Worth the Wait (The Harvest Ridge Series Book 1)

by K. L. Ramsey

  “Hey, gorgeous.” Tag kissed Piper’s mouth to the laughter of their friends.

  Torren slapped Tag on the back, bringing them both back to the here and now.

  “I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that comes at the end of the ceremony, bro.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I got a little carried away.” Tag looked Piper up and down again. “You look beautiful, honey. I guess I jumped the gun.”

  Piper sighed. “That’s okay, Tag. I’m a little anxious to be married to you too.”

  Tag leaned in for another quick kiss.

  Aaron cleared his throat. “Do you think we can get this show on the road? I’d let to get to the part where we drink and party.”

  Piper and Tag both laughed and took their places in front of the altar that he’d built. After they exchanged their vows, everyone erupted into clapping and cheers, throwing birdseed at the happy couple as they made their way back to the cabin.

  The party lasted long past sunset. Friends and family danced, ate and drank into the night, under the stars. It was everything that Piper could have ever dreamt of and more.

  Tag was sitting between Aaron and Torren and they looked like they were up to no good. Piper stood with Sunny across the room and didn’t miss the scowl on Aaron’s face or the way he watched her friend. Torren and Tag were laughing and carrying on, apparently at Aaron’s expense.

  Since being home, she’d questioned Sunny about Aaron a few times. They were never in the same room anymore. If they saw each other, they usually passed without a word. Although Piper didn’t miss the way they watched each other. Sunny usually looked at Aaron like she wanted to strangle him. Aaron watched Sunny with a look that resembled the way Tag looked at her. She knew that something was up between the two of them, but she wasn’t quite sure what.

  Just before Piper went to New York, Sunny seemed to be seeing someone. After she and Tag returned to Colorado, Sunny barely spent time away from her bakery—she threw herself into her work. Piper wasn’t sure what she could do to help her friend. When she tried to bring up the subject, Sunny shot her down. She told Piper that she just wasn’t ready to talk about her mystery man. She confirmed that whatever happened between them was over, but that was about it. She wouldn’t even share who he was. Now, with the way Sunny and Aaron were acting around each other, Piper was sure she had her answer. She hoped that her best friend would come around and give her the dirty details. After all, turnabout was fair play. Sunny was the reason Piper was tricked into going out with Tag in the first place. Maybe her friend just needed a little push in the right direction too. Like, right into Aaron’s arms. From the look on Aaron’s face, he wouldn’t mind having Sunny in his arms.

  “You know, you should just go over there and ask him to dance. I’m sure that would be more effective than looking at him like you want to kill him.”

  Sunny turned to Piper, giving her the full effect of her disgust.

  “How about you just worry about your man and let me worry about mine.” Sunny’s hands shot up to her mouth, as if she was trying to retrieve her words back. “Shit.”

  Piper laughed at her friend. “It’s okay Sunny, I already figured it out. Was it the night of the freak snowstorm, back in April?”

  Sunny nodded her head, her hands still over her mouth.

  “Alright, then why keep it all a secret? You’ve been seeing Aaron, so what?” Piper pulled Sunny’s hands from her mouth, holding them in her own hands. “Talk to me Sunny.”

  “I’m not keeping it a secret. There is nothing to talk about, it was just that one time. The night of the storm.”

  Both women looked back across the tent to where the three men sat. Aaron hadn’t taken his eyes from Sunny, looking her up and down like a wolf on the prowl, causing her to shiver.

  “He’s so intense,” she whispered. “He looks at me like that but wants nothing to do with me.” Sunny looked back at Piper, tears pooling in her eyes. “He won’t even talk to me, so I have no way of telling him about the—”

  Sunny stopped speaking, this time letting her hand fall to her stomach. Piper gasped.

  “Wait. You’re pregnant?” Piper tried to whisper, but she knew from the few heads that turned in her direction, that she had been unsuccessful.

  “Shh, Pipe. I really would like to tell the father before you announce it to the rest of the town.” Piper chanced a look at Tag, who was watching her like a hawk. He could read her like an open book. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep this secret from Tag.

  “Fine, I won’t tell everyone in town, just Tag.”

  Sunny groaned and covered her face with both hands. “Well, you might as well just walk over there and tell Aaron, those two tell each other everything.” Piper laughed.

  “Not everything. Tag has been worried about Aaron these past few months. He was sure that something was up, but he had no idea that you two, well, you know.”

  Sunny groaned again. “Yeah, I know. We made a huge mistake and a baby. When I screw up, I go big, Pipe. What am I going to do?”

  Piper pulled Sunny into her arms and squeezed her best friend. She wasn’t sure what to say.

  “How about we work on telling Aaron that he’s going to be a dad and then we will figure out the rest. One day at a time, Sunny. Isn’t that what you always tell me? We will get through this together.”

  Sunny pulled free from Piper, sniffling back tears. “I think I can manage that. But, I’m not telling Aaron until I’m ready. He’s being an ass and needs to at least acknowledge my existence, then maybe I’ll tell him about the kid.”

  Piper smiled down at her friend, trying to imagine Sunny as a mom. She’d be the fun mom that all the kids in town wished was their mother. Heck, Piper knew that Sunny would be an awesome mom, she just needed to figure out what to do about Aaron.

  “I’ll talk to Tag and see if he has any ideas. I’m sure we’ll be able to figure it all out before this little bean gets here.” Piper looked down at Sunny’s still flat tummy, while excitement that she couldn’t explain bubbled up in her.

  “I hate to interrupt, ladies, but I need to dance with my wife.” Tag pulled Piper into his arms before she could answer and led her out to the dance floor.

  Piper cuddled into his body, knowing that she was home. Tag seemed to be able to conquer her past demons and show her a beautiful future.

  “What were you two talking about? You looked so intense.” Tag slid a finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze. He knew that she wouldn’t be able to hide from him this way.

  “We were talking about babies.” She didn’t want to spill Sunny’s news in front of everyone. That would be best shared, later, when they were alone.

  Tag froze. “Is there something you need to tell me?” He looked so hopeful, Piper almost felt bad for leading him on.

  “No, not yet. I’m not ready for that step, Tag. Soon, I promise.” Piper kissed his lips and he started moving again, on the dance floor.

  “Whenever you want one, honey. I’m ready.”

  Piper giggled at Tag’s enthusiasm. They had already had this conversation about a month ago. They’d admitted that they both wanted a large family, but Piper had told him that she wanted to finish college first. She only had two semesters left, then she would give Tag the green light. She knew that he was ready now, but he also wanted her to finish her degree. Piper was happy to keep it just the two of them for a while; when it came to Tag, she felt selfish.

  “If we aren’t going to have a baby, then who is?” Piper knew that he wouldn’t let it go.

  “Sunny is pregnant,” Piper whispered.

  Tag stopped dancing again.

  “Tell me Aaron is not the father.”

  Piper didn’t say a word. She nodded her head and Tag groaned.

  “Well, this cluster fuck is going to be fun to watch. I guess we know why those two have been tied up in knots lately. Hell, I didn’t know they were seeing each other.”

  Piper took Tag’s hand and led him i
nto the cabin. “They aren’t dating. They only slept with each other once, the night of the storm.”

  “Well, I’m pretty sure that Sunny can hold her own. I’m going to enjoy giving him hell about this.”

  As soon as Piper shut their bedroom door, Tag unzipped her dress and let it hit the floor.

  “He doesn’t know about the baby and you can’t be the one to tell him. It’s up to Sunny to share the news with Aaron. We need to let them work this out.”

  Piper slid Tag’s jacket down his massive frame as he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. She snaked her hands under his shirt and slid it down his body, letting it fall to the floor.

  “Pants off,” she panted. “I need you, Tag.” She slid her hand down into his open slacks to wrap her fingers around his thick cock, enjoying the way his head fell back to take all the pleasure she was giving him.

  “I like the way you touch me, Mrs Harrison.”

  Piper licked her lips and Tag groaned against her neck, kissing his way down to her breasts.

  “I also like that you didn’t wear a bra with your wedding dress.”

  He sucked her taut nipple into his warm mouth and she could feel her knees buckle. Tag wrapped his muscled arm around her body and held her against his naked form as he pulled them both down onto the bed.

  “Thank you for marrying me, Mrs Harrison.”

  He grabbed her ass and hauled her wet folds against his erection.

  “Thank you for asking me out fifty-two times, Mr Harrison.”

  Tag slid his cock into her body and she moaned into his mouth.

  “No problem, honey.”

  He pulled her down, crushing his mouth hard against hers as they moved together, finding a rhythm.

  “I’d do it all again, Piper. You, my beautiful wife, were worth the wait.”

  The End

  Black Velvet Seductions

  About the author

  K. L. Ramsey currently resides in West Virginia (Go Mountaineers!). In her spare time, she likes to read romance novels, go to WVU football games and attend book club (aka-drink wine) with girlfriends.

  K. L. Ramsey was born and raised in Maryland where her life changed when she signed up for a creative writing class. Knowing that someday she wanted to become a writer, K.L. received her BA in English from Salisbury State University.

  Somewhere in her mid-forties, K.L. decided to write her first romance novel, proving that dreams can be realized at any age.

  Also by K.L. Ramsey

  The Relinquished Series

  Love Times Infinity

  The last thing Karlie Angel wants to do is travel home to attend her younger sister’s wedding. As if catching her boyfriend in bed with her little sister wasn’t humiliating enough, now she must watch them say, “I do.” Karlie has given up on love, men and her own happily ever after. She just wants to get this nightmare wedding over with and head back out of town. But she didn’t count on Drew Jackson.

  Drew had been in love with Karlie since senior Year of high school, but she belonged to Jake Ashbrook then. Now, he sees Karlie’s return as his only chance to claim her. He just needs to convince Karlie to let him into her heart. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words, especially when Karlie’s past comes back to haunt her. Drew must find a way to keep her safe and convince her not to run again.

  Love Times Infinity is the first book in The Relinquished Series.

  Love’s Patient Journey

  Jenna Angel Ashbrook is determined to turn her life around after her failed marriage to a man that tried to kill her and her family. The only good thing to come from that disaster is her son, Zachary, who’s hitting the terrible twos with a fury. Jenna is overworked and overtired trying to be the best mom that she can be, leaving no room for anything as taxing as romance. She doesn’t realize just how much is missing until Ryan Jackson walks back into her life, making sexy demands that Jenna just might be willing to meet.

  Ryan walked away from Jenna and Zac two years ago and it was the hardest thing that he ever had to do. He owed the Navy two more years and refused to put Jenna through the possibility of losing him. Now, Ryan is back in town and ready to claim his place in Jenna’s life. He wants to claim her body and soul, leaving her no doubt that he is ready to have her and her son in his life. Jenna’s strong spirit and survival instincts have gotten her through two tough years, she’s the strongest woman he knows. But, will Ryan be able to convince her to give up control and lean on him when trouble comes calling again?

  Love’s Patient Journey is the second book in The Relinquished Series.

  Love’s Design

  April Magness was his assignment, a person of interest in a case that was consuming him. If Shephard Jackson was being honest with himself, it was April who was consuming him. He spent his nights staking out her home, watching her in the darkness, wanting her more with each passing hour. Running into April, at his brother’s housewarming party, was not in his plan. Neither was falling for the woman that could tear his whole case apart, along with his heart.

  April knew that running from Malcolm Diggs could get her killed, but staying with him was no longer an option. She saw Mal for the monster he was. She couldn’t stay with a man who could murder in cold blood without a second thought. She ran to start a new life, always looking over her shoulder. Meeting Shep Jackson wasn’t part of the plan for her new life. April still fell hard for the sexy detective who promised to keep her safe. But will Shep want her after she tells him about her ex or will he throw her away like so many others had?

  Love’s Design is the third book in The Relinquished Series.

  Love’s Promise

  Being an only child from a broken home, Jack Sanders adopted the Jackson family as his own. Drew, Ryan, and Shep were like his brothers, but three little words from the baby sister of the family send Jack’s world spiraling out of control. Maddie Jackson is in love with Jack, and that’s all he has ever wanted. Can Jack have Maddie and not lose his best friends?

  Maddie knows what she wants and plans on Jack Sanders not figuring out what hit him until it was too late. Being the little sister of three alpha males, Maddie has lived a sheltered, protected life but she is ready to go after what she wants. Her brothers don’t want Jack “playing” with their little sister. They know how Jack uses women until he gets bored and then leaves them broken hearted. But Jack meets his match in Maddy. She is as feisty and fiery as her brothers and completely knocks Jack off his game.

  Maddie’s brothers become the least of their problems when Jack uncovers a scandal at his new job. Now, Jack and Maddie’s brothers must put aside their differences and work together to keep her safe. Is their love enough to overcome all obstacles?

  Love’s Promise is the fourth book in The Relinquished Series.

  Coming soon from K.L. Ramsey

  The Christmas Wedding

  Lorna Sanders stepped up to raise her niece, after her sister and brother-in-law’s tragic deaths. She never allowed herself to dream that someday she would have a family of her own, but meeting Jonathan Sawyer changes all of that. He teaches Lorna that age is just a number and dreams can come true, especially at Christmas.

  Jonathan Sawyer’s job is to keep Lorna’s family safe, he never imagined that job would also include protecting her heart. He just needs to convince Lorna that wishing for her heart’s desire and Christmas miracles are both possible. Can Sawyer’s plan, for a Christmas wedding be enough to show her that it’s never too late to find happily ever after?

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