After We Fall

by Marquita Valentine

  “You heard the lady.” I gesture for my buddies to go ahead of me.

  We walk as one to the main hall, where chairs are lined up in rows on each side. There’s a sign with the words PICK A CHAIR, NOT A SIDE by the door and I grin. That is all my bride. I guess that’s all me, too.

  My mother’s relatives have traveled all the way from Tijuana while Evangeline’s traveled from the North Carolina coast, and they are all sitting together, with the only nod to tradition at the front—my mother and abuela are seated on one side and Evangeline’s parents on the other. The only family that is missing is Jake, but we left him snoring in his bed at home. Lately he’s not been much on crowds, so that’s fine with him.

  Interspersed throughout are the friends we’ve made, as well as coworkers. I even spy some boys in blue seated on the end aisle.

  As soon as we’re in place, the preacher nods at us and a lone guitarist begins to play. Piper Simmons walks up the aisle, her hands clutched tight around a small gathering of roses. Next is Saylor, the frames of her glasses matching the yellow bridesmaid gown.

  Hayden leans in. “Who is she?”

  “She’s a nice girl.” I give him a look, but he doesn’t see me. Hayden’s too busy staring at Saylor. “You don’t like nice girls, remember?”

  “Those glasses are throwing you off, man. I bet she’s very naughty.”

  “Your librarian fantasies are going to get you in trouble. Stay away from Saylor. I like her. More important, my fiancée likes her.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I hear you.”

  Shit. He doesn’t hear me at all.

  The music changes, and suddenly the double doors in the back of the room open, and I don’t give another thought to whether or not Hayden is listening. Light blazes through the opening and there she stands, bathed in all white.

  Evangeline’s dad holds out his elbow and she takes it, wrapping her fingers around it. They start to walk toward us and the blinding smile on her face is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

  She takes my breath away, right then and there.

  As she walks down the aisle, she waves and nods at everyone, then stops a couple of feet short of me. Letting go of her dad’s arm, she goes to my mother and hugs her.

  “Thank you for your son,” Evangeline says.

  If my mother didn’t already love Evangeline, that would have done it. However, we both know that Evangeline isn’t giving her some cheesy line. No, the woman I love means what she says. She knows how precious words are, how precious time is, and neither of us wants to waste any of it.

  Evangeline turns her attention back to me, her face glowing as she is escorted closer. I take her small hand in mine.

  “Hi,” she says.

  “Hey, beautiful. Ready to get married?”

  She nods, stepping closer. “Yes.”

  Ignoring everything, I take her into my arms and whisper how much I love her. How all I can see, think, and feel is her.

  For the rest of our lives.

  To those who make it out, I wish you joy and happiness…and peace.

  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank so many people for helping bring Evangeline and Hunter’s story to life. First, my editor, Sue, who totally believed in this book and the power of it. Thank you so much for pushing me to go deeper.

  I want to thank my crit partner, Andris Bear. Thank you for letting me pick your husband’s brain when it came to police procedures and for sharing what it’s like being a cop’s wife. You are an amazing person, lady!

  Thanks to Autumn, my super amazing personal assistant/goddess for keeping me on task and encouraging me to stay the course.

  Huge thanks to my readers, you’re the reason I write! Xo.

  Last, I’d like to thank my family for putting up with me, as always, while I’m writing and getting so involved that I forget to do things like eat and take showers. Yeah, I know. Cleanliness is next to godliness, or people not holding their noses around you. Whatever. In any case, I love y’all to pieces.

  BY MARQUITA VALENTINE

  Take the Fall Series

  Take the Fall

  When We Fall

  After We Fall

  Hard to Fall

  Boys of the South Series

  Live for You

  Only for You

  True for You

  All for You

  Wish for You

  Burn for You

  Need You Tonight

  Holland Springs Series

  Drive Me Crazy

  Driving to You

  Twice Tempted

  Third Time’s a Charm

  His Christmas Wish

  Just Desserts

  Not over You

  Be Mine

  The Lawson Brothers Series

  Love So Hot

  Love So True

  Love So Irresistible

  Love So Tempting

  Love So Perfect

  Love So Unexpected

  The Brides of Holland Springs Series

  The Billionaire Bride

  The Temporary Bride

  The Forgotten Bride

  The Christmas Bride

  The Scottish Bride

  Seducing the Billionaire Series

  Seducing the Billionaire’s Wife

  Seducing the Billionaire’s Secretary

  Seducing the Billionaire’s Brother

  PHOTO: MATTHEW WINSLOW

  MARQUITA VALENTINE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Holland Springs and Boys of the South series.

  Since first taking the plunge in July 2012 to self-publish, Marquita’s books have appeared on the iBooks, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble top-selling eBook lists. She’s been called “one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been accused of being “a sexy, fun, and slightly addicting contemporary read” (Book Queen).

  When she’s not writing about sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the South with her husband, two kids, and a dog.

  Visit Marquita at the links below and subscribe to her newsletter through the contact link on her website.

  marquitavalentine.com

  Facebook.com/​AuthorMarquitaValentine

  @marquitaval

  The Editor’s Corner

  April is a promise of spring and Loveswept romance is here to warm things up.

  L. P. Dover continues her edgy, emotionally gripping Second Chances series with the story of a beautiful widow who can’t resist a chiseled NFL player in Catching Summer. The Society of Gentlemen series from K. J. Charles continues with the sizzling A Gentleman’s Position. For a new series, ladies, meet Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one woman he needs in Stacey Kennedy’s Bound Beneath His Pain. An epic love affair steals the show in Stina Lindenblatt’s This One Moment. Annie Rains continues her small-town Hero’s Welcome series with a cowboy turned marine in Welcome Home, Cowboy. Gillian Archer is hot on the trend of MC romance, introducing her True Brothers series with Ruthless. And MC Sons of Odin returns with Violetta Rand’s irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Possession.

  Off the Hook from USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry is the first in her Fishing for Trouble series featuring three unforgettable brothers—each of whom is a great catch. Then the swoon-worthy McKinney Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor continues with J.T. in Worth It All. USA Today bestselling author Alexis Morgan kicks off her new Sergeant Joe’s Boys series with Always for You: Jack, where a foster son learns about love and life in record time. And the new Fireside series tells a story of an old love reunited in His to Love from new Loveswept author Stacey Lynn. USA Today bestselling writing duo M. J. Fields and Chelsea Camaron are back with the Caldwell brothers in Jagger, which is not only full of swagger and sensu
ality but also packs an emotional punch as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who’s worth every ounce of trouble. And yet another Aces Hockey romance from Kelly Jamieson releases this month featuring pro hockey hunk Duncan in Icing. There’s also something naughty for you from New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin in Lust Is the Thorn where a soon-to-be ordained priest has to decide who he loves more. Then prepare yourself for razor-sharp suspense from New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor with His Deception. Two words for you: secret bodyguard. And for fans of the hit TV show Empire, Lisa Marie Perry’s Sin for Me kicks off the sizzling Devil’s Music series.

  Friend Loveswept and let the romance begin!

  Until next month—Happy Romance!

  Gina Wachtel

  Associate Publisher

  Read on for an excerpt from

  Hard to Fall

  by Marquita Valentine

  Available from Loveswept

  Chapter 1

  Hayden

  My head is pounding like someone took a jackhammer to it. I haven’t had a hangover like this in years, not since college, but my buddy’s family knows how to throw an after-party like no other.

  Tequila had been the drink of choice. Pretty sure his mom drank me under the table. In any case, I ended up flying to Tijuana with half the bridal party and all of the Castillos.

  Forcing my eyes open wide, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and check behind me to make sure I’m alone. There’s no one with me, not even an indentation in the pillow. The bedcovers are reasonably rearranged. No condom wrappers on the floor and the morning wood I’m sporting is barely a semi.

  Pushing out of bed, I go in search of coffee and a pain reliever. Ms. Castillo let the entire wedding party stay at her house, which turns out to be a huge hacienda on the outskirts of the city. I can’t remember what her family is into, but based on what I’ve seen so far, it’s very lucrative.

  Yawning, I scratch my chest and go through another door, which leads me straight into the kitchen. The smell of coffee fills the air and I want to kiss the pot brewing near the stove.

  There’s a woman sitting at the table. From my vantage point, I can see legs, an oversized shirt…and chocolate brown hair pulled into a messy bun, like she spent the night in someone’s bed.

  The lucky bastard.

  Not a bad view at all.

  “Good morning.” I step past her, heading straight to the coffee. “Do I have you to thank for making this?”

  “No.” Her voice sounds vaguely familiar to me. “It was already brewing when I got here.”

  Grabbing the pot of coffee and a mug, I lean against the counter and pour a cup so that I can get a good look at her. A flash of pink catches my eye first. She’s wearing flowers in her hair. Her chin tips up slightly, revealing a full, pink mouth, high cheekbones, and glasses that frame a pair of dark brown eyes.

  I’ve always been a sucker for brown eyes. One of the bridesmaids at the wedding had eyes like that, glasses, too.

  “I know you.” I snap my fingers. “You’re the naughty bridesmaid, Sammy.”

  “It’s Saylor.” Her head tilts to one side, then she pushes those sexy-as-fuck black glasses back up on her nose. “Saylor Dean.”

  “Got it.” I grin sheepishly at her. “Sorry, I’m not my usual self.”

  Her lashes flicker down, then back up. “You don’t seem any different to me.”

  I frown. “Is that an insult?”

  “Do you think how you normally act is offensive?” She sips daintily from her mug.

  “Depends on who you ask. Need a refill?”

  She shakes her head. “Not drinking.”

  I look pointedly at her cup. “You sure about that?”

  “Positive.” This she says right before taking another sip.

  Maybe she’s just as hungover as I am? “Mind if I join you?” I flash her the infamous Walker smile, the same one my dad, the senator from the great state of North Carolina, uses in every commercial and on every campaign stop.

  Unfortunately, I’ve inherited that smile.

  Fortunately, it works about ninety-five percent of the time. Then again, I’m not using my charms to get votes; I’m using it to convince a sexy woman to let me sit with her.

  “Why would I mind?” she asks.

  “I was being polite.”

  Her dark gaze runs over me and my cock stirs. “No you weren’t.”

  Something tingles at the back of my brain, but I ignore it. It’s not like I have Spidey-sense. “What was I being then?”

  “Flirtatious.”

  “You got me there.”

  A small smile ghosts her lips. “You’re also nude.”

  “What?” I look down and cover my junk, almost burning myself in the process. Shit. That’s all I need is to be labeled a perv in the press. My dad would love that, and while I normally enjoy yanking his chain, this is not what I want to be known for. I’m a fire captain for fuck’s sake and want to be taken seriously. Hard enough as it is when you’re the guy who not only has a silver spoon, but the entire silver set.

  “I’m so sorry. I had a one-track mind this morning.”

  “You really did, but…not with me.” She stands up, then places her mug in the sink. “Nice seeing all of you again.”

  “You, too, Saylor.”

  I watch her walk away, the hem of the shirt she’s wearing barely concealing her plump ass. Giving her a head start, I wait until I can’t see her anymore before I sneak back to my room. At least Saylor didn’t have a phone with her, so I don’t have to worry about dick shots on the Internet.

  Forget my father, that would embarrass my mother so horribly that I wouldn’t be able to ever look her in the eye again. Yeah, I’ll admit it. My mother is my weak spot. She’s as kind as my father is crafty. To this day, I don’t know what she sees in him, but I do know they fell in love when they were practically kids.

  And I can admit my dad’s not a total prick. He’s faithful to my mom and there’s never been a scandal about him and young interns.

  But he can’t wrap his head around why I don’t want to be in the business with him. Why I have no desire to continue to rub noses with the Who’s Who of American politics and world leaders.

  Frankly, I can’t stand the pretentiousness of it all. The posturing, the quid pro quo at every turn, and the absolute certainty that only their point of view is gospel.

  After I drink my coffee and score some pain relievers in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, I get dressed and pack the few things I brought with me. Except I can’t find the buttoned-up shirt that I wore with my tux…actually, I can’t find any of my tux at all. It’s not a rental, so I don’t have to worry about that, but I do have to get to the airport because I’m scheduled for work in two days. No way am I showing up like this.

  A maid in uniform enters my room. “Is there anything you need?” she asks.

  “I’ve lost my shirt.”

  She smiles. “Ms. Castillo had your clothes sent to the cleaners.”

  “Tell her thank you.” I grab my bag and shove my wallet into the back pocket of my jeans. “Could you ask her to send them to her son’s place and I’ll pick them up?”

  “Si. I will tell her after she wakes up.”

  “Please tell her thank you since I have to catch a plane back to the States.”

  The maid nods again.

  The ride to the airport is uneventful and it takes me no time at all to get through security. I sleep the entire flight back, having bought a nonstop ticket to Charlotte, then spend the next two days recuperating.

  By the time Thursday rolls around, I’m good as new again. My day at work couldn’t be better; I have a morning-to-late-afternoon shift that will enable me to hit up the iHeart Radio concert that I’ve been planning to attend for months.

  For no reason at all I wonder if Saylor would want to go. I almost pick up my phone to text my buddy, Hunter, for her number. Almost.

  I don’t know
why I can’t get that woman out of my mind. Maybe I should swing by where she works at the animal shelter and say hi. Or something.

  What’s wrong with me?

  The two of us barely know each other, our entire cute little meet-up centered around coffee drinking—on my part anyway. Not my finest moment, for sure, but what can a guy do?

  In any case, once I get to the venue tonight, I’ll grab a drink and a seat in the VIP section, then chill. Couldn’t ask for a better way to spend a night.

  My good mood is still intact by the time I finish my shift. I check on the roster and tomorrow’s schedule before making my rounds. Saving the galley for last, I push open the door and who should I find sampling the hot wings, but…

  “Saylor Dean.”

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