by Lauren Wood
Epilogue
Dana
My father stood in his full dress uniform in the crystal staircase piano lounge. “And do you, Preston Hutchinson, take Dana Lane Ballard, to be your lawfully wedded wife, take her and keep her, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
Hutch looked at me, smiling and dapper in his black tuxedo. “I do.” He slipped the ring on my finger, cool and smooth against my trembling finger.
I looked over to see Blu in her pretty gown, looking on and giving me a little smile and wink.
My father asked me, “Do you, Dana Lane Ballard, take Preston Hutchinson, to be your lawfully wedded husband, take him in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do,” I said, slipping his ring onto his finger. We shared a smile, our hands lingering together in a loving grasp.
“Then by the authority vested in my as the captain of the Fantasia flagship Oceania, I now pronounce you man and wife.” My father looked at me with a secret little smile, then turned to Hutch and gave him a gentleman’s nod. “You may kiss the bride.”
And we did, long and slow and sweet, a moment of indescribable delicacy. It was like our first kiss, and it was like our last, but unlike every other in between. Barry and the band played that famous refrain and we turned to wave at the full crew of Oceania, plus all of Blu’s new classmates and their parents, a variety of other fun friends and family.
During the party afterward, Caroline sauntered up to us, kissing me on the cheek like I was her best friend. And, I had to suppose, in a lot of ways I probably was. I asked her, “So how are things with Eric?”
Caroline shook her head and rolled her eyes. “He’s ... amazing. I can’t believe I never noticed him before, but ... talk about an apt pupil! I don’t mean to make you feel bad about, y’know, the way things turned out.”
“Not at all, Caroline,” I said. “Seems to me things worked out just perfectly. And how’s my dad been?” We both turned to see him, smiling and mingling with the crowd.
“He’s never been better, tell you the truth. Again, I don’t mean anything by it, but ... he’s been busting his buttons this past year, bragging about you, how glad he is that things went so well. Went he heard he’d be marrying you two, it was ... he was walking on air, what can I say?”
“What about him, y’know ... personally?” Caroline glanced around, mouth tucked into her cheek. “Caroline, what?”
“Well, he’s ... been quite charming with the new singer, Ginger. She’s just about his age too; not too much younger anyway.”
“Really? Well, that’s great,” I said, not sure that I believed it. I didn’t know the new singer at all, and I wondered what kind of person this was that my father was getting involved in. But I knew I had to let him make his own decisions, just the way he was letting me make mine. And those decisions had made me the happiest I’d ever been. I knew he’d be able to do the same. But we’d always be there to take care of him when and if he needed it, and to help and take care of each other when we needed it.
And my first year in New York with Hutch told me that we really might need it. There were things happening in his business that concerned me, employees I didn’t trust. They didn’t think much of me either, but they underestimated me, they thought I was afraid of them. But fear was no longer a factor in my life. In truth, they were afraid of me, and they had good reason to be. I was looking out for Hutch, but they were looking out for themselves.
But this was a day for celebration, for love, for looking forward to a bright and miraculous future, one we could all share; children and grandchildren, good times and bad, the light and the shadows, until death did us part.
THE END
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I hope you enjoyed BE MY SAILOR. For more enjoyment, I have included some bonus stories along with previews of my other books. Please check the table of content to choose what to read next.
And don’t forget to read Exclusive Steamy Romance "ACTION STAR". A HOT Never Before Published Full Length Novel
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Billionaire Romance Series
CHARISMATIC
BOOK – 1
Chapter 1
“You’ve got to be kidding me; you’re not giving me that promotion, why not?” Lalena Sims yelled at her Captain.
“Jackson is just a better choice for this new assignment.” Captain Henry Case told her.
“How, he’s been on the force less time than me. I’m tired of this bullshit, every time something good comes up you pass me over.” She was angry and hurt. She’d been a cop, and a good one, for the past 10 years. Each time a great assignment came up she would be passed over for one reason or another.
“Look we may need some new people to help protect the mayor soon; I’ll try to get you on that squad.” Captain Case stated. “No promises though, but I’ll try and pull a few strings.” He put his hands up in defense.
“Fine, but you know I can go and do private security and get paid just as much, and with a lot less hassle.” Lalena stood up to walk out of the office. “But I really do love my job and would hate to leave. But come on Captain, you know as well as I do, I was more qualified than Jackson for this one.” She added.
“The choice wasn’t mine Swan. If it had been I would have picked you. But I told you my hands were tied on this one.” He stated.
She shook her head and left the office. Lalena went to the bathroom to compose herself, she didn’t want to walk out in the main room and still be upset. She was sure that some of the guys had heard her yelling in the Captain’s office. They all knew how she felt, some of them agreed, but others thought she was wrong.
During her years on the force she had heard many times, “You’re too hot to be a cop, really you should be a stripper. You’d make a ton of money too.” This had been said by many of her co-workers. They were the men who often looked down on her, and wouldn’t see that she was a good cop, even though she was also good looking.
Lalena couldn’t help it she was born looking the way she did. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her blonde hair was up in a bun, but it was long when down, it hung below her shoulders about half way down her back. Her piercing blue eyes would catch many people off guard as well. She was petite but strong; she had caught a few men off guard during her police training. She laughed at the memories of long ago.
But she hated being stuck in the same job day in and day out, when she tried for promotions, turn downs were the normal thing. So she had instead tried to try for new assignments.
“Maybe this mayor thing will come through.” She pumped herself up and tried to get her thoughts out of the funk. She really did love the idea of being a police woman, and the differences she could make.
“Guarding the mayor?” She wondered out loud. She thought about the things she knew about their great mayor, Rico Zess. “He’s definitely a ladies man for sure.” She laughed.
Lalena had seen more than one picture of the dashing mayor in the paper. He always had a new lady on his arm, never the same one in a row. But the mayor was also very handsome.
“Hey Swan, how’s it going?” Dan Murphy asked her as she walked over to her desk.
She looked over at Dan; he was a decent guy, but just not her type. He had asked her out a few times, and eventually she had gone out. Their personalities hadn’t mixed, and thankfully they both could tell. She shivered at thinking what a bad office romance would have done for her job.
“I got passed over; they gave the job to Jackson.” She shook her head as she whispered the information to him.
“What, Jackson? Isn’t that some serious bullshit?” Dan commented.
“I know I let the Cap know how I felt about it too.” She stated.
“Yeah I could hear you.” He stated.
“Oh shit, so how many people heard it do you think?” She asked.
“Enough, you’ll hear a few things I’m sure later on in the night. Just wait though; Jackson will be the biggest prick about it, if he hears.” Dan said
.
“He’s a prick anytime of the day. He doesn’t need to get a promotion to be that way. Fucking Jackson as the communication liaison with the woman’s hospital though, how fucked up is that shit?” She laughed.
“Right, I think he’ll piss someone off on his first day on the new job.” Dan laughed.
“Hell yeah, he’ll make some sort of racist and sexist remark for sure. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him go a full hour without something being said that was wrong.” She commented.
“Oh I know I can’t believe the Cap could even keep a straight face telling you he was picked over you. I mean what better person for the job then a woman? Nothing sexist meant by it, okay, so don’t go chopping my head off.” Dan held up his hands in defense.
“I agree with you Dan, don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you. If they didn’t pick me though, why him, that’s such a slap in my face. I really might go to a private security place. I mean it. One more time and I’m out of here.” She promised.
“Oh don’t say that, I’m sure sooner or later something good will come up and you’ll get it.” Dan tried to cheer her up.
“Well the Cap did say something about a new assignment for the mayor; he might be able to get me on it.” She informed him.
“Guard duty isn’t all that fun, but with the mayor it might be quite the challenge. You know he’s pissed off groups of people during his time in office.” Dan stated.
“Right, plus the fact that he is pretty sexy wouldn’t hurt either!” She commented.
“Oh look who’s being all sexist now. Plus he’s quite the playboy would you really want to be with him?” He laughed.
“I’m just saying what everyone else says. You have to admit even as a guy the mayor is sexy. Just because he’s sexy doesn’t mean I’ll fall into bed with him.” She laughed.
“Never will I admit another guy is sexy. Maybe he is good looking, but sexy, never. I can’t see you even going near him with the amount of women he’s been connected with.” Dan laughed.
“That Spanish heritage sure has helped his looks a lot. I tell you what just give me two minutes in a room looking at him and I’d be happy. I didn’t say I would sleep with him, but maybe, you never know!” She commented.
“Sounds like someone might have a bit of a crush on the mayor.” He said.
“I just appreciate men who are good looking. Why do you think I still talk to you all the time?” She stated.
“But you didn’t say I was sexy, just good looking, there is a difference!” He stated.
“Dan you know we just aren’t good as a couple. But you are a really great friend.” She stated.
“I know it just sucks being stuck in the friend zone.” He admitted.
Lalena shook her head, she didn’t have to have this conversation with him often, but sometimes it was such a pain. “I’m sorry Dan, but we tried and you know it just wasn’t something that was going to work.” She commented.
“I would have changed to please you. I swear no one would ever love you as much as I do.” Dan said.
“Please Dan; let’s not do this, not today. It’s been a really bad day for me so far, and I just don’t want any more drama.” She pleaded.
“Fine, we don’t have to do it now. But you still owe me the time to give my side of the argument.” He added.
“Some other day, okay?” She said.
He shook his head and finally said, “Yeah that’s fine. Sorry about the job.” He said and went back to his paper work.
Lalena was happy that he let it go so easily. Perhaps it was the look on her face that warned him, she wasn’t sure, but it was nice nonetheless.
She hoped that the Captain would come through on the other assignment and that it might be soon. At least if she was out of the precinct Dan wouldn’t see her all the time, and that distance might do him some good.
Chapter 2
Mayor Rico Zess looked into his mirror and straightened his tie. He was getting ready for another big dinner in his honor. “It’s tough being the big guy in a town!” He chuckled to no one else. He was the quintessential playboy; he always had a new girl on his arm wherever he went.
He thought through his list of escorts and wondered who would give the perfect statement on his arm tonight. “I think I’ll go with Jasmine, she’s the exotic sort!” He rubbed his chin and thought.
“Sally, pull up the list with pics on my computer for me please.” He yelled out to the other room. Sally was his secretary, the one person who controlled the hub of details for everything. He was lucky she was a cousin of his, or she might make problems for him.
“Tonight is the cancer dinner presentation award for your support. You want to have an attractive girl who is intelligent. Someone if asked a question won’t make you look as if you are simply screwing a blonde bimbo.” Sally told him through the door.
“Do we have any on the list that will work?” He asked her.
“I’m looking right now. Just give me a second.” Sally yelled back at him.
Rico combed through his hair with his fingers. He smiled and checked to make sure no food was in between his teeth. He was very proud of the way he looked, and he knew he was sexy. Many women had thrown themselves at him in the past, once he became mayor, it had been even worse. Not that he minded having different women on his arm; he didn’t want to settle down.
His life was full of sex, power and money, three things he loved. He had even dabbled with drugs here and there, simply because they were handed to him. Who was he to pass up something that was put in his way, as a gift? That was how the list of women had been made in the first place. Each girl on the list he had been with before, and they had been special in one way or another. Usually it had to do with their sexual expertise, but there were a few who were on the list for other reasons. Though honestly, he wasn’t sure how many there were. That was Sally’s area of expertise!
“I think Janesa is a good choice.” Sally came around the corner and said. “She’s the one you went with to, that one event two months back. It’s been long enough so she won’t get the wrong idea either.” Sally stated.
“Which one was she? There have been a few who’ve gotten the wrong idea, thought I was going to make them my wife, as if!” He laughed.
“She is the one with the long black hair, those dimples on the cheeks, beautiful smile.” Sally stated.
“So you’ve hit on her?” Rico asked.
“I’ve slept with her a few times, but nothing serious!” Sally laughed. “You know I’m just like you cousin, I love my freedom and fun!”
He laughed hard. “That’s why I hired you, you’re just like me and you understand me! So tell me more about Janesa and why you feel she’s the right choice. Or is it simply because you hope to get a piece of ass from her tomorrow?” He asked.
“Well maybe a little bit, but mostly because she is kind of smart. She’ll be able to answer something intelligently if need be, and you won’t seem like you only date airheads.” Sally commented.
“I don’t just date airheads. In fact I don’t date anyone really; I strictly try to stay with one night stands. When you get more dates than 5 in a row some women swear they are your next wife.” Rico said.
“I know, but pick Janesa; I’ll call her if you want me too.” Sally answered.
“Sure tell her to be ready at 6:30 sharp; we’ll swing by in the limo. I take it you’ll be coming along too?” He asked her.
“I was thinking about it. If you happen to find another woman at the event and want to leave Janesa alone with me, feel free to do just that.” Sally told him.
“Alright I just might do that, though it might look a little bad in the press to come with one and leave with another one.” He rubbed his chin wondering of the repercussions.
“You’ve done it before; all it does is adding to your playboy appeal. You’re top in the polls among single women and men. They love you right now!” Sally reminded him.
“But I’m taking a bit of a bea
ting in other areas. I don’t think those boys on the north side are too happy about those new business taxes. Have you set up that security detail to cover me, just in case?” He asked her.
“I’m working on it. We’ll have the officer’s assigned later on in the week. We are trying to make sure none of the one’s that we get have connections to those “businessmen”. Otherwise your security detail will be the one that gets you.” Sally told him.
“Well just get me the best you can find, you can figure out the logistics of it. I think I’ll go and grab lunch, do you need anything?” He asked.
“No I’ll set up Janesa for tonight.” Sally said as he left the office.
Rico strutted out to the restaurant next to his office. The girls in there always flirted with him, and he did his best to make sure he gave them all attention.
“Hey honey, I’ll take my usual.” He told the little brown haired waitress who came up to his table.
She smiled at him broadly and walked off with a swing of her hips. They weren’t dumb in this restaurant, the more they flaunted in front of him, and the larger their tips were usually. Sometimes he would take one of them in the back room and let them suck on him. He knew it wasn’t really a smart thing to do, but honestly it felt too good for him to stop it! He studied the waitress as she walked away and thought maybe he’d let her slob a bit on his knob today!
Chapter 3
Lalena headed out of the precinct for her shift. As she was going through the doors she ran into Jackson. He smiled at her broadly. “Hey I hear you should congratulate me!” He laughed.
“I would if I thought you deserve it.” She sneered at him.
“Oh is that any way to be with your fellow officer who is just moving up?” He asked, playing the hurt face all too well.
“Jackson, you know as well as I do that you didn’t deserve the promotion. But when you mess up, I’ll try again and this time I’ll get it.” She said lowly as she moved closer to him.