Never Let Me Go: The Complete Set

by Jessica Gibson

  “Tell me what you want tonight, Kitten,” I whispered as I descended over her beautiful body on the bed.

  “Just you baby.” She brought my lips down to hers.

  I WOKE UP FEELING BLISSFULLY happy about the way my life was going. Logan had finally shared all his secrets with me, and the funny thing is that I would have married him even if he hadn’t. I glanced down at my hand, watching the diamond on my ring wink in the sunlight.

  “You awake?” I nuzzled into Logan’s chest.

  “Sort of,” he groaned. I had gone to sleep way before him. He had been on the phone for half the night.

  “Did you get all your work done last night?” I kissed his collarbone.

  “What?” He blinked at me.

  “You were on the phone all night,” I reminded him.

  “Oh. Yeah, I got it all done. That reminds me, you need to be in the shower soon. I have big things planned for you today.”

  “Like what?” I didn’t move from my spot.

  “Like you’ll find out after you get in the shower. Scoot!” he ordered, sitting up in bed and grabbing his phone from the side table.

  “Fine, have it your way. Here I was hoping for some morning sex, and all that I get is being kicked out of bed.”

  His eyes shot to mine and I thought I had won, but he only smacked my ass and sent me on my way to the bathroom.

  As I started the shower, I heard him talking softly on the phone in the bedroom. I knew he wouldn’t tell me his secret until he was ready, so I hopped in and started lathering up.

  By the time I came out in my robe, there was someone else in the room with Logan, sitting on the bed, their heads bent in close.

  “Am I interrupting?” I felt a pang of irritation and the woman sitting so close to him.

  “Nope.” Logan grinned and my heart stopped for a moment as I saw who was sitting with him.

  “Charity!” I squealed and sprinted to the bed, tackling her in the covers. “What are you doing here?”

  “Logan called last night and asked me to come. I mean, I can’t miss your wedding day can I?” She grinned.

  “Wait, what? Wedding day?” I was beyond confused.

  “You heard right, Kitten. We’re getting married today. I don’t want to wait to make you my wife. And what better place to get married than Paris?” He looked uncertain for a moment.

  “What about my parents? And other sisters? They’ll hate that they weren’t here.” I would hate that they weren’t here, too, but I didn’t say it.

  “Why don’t you knock on that door?” He pointed to the door to one of the other bedrooms in the suite. I knocked and almost fell over when my mom opened the door with a huge smile on her face. My sisters and dad were standing behind her.

  “How long have you been planning this?” I was in shock.

  “Since before California. I just hoped you would say yes when I asked you.” He came and took me in his arms.

  “You are too good to me, Logan.” I kissed him.

  My mom cleared her throat. “Break it up you two, we have a lot to get done before tonight.”

  “Shit. I don’t even have a dress!” My eyes were wild.

  “That’s all set up. You have a private dress shop a few floors down. I had all the big designers send things over in your size.” Logan pulled me in tighter.

  “Hands off now, Mr. McFadden.” Charity pulled me away from him and into the room with my family. “We’ll see you tonight at the church.”

  “Bye, Kitten.” He blew me a kiss, his eyes full of love.

  “See you.” I waved as the door shut.

  After hugging everyone and letting the women squeal over my beautiful three carat round solitaire on its glittering diamond band, we headed down to my own little dress shop. I gasped when we walked in. Every available surface was a mirror, and racks and racks of dresses filled the room. There were three women ready to help.

  “Bonjour.” The one closest to us smiled. “Tell us a little about what you’re looking for.”

  I didn’t know what I was looking for. We had only been engaged for like a second so I hadn’t had time to dream about dresses yet.

  “Um…” I eyed all the racks.

  “Silhouette?” she asked.

  “Not princessy,” I blurted without thinking.

  “Okay, so something form-fitting? Do you have a certain fabric in mind?” She walked to a rack with huge ball gowns and shoved it against the wall.

  “Satin.” I knew Logan would love to see me in satin. “Or lace.” Something about Paris made me think lace.

  She tapped a finger to her lips and walked to another rack. My mom and sisters were already diving in and pulling gowns for me to try on.

  “Oh Grace, what about this?” Hope held up a simple strapless satin gown.

  “I’ll try it on.” I turned my attention back to what the others were holding up. My mom had form fitting lace gown with a v in the front and back. Faith held up a satin mermaid with a sweetheart neck. Charity held up a slinky satin gown with a slit up the leg.

  “Wow,” I said to all of them.

  I spent the next hour trying on gown after gown, which was exhausting. I stepped out in my favorite so far. It was a sleek satin mermaid or trumpet style with a mostly open back. I felt like a rock star in it, and I knew Logan would flip out when he saw me in it. The satin hugged every curve like this gown had been made especially for me. I didn’t know it was possible for something to fit so well.

  “Yowza.” Faith walked around me. “That is some dress.”

  “It’s really amazing, Grace.” Hope dabbed at her eyes, always the crier in our family.

  “Mom?” I turned to see what she thought and found her in tears next to Hope.

  “It’s perfect.” She blotted her cheeks. “Logan will love it.”

  “You look seriously hot in that.” Charity grinned. “Now, let’s talk shoes.”

  I tried on fifty pairs of shoes before we found the right ones. The satin matched the dress perfectly and the heel was high without making me think I would kill myself as I walked down the aisle.

  Butterflies flitted around in my stomach. I was getting married tonight. I had gone from engaged to almost married in less than twenty-four hours.

  Back up in the suite, I could hear Logan and Smith in the other room laughing with my dad and a distinctly French sounding voice that I guessed was Henri when we found Leah waiting for us.

  “Did you know about this?” I grinned and hugged her.

  “Yep, but he swore me to secrecy. Let’s see the dress!”

  My mom hung up the gown on the back of the door and tears sprang to my eyes. This was all happening. I was really going to marry Logan. He was my forever.

  “Oh, Grace, it’s gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” I dabbed at my eyes. “Do I need to introduce you all?”

  “No, we had breakfast together this morning.” She grinned. “How else were we supposed to coordinate all of this for you?” Her laugh was contagious.

  A team of women came in a few minutes later and the room turned into beauty central for the next two hours. Each woman showed me the dress chosen for her to wear, all in the same shade of charcoal gray.

  For my hair, I asked for simple elegance. Something to make the dress the showpiece. They outdid my expectations—I had an intricately braided bun piled high on my head. My make-up was done heavier than normal, but it was gorgeous, smoky and perfect.

  As they slipped me into my gown, I heard gasps. My mom was crying, and Hope was holding her.

  “Oh, honey. You are so beautiful.”

  I felt beautiful. I felt sexy and like I could do anything. “Thanks, Mom.” I fanned my face so I wouldn’t cry.

  There was a knock at the adjoining door and Faith let Smith in. His eyes were like saucers when he saw me.

  “Holy hell, you’re going to give him a heart attack.” He rubbed his chin as he stared.

  “You think?” My smile widened.

&n
bsp; “I know.” He nodded. “Anyways, he would like a quick word with you before we go to the church.”

  “Absolutely not,” my mom yelled. “He can’t see her until the wedding,” she insisted, with her hand on her hip.

  “Mom,” I said softly. “I want to see him, too. Nothing about this is traditional. Besides, this way I can fix my make-up if I cry when I see him.”

  “No. Sorry, Grace, but it’s not going to happen.” She shook her head, and Hope and Faith joined her. Charity looked like she wanted to be on my side, but clearly, knew she was outnumbered.

  “Fine, well at least scoot out and let us talk through the door,” I begged.

  “I swear, Grace, if you let him in, you’re in trouble.” My mom pointed a finger at me.

  “I’ll be good, I promise.” After they had left, I approached the door, nervous for some reason. “Logan?”

  The door opened a crack and his hand came through. “I’m here, Kitten.”

  It was like a tractor beam had me in its thrall, my feet moved of their own accord until my fingers were laced with his.

  “Are you ready for this? To be my wife?” He sounded nervous which was very unlike him.

  “The most ready I have been in my whole life, baby,” I said with my whole heart.

  “I have something for you.” His hand disappeared for a moment and returned with a velvet box.

  I took it from him and opened it. Nestled in the black velvet was a diamond choker with a heart clasp. “Logan, it’s beautiful.” I sighed and ran my fingers over the stones.

  “You’ll wear it tonight?”

  “Of course.” I slipped it on my neck and quickly clasped it shut.

  “I love you, Kitten. I’m so ready to be your husband.” His voice was full of emotion and I wished so bad I could kiss him.

  “Close your eyes,” I said.

  “What? Why?” His surprised voice rang through the door.

  “I want to kiss you, but I don’t want my mom to kill us, so close your eyes.”

  “I like the way you think.” He laughed.

  “Are they closed?” I asked after closing my own.

  “Yep.”

  I waited a beat and opened the door wider, my fingers searching for his lips. My eyes threatened to disobey my orders, so I squeezed them shut before planting a gentle kiss on his lips. The sound of his sigh made me weak in the knees.

  I heard the door open on my end and quickly jumped back and closed our door to a crack.

  “Okay, you two, we need to get you both to the church if you still plan on getting married.” Faith walked toward me, looking gorgeous in her strapless dress.

  “See you soon, Kitten,” he murmured as Faith shut the door with a smile.

  “That’s quite a necklace.” She nodded.

  “He likes to spoil me.” I smiled and my fingers touched the stones at my neck.

  “Let’s do this, baby girl.” She kissed my cheek and we walked down to the limo.

  As the sun was setting, we pulled up to a small church on the outskirts of Paris, flowers and lanterns already lining the walkways. I sighed in delight as they helped me from the car.

  My dad came to stand next to me as we approached the big wooden double doors.

  “You look beautiful, princess. Are you ready to go become a Mrs.?” He tucked my arm in his.

  I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. I had a feeling that I was going to cry as soon as I saw Logan.

  My sisters and Leah stood in front of us as the doors opened, walking down before me and my dad.

  I gasped when I saw what was inside. Thousands of candles bathed the room in golden flickering light. White flowers covered everything. He had outdone himself with this. It’s exactly what I would have wanted had I planned it myself.

  My eyes locked onto Logan as we slowly started to make our way down the aisle. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo, a look of wonder on his face.

  I could feel my heart beating fast as we approached the end of the aisle. My gaze never left Logan, I couldn’t look away. My dad stopped a few feet from him and my mom came to join us on my other side. I laced my fingers with both of them, feeling the emotion rolling off them in waves.

  “We are gathered here to marry this man and this woman,” Smith said from just behind Logan. I arched a brow and he shrugged. Apparently, he was ordained.

  “Who gives this woman to this man?” He smiled in my dad’s direction.

  “Her mother and I do.” They both kissed my cheeks then my dad walked us the few steps to reach Logan. “Take care of my girl.” He hugged Logan before placing my hand in his.

  “I promise you that I’ll take care of her for the rest of our lives.” He looked at my dad and nodded.

  My heart skipped a beat when he looked back in my direction. God, I loved him.

  GRACE, MY BEAUTIFUL GRACE. I couldn’t stop staring at her. She was the sun, and I would orbit around her all my life.

  “Are you ready?” Smith asked us as we turned to face him.

  “Very,” she said.

  “Logan has some words that he would like to say before the traditional vows.” Smith smiled in my direction.

  We turned to face each other, and I took her hands in mine. “Grace, my love, my heart. I promise to always take care of you and love you until time ends for us. I won’t always be the perfect husband, and I know there will be hard times ahead of us. But I promise to never let you fall. I’ll always catch you.” My voice caught in my throat. I’d never felt emotion like this.

  “I love you,” she whispered. “You’re it for me, baby. I’ll be your best friend and love you forever.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  “I thought that marriage was a joke before I met you. It wasn’t something I ever considered, but one night with you and my whole world came crashing down. You showed me what love is, Kitten. You showed me that it’s okay to want things, to want more, to be more. If I have a hundred years with you, it won’t be enough. You’re amazing, incredible. I never thought I would be so lucky in all my life.”

  I broke the rules then and kissed her, wiping away her tears. She was my whole world. I needed her to feel what I was feeling, to know what she meant to me. “It’s you and me forever, Kitten,” I whispered into her lips.

  “Logan…” She caught her breath a moment when I pulled away. I couldn’t see anything but her; it was like we were the only people in the world. “You showed me that I was worth loving and fixed what was broken inside of me. You taught me to trust again. The life that I was leading wasn’t really living until you. I want to give you everything you never had, and erase all of the pain from your past. I don’t care about what happened before we met because it made you who you are right now, and that person is the man I love. I’m so ready to be your wife and begin a life with you.” The emotion in her eyes took my breath away.

  I heard the sound of muffled crying and remembered that there were others in the room with us. Slowly, the world started turning again.

  “Are we ready for the vows?” Smith said in a hoarse voice, his eyes misty.

  We both nodded.

  “Logan Steven McFadden, do you take Grace Louise DeLeo to be your wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and health, for better or for worse? As long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.” I practically screamed the words.

  “Grace Louise DeLeo, do you take Logan Steven McFadden to be your husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse? As long as you both shall live?

  “I do,” she said through her tears.

  “Faith, can I have the rings?” He smiled tenderly at her as she handed them over.

  “Logan, take this ring and place it on Grace’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “With this ring, I thee wed.” Saying the words so many other couples had said for hundreds of years felt so powerful to me. I slipped the diamond band on her finger and my heart clenched.

  “Grace, p
lace this ring on Logan’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “With this ring, I thee wed,” she breathed, barely a whisper, as she slipped the ring on my finger.

  “It’s my pleasure to announce that you are now husband and wife.” Smith grinned broadly. “Logan, you may kiss your bride.”

  The world stopped turning once again, and it was only Grace and me. I took a step toward her, my hand cupping her cheek. She was so beautiful. I took her in my arms, and her breath caught. I dipped her back and kissed her with everything I had in me.

  For the second time in two days, applause erupted around us as we kissed. When we finally broke apart, we looked at the wet faces of our family.

  I took her hand in mine, and we walked down the aisle together, finally husband and wife.

  “Are you happy?” She stared up at me with wide eyes.

  “Kitten, happy doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling right now.” I pulled her into my arms again and kissed her. My wife. Forever.

  A moment later, the family descended on us. Love hugged me tight, her cheeks wet with happy tears. “Welcome to the family, honey. We love you both so much.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I whispered. The surprised look quickly in her eyes quickly turned to tears.

  “I want to be that person for you, Logan. You’re ours now, and we take care of our own.” She kissed my cheek and passed me along to Hope.

  “Treat her right, Logan. Never make her cry. Love her forever,” she whispered. I knew she was thinking about John, how could she not on a day like this.

  “Hope. I can tell you with certainty that I will love her forever. I can’t say that I’ll never make her cry because, let’s face it, we both know that I will. But I can promise that I’ll make it right every time.”

  “Good. That’s all I can ask of you. I love you.” She hugged me tight, pressing her cheek to mine.

  “I love you, too.” I hugged her back.

  Faith was next in line; she had no witty words for me this time. Her cheeks were shiny with tears. “Goddamn you, McFadden. That was the most beautiful wedding ceremony I’ve ever seen.”