by Cynthia Eden
He smiled. Dimples flashed. “It does if I get to be the one walking you down the aisle.”
Her lips parted. She didn’t know what to say.
“Your asshole dad isn’t here. You invited him, I know you did. Eric gave you the guy’s address, and then he made sure an agent personally delivered the fellow’s invitation.”
She had to swallow the lump in her throat.
“Your prick of a dad didn’t come, so fuck him.” Ben’s voice was completely flat. “You don’t need him. You have a family that loves you. So…if it’s okay with you…” He backed up.
She turned to face him.
Ben offered his arm to her. “It would be my honor to walk you down the aisle.”
She reached for his arm. “I’m not pissed by the offer of your help.” Piper leaned onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “But I am touched. Yes, Ben, I’d like that very much.”
***
The music was playing. The church was full of people. But Piper wasn’t walking down the aisle.
Where was she? Shouldn’t she have appeared by now? Eric pulled at the collar of his shirt.
And where was his damn best man? Ben had stood beside him earlier, but now the guy had pulled a disappearing act. If the fellow ruined this wedding, Eric was going to kick his younger brother’s ass.
Piper. Main issue is Piper. He couldn’t relax, not until he saw her. Eric still had this terrible feeling that she was going to turn away from him, that he’d lose his dream. He couldn’t take a deep enough breath, not until he saw her.
Simon slid from the front pew. “Man, you look like you’re about to pass out.”
Everybody stood up. Jesus. They were in his way. He strained to see around them. “My dumbass brother is missing—”
“No,” Simon corrected him. “He’s right where he’s supposed to be.”
Then Eric saw her. Saw them.
Piper was walking down the aisle. She was carrying a bouquet of blood-red roses, and when she saw Eric, a giant smile curled her beautiful lips.
She wasn’t alone. Ben was at her side. They walked together as they came toward Eric.
And…
Eric understood. Understood so much.
His shoulders straightened as he hurried to meet her. There were murmurs from the crowd, but screw them. Piper was his partner. And he couldn’t wait.
Ben laughed, and he inclined his head to Eric. “She’ll always be my best friend.” Sadness came and went in his eyes. “But she’ll be so much more to you.” He clapped his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Love her, cherish her, and always protect her…or I swear I will kick your ass, big brother or not.”
Love her, cherish her, and always protect her. “She’s my life.” If he didn’t keep her happy, he’d deserve that ass kicking.
Eric took Piper’s hand in his. Held her carefully, oddly worried he’d crush her.
Her smile was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Later, he’d tell his brother and parents that he didn’t remember a single word the priest said. Eric wouldn’t even remember what he’d said, but he would easily recall when Piper told him…
“It’s okay. I think you’re supposed to kiss me now.”
Because then he could breathe again. A nice, deep breath.
And he kissed his bride.
The End
Looking for another red-hot read? Then get ready for an all new, sexy romance, GUARDING GWEN.
Guarding Gwen
Lights. Camera. Action.
Gwenevere Solomon is the current “It” girl in Hollywood. The star of a dozen films, she seemingly has the world at her feet. Gwen’s problem? She also has one very dangerous stalker at her door. His attacks are getting bolder, and Gwen is becoming more and more afraid. Because this stalker…he knows secrets that she’s fought hard to keep buried. The kind of secrets that can destroy a woman’s life.
A ghost from her past can save her.
Gwen needs protection, and she needs that protection now. So enter her new leading her man…Simon Forrest. Tall, dark, and ever-so deadly, Simon is the lover she left behind. Or rather, the lover who left her behind. He went off and became a SEAL, saving the world and riding one adrenaline high after the other. But he’s back now, and as part of Wilde Securities, he’s supposed to offer the best, most discreet protection service in the business. He’ll pretend to be her lover so the press won’t realize her life is going to hell, and Simon will stop her stalker.
He can keep his hands off her…and keep her shielded at the same time.
Simon never got over Gwen, and the fact that she’s been filling the big screen with her gorgeous self? Yeah, it’s just made her even more tempting…and put her even further out of his reach. Simon was never good enough for Gwen, and he knew it. But this time, he can help her. He can catch the stalker, unmask the jerk, and keep Gwen shining in her spotlight. Easy as pie. Or, it should be.
Except…Simon might not be able to stop himself from falling for her all over again.
Because when the cameras stop watching, that’s when the real action begins…GUARDING GWEN, a sexy romantic suspense from New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Eden.
Author’s Note: Love sexy suspense and second chance romance? Then GUARDING GWEN is for you. A stand-alone romance with no cliff-hangers, this title features one red-hot, alpha hero and a strong, funny heroine who has plenty of secrets hiding in her past.
Learn more about GUARDING GWEN now.
A Note From the Author
Thank you so much for reading PROTECTING PIPER! This was such a fun book to write. I liked the way that Piper looked at the world—slightly off-centered. I’ve always enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers story-line, and when you throw in some bodyguard fun…well, this book was just an absolute pleasure to write! I hope that you enjoyed it! If you did, please consider leaving a review of the story. Reviews help new readers to discover awesome new books.
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Again, thank you for reading PROTECTING PIPER.
Best,
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
About The Author
Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a three-time finalist for the RITA® award. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over eighty novels and novellas.
More Information
CynthiaEden.com
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Her Other Works
Boxed Sets
Bad Things Volume One (Bad Things, Books 1 to 3)
Bad Things Volume Two (Bad Things, Books 4 to 6)
Bad Things Deluxe Box Set (Bad Things, Books 1 to 6)
Only For Me (Dark Obsession, Books 1 to 4)
The Beasts Inside (Purgatory, Books 1 to 4)
Mine Series Box Set Volume 1 (Mine, Books 1-3)
Mine Series Box Set Volume 2 (Mine, Books 4-6)
Forever Bound (Bound, Books 1 to 4)
Dark Sins
Don’t Trust A Killer (Dark Sins, Book 1)
Don’t Love A Liar (Dark Sins, Book 2)
Lazarus Rising
Never Let Go (Book One, Lazarus Rising)
Keep Me Close (Book Two, Lazarus Rising)
Stay With Me (Book Three, Lazarus Rising)
Run To Me (Book Four, Lazarus Rising)
Lie Close To Me (Book Five, Lazarus Rising)
Hold On Tight (Book Six, Lazarus Rising)
Bad Things
The Devil In Disguise (Bad Things, Book 1)
On The Prowl (Bad Things, Book 2)
Undead Or Alive (Bad Things, Book 3)
Broken Angel (Bad Things, Book 4)
Heart Of Stone (Bad Things, Boo
Tempted By Fate (Bad Things, Book 6)
Bad Things Volume One (Books 1 to 3)
Bad Things Volume Two (Books 4 to 6)
Bad Things Deluxe Box Set (Books 1 to 6)
Wicked And Wild (Bad Things, Book 7)
Saint Or Sinner (Bad Things, Book 8)
Bite Series
Forbidden Bite (Bite Book 1)
Mating Bite (Bite Book 2)
Blood and Moonlight Series
Bite The Dust (Blood and Moonlight, Book 1)
Better Off Undead (Blood and Moonlight, Book 2)
Bitter Blood (Blood and Moonlight, Book 3)
Blood and Moonlight (The Complete Series)
Dark Obsession Series
Watch Me (Dark Obsession, Book 1)
Want Me (Dark Obsession, Book 2)
Need Me (Dark Obsession, Book 3)
Beware Of Me (Dark Obsession, Book 4)
Only For Me (Dark Obsession, Books 1 to 4)
Mine Series
Mine To Take (Mine, Book 1)
Mine To Keep (Mine, Book 2)
Mine To Hold (Mine, Book 3)
Mine To Crave (Mine, Book 4)
Mine To Have (Mine, Book 5)
Mine To Protect (Mine, Book 6)
Mine Series Box Set Volume 1 (Mine, Books 1-3)
Mine Series Box Set Volume 2 (Mine, Books 4-6)
Mine Series Deluxe Box Set (Books 1 to 6)
Purgatory Series
The Wolf Within (Purgatory, Book 1)
Marked By The Vampire (Purgatory, Book 2)
Charming The Beast (Purgatory, Book 3)
Deal with the Devil (Purgatory, Book 4)
The Beasts Inside (Purgatory, Books 1 to 4)
Bound Series
Bound By Blood (Bound Book 1)
Bound In Darkness (Bound Book 2)
Bound In Sin (Bound Book 3)
Bound By The Night (Bound Book 4)
Forever Bound (Bound, Books 1 to 4)
Bound in Death (Bound Book 5)
Cynthia Eden has written many other works.Check out her full book list.
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