Epilogue
Jane
“Daddy?” I say into the phone. It’s time to stop putting this off. Sure, he’d surprised me when I told him that Zac and I were over. He’d been relieved and told me that all he’d ever wanted was for me to be happy. He thought Zac made me happy. But this? I’m not so sure.
“Hi Jay!” He says, his voice full of warmth.
“I have a secret for you,” I say softly, hoping that Connor can’t hear me. Not that he’d be mad or anything, just that he’d tease me for not keeping my word like I’d said.
“You love Connor.” Dad sounds so sure I feel my mouth drop open.
“How did you know?” I ask, and he laughs, the rich sound of it filling my ears and heart with joy. “But that’s not it,” I say and he quiets down. “Put me on speaker phone,” I say, knowing mom is right there. I can hear her telling dad to tell me she misses me and loves me and we better come visit soon.
“Hi honey!” Mom says and I know I’m on speaker.
“Hi mom! Love you,” I say before hesitating. I know they’re both holding their breaths. “I’m…” my voice is a squeak of terror and joy. “Pregnant,” I whisper. The last six months with Connor have been incredible. He’s just a dream, but our mutual hatred of condoms and lack of being careful have resulted in a happy accident.
I regret nothing. I couldn’t be happier. Connor is a wonderful man for all his rough edges and imperfections. He’s fiercely protective, sexy as hell, and totally devoted to me.
I hear shock in them as mom squeals with joy and dad asks, “What?” as if he doesn’t understand.
“We’re so happy for you,” Mom says, and in mind’s eye I can see her glaring at dad as she speaks.
“We are,” Dad says, and I can’t help the joy bubbling within me.
“I have to go. Love you guys!” I say as I quickly get off the phone.
Connor steps into the room, startling me. “Who was that?” he asks, a playful smile on his lips as he arches an eyebrow at me.
“Nobody,” I say, knowing I’m not fooling him for an instant.
“They’re asking about you,” he says, nudging his chin toward the dining room. I take his arm as he walks me out. “Are they happy?” he asks and I nod.
“So happy. I think dad might have crapped his pants, though.” I can’t help the grin on my lips.
Connor seems just as amused. “I guess I should marry you to keep their delicate sensibilities intact.”
“Oh, shut up,” I say, rolling my eyes at him.
But he’s not done. “Plus, how else will I get my hands on all your family money?
“You’re not funny,” I say, glaring up at him. He’s quick to lean down and plant a kiss on my lips. Heat ignites my blood and I stop in place, my hand seeking his cheek as I deepen the kiss. There’s nothing I want more than him.
He's quick to remind me people are waiting.
We step into the dining room and I smile at everyone.
Emma, looking beautiful and tired, is balancing her new son on her lap. Beside her, Kieran is sitting close enough to touch her shoulder as he talks to an animated looking Olivia. On the other side of Olivia, Cami sits, her face peaceful as if she’s just happy to be present. I wave at her, loving how her eyes light up when she sees both Connor and I. She’s become a wonderful addition to our odd little family.
Victoria sits next to Emma, her eyes locked on Kyle, who’s over by his mother. Victoria is looking every minute of her six months of pregnancy, and there’s a glow to her that’s breathtaking.
Connor ushers me to the table and I sit. He’s quick to kiss the top of my head before walking over to give his mother a hug and kiss. He and Kyle shake hands before doing an arm around the shoulder hug.
Things between the brothers have never been so good, and I’m happy they’ve been working so hard to patch up the rocky relationships they were suffering under.
“Can I hold Kent?” I ask Emma, who smiles and picks up the baby and hands him over to me. I look into his big blue green eyes, wondering if mine and Connor’s baby will be half as handsome as this little man.
“Hi!” I say to him and he gives me a big grin before drooling a bit. He’s only four months, but he’s a big boy. “Still breaking hearts?” I say, loving how he engages as I talk to him. Olivia walks up next to me and I pull her into a hug.
“Like this,” She says, adjusting her little brother on my knees so he’s straddling. “Now bounce a little,” She says, and I do. He lets out a gurgly laugh and I can’t help but giggle at him.
“Thanks for that,” I say as he spits up a little.
“You’re welcome,” She says, wiping his mouth with her sleeve.
I look around the room at my new family, realizing just how lucky I am to have all of them. And as Connor clears his throat, I know what’s happening.
“Jane is the most wonderful woman I’ve ever known,” he says, pausing to smile apologetically at the other women in the room, “she’s fair and kind, harsh when she needs to be, and she’s everything I’ve ever hoped to find in a partner.”
He pauses and I hear the hush in the room.
He zeros in on me, his intense blue eyes questioning. “I’m the luckiest man in the world to have your love,” he says, and my cheeks sting red. “I love you more than life.” He walks over to me and kneels beside my chair. “Will you marry me?” he asks so gently I know the words are meant just for me to hear.
I look into his eyes, loving the mixture of danger and fun I see there. He’s everything I want and need in a lover, in a partner, and for all the jokes we’ve made, I think he’ll be the perfect husband.
“Hell no,” I say and I hear the men laugh. I gently hand baby Kent to Olivia and get on one knee before Connor, who looks confused. “You don’t get all the glory here,” I say, watching a grin begin to form on his lips.
“I’ve put up with you for long enough to not have a ring on my finger,” I say, hearing the laughter around the table. But it’s Connor I’m focused on. “You’re everything I need and want in a lover, in a partner, in a husband,” I say, bringing his hands up to kiss his knuckles. Heat flares in his eyes. “Will you marry me?” I ask.
His eyes sparkle, “Let me see the ring first,” he says jokingly, and I pat my pockets like I’ve lost it. But I haven’t. I knew this would happen at some point. So I take out the onyx band I bought for him after a moment of fumbling.
Through the flash of surprise in his features, he’s still quick to tease me. “No diamonds?”
I roll my eyes at him and he’s quick to kiss me. “Yes,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Yes,” I say back, slipping the ring on his finger even as he takes my hand. I feel the cool band on my skin, but I’m lost in the kiss, forgetting for a moment that the family is here with us.
Until they start clapping.
I glance around, feeling self-conscious as Connor helps me up and back into my chair. None of them will let me live it down.
“Finally making an honest man of him after he knocked you up, huh?” Kyle asks, and I glare at Connor in mock rage.
“What happened to not telling anyone?” I ask and he shrugs.
“I don’t know. Let’s ask your parents,” he shoots back and I place a hand on my chest as if I’ve been mortally wounded.
“Wait,” Emma says, looking at us. “She’s pregnant?” I see her eyes light up with joy and I nod. “Am I the only one who didn’t know?” she asks, looking around the table before glaring at Kieran.
“Sorry honey,” he says, and I see her smack his shoulder.
I laugh, loving my family. But what I love more is the way Connor puts an arm around me as the family all congratulate us on the news that Connor must have told them. When he pulls me close and kisses me, I see Olivia roll her eyes even as the adults all seem to beam with pride and joy.
I can’t help but tease my lovely niece. “So, Olivia, when are you getting married?” I ask and she glares at me in good spi
rits.
“Never,” she says, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “You guys are disgusting.”
We laugh as the guys get up and head toward the kitchen as the oven goes off, announcing the food is ready. As they leave, I’m caught up in the love of my family, but Connor’s warmth and love remain on my mind even when he’s gone. I place a hand on the indiscernible lump between my hips.
Our pasts don’t matter. Who we are and how we handle ourselves is what defines us as people. And I’d say we’re handling everything that comes our way with grace and fortitude.
* * *
THE END
There is no friend as loyal as a book.
Ernest Hemmingway
Copyright
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, etc. without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by copyright law.
* * *
NOTE: This is a work of fiction, names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real life is coincidental. All characters in the story are 18 years of age or older. Intended reading audience 18+
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Copyright ©️2017, Natalia Banks Publishing, All rights reserved.
SOLD: Auctioned to the Billionaire
Steele Series Book 1
Chapter 1
It’s happening again. Mark pushed his beloved Porsche 911 convertible up winding Mulholland Boulevard, tires screeching under a nervous moon.
Kerri screamed, “Mark, stop it, you’re going to kill us both!”
But he only shrugs, and that’s when Kerri realizes that they’re both wearing pajamas, bathrobes, slippers. “What do we have to live for anyway?”
Kerri’s heart is pounding behind her chest, blood icy in her veins as the steep drop on the side of that infamous road revealed a deadly fall, nothing but blackness as far as the eye could see.
“Mark, please … ”
“Mark, please,” he whined, mocking her. “Please, Mark, please! That’s not what you were saying when divorce came up. You don’t love me, you never loved me!”
“That's not true, Mark.” Kerri’s voice cracks, hands pressing against the dashboard. “But you’re out of control! With the booze and the pills, you’re not the man I married.”
“No,” Mark says, suddenly calm, letting his hands fall away from the steering wheel. “I’m the man you murdered.”
“Mark, no!” Kerri reached for the steering wheel, but it was too late. The tires were still touching the street, but Kerri had no leverage and couldn’t control the car as it careened through the safety rail with a loud, metallic crunch.
The Porsche went into free-fall, nose tipping downward, rear end catching up fast. Kerri was trapped, her world turned upside down, and she was about to die.
Her phone rang.
* * *
Kerri Abernathy sprang up from a fitful sleep, blonde hair plastered against her head with cold night sweat. Her heart pounding, mouth dry, as she looked around her bedroom, her smartphone rang with a musical jingle. Her breasts rose and fell with her panting, the sheets damp before she dropped her head back onto the pillow.
Just a dream, Kerri told herself, I wasn’t there with Mark that night.
I didn’t die.
Kerri recognized the name on the screen and swiped it on the third ring.
“Yvonne.”
“Ker, are you just waking up?”
Kerri looked around the room, eyes squinting, thoughts hazy as the morning sun. “Yeah, what time is it?”
“Nine o’clock, sleepy head. Time for our spa day. I’ll pick you up in twenty.”
Another spa day, Kerri repeated. Why the hell not? What else have I got to do? It’s not as if I’ve got a life or anything.
Those twenty minutes passed quickly; a fast shower to cleanse her pale, lightly freckled skin, hot water cascading over her shapely legs, fat-free torso, breasts round and firm. In her mid-twenties, Kerri felt as if she were still in her prime, and not some old widow waiting for death; at least she felt that way most of the time.
Once at New Sensations, the newest and most popular day spa in Beverly Hills, Kerri was finally able to relax. Yvonne Suggs, a curvy brunette and her best friend, lay on a massage table next to Kerri while the two enjoyed a deep tissue massage. The magical fingers of a handsome, dark-skinned young man dug into her back and shoulder muscles, working away the kinks with every powerful pinch and knead. The salty smell of seaweed was heavy in the air, as she took long, drawn out breaths.
Once Kerri’s body was well worked and relaxed, hot stones were placed at key points along her spine, sending soothing waves of warmth throughout her muscles, her chest, all the way down her entire being. She was too relaxed to speak.
Kerri and Yvonne were chin deep in a heavy mud bath, cucumber slices on their eyes, when Yvonne finally said, “Feel better?”
Kerri smiled, despite herself. “What makes you think I wasn’t perfectly fine this morning?” Yvonne just chuckled, and Kerri had to as well. “Never could fool you.”
“What are best friends for other than to see through each other’s bullshit?” They chuckled again, but it didn’t last.
Kerri said, “I had that dream again.”
“Oh, Ker, when are you gonna get some professional help for that?”
“Yvonne, I’m not crazy, just … it’s only been a year. It haunts me, what can I say?”
“So go to a dream whisperer or something. It’s been a year, and you really do have to move on, at least get a good night’s rest. It’s called self-care, Kerri, and you need it.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, and this is great for stress. God, I don’t remember how I ever survived back in Detroit, before I met Harvey. And it’s time for you to stop thinking about the past too.”
“I know, I’m … I’m dealing with it, in my own way.”
After a long, sad pause, Yvonne spoke quietly, “It wasn’t your fault, y’know. You did everything you could to save him, we did that intervention. By the end, he wasn’t even the same person. The man you married died years before that car crash.”
“Yeah, I know that, Yvonne, I really do, but … how much of that was my fault?”
“None of it. He lost control, and that’s something we each have to deal with for ourselves. What you need is a man who’s still in control of his life, a real man, not some out-of-control man-child on a bender.”
“C’mon, Yvonne, that’s a little unfair. Mark was dealing with a lot of shit before he died. — ”
“Okay, Ker, I say this with all the love and respect in the world, and I’ve waited a year to say it: Mark was a rising star, on his way to being one of the greatest actors of his generation. He was rich and famous and had a gorgeous, loving wife. So, where was all that shit you’re talking about?”
“His father, Mark felt he could never please him. I think that was something we had in common. You know me and my mom, all that mess we were constantly going through.”
“And how long has it been since you’ve called home?”
“Home? I live in my own home, alone. I call them on the holidays.”
“When you have to.”
“That’s right. Mark used to say, ‘Family is just the first people you meet.’”
“Pretty dark stuff, Ker.”
“But true. Hey, it brought us together.”
“Mutual misery is nothing to build a marriage on, Ker. Even so, he then shot movie after movie, cheating on you with his female leads.”
“Those were only rumors, Yvonne, nobody ever came forward.”
“How many rumors must you tolerate before you hear that something was happening?- Ker, you just didn’t want to know, you didn’t want to accept it or believe it.”
“I should have been with him on those movie sets.”
; “What about your own career?”
Kerri rocked her head in the soothing mud. “Oh please; a few slasher movies and a pilot they couldn’t sell. That’s not a career, it’s a death march.”
Yvonne asked, “Why don’t you call up your old agent, see if he’s got anything good?- Y’never know.”
“Actually, this time, I do know; Lew Stallmaster died last year. I hear his son Benjamin’s in charge now.”
“So?”
“So, I think he’s younger than I am! No way am I gonna get any cheesecake work from him, much less anything substantial. Let’s face it, Yvonne, as far as Hollywood’s concerned, I’m yesterday’s news; just another strumpet who made it past twenty-two, otherwise known as retirement age.”
They chuckled, shaking their heads.
“It’s a shame though, Ker. You were really good.”
Kerri shrugged. “I’d have taken even the smallest roles on any of Mark’s movies if they could have swung it.”
“And they could have,” Yvonne said. “If they didn’t, it’s because Mark didn’t want you there. You have to start thinking about why that is.”
“All right, Yvonne, okay, let’s say he was cheating on me. He’s dead now, there’s no reason to go on hating him for his mistakes.”
After a thick pause, Yvonne asked, “Then why go on hating yourself?”
After the mud bath they bathed and swathed in thick, white robes and enjoyed a fruit smoothie. Kerri’s familiar smartphone music played and she reached into her purse to glance at the screen.
Yvonne asked, “Who is it?”
“George.”
“Oh,” Yvonne said with a sexy grin, “the lawyer.”
“It’s not going to be personal.”
Yvonne’s grin faded to a disgusted sneer. “Oh, the lawyer.”
Billionaire Benefactor Daddy: A Single Dad & Virgin Romance Boxset Page 61