by Ella Miles
Luca stops kissing me with his eyes wide open, and he stares from my eyes to my stomach. “You’re pregnant?”
Tears start rolling gently down my cheeks as I see them falling down his.
“I’m pregnant.”
* * *
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Epilogue
Luca
“Skye should be here any minute with a surprise for you,” Ivy says with a mischievous grin on her face.
She goes back to combing her hair in the mirror while I stand up from the couch and walk over to her, putting my arms around her large belly as I kiss her on the cheek.
“You know, I think I’ve really had enough surprises for a lifetime. Just tell me.”
“No. I want to see the expression on your face when you see the surprise. It’s a good surprise anyway.”
I sigh, knowing that there is no way that Ivy is going to tell me the surprise. I sink back into the couch while Ivy continues to get ready.
“You know, we have staff that we specifically hired to do your hair and makeup, right?”
Ivy smiles as she looks at me in the mirror. “I know, but tonight is just going to be close family, and I don’t mind doing it myself.”
“But you shouldn’t have to lift a finger, not in your state.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m pregnant, not sick. I can do plenty of things myself.”
I glance at my watch that tells me that Skye should be here any second. “I can’t wait to see Sophie and the other dogs. I bet Sophie has gotten so big by now,” I say.
“I bet she has,” Ivy says with a large grin on her face.
We hear a knock on the door, followed by Thomas saying, “Skye has arrived.”
But, before I can get up to go to the door, the door bursts open as Skye and all the dogs and cats come tumbling in. She even brought Ivy’s turtle. The dogs and cats all run over to attack Ivy, but I don’t see Sophie in the bunch.
I turn to Skye. “Where’s Sophie?”
Skye’s eyes go from me to the largest dog in the group.
“Oh my God,” I say when I see her.
At the sound of my voice, Sophie comes running over, tackling me to the ground. “You’ve gotten huge, buddy,” I say as she licks my face while I wrestle on the floor with her. “I didn’t think German shepherds were supposed to get this big.”
Skye laughs. “You thought she was a German shepherd this whole time? Oh, you’re evil, Ivy,” Skye says.
Ivy laughs. “She is a Great Dane and St. Bernard mix. That’s why she’s so big.”
I look at Sophie. “Well, it’s a good thing the castle is so big then.”
Ivy’s eyes light up. “Does that mean we can get more animals?”
“Why not?” I say, giving in.
“Who knew that I could save my animals by being a princess?” Ivy says.
I laugh as I walk over and give her a kiss. I hear another knock on the door, and then Margaret comes in.
Margaret glances around the room and looks over at Ivy. “Can I have a few moments alone with you, Ivy?”
I raise my eyebrows, surprised that she asked permission from Ivy instead of commanding it.
“Of course,” Ivy says seriously.
I look back and forth between the two women. “What’s going on?” I ask.
Margaret looks at me. “Can’t a future mother-in-law talk with her future daughter-in-law about plans for the nursery without getting questioned?”
“No, you can’t.”
Margaret rolls her eyes and walks over to kiss me on the cheek. “You worry too much. I just want some alone time tonight with Ivy to talk with her before you two get married. Just mother-to-daughter type stuff since Ivy doesn’t have a mother.”
My eyes dart between all three women who are clearly hiding something from me. And it doesn’t feel like they’re hiding something good. Unfortunately, I trust all three of these women with everything that I have. So, if they say they need time alone, then I’ll give it to them.
Ivy
I’m anxious as I sit next to Luca at what is basically a rehearsal dinner tonight. Margaret and I have a plan to fix things that have long needed fixing. But I know Luca is going to hate the plan. And he’ll kill us both for doing it if the plan goes south. But we don’t have a lot of choices left. If I want to keep my family together, this is our best shot at doing so.
“What did you and Margaret talk about?” Skye asks, who is sitting on my left. She ended up taking the dogs outside after Luca left so that Margaret and I could talk in private.
She’s also clueless to the plan because she would also kill me if she knew. Margaret and I are the only ones who are willing to make significant sacrifices to protect our family.
“She just commented on the fact that she wanted your hair to be normal-colored and for your piercings to be gone tomorrow for the wedding.”
Skye frowns. “Why? I thought it was going to be a small, private wedding.”
“It is. But the pictures are still going to be all over everything. So, she’d rather you looked like a normal human being.”
Skye rolls her eyes. “Who wants normal? And it’s not like you don’t have piercings as well.”
“Yeah, but mine aren’t visible in pictures, you rebel.”
Dessert is served, and I know that’s my cue to enact the plan.
I lean over toward Luca’s chair. “I have to go pee. I’ll be right back,” I say as nonchalantly as I can before kissing him on the cheek.
Luca suspiciously looks at me the same way he’s been looking at me all night. He knows that something is up. But he nods, and I get up from the table, my pregnant belly very obvious to our small table and the guests who are just close family and friends.
I walk to the restroom and then wait. I’ve set the trap now. I just have to wait to see if he’ll take the bait.
I go into one of the stalls because I actually do have to pee, and when I come back out, I take my time with washing my hands. But no one has come for me. I’m beginning to think the plan won’t work when I walk back out of the restroom.
I take my time and walk the long way back to the dining room when I feel a hand go around my mouth and another wrap around my waist, pulling me hard, backward. I try to scream, but I can’t. His hand is placed firmly over my nose and mouth. I realize quickly when I cough that he’s using a cloth to cover my nose and mouth, and it has some scent on it that is making me feel more and more light-headed by the second.
Shit.
We didn’t think this through well enough. If whatever drug is on here does anything to the baby, I’ll never forgive myself. That is, if I even have long enough for that to happen.
I try to remember what the plan was. We had a safety net. A way to call for security when they tried to kidnap and kill me. But what was it? I can’t remember. All I can feel is the pain and burning in my throat and nose as he continues to drag me backward, away from the roomful of people.
I claw at his hands, trying to get them away from my mouth, but he pushes my hands away. I feel the bracelet slide up and down on my arm, and that’s when I remember. I grab for my bracelet, pushing the button that signals to the security team that I need help. But I’m afraid it’s too late because I feel myself drifting off into a deep sleep.
Luca
Ivy’s eyes open, and I can breathe again. I throw my arms around her while I kiss every inch of her face and body that’s visible beneath the sheets wrapped around her.
“You scared me to death,” I say.
Ivy blinks, clearly confused. “What happened? All I remember is being at dinner.”
I shake my head. “You did what you always do, Ivy. Saved us.”
Her eyes widen, but I still think she doesn’t remember.
“I can tell you this much. I’m never leaving you and Margaret alone in a room together again. All you do is come up with horrible plans to get you both killed.”
She stares at me with a blank expression on her face. I lean down a
nd softly kiss her on the lips.
“You set a trap to get my great-uncle to try to kidnap you and kill you so that he could be caught red-handed and thrown in jail for the rest of his life.”
“Oh my God. I remember now. He drugged me with something. The baby!”
“Shh…” I say. I stroke her face, trying to get her to calm down and lie back in bed. “The baby’s fine. The doctor said that not enough of the drug got into your system. And that you were most likely dehydrated to begin with, which is why you passed out.”
“Thank God.”
“Yes, thank God that you’re both safe because I don’t know what I would have done without either of you. And, just so you know, I’m not leaving your side for a second ever again, and neither is Andy,” I say, glancing over my shoulder.
“Nope, I’m your permanent shadow from now on, so you’d better get used to me. I’m not to leave you alone ever, not even to go to the bathroom.”
Ivy laughs. “Fair enough.”
“But we don’t have to worry about my great-uncle. Not anymore. You’ve saved us all from a lifetime of fear and danger. You’ve saved me and our child, Ivy. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.” In front of Andy, I’m not able to say that she also finally got Luke’s killer. But, when I look into her eyes, I know that she understands what I’m thankful for.
“Well, you can marry me tomorrow,” she says with a laugh.
“That, I’ll do.”
I lean down and firmly kiss her on the lips, thinking about the beautiful wedding that I have planned for tomorrow. She thinks it’s going to be in a small chapel down the street with all our friends and family. She doesn’t know that I turned the castle ruins into a wedding venue.
“You know, you aren’t the only one with surprises up their sleeves,” I say.
Ivy’s eyes brighten. “I love any surprises from you, my prince.”
“And I look forward to a lifetime of surprises with you, my dirty princess.”
* * *
THE END
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Chapter One — Skye
Him, him, definitely him, not him, so hot, gross, him, him.
My mind scans all the men within eyesight as I lie on my chaise lounger by the pool at my all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. I’m here for exactly seven days, and I plan on making the most of it. That means men. Lots and lots of men. Lots of sex. And zero thoughts about my real life, which has taken a turn for the worse recently. This week is all about relaxing and having a good time while I do it.
I take a sip of my piña colada. I’ve got the relaxing thing down. I have my chaise lounger, I have a bartender wrapped around my finger, bringing me drinks as soon as my glass is empty, and I’m surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I just need to find a man for the week, and then I’ll be all set.
The problem is finding one that will fit my needs for this week. I want wild animal sex. The kind that involves tying each other up and spanking and all things kinky. The kind that no guy back home would dare to do.
I just don’t know how to find that guy. There are plenty of hot men at this resort. And plenty that seem single. But how do I find a guy who will give in to all my darkest desires?
“Another, Miss Skye?” my favorite bartender asks as he holds out another piña colada to me.
I grin behind my sunglasses and large hat. “Thank you, Bayron.” I take the drink from him.
“You look like you’re thinking hard. You shouldn’t be thinking so hard. You’re in paradise! You should just relax and let what happens, happen.”
I nod. “Maybe. But what if I have specific needs for this trip? Needs that I’m not sure how to go about getting.”
“You mean, a man?”
I nod, grinning.
He chuckles. “I don’t think a woman as smart and beautiful as you should have much trouble finding a nice man.”
I smirk. “But what if I don’t want a nice man? What if I want a bad boy? A very, very bad boy.”
He glances around at the choices currently surrounding the pool. “I don’t think you should have much difficulty with that either.” He winks at me.
I laugh. “You’re right. But how do I choose? What if I have too many options?”
He thinks for a moment and then glances over at the small stage set up near the pool where they often have a band play music or occasionally entertain with competitions and poolside games.
“How about a competition? Winner wins a date with you.”
I bite my lip as I stare at another man strutting by with muscles that contract with each step, begging to be put to use in bed with a woman like me. It could take me all week to find a man who is good in bed. But, if I can put them through a series of tests to figure out which one has the qualities I’m looking for, then I can find the guy in half the time and get on to the good stuff.
I take my hat off and push my sunglasses up on my head as I sit up on my lounger. “Let’s do it!”
Bayron smiles and holds out his hand to me. I take it and let my long, dark hair with blue highlights flow down my back, matching the dark blue bikini I’m wearing. Between my hair, tattoos, and piercings in my nose, eyebrow, and ears, any man should know that I’m not looking for a good man.
Bayron leads me around the pool over to the small stage where he takes the microphone and turns it on.
“You sure about his?” he asks, whispering to me.
“Yes.” I’ve never been so sure about needing anything. I’m desperate to find a man who can help me forget.
“Hey, Royal Bahamas Resort! Are you guys having a good time?” Bayron says.
The crowd around the pool shouts back, “Yes!”
“Awesome! I have a special treat for you today. This lovely lady here is looking for a date, and we are going to help her get one.”
The crowd cheers again as I scan the pool, trying to determine which guy I want the most.
“This is Miss Skye. She’s from New Mexico. She’s smart and beautiful, and she’s looking for a bad boy to keep her company this week. If you think you fit that bill, I want you to run onto this stage in the next ten seconds. And then the real competition will begin.”
I bite my lip as the anxiety and anticipation build.
“Go! One…two…three…” Bayron starts counting, and men start running up onstage.
Some very, very good-looking men join us onstage. Men with muscles, men with beards, men with dreamy eyes, and men with tattoos. Almost all the men running up onstage look like men I’d love to take back to my room and have a test run with. But I need to choose just one. Or at least one for now.
“And time!” Bayron shouts.
He starts walking up and down the stage area, counting how many men have decided to enter. “It looks like we have fifteen men who would like to compete for a date! That’s far too many.” Bayron walks back to me and whispers in my ear, “What would you like them to do first?”
“Strength. I want a strong man. So, knock out the weaklings.”
He nods and holds the microphone back to his lips. “Skye wants a man who’s strong. So, for this competition, we are going to do as many push-ups as you can in sixty seconds. I’m going to need a little help with this one.”
Bayron waves over to more of his staff to come join him. The staff line up around the men, helping them spread out around the pool area and stage.
“Everyone ready? The top ten will move on to the next round.”
The men and staff nod.
“Go!” Bayron says, staring at his watch.
I watch, drooling as the men start doing push-ups as fast as they can. I can already tell by watching them whi
ch ones are truly in shape and which men aren’t. And which men are too drunk to even attempt a push-up.
Two men, in particular, grab my attention. A blond man with arms for days. And a black man who is killing everyone. Both of them have excellent bodies. Either one could handle my body with ease.
“Time!” Bayron yells.
He walks down, asking the judges how many the men got.
“Okay, if you did less than a hundred, you’re out!”
Five men slump back to the pool or loungers after having their egos crushed.
I look at the contestants that are left. All look fit. All look gorgeous. All look like men I’d gladly share a bed with.
Bayron again asks me what I want them to compete on next.
“I need a fast man,” I answer.
He raises an eyebrow. “Skye wants a guy who is fast. I’m guessing she’s still trying to weed out the in-shape guys from the ones who aren’t—and she doesn’t mean fast in bed. So, for our speed test, we are going to divide you into two swimming races. The fastest three in each race will move on.”
I watch as the first group jumps into the water. One of the men glances over at me with hungry eyes, and my heart about stops. That’s what I want. A man who desires me. I want a man who will fight and compete for me.
Bayron starts the first race, and I find myself cheering for the man who looked at me with hungry eyes. He wins easily.
The second round starts, but I find myself still entranced with the man who won the first race. I’m not even paying attention to the second race.
The winners are decided, and again, I watch as the losers sulk off, disappointed.
“What do you want me to test next, sweetheart?” Bayron asks.
“Pain.”
He nods, thinking for a second. “Next, we are going to test to see who can handle pain the longest. We are going to pass out two weights to each of you, and you will hold them out to your sides, arms extended. The last six men still holding on to their weights will continue.”