I sat up straighter. “That’s not what this is. An investment fund invests in worthwhile ventures, like our family’s future. As your older brother—”
Val held up a hand. “You can’t play the older brother card on me. We’re twins.”
“Still fifteen minutes older than you,” I reminded her. “And still 500 percent more stubborn than you.”
Val shook her head, but I saw the small smile playing on her lips. The development of the line for the department store chain was progressing well, but if she took my offer, she could expand sooner.
“At least wait until we finish dessert to start attacking my defenses,” she said.
Maddie laughed, smiling at me. “Come on, Val. Your brother is a man of opportunity. He sees an opening, he takes it.”
“By the way, the offer extends to you too, Maddie.”
She gasped, squeezing my hand. When I told her about my plans, I’d skipped the part where I could invest in her business. Now, when she’d openly agreed that my fund was a great idea, was the best time to bring it up.
“We don’t have to discuss specifics now. I just wanted everything out in the open, give you all food for thought,” I said.
“That was sneaky,” Maddie commented a few minutes later as we headed to the kitchen. We’d offered to bring the dessert to the table.
“I disagree. It was smart. Just think about it, babe.”
She took the tiramisu out of the fridge, setting the tray on the counter. I was supposed to take out the plates, but instead I pushed her hair to the side, kissing the back of her neck. She shuddered, her skin instantly turning to goose bumps.
“Landon, stop.”
“Why, you don’t like it?” I teased.
“I like it too much, you terrible man. Stop.” She fidgeted as if trying to break free, but her attempt was so halfhearted, it only made me smile. But I did stop and spun her around to face me.
“We need to talk about you not being on my side.”
She pinched her nose, poking my chest with one finger. “If I see Neanderthal attitude, I have to call you out on it.”
I grabbed her wrist, kissed her finger. “You didn’t seem to mind that attitude this morning.”
She’d tried to tease me this morning, walking half-naked around the kitchen. Emphasis on tried. I loved her so hard on that counter, it creaked with our movements.
“I can’t believe you’re using that as bargaining chip. You’re even more terrible than I thought. First you get me to fall in love, now you show your true colors. Typical. You almost demolished my kitchen this morning.” She was so adorable that I had a hard time keeping a straight face.
“About that…. I like your bungalow, but it’s small. I want to build a big house on that lot of land we both love so much. Could you draw up a plan?”
“I’d love to, but it’s been years since I worked on anything other than outdoor spaces. I can recommend a top-notch architect.”
“But you’ll help? I want you to plan it just the way you want it. It will be our home.”
“Our home?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, Maddie. Our home. I want you to be my wife. And—”
I stopped, but too late.
“Landon,” she whispered, her eyes wide.
There went my grand plan to wait and do it with a ring and right atmosphere and everything. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Maddie. Will you marry me?”
“Of course I will. I love you.”
“I’ll wait for as long as you want, but… I’d really like our life together to start soon.”
She sneaked her arms around my torso. I hugged her tight, then even tighter as she said, “You don’t have to wait at all, Landon. I love you. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Epilogue
Maddie
Three months later
Out of all the things I imagined doing on my wedding day, taking a pregnancy test wasn’t on the list.
My period was three weeks late. In the beginning I’d chalked it up to my stress level going through the roof with the wedding preparations. A week ago I started feeling nauseous in the mornings. I’d put it up to more nerves. But today I’d almost fainted while having my hair done. I’d sent Grace to buy a test right away.
The wedding was taking place in one of the finest beach hotels in the Los Angeles area. Landon and I each had separate rooms to dress in. He’d arranged for an entire team of hair and makeup artists to come here for me, and they’d worked their magic for hours. They were all gone now, though. It was just Grace and me.
“Maddie, come on! I’m dying here,” Grace exclaimed from the other side of the bathroom door. I blinked at the test, then blinked some more. Grace had bought me one of those that displayed “pregnant” or “not pregnant.”
Mine showed “pregnant.” I tried to blink back the tears of joy but couldn’t. My entire body was alive with happiness. I’d hoped from the first signs, even though it was unplanned. The test didn’t say how far along I was, but I was almost certain I could trace the date baby Connor was conceived to the evening Landon signed the papers for selling his company. It was a good thing construction on the new house had started already.
I opened the door, holding the test with the display toward Grace. She shrieked, jumping up and down.
“I’m going to be an aunt! Congratulations.” She hugged me tight, then pulled back abruptly.
“You can’t cry, Maddie. Your makeup—”
“I need to tell Landon.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now. I want him to know before we say our vows.”
“Okay. I’m going after the makeup lady. She said she’d drink a coffee in the lobby before leaving. You go to Landon’s room. But you only have ten minutes, tops. Then I need you back here so we can fix your makeup and get you dressed. I looked over the schedule Lori set up. There is no time for sexy activities. Or fixing post-sexy-activities hair.” My hair was styled in a half updo, with loose waves under an intricately twisted bun. No way would I risk that getting messed up.
Nodding, I fastened the white silk robe tighter around me, pocketed the test, and dashed out of the room.
Landon’s room was one floor below. As our wedding planner, Lori had decreed we couldn’t be on the same floor. What if we bumped into each other? Bad luck seeing the bride in her dress before the altar and all that. I suddenly hoped I wouldn’t run into Lori. She and Grace were scary today.
I could barely contain my grin when I knocked on Landon’s door. It swung open the next second… and I came face-to-face with Lori.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered. “Landon can’t see you.”
“I’m not wearing my wedding dress. And I need to talk to him.”
“Is everything okay? Your makeup—”
“Lori, who’s at the door?” Landon’s voice came from inside.
“Maddie,” I said loudly before Lori could channel Grace too much.
Landon appeared at the door in a blink. He was further along the dressing process than I was, already wearing his sleek black tux, his white shirt underneath. His green eyes stood out. God, was my man handsome. I wondered how many seconds it would take to peel it off him. Grace’s warning rang in my ears. Hmm, I could climb him even with the tux on, but could I risk wrinkling the shirt? Nope. No time.
“Maddie, what’s wrong?” he asked as I stepped inside.
“Nothing. I just need to talk to you real quick.” I looked at Lori. “Ten minutes, I promise. I know we’re on a schedule.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you in your room. Actually, I’ll go find the makeup lady.”
The corners of my mouth twitched. “Grace is already on it.”
Lori took off with a nod. Once we were alone, my heart leaped into my throat. Traitorous little organ. How was I supposed to keep my voice even now?
I didn’t trust myself not to blubber while saying the words, so I took his hand and led him to the couch.
The
n I retrieved the test from my pocket, holding it for him to read.
“We’re going to have a baby.” His voice broke on the last word. And then there were no more words. He brought his mouth down to mine and kissed me fiercely. I pulled him to me, needing to feel him flush against me.
“You have no idea how happy you just made me, Maddie.”
Oh, I did know. That’s why I’d wanted to tell him now.
He lowered a hand to my belly. “I will love both of you so much.”
I had no doubt, because no one had more love to give than Landon. I still couldn’t believe this was my life, that this wonderful man would soon become my husband, and that a little bundle of joy was already on his or her way.
“Are you hoping it’s a boy or a girl?” I asked, running my hands through his hair.
Since his face and hair were the only places I could touch him without ruining the wedding outfit, I planned to take thorough advantage. I settled more comfortably between the armrest and the backrest.
“I don’t have a preference. I just want it to be healthy.” On a frown, he added, “Is all that physical work you do safe for both of you?”
Oh boy. We had nine long months ahead of us if he was already flexing his protective muscles. I loved that side of him, but I couldn’t own up to that. I had the good sense to keep that tidbit of information to myself. Besides, Elise and I had formalized our business partnership last month. We were already in talks with David Hooper about a future residential project he had in mind.
“Yes, yes it is. But if you want to make sure I relax, might I suggest date nights?”
“Sure.”
Well, that was easy.
“Breakfast in bed?”
“Anything you want, Maddie.”
Now that was such a dangerous statement to make, really. He probably thought I’d exercise self-restraint or at least common decency in my requests. I planned on zero decency. He could forget restraint altogether.
He leaned in for another kiss. It was even fiercer than the first one. Hotter. Deeper.
I felt his hand skim up my thigh, and we both groaned when he reached the lacy frills of my panties.
Grace’s warning flew out of my mind, as did our time constraints. But a loud knock at the door brought both back into focus. We scrambled to our feet, trying not to look too guilty.
“Who do you think it is? I vote Grace,” I whispered.
Landon considered this for a few seconds. “Nah, I’m sure it’s Lori.”
It turned out to be Hailey. She was wearing a beautiful red silk dress, her hair hanging in waves on one side.
“You two are lucky I showed up here. You owe me for saving you from Lori and Grace.”
I barely managed to wave at Landon before she whisked me away.
My room erupted in cheers when Hailey and I entered. Val and Lori were grinning from ear to ear.
Grace gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I had to tell them.”
“You had to, huh?”
Grace winked. “You try surviving a Connor ambush.”
They pulled me into a group hug, which lasted exactly ten seconds before Lori cried, “Time’s up. Her makeup needs retouching.”
Yep, hugs were timed too. The makeup artist, Sheila, was waiting in the same spot she’d applied my cosmetics first, next to the vanity in the corner of the room.
While she focused on my face, she interrogated the girls.
“None of you are married?” she asked. They answered in a chorus of “No.”
Sheila chuckled. “Wedding season is open now. Bet you’ll all follow in Maddie’s steps.”
I peeked open one eye, looked at the Connor girls and my sister.
“Well, it won’t be me,” Lori said. “I’ve got Milo to focus on. No place for another man.”
“That’s lousy logic,” Val said. I grinned, secretly agreeing with her.
“When’s the last time you were on a date?” Hailey asked.
Lori sighed. “Years. Years! But don’t tell Landon that. I might have misled him to think otherwise because he was nagging.”
I caught Lori looking at my engagement ring longingly. Mental note: What Lori says is not what Lori wants.
“Are the other brothers as handsome as the groom?” Sheila asked while reapplying my mascara.
“Oh, they are,” Hailey said. “We might be biased, but….”
Grace looked up from her phone, where I bet she was checking the schedule. “I’m not biased. And I can vouch for that. This family has great genes.”
Sheila smiled, finally releasing me. “Well, my job’s done here. But I bet I’ll be back for a new wedding in no time at all. I’ve seen that happen so many times. First one in a group gets married, then the rest fall like dominoes.”
“Okay, time to dress the bride,” Grace announced.
I smiled the entire time the girls helped me in my dress. I couldn’t stop touching it. It was so pretty, a trumpet silhouette with a sweetheart neckline covered in Chantilly lace. It was fitted around my body and flared out midthigh.
My nerves kicked in when I stepped out on the terrace where the ceremony was taking place. It was a perfect day. Sunny, warm, with a gentle breeze coming in from the ocean cooling my skin.
Our guests were already sitting on the white chairs arranged in straight rows. The sheer number of guests was huge, given how many cousins the Connors had. The entire Bennett clan had flown in from San Francisco.
I swept my gaze over to the wedding arch adorned with flowers and a white veil, and the man waiting beneath it. The anxiety melted away. When we made eye contact, he was all I saw.
My parents had flown in for the occasion, and Dad gave me to Landon, who kissed my hand, murmuring, “I love you, beautiful.”
The pastor welcomed everyone, starting the ceremony. Landon held my gaze the entire time. My heart was bursting with love for this handsome man standing before me, ready to tie his life to mine. The wind had ruffled Landon’s black hair, and I pushed two strands away from his forehead before we exchanged rings.
“And now the vows,” the pastor announced.
Landon held my hands firmly in his, joy dancing in his green eyes.
“Maddie, my vows to you are not just a promise, but a privilege. I vow to love and respect you my entire life.”
“I vow to be worthy of your love,” I replied.
“I promise to care for you and spoil you every day.” He kissed my hands, and emotion rose in my throat.
“Landon, I promise to be your best friend, your partner, your ally, your lover.”
“I promise to be right next to you when you chase your dreams.”
“I promise to be your biggest supporter.”
“I promise to out-stubborn you even when you give me your best.”
I grinned. “I promise to let you think you won an argument once in a while.”
The guests laughed, and even the pastor chuckled. We were both misty-eyed as he declared us husband and wife, and then Landon kissed me softly.
“I can’t wait to make you happy for the rest of our lives, lovely wife,” he whispered.
“I can’t wait to return the favor, husband of mine.”
We turned to face our guests, and I caught a glimpse of Lori watching us with tears in her eyes. She dabbed at the corners, smiling and whispering, “I love weddings.”
I smiled back, making a mental note to be sneaky when the time came to gather all the single ladies and throw my bouquet. I planned to throw it in Lori’s direction.
Dear Reader,
This is the end of Landon and Maddie’s story. Lori Connor’s story, Wild With You, is available on all retailers. Buy it at Amazon.
There are SEVEN other sexy alpha billionaires in this box set. Want to discover another heartthrob? Read on.
At Any Price
A Gaming the System Novel
Brenna Aubrey
For Jeff, my rock
Achievement Unlocked: Geek Virgin
&nbs
p; When Mia Strong, proud geek-girl and popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.
It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills.
Difficulty Level: Millionaire CEO
Adam Drake, the enigmatic auction winner, is a software prodigy who made his first million at seventeen. Now, in his mid-twenties, he's sexy, driven and—as CEO of his own gaming company—he's used to making the rules. Before Mia knows what's happening, he's found the loophole in the rules of her auction. Every stipulation she's made to protect her heart gets tossed by the wayside.
She can't tell if he's playing her...or if he's playing for keeps.
Table of Contents
At Any Price
The Manifesto
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
The Manifesto
“A Virgin’s Manifesto”—Posted on the blog of Girl Geek.
I will shock most of you, I think, by stating that at the nearly unthinkable age of twenty-two, I still possess an intact hymen. No, I won’t answer any questions about why this is. Yes, I am heterosexual. No, I won’t go out on a date with you.
Throughout history there has been a global truth established that a woman has higher personal value if she has kept herself “pure” until she reaches the married state. It is ubiquitous across all cultures.
In certain countries, that value is more than moral or philosophical; it’s monetary. In India, for example, a husband expects to pay a bride-wealth to his bride’s family in exchange for her purity.
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