by Ashley Munoz
Finally, Ryan stood and pulled me close, whispering in my ear, “Because this thing between us, it’s something that happens only once, and I’ve managed to almost lose it twice. I won’t risk it again.”
I nodded, my throat too raw to respond correctly. Ryan descended with vigor, sealing his lips to mine, pulling me flush against his body. We walked backward toward the counters as our lips marked one another with a promise, a vow to never lose each other again. Blinded by the overwhelming love and steady stream of tears, I didn’t even see Ryan unbutton my flannel shirt or my jeans, but by the time we reached the counter, he’d lifted me and tugged them free.
“Bexley, I need your answer.” Strong fingers tugged at the lace between my legs.
Ryan’s heady look would be my undoing. In my peripheral I saw the black box on the counter to the right, and I was too overwhelmed to look inside. Behind us, the fireplace clicked on and the shades began to slowly roll down, covering each of the windows.
“How did you…?”
That smug smirk was in place again. “Handy, isn’t it?” He waved a thin black controller in my face before setting it to the side.
“Next, music will start playing through the speakers,” I joked while he pressed a kiss to my knee.
“Once we move in, we’ll have Alexa do all that for us, which reminds me…” That aqua glare stared as it neared my center. He was challenging me.
“Well, let’s see…” I leaned back on my elbows; my black bra was on full display now that my shirt had been opened. “I might need some convincing…this is an awfully big house.”
“We can hire help.” He pressed a kiss to my inner thigh, moving higher to the place I needed him most. “Or we can sell this dump and move somewhere else.”
I quirked an eyebrow in challenge. “What if I want to stay in my little house?”
His hot breath fanned the wet scrap of fabric between my thighs. “No can do.”
He didn’t need to elaborate; I already knew we wouldn’t start our lives in the same house I had lived in with Logan.
“Well then, I think maybe I can give this place a go…” I gripped the sandy strands of his hair, smiling down at him.
“That so?” He pressed a kiss to the black lace then his finger ran a trail up the center of my covered slit.
I tossed my head on instinct with how good the contact felt.
“So…what’s it going to be?” He slowly gripped the lace and shoved it to the side as he licked through my folds.
Moaning, I pushed my hips closer to his face. He could live for a few more seconds without an answer.
“There are so many things to consider,” I mused breathlessly.
His tongue lapped at me in leisurely strokes as he focused on my wet center.
“Like what?” he asked, sticking a thick finger inside me while his tongue latched onto my clit.
“Ummm…” I tried to think of something to say as his mouth worked me. He spread my legs further apart and gripped my ass, dragging me closer to the edge.
“Like…do you think you’ll ever want kids?”
“Most definitely.” His mouth returned to my clit, his entire face nearly immersed in my soaking center.
I rocked against him, tugging on the ends of his hair.
“I’d say, two to begin with…preferably around seven and five.” He stood but quickly turned his attention to massaging my core. It felt so good I wanted to weep. “But…” He flicked the copper button of his jeans, his hard length already begging to be freed. Pulling it out, he rubbed the crown of his cock against my slit. “I wouldn’t mind adding another one…or maybe a few more to the mix.”
He thrust inside me fast, and hard.
“Yes,” I moaned, my head thrown back again.
“You want more, Bex?” He pushed inside me, pulling me back by gripping my ass.
“I want anything as long as it’s with you.” I watched him as he slid out to look where we connected, only to slam into me again.
“That include marriage?” He slowed his movements, now moving slow and sensual.
“Yes, Ryan Prince…that includes marriage. I want to be your wife. I want to start a life with you.”
Ryan smiled wider than I’d ever seen him smile, his white teeth beaming in the darkening room, only lit by the fire behind us. His movements increased, going faster and faster, but he wasn’t through. I knew he would need more of me, so I took off my shirt and removed my bra, and then I was being carried.
Ryan pushed me into the nearest wall, and my arms went around his neck as he intensified our rhythm.
“I love you, Bex,” he rasped, out of breath while rocking into me at a dizzying pace.
“I love you too. Now please…” I begged, needing him to finish this.
Two hard thrusts later, I was seeing stars, he was roaring his release, and I was thoroughly and expertly sated.
We lay in front of the fire, the massive white diamond secured on my finger, my cheek against his bare chest while he stroked my arm.
The floor was hard below us, but we’d used our clothes as pillows, and for now that was enough.
“I can’t believe you walked away from it,” I mused to the darkening room.
I was exhausted. After we’d finished and Ryan had put the ring on my finger, he was ready to go again.
“I don’t look at it like that.” His husky voice filled the room. “I look at it like I’m finally walking in the right direction. Acting was just a place filler, a temporary role until I found where I belonged.”
I tilted my head until I could catch that familiar shade of green. “And where do you belong?”
“With you. Always with you…and maybe as a little league coach…and if Bella will have me, a dad who dresses up like a prince, so she can be my princess.”
My heart was so far gone, but apparently there was still a little left to melt at his words.
“And what will you be to your wife?” I stroked the line leading to that delicious V at his waist.
“A fucking fantastic lover, a friend, a protector…and…” He thought for a second. “Well shit, it seems like you might be getting a raw deal here, but I swear when we do start having babies, I’ll deal with the bodily fluids.”
I let out a laugh so loud and so strong I swear it knit pieces of my old broken heart back together. I felt whole and loved and entirely complete.
“Deal. Let’s get the kids and start this thing.” I pressed one more kiss to his chest.
“Not just yet.” He tugged me until I was on top of him, laughing while he took us over the edge once more, whispering into my skin again that this love was the kind we’d find only once and that we weren’t ever walking away from it, not in this lifetime.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
“I can’t get over it. I am dying!”
“I think we all are, Cammy.” The two women in evening gowns fussed and flitted about on the red carpet, gawking at my husband. I smiled as I heard them speaking behind us. In all fairness, everyone was a little out of sorts at the sight of Ryan Prince wearing a baby pack where one of our sons was strapped to his chest and the other was on his back.
“I have never seen a man in a tuxedo carry babies! I literally can’t with this cuteness!” Camilla, the woman in yellow who was on a popular entertainment show, fanned her face.
Ryan was indeed wearing a tuxedo, his hair styled to perfection and his bronzed skin looking godlike against his aqua eyes. Our sons, Leeland and Hendrix, were dressed similarly in little tuxedo onesies Shay had made special for today. We were walking the red carpet for my husband’s latest HitFlix release. It was for a play he’d written, produced, and starred in; Bella had inspired it, and together the two of them had slowly put it together.
“I heard he first debuted this play for his daughter’s school, which is just crazy cute,” Joan mused, getting closer and closer to our little group. Bella donned a little pink ballgown, her golden curls spun and spilled down h
er back. Ryan had made sure she had a tiara for the occasion, and Cole was dressed in a slate gray tux with his dark hair swept to the side. He gripped my elbow, escorting me down the carpet while Ryan held Bella’s hand.
When we’d learned we were having twins after that first year of marriage, we were elated. Cole and Bella were so excited they worked for three months to pick out names and even started setting up the spare bedroom with Belle’s baby toys, creating an outline for where the boys would sleep. It made my heart soar.
Logan had started warming up to Ryan once he realized there was no chance left for anything to happen. He finally realized his relationship with his kids was paramount, and while the world did call Bella and Cole Ryan’s kids, Ryan always made sure to point the light back toward Logan. The two of them weren’t friends by any means, but they were teammates when it came to parenting our kids.
Ryan loved Cole and Bella like they were his, but he respected that they needed a healthy and whole relationship with their dad. He knew how amazing our kids would be with both father figures in their lives. Logan’s parents didn’t really budge on their desire to connect with the kids, so they only saw them once or twice a year, whereas Gloria and Gary were with us multiple times a week.
They loved Bella and Cole as if they were biologically theirs. They had even before Ryan had made his move, so the kids felt even more secure in their affection because of it. I’d never felt more chosen, more loved, or more secure in my entire life, so much so that when Ryan was offered the chance to act again, I urged him to do it.
After mulling it over for weeks, he reluctantly took a new role. He drew the line at having any roles involving romance. No longer would he be the sexy playboy on screen. He accepted family roles, or major action projects; otherwise he’d skip it. I encouraged him to be happy, and he always reminded me that he was.
He always reminded me that he’d finally found the place he wanted to exist and thrive in more so than anywhere else. When our boys were born, he looked at me with so much love and devotion I couldn’t bear it. He held my hand while we each held on to our babies, and with tears in his eyes, he said this was it for him, said all the dreams he could ever have were in that room.
“Did you get a look at his wife? I love the little clips we get of their family on social media, but my gawd she’s gorgeous in that floor-length Andrea & Leo dress,” Joan gushed, still attempting to wrangle us into a circle so she could interview us. It was hilarious how the two women continued to talk to each other as though we weren’t there. Ryan would always remind me that it was just Hollywood. Everyone talked like you weren’t right there listening.
Finally, we managed to stand close enough for people to get their photos. Ryan stood to the side so both babies could be seen, and Bella and Cole stood in front of me while I gripped my husband’s hand. Flashes of light blinded us as we smiled at the row of reporters, and Joan and Camilla stepped closer until two microphones were shoved near our group.
“Ryan, everyone is dying from how cute your family is!” Camilla gushed, smiling up at my husband. She wore a loud, yellow dress that formed to her curvy shape perfectly. Joan wore a sequined blue dress that flared at the floor, and both women had diamonds hanging and dangling from various places on their bodies.
“Thank you very much. I’m pretty proud of them.” Ryan smiled down at the kids and rubbed Hendrix’s head.
“Rumors are swirling about your return to the big screen…can you tell us what your plans are?” Joan asked while toying with Bella’s curls.
“You’re looking at it. I’m a family man, so they’ll come first. Everything else will forever be second.”
I smiled, feeling old scar tissue in my soul warm over from how perfect it felt to be whole. To be chosen, to be loved…it was beauty and chaos all blended into the most perfect of beginnings.
Thank you so much for reading!
If you enjoyed this book, I please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon. It helps other readers know whether or not to take a chance on a still very new author.
Facts about the book:
While this story is a work of fiction, there are many parts of this book that were really lived out by me. So, I thought I would share a few for the fun of it.
The resort:
I spent three weeks over the summer of 2020 working at a local resort, and everything Bexley did on the resort, I did.
EVERYTHING.
Okay, I didn’t chase cows, but my co workers did. Yes, people really woke up to these random cows outside their villa windows. They were all over the place.
All of my co-workers had really just graduated high school. It was sobering since I had a high schooler at home…yeah, my supervisor really was fresh out of her senior year and driving a nicer car than me.
Ryan was the name of my first love, while he was not a Hollywood actor, nor did he go pro in football…he was pretty amazing. His mother was Gloria, his father Gary and each of them hold a very special place in my heart. I think they always will.
The town I put Bexley in is called Sisters, Oregon…look it up, it’s freaking gorgeous.
Also by Ashley Munoz
All in Kindle Unlimited
Glimmer
Fade
At First Fight (Get it for FREE)
What Are the Chances
The Rest of Me
Tennessee Truths
Vicious Vet
About the Author
Ashley resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her four children and her husband. She loves coffee, reading fantasy, and writing about people who kiss and cuss.
She’s most active in her reader group: Book Beauties and would love it if you joined her there or in any of these places below.
Acknowledgments
First, thanks to God my creator who gave me this gift to write and inspires me with stories and has blessed my life in such a way that I can keep doing it.
Second, to my husband Jose- I wonder if people get tired of these love notes I write to you. You’re my home base. My center. The best man that I have ever known. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for always making me laugh and giving me a place to feel safe.
To my kids- I’m sorry I’m always a hair brained mess of deadlines and random story ideas. I love you each so much.
Brittany Taylor, I thought I was going to lose you while I was writing this book. Don’t ever scare me like that again. EVER. I love you so much and I’m so grateful to have you in my corner.
Amy Elizabeth, Nikki Atkinson, Rebecca Patrick, Summer Ford and Ashley Cade thank you all so much for reading through this book while it was still in its early stages and helping me develop it so that it was ready for print. I can’t thank you each enough for your valuable input and help with this process.
Tiffany Hernandez, you are so much more than my PA. You keep my world together when I feel like I’m coming apart. You proofread like a Unicorn, you’re my friend and someone I have truly grown to respect and honor. Thank you for everything you do.
To my editor, C. Marie- Thank you so much for your hard work on this massive book and for always shaping my words so much more perfect than I deserve.
To Tiffany Black, thank you for designing such a perfect cover. You’ve embodied everything I hoped for in this story.
To my street team, I can’t say how thankful I am for your dedication to my work and for all your efforts. I appreciate you all so so much.
To my Book Beauties, I do this for you. I write for you. I keep dreaming for you. Thank you for loving my words.
Sneak Peek of Tennessee Truths
Faith
Age 14
There was something dangerously exhilarating about keeping secrets.
While I only had two tucked away inside my heart, they were enough to make me feel special in a way nothing else ever had.
And as a fourteen-year-old girl, stuck in the throes of middle school, I desperately wanted to feel special. Maybe it was because I
felt pathetically ordinary, although more honestly it was probably because I captured the unnerving attention of my school’s golden boy.
There was nothing actually golden about him, though; he was all dark colors with angry strokes and desperate dabs…he also happened to be my first secret.
The bell rang, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my system, the ear-splitting sound like a blaring alarm repeating one word over and over:
Move. Move. Move.
I darted for my locker as fast as I could without breaking into a run while catching a quick glimpse of the clock hanging on the far wall.
7:35.
I let out a silent breath, wrapping my fingers around the black dial, spinning it forcefully to the left. Hearing a few laughs and titters from down the hall, I wrangled my backpack off and moved swiftly to put my things away.
The yellow sticky note crumpled at the bottom of my locker stalled me, just like it did every time. My second secret. Grinning from ear to ear, I shoved the scrap into the front pocket of my jeans before anyone saw me.
Then, as if the air in the hallway shifted, I knew my time was up. His arrival always felt like the beginning of a hurricane, the few seconds I had to prepare myself like standing in the center, peaceful and calm.
Quick as lightning, I was tugging my books free and situating my English essay. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin my homework before classes even started. I was nearly ready when I heard someone down the hall call out, “Seeds!”