Bride Interrupted
Page 8
She placed her fingers over his lips. “Stop. My turn. I was confused and hurt. When I saw you with all that blood on you… Then I found that rhyme in your desk.” She shivered.
“Oh, baby. When I got to the bar, Mags wasn’t in there, but the doors were all unlocked. I went to the store room and found her.”
“Shh. I know that. She said that it wasn’t you. I believe her. And I believe you. It was just so much to process. I was scared.”
He sighed and looked out over the water. He bit his bottom lip, then released it. Pulling her to him, he whispered, “Process it later.” They stayed in each other’s embrace for minutes, not speaking. Colton broke the silence. “Hey, you did a great job up there with Mags’ wedding.”
She took a step back. She wrapped her arms around her middle and looked at him. “Thanks. I've acquired several new clients, and some of them want a beach wedding. Tell me, why have you been so against my idea of holding weddings here?”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not totally against it. Seeing how happy Maggie is, I know it's a good idea. My first wife was hell bent on making her boutique successful. She fought me constantly to grow and add to her business. I watched her run it in the ground. I can't let that happen to Earl.”
“I understand. I would never jeopardize his place.” She could've eased his mind a long time ago if she had known these things.
“Just take it slow. One step at a time.” His hand brushed her hair away from her face.
“Promise.” She would prove to him this could be done. Colton stared out over the dark waters. Something else was on his mind. “Talk to me,” she whispered.
“Your grandfather helped me out when I left the force. It took a while for me to establish myself as a private undercover agent, and Earl was so supportive. I don't know that I can ever repay him.”
“You already have by being there for him.” Kayla placed a hand on his shoulder. She wanted to know everything about this man. “You said your first wife. You and Andrea were engaged, but was there a second wife?”
Colton faced her. His hands caressed her bare upper arms. Just his touch stirred her. He cupped her chin with one hand and held her captive with his gaze. “There's only been one marriage. And there will only be one more.”
He fished something out of his pocket. Kayla’s heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath. She tried to speak. “Wha…”
“Shh.” His finger rested over her lips. His crooked smile melted her. When he opened his hand, a single solitaire diamond sparkled under the moonlight. “Kayla, will you marry me? Be my wife.”
She was speechless. His proposal came out of nowhere. She did not see it coming. Her heart fluttered, and her insides danced with happiness. “I…I…” Damn, her voice would not cooperate.
Colton took a step closer. He lifted her left hand and slid the ring on her finger. “Look, Earl said if this didn't work, he was buying me out of the bar and sending you back to New Orleans.” His smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He was worried she would turn him down.
Kayla laughed. “Well, if Grandpa says it--”
Colton shook his head. “Don't agree for his sake. I want to make all your dreams come true. I want you by my side at the bar, and more importantly, at home. I want to make love to you every day.” He wiped the tears away that she didn't realize she was crying. “So what do you say? Marry me, because I love you more than anything in this world.”
The smile started slow, but spread so big it had to extend to her eyes. His love reflected back to her in his dark eyes. “I love you too, Colton.” They kissed under the moonlight, music from the bar reaching them over the open breeze. She pulled back, bit her lip, and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I will have you as my husband.”
It felt good saying that, knowing they would make an amazing team. She stroked his cheek, surprised to find his skin damp with moisture.
He hugged her tightly against him. “Oh baby, you just made me the happiest man. God, I love you.”
They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms for several minutes, the surf crashing around their feet, the ocean sounds caressing their souls.
Kayla was giddy. She kissed him on the lips and started to walk away, a skip in her step. “Wait until I tell Grandpa. And Mags.”
Colton pulled her back. “Slow down, fireball. One thing at a time.” He pulled her down onto the sugary sands and kissed all thoughts out of her mind. All she could think about was this man who completed her.
Also by Taylor Anne
Heat Flash
A Christmas for Santa
Smoke and Mirrors
“Smoke and Mirrors is the perfect blend of suspense and romance. … The readers will keep guessing what will happen until the end.” – Seriousreading.com
“I appreciated and enjoyed the age of the main characters. They were mature and sexy with it.” – about Smoke and Mirrors – Karyn Good, author of Exposed (The Aspen Lake Series)
“A very good Christmas story that deals with a very delicate subject matter. The story is written with feeling but with escapism to be acceptable as a Christmas tale.” – about A Christmas for Santa – Amazon customer
“Heat Flash is a suspenseful story with lots of steamy heat about the one that got away.” – Cocktails and Books
About the Author
Wake up every day and decide to make it a great one! I do believe being positive is a choice we have to make. Do it. It can change you.
Besides trying to bring smiles to people’s faces, I enjoy living life to its fullest. Give me a glass of wine, some good music, cats, the beach, sunshine,… Well, I could go on and on. With all the trials and tribulations we face each day in our personal lives as well as the world, I find it is so much easier to deal with if you have a positive attitude, put your trust in your higher power (mine is God), and enjoy the life you have.
I live in SouthWest Louisiana (Bayou Country and great Cajun food) with my wonderful and supportive husband. Our combined families include four amazing children; two daughters and two sons – and growing with in-laws and grandbabies. Oh, and one cat, Oscar. It is such a blessing to have the love, encouragement (and computer help!) from my family. I could not make it daily without each of them.
Thank you for purchasing BRIDE INTERRUPTED. I hope you enjoy. I would love to hear from you. You can find me all over social media, and connect with me in my newsletter, Taylor’s Tidbits. Email taylor@tayloranne.net
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