Now And Forever: Novella (Canyon Creek, Co. Book 5.5)

by Lori Ryan

  “It’s beautiful, Mom.” And it was.

  “Careful or those twins will turn into triplets when Max sees you in that,” Kayleigh said, laughing.

  “Oh God, no, please, just…no.”

  “Okay, okay, here’s ours,” Sally said, pushing through the crowd.

  It was a large bag wrapped at the top with a huge bow.

  “Is that a car seat?” Devlin asked, hoping Sally hadn’t bought her anything that pricey.

  Aunt Sally’s eyes sparkled. “Better.”

  Devlin’s skin tingled in warning.

  “Open it,” the girls urged.

  Again, against her better judgment, she ripped open the bag. Inside was a pillow of some sort, sculpted almost like an ‘S.’

  Devlin stared up at Sally in confusion. “What is it?”

  “It’s a pregnancy pillow,” Valerie said, smiling. “Sally said it’s supposed to help when you sleep.”

  “Um…Valerie,” Kayleigh said, “I hate to break it to you, but that’s no pregnancy pillow.”

  Valerie turned to stare at Kayleigh. “It’s not?”

  “Mother, how could you!” Lily shouted.

  “What?” Sally innocently held up her hands.

  “That’s a sex cushion,” Kayleigh said, bursting into laughter.

  “A what?” Valerie practically shrieked, her face washing crimson.

  “Oh hush, Valerie,” Sally said, taking the pillow from Devlin. “You see, you can turn it like this.” She turned the “pillow” around and set it on the floor.

  “Mother,” Lily screamed, pushing past the girls to take the pillow away. “None of us wants a demonstration!”

  Sally laughed.

  “Sally,” Valerie fumed, hands on hips, “did you actually make me pay for a…” she nodded toward the pillow Lily was now clutching. “…a sex pillow for my son,” she whispered as if no one else would hear her that way.

  Devlin knew she should be mortified, but a giggle erupted from deep within her.

  Valerie turned and glared at her.

  Devlin worked to keep the laughter in, pressing a hand over her mouth and shaking her head, but the harder she tried the more it burst forth until she was roaring with laughter.

  “You and Max are really going to enjoy it, Devlin,” Sally said. “When I first ordered mine, Warner and I—”

  Sally’s daughter Holly slapped her hand over her mother’s mouth. “Who fed the animal alcohol?” She asked.

  All the girls shook their heads.

  Sally pushed Holly’s hand away. “Enjoy,” she said, smiling. “But seriously, use the cover it comes with because trust me—”

  Holly clamped her hand over her mother’s mouth again.

  “Are you sure you want to join this family, Devlin?” Lily asked.

  Devlin stared around the room at all the women who were now part of her life, a life that was literally growing right before her eyes. She’d never been part of a big family, with lots of friends who cared so much about her. For so many years she’d been on her own.

  She was ready to share her life and her heart with this family.

  She reached for her mother’s hand, squeezing it tight. “Yeah, I’m completely sure.”

  Chapter Four

  “We going in the window like last time?” Aaron asked.

  They’d crashed his sister-in-law Maggie’s bridal shower just months earlier so they were experienced at this kind of espionage.

  Max rolled his eyes and shook his head. “It’s my house. I’m going in the front door.”

  “Got it,” came a collective reply.

  Max reached for the front door, surprised to find it locked when he twisted the handle. “What the hell?” He dug in his pockets, searching for his keys. “Shit.”

  “What?” Ben asked.

  “My keys are back at Ma’s.”

  Aaron crossed his arms across his chest and raised a brow.

  “All right, dipshit, what’s your tactical plan?” Ben said. They all knew Aaron had gone through ROTC

  Aaron glanced around the group with a smirk. “You and Devlin usually keep the sliding glass door around back open, would that be correct?”

  “We usually keep the front door open too,” Max pointed out.

  “Let’s go check it out.” Ben jumped off the porch.

  “Don’t mess up any of the decorations,” Max said. “I’ve been working my ass off on that back yard.”

  The men made their way around the large house, trying to keep as quiet as possible. Although with the ruckus coming from inside, remaining undetected would be easy enough to do.

  Max surveyed the backyard as it came into view. He could see why Devlin loved this property. A sprawling lawn butted up next to a large tree line, separating their property from the lodge over a hundred yards away.

  “You did all this?” Jake asked.

  “With Lily’s help,” Max said.

  Ben and Shawn cleared their throats.

  “Yes and you two dorks, too.”

  Grant stared out over the area. “Man, it looks great.”

  Even in the darkness they could see the arch that Max and Shawn had made from Douglas fir branches. In just a few hours he and Devlin would stand underneath the structure and pledge their lives to one another.

  “You ready, big man?” Jake asked, slapping his back.

  “For this,” he nodded toward the house, “or that?” He pointed to the back yard.

  “Getting married,” Jake said.

  Max grinned, the thought of Devlin finally becoming his warming him from the inside. “I’ve been ready forever, man.”

  A huge smile spread across Jake’s face. “I’m happy for you, brother.”

  “Affirmative,” Aaron said in a stage whisper from the top of the back porch. “Dwelling unsecured, we can invade the premises. Repeat, we can invade the premises.”

  Sometimes it seemed like Aaron should have been the one to go into acting instead of Grant.

  Before Max could stop them, his brothers yanked open the sliding glass door and burst into the house. Screams erupted inside and Max nearly had to cover his ears.

  “What are you doing here!” someone shrieked.

  “Get out! Get out!” Another high-pitched voice screamed.

  Max made his way through the maze of swinging arms and hands past what he hoped was the biggest part of the mob. He lifted his head to search the area. A couch pillow hit him square in the face.

  “Get out, Max!” Lily shouted. “This is a girl’s-only party.”

  “Hey, I was paged.” Max held up his phone, not showing the image Devlin had sent, but they would get the idea.

  “Devlin! You didn’t!” Maggie shouted.

  Max followed Maggie’s gaze, his eyes lighting when they fell on his soon-to-be wife.

  She sat demurely in the reclining chair he’d purchased just for her, feet propped up on the ottoman, wiggling her toes in the air.

  Fuck yeah.

  “Let’s go,” Max said, jerking his thumb to indicate the hallway.

  Lily jumped in front of him. “No way, Max. You guys are not invited. Go.” She pointed toward the back door.

  “Unless,” Kayleigh said, arms crossed, one finger tapping her temple. “We didn’t book any strippers,” she said, a playful glint in her eyes.

  “Oh, shit,” Aaron said. “I recognize that look. Abort! Abort, men!”

  “No way,” Mia said. “I do not want to see my cousins strip.”

  Max watched as all his brothers sagged in relief.

  Kayleigh only laughed. “You.” She pointed to Shawn. “You’re not related to anyone here. Ladies,” she turned to the group and Max could just make out her wink at the group of women. “Anyone want to see Braddock the Big Cock strip?”

  The poor guy’s face washed ashen as Max turned to glance behind him.

  “Collateral damage,” Aaron said, throwing Shawn to the wolves. “Sometimes it can’t be helped.”

  “I’m under a
ttack,” Shawn said, nearly squeaking as Kayleigh stalked him.

  “Wait, what the hell did you just call him?” Jake said. “Braddock the what?”

  Kayleigh waved him off. “Oh, get over it, it’s what all the girls in Canyon Creek call him.”

  “They do?” Shawn said, truly mystified.

  Max laughed as he made his way over to Devlin. Dropping down to his knees by her side, he kissed her cheek, then her belly. “How you feeling, Minx?”

  She ran a hand through his hair. “Better now that you’re here.”

  “Want to ditch this party before things get even weirder than they already are?”

  “Hell no.” Devlin wiggled back into the chair as if making herself comfortable. “We just got a stripper.”

  “I’ll give you my own show in the bedroom.”

  With more agility than he thought a pregnant woman carrying twins could muster, Devlin popped up out of the chair.

  He knew she’d been horny since he’d put a moratorium on sex. Plus he’d read enough mommy-to-be blogs to know her hormones were on high alert. With the note from the doctor, Max might be ready to give in.

  Max scooped up his bride-to-be, peaking into one of the gift bags. Bingo. Lingerie.

  He grabbed the bag and headed for the stairs.

  “Uh-uh,” Kayleigh called out, waving her hand. “You two are not leaving for a midnight booty call.”

  “Watch me,” Max called over his shoulder.

  The bass beat of the song echoed through the living room and Devlin glanced over his shoulder. “I think I want to stay for the show.”

  Max turned, a pang of guilt hitting him for feeding Shawn to the wolves.

  “Take it off,” Kayleigh yelled, reaching for Shawn’s shirt.

  “Kayleigh!” Aaron yelled, pulling her away.

  “Lily!” Kayleigh called out as his brother pulled his girlfriend back. “You do it.”

  Max ignored it all as he carried Devlin. He stared down at her caramel-colored eyes, pupils dilated, lids lowered as her long dark lashes fluttered against her smooth skin.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  She smiled, dimples creasing either side of her delicious mouth.

  Screams erupted behind them.

  Max turned to see poor Shawn, standing shirtless, hands behind his head as he flexed his muscles.

  “Take it all off,” someone called. Shit, it was Daisy, his usually quiet, demure cousin.

  “Off with the jeans!” Mia yelled.

  “Off with the jeans! Off with the jeans!” the rest of the women chanted.

  Shawn glanced at Max, his eyes narrowed, lips pursed.

  “I owe you one, buddy,” Max called out.

  One-dollar bills began to hit Shawn in the face.

  “More like a million, asshole,” Shawn said.

  Max chuckled as he turned and headed upstairs with Devlin in his arms. Their own bedroom was too close to the party, but there was a guest room up on the third floor that would give them all the privacy they needed.

  “You sure you still want to join this motley crew?” he asked.

  She laid her head on his shoulder, the scent of her shampoo teasing him. “Very sure,” she said. “Very sure.”

  Max didn’t know it was possible to feel so much love, his heart swelling so large he feared it might explode. He carried three of the most precious lives in his arms. This time tomorrow, Devlin would be his. Forever.

  Chapter Five

  Max gently laid Devlin on the bed, eyeing the dress she had on. It seemed to wrap around her with a tie above her belly. Max reached out and tugged at the bow, taking his time.

  “Fuck,” he moaned when the material fell apart revealing delicate peach colored panties and bra covering her.

  “Do you like it?” she asked.

  He glanced down between his legs. “Isn’t it obvious?”

  She followed his gaze. Oh wow.

  Max lowered himself over her, pushing aside the edges of the dress so he could see more of her. “Just when I think you can’t get any more beautiful, you surprise me, Devlin Darby.”

  She smiled, blushing a little. Max had always made her feel beautiful, despite the fact she was as big as a barn and getting larger every day.

  “I love you so much, Devlin. I know this isn’t what you wanted, or how you saw your life unfolding, but I have to tell you, you’re making me the happiest man on earth by becoming my wife.” His hands slid down to her stomach. “By giving me these children.” His eyes met hers. “By sharing your heart and your life with me. I promise to always protect it. And you. And the babies.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. Never had she thought she’d find a man so kind and selfless as Max. He’d given up everything to be there for her and the babies.

  “I’ll protect yours too,” she said, pressing her hand against his massive chest.

  He pulled her hand away and kissed her palm. “I know you will.” He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against her lips. Usually their love-making was ferociously heated but tonight she felt different. Max felt different. She was revered, treasured, truly loved.

  “I’m starting to realize there’s a difference between not planning on something and not wanting it,” Devlin said, keeping her gaze locked on his. “I might not have planned for this with you, Max, but sometimes, you don’t know what you want until it happens. I want this with you. I want our marriage, and our love, and our family.”

  “Dev,” he said, his voice gravelly with the emotion of it. He kissed her belly and she stroked his hair.

  “Now, make love to me,” she whispered. “Please.”

  He sat up and growled, lifting her with ease and placing her further back on the bed before looming over her. His hands skimmed down the sides of her belly, down to her hip and lower, slipping her panties completely off.

  “Jesus, Devlin, you’re so fucking hot. This might be faster than you want it to be.”

  She held out her hand, needing him more than just physically. “I think the vows say I have you forever, Maxwell.”

  He laughed as he lifted a knee and crawled onto the bed.

  She held out her hands. “Come here,” she said softly. “I need you.”

  His expression turned serious.

  “What?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I love being needed, by you.”

  “Come here,” she said, reaching out her hands.

  Slowly he undressed, his eyes darting back and forth as he stared down at her.

  “I need you,” she whispered. “I need you so much it scares me, Max.”

  A small smile spread across his delicious mouth.

  “I need you too, Devlin.” He lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers.

  She tilted her head, slipping her hands into his hair, holding him to her as if he would drift away.

  Max pressed into her, deepening the kiss as he slowly slid inside her.

  She moaned against his mouth. She’d never felt anything so perfect as Max Sumner buried deep inside her. They moved together, their bodies rising to orgasm so quickly, it was almost laughable. That was apparently what pregnancy hormones, and several months of celibacy would do.

  When they were spent from lovemaking, Max molded his body to hers, wrapping her tightly against him. As their breathing slowed he stared down at her.

  “I love you, Devlin Sumner.” He kissed her gently then pulled back.

  “I’m not a Sumner yet.”

  “You’ve been mine since the first moment I met you in that Karaoke bar. And you’ll be mine until I take my last breath.”

  Tears streamed from her eyes.

  “Happy tears?” he asked.

  She nodded. Her heart was in her throat, pounding so hard she couldn’t speak.

  He moved to pull away but she clutched him. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered, surprised by her own desperation.

  “Never, Minx.” He kissed her nose, her cheeks, her temples. “You’re mine. Now
and forever.”

  Chapter Six

  Max opened his eyes, taking in the flowered wallpaper and the window in the wrong spot on the wall. He was in the guest room. He smiled down at Devlin in his arms. That’s right. They were in the guest room because their house had been filled with people last night. Which meant today was…

  His wedding day.

  He blinked his eyes open, staring down at Devlin, who was awake and watching him.

  “Want to get married today?” he asked softly.

  She nodded and smiled. “Why not.”

  He bent to kiss her but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “Rise and shine, kiddos!” Aunt Sally called. “Bad luck for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day. You’ve got two minutes to get your ass downstairs, Max, or I’m coming in.”

  “You owe me a dollar!” Max heard Becca call from what sounded like the hall beneath them. Jeez, the girl had the hearing abilities of an elephant.

  “You better go,” Devlin said, pushing him out of the bed.

  Max pressed a kiss to her temple, then grabbed his clothes and tossed Devlin’s dress her way.

  When they were both clothed, he opened the door to find Sally with her hands on her hips.

  “I need two seconds, Aunt Sally.” He leaned out the door. “Hey, Half Pint, come up here! I’ve got a present for you!”

  Becca came racing up the steps at a speed that had him and his aunt holding their breath.

  “You do?” Her eyes were wide as she looked at him.

  God, he loved this little girl. He couldn’t imagine what he would feel when his own children were born.

  “You need to turn around,” he said.

  Aunt Sally reached for Becca and, turning, placed Becca in front of her, her back to Aunt Sally’s front. “You’ve got exactly five seconds before I castrate you, Max,” she hissed. “You need to get out of here before you jinx this whole day!”

  “What does castrate mean?” Becca asked.

  Max choked back a laugh. “It’s not a nice word, Becca. You should charge Aunt Sally five dollars for that one.”