by M. L. Broome
I chuckle, my unease slipping away. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Not as much as I’ve heard about you. Ryder and I have always talked. He’s such a sensitive soul. One night after Colton went to bed, Ryder and I stayed up, chatting and finishing a bottle of wine. I wanted to know why he didn’t consider settling down since he’s such a catch. That’s when he told me about you. His one great love.”
My mind reels at her statement. “Ryder mentioned me? When was this?”
Rylee taps her chin, considering my question. “Hmm… the first time was five years ago? He’d often mention you, always with this wistful look on his face about the one who got away. But then he called me from Barbados. The man was giddy.”
Now I know she’s lying. “He did not.”
But Rylee is not easily dissuaded as she pulls her phone from her bag. “Look.”
She presses play on a video and there’s Ryder, perched on the boulder right outside our villa, his tan skin glowing in the early morning sunlight. “Ry, you’ll never believe it. I’m with Gigi. We’ve spent the last ten days together, and I was right, she’s perfect.” He produces the small pouch that I know contained our wedding rings, and that glorious crooked grin decorates his face. “I’m asking her to marry me tonight. I’m terrified she’ll say no, so cross your fingers, toes, and any other damn body part for me, okay?”
Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I return Rylee’s phone. “He’s my first and only love, too.”
“Then might I suggest you follow me? You’re headed in the wrong direction. Plus, I’m under strict orders to bring you straight to his arms.”
Digging in my heels, I grasp her hand. “Things are complicated right now. We’re separated. I’m not sure how much I should be around today, in case the media inquires about who I am. His reputation is so important to him, and I don’t want anything to detract from his win.”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then there’s no problem you two can’t solve. Ryder asked me to ensure you were safe and stayed put, so I don’t think he gives a damn what the media have to say. Come on, I know you’re hungry.”
Nothing like plying a pregnant woman with food. With a sigh, I follow her to where the team is gathered; the exuberance filling the space.
“Gigi,” Greg lets loose with a whoop, racing to my side and swinging me around like a doll. The glow on my brother’s face is contagious and I hug his neck, as the pride washes off him in waves.
“You did so good.”
“Unhand my wife.”
I swing my gaze to the right, offering a smile for Ryder, who’s beaming from the race. I guess he’s right. Nothing compares to a win.
I’m not on the ground for two seconds when Ryder scoops me into his arms, his mouth claiming mine. Once again, as is always the case with my husband’s kisses, the world falls away as his tongue and fingers lay claim to me.
“I did it, Gigi,” Ryder murmurs, his mouth refusing to leave mine.
“The indisputable king of racing.”
“I won for you. I won for our baby.” He pulls his head back, eyes wide. “I’m such a shit.”
Holy hell, what did he do now?
“How are you feeling? Are you tired? Hungry? Do you need to sit? You should sit.”
With each question firing from his mouth, my smile widens. “I’m fine. A bit hungry, but otherwise, I’m perfect.”
“You are indeed perfect,” he replies, pressing another kiss to my mouth. “But, let’s get you some food.”
“Are you going to be like this the whole pregnancy?” I joke, giggling at his pained expression. “Not that I mind. I appreciate your concern.”
“Good, because I’ll probably be worse. Fawning over you all the time. You okay with that?”
Grasping his chin, I direct his lips back to mine. “I think I can handle it.”
“Hate to interrupt this reunion, but they’re waiting to do an interview.” Colton claps a hand on Ryder’s shoulder.
With an embarrassed chuckle, I smooth a bit of gloss from my husband’s lips. “You’d better go. Don’t want to keep your public waiting.”
“Not without you. We are blasting through this interview and then, I’m taking you somewhere private. I have needs, and you are the only cure.”
My cheeks flush, certain that several people heard his provocative remark. “Are you going to put me down first?”
“No.” That’s all he offers as a response, save for a wink and another kiss. Within moments, we’re surrounded by reporters, all desperate for a few moments with Ryder Gray.
Intimidating, to say the least, especially for this introvert. But I smile, wondering what in the world I’m doing in the middle of this throng.
“Congratulations, Ryder. That was one hell of a win.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you glad to be back in the driver’s seat?”
Ryder’s gaze locks with mine, a smile crossing that gorgeous mouth. “It felt amazing, but I’m considering retirement.”
His statement shocks the media, but I’m floored. My jaw drops open, my eyes wide. “What?”
He ducks his head, his beard tickling my ear. “You need me safe. I need you. I told you, I’ve always loved you more than racing.”
Turning to the crowd, he directs their attention to me. “See this gorgeous woman? This is my wife, Greer. I’ve loved her since I was ten. She stayed by my side during my injury and trust me, I was a bastard most days. Still, she never gave up. She never gave up on me.” He pauses, and I see the tears backing up in his eyes. “Greer gave me the best news today. We’re having a baby.”
Cupping his face, I kiss him, nuzzling his nose. “You’re not supposed to say anything yet.”
“Oh well, it’s not like the international media will print anything,” Ryder jokes, but the smile softens, a look of intensity crossing his features. “She’s my entire world. Racing is in my blood, but my wife and child are my heart. I don’t work without them.”
Any walls holding my heart from Ryder blast apart, and I wrap my arms around his neck, tears pouring down my cheeks. For the first time since my father walked out all those years ago, I’m sure of my place in this world. I’m also sure of the man who holds my heart—a man willing to give up his dream to pursue ours.
That’s the quintessential definition of love, and if he’s willing to go the distance, so am I.
The buzz around us grows ever louder as the reporters clamor on, desperate for details.
“Are you really retiring? Is this it?”
Ryder offers me a reassuring smile, but it’s my turn to speak. “Not yet. He’s got more winning to do.”
His eyes widen, a look of confusion crossing his face. “I thought—”
“I was wrong. We’ll all die one day. The important part is how you live. I want my life with you. Only with you.”
This time, I meet Ryder’s kiss more than halfway, but I feel the trembling under his skin, the bevy of emotions coursing through him. “Thank you. Once our child arrives, I’m done.”
Somehow, I know he means it, and there’s not a drop of hesitation in his tone.
“Anything to add, Mrs. Gray?” a reporter interjects, cutting into our moment.
“Take good care of my husband at the track. I’ve got him covered at home.”
Ryder sets me down, and I leave his side with a final kiss, letting him bask in the glory of the moment. But I see his gaze flit my way every few seconds, and I know the truth. Between racing and me, there is no competition.
Our love wins every time.
“I’m starving.” Making a beeline for the catering table, I have one aim. Food.
Hey, I’m pregnant and my nerves wouldn’t allow me to eat for the last week or so.
Now? I plan to eat my weight in food.
A hand snags my sandwich, and I swing my head up with a glare. “What the—oh, figures it’s you. You win one little race and act like y
ou’re king of the world.”
“I am king of the world, but it’s got nothing to do with the race.” Ryder wraps his arms around me, and I melt against him. “You threw me for a loop out there. Did you really mean what you said?”
“I did. Were you really going to retire?”
“It meant that much to you. You wanted me safe and after you told me we’re having a baby, it was no question. But I’d love to finish the season.”
Sending him a saucy wink, I grab another sandwich. “That’s the spirit. You’d better win. Hammonds don’t like losers.”
“Well, you’re not a Hammond anymore. You and my baby are both Grays. And Grays always win what really matters.”
This man and his one-liners. Just when I think he can’t do any better, he ups the ante. “You’re pretty damn good at being romantic.”
“Like that?”
“I do. Oh, I have a bone to pick with you.” I pull the small box from my purse. “It’s empty. Who does that?”
Ryder bursts out laughing. “I figured it would drive you nuts.”
“To say the least. Was there anything good in here?” Truth is, I don’t care. I won the ultimate prize—the man who holds my heart.
But my knees buckle when Ryder sinks to one knee—in front of everyone—and pulls a ring from his pocket. Not just any ring. This beauty is flawless and absolutely gigantic. “I’m not sure. Does this seem good enough to you?”
“Oh, my God.” It’s all I can manage as Ryder slides the ring onto my finger, pressing a kiss to my palm. The stone is enormous and my mother was right; I can barely lift my hand under the weight. “It’s so beautiful, but I didn’t need this, Ryder.”
“Yes, you did. I got a perfect stone. Perfect, like you. I love you, Gigi, forever and always. But I have a request. We need to get married again in front of everyone. Otherwise, my mom will never forgive me.”
My smile stretches from ear to ear as I wrap my arms around him, taking in the whoops of excitement surrounding us. “What the hell. I think I like you well enough to marry you again. Can I have my wedding ring back, please?”
With a nod, Ryder slips it from his pocket and onto my finger. It’s then I notice the band on his hand. He really wasn’t going to let me go.
Willing back another onslaught of tears, I pepper his face with kisses. “Now, about that private time. Do you really have something planned?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise, but yes, I have a beautiful suite waiting for us.”
“I ruined the surprise?”
“You did.”
Biting back a grin, I let the laughter bubble up. “How about this? I have one of my own.”
Ryder pulls me closer, his gaze curious. “Really?”
“You keep referring to the baby, but that’s not entirely accurate.”
“What do you mean?” A furrow creases his brow, concern evident. With a sly smile, I hold up two fingers, watching his eyes widen like saucers. “Twins?”
Nodding, I giggle as he sweeps me back into his arms, a look of joy and disbelief on his face. “I figure I’ll keep you on your toes until the twins arrive. Then they’ll be sure to keep their Daddy busy.” Twining my hands around his neck, I bask in our glow. “Are you happy?”
“Beyond, and it has nothing to do with winning the race. I mean it, Gigi, you two—I mean three—are my entire world. You’re the light. I never knew such darkness as when you left.”
“I’ll make you a deal. Let’s never leave each other again.”
“Best deal ever, and this one comes with a lifetime guarantee.”
Epilogue
Ryder
“Where is she?” I question Jillian, a permanent grin on my face.
Hey, I earned this smile. After returning from my injury, I won six of ten races. Not too shabby.
But that’s nothing compared to the real prize. Greer and our babies.
My wife was a trooper on the grueling race schedule, never once complaining, although I did often send her back to the suite to rest.
When the season ended, she flopped onto our bed and announced she wasn’t moving for a week.
I fully supported that plan.
Now, we’re making good on the promise to the parents—a wedding with all the trimmings, along with a bride who’s five months pregnant.
With twins.
Like I said, total trooper.
Although, judging by the exasperated look on Jillian’s face, Greer may be done playing nice. To be fair, Jillian is a week ahead of my wife, but Gigi claims it doesn’t count because she’s building two babies.
She wins.
In my book, she always does.
“She won’t come out of the bedroom without speaking to you.”
“On it.” Chuckling, I duck into the guest quarters at my mother’s house on Lake George, uncertain what to expect. Hopefully, I don’t walk out with a shoe lodged in my head. “Beautiful, you okay?”
“I will be.”
Turning, I let my gaze wander over Gigi’s curves. If I thought she was gorgeous before, she’s exponentially more so now. My wife stands before me, hands on hips, clothed in nothing but lace underwear and a sexy grin. “Look at you. Can you just stay like that?”
“I can, but we have to do something about you.”
Glancing down at my suit, I shoot her a smirk. “I think I look pretty damn good.”
“You do,” she responds, her fingers undoing the buttons on my shirt, “but you’ll look so much better naked.”
See why I love my wife?
“Do we have time?”
“Seriously?” Greer pouts, intent on the task at hand. “They can’t have a wedding without a bride and groom. And this bride needs servicing. Please.” She whispers the last word in my ear, her tongue gliding along the rim. Just like that, I’m rock hard.
The tux that took me an hour to put on is draped over a chair in less than a minute, and I’m bending my wife over the dresser, her gorgeous ass on full display as I sink balls deep into her heat.
Greer is desperate, arching her hips and grinding against me. But I maintain an easy rhythm, loving how her body quivers beneath my hands.
“You feel so good.”
“Not nearly as good as you,” I huff, as the spasms reverberating through her body trigger my own release. I press open-mouthed kisses to her nape, twitching as she squeezes around me, driving me, once again, to the brink. “That was the greatest wedding gift ever.”
With a giggle, Greer turns, claiming my lips in a fierce kiss. “Took the words right out of my mouth.” Glancing at the time, she sends me a wink. “Will you send Jillian back in? About time I put on my wedding gown.”
Ten minutes later, I slip from the guest quarters, sending my sister-in-law back in to dress my now sexually sated wife.
Like I said, life couldn’t get any sweeter.
All brides are beautiful. It’s true. They glow, the thrill of a life next to the person they love shimmering through every pore. But Greer? She’s next level as she walks toward me, escorted by her father.
Yep, her father. I forced my wife to sit down and hash things out with her old man because I know the feeling of not having that option. Turns out, they have a ton in common and although the scars remain, they’re forging ahead on a new path.
Mr. Hammond hands off his daughter, and I steal a kiss from Greer, even though I know I’m now wearing some of her lip gloss. Totally worth it. It also gives me another opportunity to nip her neck, catching that amber scent I love so much. If it wouldn’t be frowned upon for years to come, I’d strip Gigi down and have a replay of our earlier tryst. What can I say? Orgasms look good as hell on my woman.
After the ceremony, where we proclaim once again that forever really means forever, the festivities begin. I spared no expense on the party because you only get married once, or in our case, twice.
“Tell me again why you were late for your own ceremony?” Jillian asks, as Greer’s cheeks flame.
“I… I…” Poor Greer, the woman can’t lie to save her life.
“Don’t tell me you two were having sex before the ceremony.” Thank you, Jillian, for announcing that so loud the neighbors heard you—in the next county.
“What? He’s my husband. It’s pretty apparent”—Greer motions to her stomach—“that we’ve had sex.”
“Too much information,” Greg interjects, his face curled in a fake grimace. “I can’t believe you married my sister. What are the odds?”
I chuckle, toasting my brother-in-law. Soda, of course. “Hey, I told you when I was ten that my dream was to make Gigi my wife. I’m just damn lucky it came true.”
Greer wraps her hands around my neck, offering up a sweet kiss. “You are my dream come true.”
“Why can’t you say things like that?” Jillian demands of Greg, eliciting peals of laughter from the group.
“I know why,” Greer whispers in my ear. “Because there’s only one Ryder Gray, and he’s mine.”
Talk about perfect timing. As if on cue, the strains of our Otis Redding song fill the air, and tears mist in Greer’s eyes.
“May I have this dance?”
“You can have every one of them,” she replies, taking my hand as I lead her to the floor.
“How are you feeling?” Yes, I worry. Constantly. But it’s a perfect balance to my wife, the medical professional, who is more laid back about this pregnancy than any woman I’ve ever known.
“Perfect. I—” her voice cuts off, her hands flying to her belly.
See? This is why I worry. “What is it, Gigi? What’s wrong?”
A smile stretches across her face as she grabs my hands and places them against her stomach. “Looks like someone else is a fan of our song.”
There, by the shores of Lake George, I feel the tiny tap from inside her belly, and I sink to my knees, pressing kisses to her skin. “My babies.” Glancing up at Greer, I know the brightness in her eyes matches my own. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Waiting for me. Believing in me. Loving me. Giving me the greatest gift in the world. Take your pick.”