard efforts paid off.
“It’s not fair that juniors aren’t allowed,” Ava whines.
“Madison wanted it to be a pre-graduation event,” I remind her, my frustration deepening as the minutes pass. “Besides, it’s the only weekend her parents are away.”
Ava sits up, her long brown hair swooshing at her sudden movements. “You mean, there’s no chaperone?”
“Not exactly. Her older sister and brother are there.”
“Do Dad and Mom know?”
“They know there’s adult supervision. That’s it.”
I feel terrible for lying, but it doesn’t matter anyway since I’m not allowed to go. I’ve never felt the need to lie to either one of them, nor have I disrespected their rules despite disagreeing. Ava, on the other hand, often pushes the limits.
“I think you should go anyway. Just sneak out once Dad’s asleep.”
“I
t’s not even worth it,” I tell her, less than enthused.
And just at that moment, my phone lights up beside me with a text from Austin.
Austin: Can’t wait to see you tonight. I miss you. I can’t believe senior year is almost over.
A smile spreads across my face. Typing fast, I send a reply.
Me: I miss you too.
I hop off the bed, darting to my closet, which consists of more comfortable attire, the complete opposite to Ava’s wardrobe.
“I need to borrow a dress,” I yell out to her.
Ava runs into my closet, barefoot with excitement. “I have just the dress.”
She disappears, to return moments later with a red off-the-shoulder dress which sits mid-thigh. When it comes to shopping, Ava and Mom are experts. If Ava owns this dress, Mom approved it.
“Perfect.” I grin, holding it up. “Shoes?”
Ava huffs, leaving the room again to return with a pair of gold heels. Handing them to me, I scowl at the height.
“I’ll fall over in these,” I point out, my eyes gravitating toward my closet floor. “I mean, how wrong would it be to wear my Chucks?”
“Very wrong,” Ava exaggerates, eyes wide. “We need to raid Mom’s closet.”
“Uh, in case you forgot, how can we raid her closet without her knowing?”
The sound of a throat clearing causes us to shift our heads abruptly. Mom is dressed in a pair of sweats, still looking beautiful, though I heard her complain earlier that she’d spent an hour cleaning my sister, Alexandra’s, room. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun, but I’m always in awe of her beauty no matter what she wears. As far as mothers go, Mom looks years younger than her actual age, often mistaken for my older sister.