by Mia Kayla
When our pulses returned to a normal rate, he lifted his head and kissed me with a passion I'd only ever experienced with him. "Hello," he said when he pulled back. "I don't think we said hello yet."
"Yes, we did." I laughed, nipping at his bottom lip. "That was the hottest hello ever. I think we should greet each other like that all the time."
He caressed my cheek with his fingers and scoured my face like it was the first time he was seeing me. He dipped his head so he could lock his eyes with mine so I could know the sincerity, the truth, the impact of his words. "I love you so much, Angel. So much."
His words filled me with such happiness, the kind that you couldn't contain. My insides soared because he made me feel like the most beautiful person in the whole entire world and I just knew with all my heart and soul that we were it for each other.
I smiled. "You just love me because your Angel is no longer an angel. You've officially corrupted her."
A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, and I felt it everywhere. "That, too." He gently placed me on my feet, and it took me a couple of seconds to not feel like the earth was shaking. "And just so you know, you'll always be my Angel. Mine."
I didn't miss the emphasis on the word.
After he pulled up his pants, he took my hand and pulled me into him. "I've missed you."
"I think that was already established."
He kissed the top of my head and moved my hair from my forehead. "How's your dad?"
"He has to do therapy for a couple of months, but otherwise he's like his old self again."
He kissed my cheek, then my lips. "That's good."
I peered to the side to see the brown bag that Cade had dropped on the floor. "What did you bring me?"
"Condoms.” He wiggled his eyebrows, chuckling. “But I think it's a little too late for that now."
"Rude." I slapped his chest, and he closed his eyes, wincing. "What's the matter?" Instantly, I grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me.
"Tat-Tattoo," he uttered, gritting his teeth.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, babe." I stepped back, and he lifted his shirt to show me a section of white gauze covering his upper left pec. "I had to get it retouched because it wasn't perfect."
"What is it?"
When he lifted the gauze from his skin, my stomach flipped. One hand flew to my mouth, while I took in the beautiful figurine outline of an angel. It wasn't her face that was exquisite, it was the strength and span and mightiness of her wings, the colors a beautiful array of blues and greens and yellows.
“It’s beautiful.” I inched closer, getting a better look.
"You’re beautiful.” His eyes were shining with an inner glow. “Years down the road, when I think back to this year and what has had an impact on me the most, it would have been you, Angel. I'm more selfish now, but a lot happier now that you're in my life."
I knew exactly what he meant. I had to admit I was more selfish now, too. We were no longer living for other people but living for ourselves. And that wasn’t a bad thing because I’d never been happier.
He added, "And that bag has eggs, cocoa, flour and a bunch of other baking stuff."
I quirked an eyebrow, curious.
"Since birthday cakes signify new beginnings for you." His gaze dropped to the ground, seeming a little sheepish. "I figured we could start our new beginning with cake, anniversary cakes."
I sucked in my bottom lip and nuzzled closer against my man, loving his sentiment and knowing there would be many more anniversary cakes in our future.
"I love it. And after we bake cake, maybe we can eat cake," I said, lifting one sexy eyebrow.
He didn't miss the way my voice dropped seductively.
"We’ll add that to our annual tradition," he said, kissing me one more time.
And then we baked a cake. And ate it, too.
THE END
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Marry Me for Money - Prologue
The woman was beautiful. She looked like a supermodel ready to walk the runway. The blackest of black eyelashes swept upward, accenting the depths of her emerald eyes. Curls of mahogany sat on top of her head while the apple of her cheeks were highlighted with a slight pink as if the sun had kissed her.
I should have been excited. I should have been anxious.
But as my heartbeat thrashed in my ears, all I felt was dread.
I sat on the stool, staring at the girl in the mirror. I wondered who this girl was. I wondered where the old girl had gone and how I could get her back. The problem was I couldn’t. The lie was so deep, the charade so long that there was nowhere else to go, but to move forward.
It was an out-of-body experience as the chaos of the circus around me was happening. I hardly noticed the woman in front of me as she swished her little brush of pink gloss on my pouty lips.
Everybody was getting ready for the big day.
My big day.
Four photographers were scattered around the room, catching every moment and every detail from the shoes to the invitation to the flowers.
Orchids.
Orchids didn’t give off a scent like every other flower. Too much water would drown them. Not enough sunlight would kill them. They were useless and high maintenance.
So, when the florist had asked me what kind of flowers I would like for my bouquet, I’d said, “Orchids.”
It was the flower I despised the most. It wasn’t because of its lack of beauty or its uselessness, but I didn’t want anything that I would pick for my real day.
The photographers moved to the king-sized bed, and they snapped pictures of the regal designer wedding gown. This was another thing I never would have picked for myself. I remembered my last fitting. I had barely squeezed into the strapless couture dress. I would never choose a dress that I couldn’t walk, dance, or eat in. I hated it, and that was the reason I’d picked it.
My stomach growled from starvation. I had no appetite the night before, and today Kendy, my maid of honor, wouldn’t allow me to eat. It was so unlike her. I guessed it was for my benefit because I could barely fit into my dress. Either way, my stomach was eating itself because it had nothing else to feed off of.
The time went by slowly as if it were dragging on purpose to punish me for living the biggest lie of my life. Everyone always said their wedding day had flown by. This day was killing me, killing me softly and slowly.
All I wanted was for it to be over, but the day had just begun.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. If I can only get through this day…this one day…
I just needed to get through today.
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Marry Me For Money - Forever After Book 1
About the Author
Mia Kayla is a New Adult and Contemporary Romance writer who lives in Illinois. She is the wife to the husband of the year and mommy to three unbelievable cute little girls who have multiplied her grey hairs.
In her free time she loves reading romance novels, jamming to boy bands, catching up on celebrity gossip and designing flowers for weddings.
Most of the time, she can be caught on the train with her nose in a book sporting a cheeky grin because the main characters finally get their happily-ever-after at the end.
She loves reading about happy endings but has more fun writing them.
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Also by MIA KAYLA
The Torn Duet
> Torn Between Two - Book 1
Choosing Forever - Book 2
The Forever After Series
Marry Me for Money - Forever After Book 1
Love After Marriage - Forever After Book 2
The Scheme - Brian’s book -Forever After Book 3
Naughty Not Nice - Forever After Book 4
Stand Alone
Everything Has Changed
Acknowledgments
Whooo weee! The first book in the The Ryder Brothers is done.
Like always, it took any army and I’m forever grateful to everyone that has encouraged me and in some way, shape or form contributed to making this book the best it can possibly be.
Once again, I thank God for that creative side of me that can’t keep quiet, the crazy characters that can’t shut up and for my fingers so I can continue to tip-tap-typing away these crazy stories.
To the hubs and my kids—Thanks for letting mommy disappear sometimes in the car outside karate, or inside my room, when I’m on a deadline. I hope my journey teaches you that you can have it all— a family, a successful career and all your dreams brought to life.
To my super-awesome-to-the-max editing team—Gwen, Megan, Mitzi and Marisa. Thank you so much for helping me dig deeper to bring out the best in these characters and keeping me in check with punctuation and making sure my words make sense.
To my writer friends that keep me accountable and listen to me vent day in and day out— To Michelle, I don’t know what I’d do without you, truly. I heart you big time, writer wife. To Tracey, goodness gracious, thanks for listening to me vent and being just a really good friend throughout this whole process.
To my great author friends in Indie Chicks, Do Not Disturb and Alpha & Fairytales—thank you so much for your support and letting me pop in your groups. Only writers understand the struggles and insecurities of this journey and I appreciate each and every one of you. You guys keep me sane and truly understand that the struggle is real.
To my PA—Emily, you keep me organized and sane and happy. Love you long time.
To Jessica—Thank you for your constant lifting words, your non-stop encouragement and reading the very first drafts of this book. I heart you like no other. You truly have a gift for what you do.
To my friend Jenn—Thanks for helping me out through the whole stress of release and with release stuff that I hate doing. I know I can always count on you and your constant support.
To Kristy—Thanks for being truthful about everything—from the book to the cover. Your opinion and friendship means the world.
To my PR team from Sassy Savy Fabulous—Kristi, thank you so much for helping me market this book and keeping me organized as it relates to releasing. Ena from Enticing—Thank you so much for taking this new-to-you author on and pimping out this book.
To my cover designer—Sommer, thank you for putting your magic touch on my covers. To Wander—I love my book cover and it wouldn’t be perfect without the picture on it.
To Daniella—I love my teasers. You truly have a gift of integrating the perfect picture with my words.
To my beta readers—Amy, Alyssa, Emily, Elizabeth, Jenn, Kris and Michelle—This book is only as strong as the rewrites. I appreciate your feedback and also your friendship. I know you guys were super busy but you still took time out of your day to help me tighten this story. Without you, this book wouldn’t be what it is now.
To the bloggers that have consistently supported me from my very first book to now. I heart you! — thank you for following me on this journey and pimping me out.
Last but not least to my readers— From those who have followed me from my very first book and to the new readers, thank you! thank you! thank you! I write for you.