by JJ Ellis
“I love you too, Jayna,” he murmured as he swiftly flipped her over onto her back. “I never thought it was possible…”
“Shh,” she said, moving her fingers into his hair. "I already know.”
Their lips met in a deep, searching kiss as Logan started to move inside of her. “Jesus, this is…you are… so perfect,” he gasped, his thrusts becoming steadier, more insistent.
Jayna’s hands ran down his back, her thrusts keeping time with his. A tear escaped her eye before she could stop it and Logan brushed it away with his lips. “What’s wrong?” he whispered in her ear.
“Absolutely nothing, Logan. Everything is perfect.”
His lips met hers as their bodies continued to move together. Each time he thrust deeper into her, he heard her whimper and felt her fingers digging into his back. Her eyes fluttered closed and he reined himself in. His movements nearly stopped.
Jayna’s eyes flew open and Logan was smiling down at her. “Don’t close your eyes.” He thrust forward the pulled back slowly only to thrust forward again, looking into her eyes the whole time.
Gradually increasing his pace, he saw each change in her eyes as her pleasure grew. Finally, hard, fast thrusts had her eyes trying to flutter closed.
“Stay with me,” he gasped. “I want to see your eyes when you come.”
Jayna wrapped her legs around his hips, giving herself completely to him. When her body started to throb, she forced her eyes to stay trained on his. She knew that the look of love, old pain, and pleasure in his eyes was exactly what he was seeing in hers.
Unable to control it any longer, her eyes tried to close and she called out to Logan as her body pulsed and her muscles clenched around him.
He also give up the fight and his eyes fluttered shut as he came inside of her. The memory of the look in her eyes would be forever etched in his mind.
**********
Jayna lie in Logan’s arms crying and all he could do was hold her. He didn’t want to think that maybe his out-of-control desire for her had pushed her into doing something too soon. “I’m sorry,” he whispered to her.
“It’s not…you,” she sobbed quietly.
“Then what is it? Talk to me, Sleeping Beauty.”
“It’s never been quite like this before,” she murmured, snuggling closer to him. "Even before he started treating me like a toy, to play with how he wished, it wasn’t like this.”
“I’ve never had an experience like this either,” he said, stroking her arm. "I didn’t even know it was possible. I thought making love was something that only happened in romance novels."
Jayna giggled. “I always thought my expectations where Reggie was concerned were warped by my love of a good contemporary fiction romance. I didn’t know it could actually be this good.”
They laid silent for a while then Logan turned onto his side and stared into Jayna’s eyes. “Do you think Reggie boy would get mad if I sent him a thank you card for making me look so good in the bedroom?”
A sly smile formed on Jayna’s face just seconds before she burst into laughter. Logan quieted her by covering her mouth with his.
Epilogue
July 1, 2015
Logan, Jayna and CJ had returned to Harper’s Rock three days after they were reunited. They settled into life on the ranch and at the grocery store, where Jayna took over the bookkeeping.
Often speaking of eventually marrying, they continued on with their lives and a routine they cherished. That is until one hot July day, when Logan woke up to Jayna’s sweet voice. When he opened his eyes, she was standing by the bed with a tray filled with his favorite breakfast foods. He sat up and leaned against the headboard and she set the tray over his legs.
“What’s this for?” he asked in surprise.
“It’s just because I love you.”
“Thank you,” he said softly, reaching out for her hand. He placed a quick kiss on her palm then started to eat.
“Logan?” she hedged after a few minutes of silence.
“Yeah, what’s up? It looks like you have something on your mind.”
Jayna’s eyes shifted away from him and then back. “You know how you always said we’d get married when I was ready?”
“Of course I do.” His heart thundered in his chest. He knew exactly what she was about to do.
“I’m ready,” she whispered, leaning across the tray to kiss him. “Will you marry me, Logan?”
A smile spread slowly across his face. “Of course I’ll marry you. Because you helped me to do what I thought wasn’t possible. You helped me to care again…to love.”
November 1, 2015
Jayna and Logan exchanged vows in front of friends and family at the Harper ranch. The horses were housed in the temporary stable that had been built when the barn was re-done, and the refurbished building was turned into a beautiful, rustic wedding venue.
Jayna, in a mermaid-style silk and lace gown, was walked down the aisle by Deb’s husband Jackson who handed her off to a smiling Logan. He seemed completely relaxed in his black tuxedo. Even his bride-to-be was surprised at how comfortable he seemed. Although he wished his oldest brother and father could be there, he knew they were watching and that was enough for him.
The ceremony went by in a blur of emotions. The bride and groom both had tears in their eyes as they pledged their forever undying love for each other. Logan held a now one-year-old CJ in his arms as they took turns reciting their vows. When they walked back down the aisle together, as a family, the past was left at the alter and their future seemed as bright as the sunny day that marked their wedding.
Guests were invited to stay for a dinner feast and many went outside to enjoy the beautiful, unseasonably warm November day.
“Hey brother!” Russell called out as he caught up with the groom. “Congratulations, man. You don’t know how happy we are to be able to share this day with you.”
“Even though you lost a bet over whether I would ever fall in love and tie the knot?”
Russell grinned sheepishly. “You knew about that, huh?”
“Man, this is Harper’s Rock. Everybody knew.”
“At least I didn’t lose any money over this,” Russell chuckled. “Both Dylan and I agreed that it would never happen.”
Logan laughed and pulled Jayna close to his side. “All it took was the right person and words whispered on a breeze.”
Russell looked questioningly at his brother then turned to Jayna. “Welcome to the family…you know they say that anyone who willingly comes in of their own free will is crazy.”
“Then I must be crazy,” Jayna said with a smile. “Because I was totally willing and I’m starting to feel a little bit insane.”
“See, I told you,” Russell joked as he kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go get seated for dinner. Congrats again brother.”
Logan and Russell shook hands then the older brother headed back to the barn.
“Can we leave yet?” Jayna asked.
“My mother would kill us both.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “Nah, she’d have CJ to keep her busy.”
“Hmmm….”
“Hey you two, shift it into gear, dinner is about to be served and you are the guests of honor!” came Evelyn’s voice. CJ seconded the sentiment with a couple of excited squeals from his grandmother’s arms.
“Come on, it’s time to join the party,” Logan said with a reluctant sigh. “Don’t worry, it won’t be long until we are alone in our home. And then tomorrow we get to fly away from here for a few days.”
Jayna followed him with a smile on her face.
Dinner was a choice of beef, chicken, or a vegetarian casserole and the barn was abuzz with noise as everyone enjoyed their catered dinners. As things were winding down, Russell and Dylan both stood to make toasts to their brother and his new bride. By the time the toasts were over, it was time to throw the bouquet and garter. Russell was the lucky man who caught the garter and his girlfriend Emily caught t
he bouquet. Logan couldn’t help but tease them that it must have been fixed because their wedding was coming up soon.
“Can I have your attention please,” Evelyn said loudly. “It’s time to cut the cake and because we have a little one involved, we’ve decided to do things a bit differently this time. Can we have Logan, Jayna and CJ up here please?"
The little family walked up to stand next to the large four-tiered cake. Sitting next to it was a small ‘smash’ cake with the same decorations as the main one. “Instead of the bride and groom smashing each other in the face with cake, we figured we would leave the smashing to CJ,” Evelyn announced.
Logan set his son down in front of the little cake and encouraged him to dig in. And that it exactly what he did. Within three minutes, CJ was covered nearly from head to toe in cake and icing. It didn’t take much longer for the bride and groom to also have their faces covered.
The speakers suddenly crackled to life and music started to play. “It’s time for the bride and groom to have the first dance,” the DJ called out.
“May I have this dance, Mrs. Harper?” Logan asked.
“You may, Mr. Harper.”
They made their way onto the dance floor and Logan took his bride into his arms. “So how does it feel to be married, Sleeping Beauty?” he asked quietly.
“It feels wonderful,” she answered before pulling him in for a brief kiss.
“Thank you,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“For what, sweetheart? All I did was show up. You did all of the hard work to come back to life again.”
“But you were my reason,” he murmured. “You are my reason to live.”
“I love you so much, Logan,”
“I love you too, my Sleeping Beauty. Forever and ever.”
Soon other couples hit the dance floor and the party continued on into the wee hours of the night. By one a.m. Jayna and Logan were ready to call it quits. Russell brought Digger to the entrance to the barn, and Logan helped Jayna on sidesaddle then climbed up himself. The cheers were a loud roar as the newlywed couple rode across the ranch to their forever home.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
JJ and TA Ellis are a husband and wife writing team. JJ is a bestselling author who writes full time while TA works in audits at a major wholesaler. They have five kids ranging from adult to preschooler and live the simple life in Casper, Wyoming.
Check out JJ’s other books The Sunset Destiny Novels and JJ & TA’s prequel to that series - The Heart of Alaska You can find their bookstore at http://www.jjandtaellis.weebly.com
Book 1 in the Harper’s Rock series, Russell’s Return, is now available. The books do not need to be read in order as they are standalone novels – each is about a different Harper brother.
Amazon Sunset Destiny Romances Complete Collection
Amazon Deception in Denali Jackson's Story
Amazon Wild Waves Vanessa's Story
Amazon Stormy Seas Abigail's Story
Amazon Alaskan Ambush Olivia's Story
Amazon Virgin Voyage Mari's Story
Amazon The Heart of Alaska
Amazon Russell’s Return