by J. C. Reed
I smile at him as tears gather in my eyes. “I can’t believe you decided it might be a good idea to pour your heart out before my sister’s wedding.” I sling my arms around his neck, pulling him close. “You know I’ll tear up throughout the entire ceremony, right?”
“You look cute when you cry.” He places a soft kiss on my lips.
“Vicky,” my sister yells down the corridor. “What the hell’s taking you two so long? Save the making out session for later.”
“We’re coming,” I yell back, noticing Kade’s mischievous smile. I narrow my eyes at him. “What did you two talk about before she let you come up?”
“Not much.” He shrugs and looks so guilty I know he’s lying. “She told me to never give up on you because you’re a lost cause, and that I have to exert patience with a pregnant woman due to her raging hormones.”
I raise my brows. “That’s all?”
“Not quite.” He hesitates. “If you really must know, she also said something about those raging hormones being insatiable for other things.”
My cheeks catch fire. I mentioned being horny maybe once or twice because she asked me. Trust Gracie to go and blabber it all out to Kade.
“I like her,” he says. “She’s fun and honest. Now it’s your turn.”
“Alright.” I take a few moments to gather my words. “I’m Vicky. I’m a former love addict, but really, I was just a poor, delusional fool when I entered rehab. I thought I loved someone, but then I fell in love with my roommate the moment I saw him naked in front of a mirror, which really left nothing to the imagination. I fell hard, without any reservations, plans, and hopes.” My voice is shaking. In fact, my whole being is. “He’s been on my mind ever since that day.”
He laughs. “I always knew that you had a soft spot for butt-naked guys.”
I shake my head. “Not for every naked guy; just this particular one.”
“We’re going to be okay,” Kade whispers, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to his strong chest. “The future might not be fixed, but there’s some certainty. I’ll always love you. You can always count on me, Vicky.”
Epilogue
Kaiden
One year later
* * *
It feels now like an eternity has passed since rehab, but Vicky’s taste never left my lips. Every time I feel her mouth against mine, a new wave of feelings rise inside me.
Hope, love, pride?
Yeah, pride.
I’m proud of what we have achieved. Together, brick by brick, we left our past behind, setting the foundations of our future. After the birth of our child, we moved in together.
Persuading her wasn’t easy, let me tell you that.
I had to ask her a thousand times before she finally agreed.
It was the statement that our child needed both parents in the same place that gave her the courage to enter that new phase in our relationship.
If you had asked me if I could imagine that one day I might be so desperate to have this woman near me, I would have said that’s impossible.
Having a child, a home, a family, commitment…I guess the impossible has become real.
She has become real.
She is my new, favorite kind of reality.
Smiling at her, I pull the car into the driveway and hit the brakes. She’s frowning at me as I lead her around the house to the backyard.
“I don’t like surprises,” she says with a scowl, but the delighted glint in her eyes tells a different story. Her enthusiasm is one of the many things I love about her. “The last one didn’t work out so well.”
“This one will be more to your liking.” I take a long moment regarding her, marveling at the way the rays of the setting sun seem to catch in her red locks, giving them that fiery hue that fits her personality.
She’s been away on vacation visiting her family. I insisted that she spend some quality time with them while I secretly built the tree house.
“What do you say?” I point at the trees, but don’t look away so as not to miss her reaction.
We have a huge backyard. Her gaze sweeps over the vast space, past the shrubs and the trees…and settles on the little tree house.
A gasp escapes her lips. “Holy shit.” Laughing, she turns around. “Don’t tell me you built that.”
“Guilty as charged.” I grin. “Do you want to see it from the inside?”
I don’t wait for her answer. Holding her hand, I guide her down the path, eager to get to the actual surprise.
She eyes the small ladder warily. “You sure this is safe?”
“Safest place on earth.” My hands go around her waist to steady her. “And if you fall I’ll be right here to catch you.”
“Heard that one before.” In a minute we’re inside. Her eyes grow wide as she takes in the table and two chairs set up in the middle of the room.
“This is huge.” She picks up a rose from one of the flower arrangements and lifts it to her face to smell it. “It’s so romantic. And completely unlike you, Kade.”
There’s a strange tremor in her voice, as though something as little as a bunch of red roses are enough to fill her heart with joy.
“I admit I had a little help. But the rest was all my idea,” I say.
“The rest?” Her eyebrows shoot up.
“Yes. The rest.” I bend down on one knee, and as my hand squeezes inside my pocket, her eyes narrow.
“Kade,” her voice is a shaky whisper now. “What are you doing?”
“Only something I should have done a long time ago.” My gaze interlocks with hers, holding it, bathing in its warmth and love. “Remember the day I said I liked you?”
She nods slowly.
“I was lying. I didn’t just like you. I was falling in love with you. And I still am, Victoria, more and more, every single day.” I clear my voice to get rid of the sudden hoarseness in it. “I want to brand you as mine. I want to be able to call you my wife. Treat you like my queen. Respect you not only as the mother of my child, but also as the one person I get to spend the rest of my life with. And I hope you want the same, but not because I’m the father of your child.” I exhale a slow breath as I try to recall the speech I carefully prepared—but can’t remember a single word. “I need to know that you want more of me in every way I can give you. That’s why we’re standing here. That’s why I built this tree house. Because the god honest truth is, I can’t imagine another woman by my side. Will you marry me, Victoria?”
She inhales a sharp breath and her expression changes before my eyes.
I take it all in.
Suspicion. Shock. Surprise. Wonder.
And happiness.
So much happiness.
“Yes.” She nods slowly, then with more fervor. “Yes, I do.”
I cock my eyebrow. “You sure? Because you haven’t even seen the ring yet? And that might be a dealbreaker for some women.” I wiggle the box in my hand.
“Yes, I’m sure. Very much so.” She wipes at the delicate tears trickling down her cheeks, but as she does so, more seem to take their place.
I open the box, holding up the ring.
“I’m so happy.”
“Because our very own love story has become true?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Because you just showed me that sex is overrated, and love is a cure.” She catches my amused expression. “And of course, because this is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen and I so want it on my finger.”
Another Epilogue
AN OPEN LETTER TO JANE AUSTEN
* * *
Dear Jane,
Kaiden Wright and I were never supposed to live together.
I was clingy, he was a manwhore. I lived to love, and he lived to play. I dreamed of a white picket fence, and he strived for success.
We couldn’t be more different. Me, a normal nurse, him a successful CEO. I wanted to love while he wanted to run.
Yet, despite all our differences, we had one thing in common. W
e both fought hard for what we wanted.
Kaiden Wright wasn’t my future, and I wasn’t his past, but we had moments. Moments that defined us. Moments that felt as though the present was ours and ours only.
Maybe it wasn’t about ending up together.
Maybe it wasn’t about loving someone so deeply you would do anything for them without expecting anything in return.
It’s been ten years since I last wrote to you.
Yes, ten.
Can you believe that?
So much has happened. Kade happened. At first, it felt too good to be true and I didn’t think our relationship would last.
I never anticipated that he’d be in for the long haul.
But he’s surprised me.
In the most unexpected way.
My life hasn’t just changed; it’s evolved and Kade’s been there with me, loving me, encouraging me.
I never had to chase love. It came to me—with all its delays, turmoil, and mixed messages. Sometimes, the most important thing is right before our eyes, and we just have to open them to see it. Open our hearts, and see the truth without expectations, without judging.
I’ll admit I judged Kade, and I did believe all the lies I had been telling myself to protect my fragile heart. My heart could handle him all along; it was my mind that was too fragile. It’s all too easy to believe our own lies, to give up hope, and to settle for less. To believe the demons and succumb to one’s fears.
It was never the pain that broke me.
It was the fear.
Fear stopped me from striving for the best I could achieve.
Fear was the first thing I gave up after Kade and I officially became a couple.
Today, I’m a different person. Stronger. The moment our son was born and I saw his innocence, I knew that happiness doesn’t come in chunks. It comes in pieces. Sometimes, they are small, and sometimes, they happen randomly. They fall into place when we need them.
My therapist once said that relationships formed in rehab don’t last, but she was wrong. Because they can and they do. Because, guess what? I don’t think therapists are always right. People can help us, and they can teach us to sail, but they can’t hold the ropes for us. We alone control the direction we take.
We’re the ships that weather the storms. And love is our storm.
We moved to Santa Barbara to be near Kade’s brother and his family. I love it here. Love the balmy weather. The atmosphere. Our huge new home.
It’s during my moments with Kade that I realize just how beautiful life can be. It’s unpredictable. Full of surprises. Just like Kade Wright.
When we first met, we were both lost souls that needed to learn how to cope with life and find their way home. We needed the challenges. We needed each other. I see that now.
I see it in the way we’re not giving up hope for a second child. (We’ve been trying for a long time but we have faith that someday it will work.)
I see it every day when I wake up in his arms and his eyes reflect his love for me.
When our bodies merge into one being, our hearts beating against each other, each of us drawing and giving pleasure in equal measures.
Today marks our ten-year anniversary.
I couldn’t be more happy about that.
Who would have known? A sex addict and a love addict. But it’s true.
We couldn’t be more different in our attitudes, but when it’s down to love, we both love hard. And that’s not a thing I’d change. Not about us. Or him. Because when it’s down to love, you can’t stop, you just keep falling. And falling. And I fell hard for him. Kade Wright is the most amazing man I’ve ever met, and I can’t thank the stars enough.
Yours, always faithfully
Vicky Wright.
* * *
P.S. (Note the Wright? We got married eight years ago. We lasted through all the challenges and the fights, and there were plenty of those. But our love never faltered, and that’s all that counts.)
* * *
THE END
Coming Soon!
Kaiden’s best friend Cash will make his appearance soon. This sexy standalone is all about the arrogant, rich playboy.
COMING SUMMER 2017!
* * *
Make sure to sign up to J.C. Reed’ s mailing list
http://eepurl.com/bFUFVT
to be notified when it releases
Dear Readers
We hope you enjoyed Counting On You. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. If you are interested in an exclusive sneak peek at J.C. Reed’s next release, please sign up for the mailing list here, and you’ll soon enjoy an exclusive look at Wild For You, and other sexy novels.
Other books by J.C. Reed
The Surrender Your Love Trilogy
Surrender Your Love
Conquer Your Love
Treasure Your Love
The No Exception Series
The Lover’s Secret
The Lover’s Game
The Lover’s Promise
The Lover’s Surrender
The An Indecent Proposal Series
(co-written with Jackie Steele)
The Interview
The Agreement
Bad Boy
Standalones
Beautiful Distraction
Counting On You
Wild For You (coming summer 2017)
Keep in touch
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH J.C. REED
* * *
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* * *
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KEEP IN TOUCH WITH JACKIE
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Note from the authors
While Vicky Sullivan and Kaiden Wright are made up characters, love addiction is real. This affliction affects many people in different ways. Vicky’s story is romanticized, but real sufferers often face rejection, pain, self-hatred and as a result are often suicidal.
If you are the victim of love or sex addiction or know someone who could use assistance, please visit:
https://slaafws.org
Acknowledgments
This book could not have been written without a few friends’ support…you know who you are. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us. Thank you for letting us take a glimpse into the life of an addict and for sharing the difficulties you go through on a daily basis. Thanks to you, writing this book has been an incredibly humbling and mind-opening experience, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
A huge thank you to our fans and everyone who’s supported us on our crazy ride as authors.
Thank you to all the amazing bloggers who have been part of our journey. Without your help and reviews we wouldn’t have reached our amazing readers. And lastly, thank you to our amazing readers. We love you. Thank you for the love you have shown for our books.
We hope this book has been as close to your hearts as it has been to ours.
love,
Jessica Reed and Jackie Steele
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