by Alice Raine
Even though I’d only just climaxed, I could feel my desire building again as every one of his strokes managed to rub directly on my g-spot as well as stimulating my clit. Our desperation to come became more evident in our breathing and clawing hands, and then suddenly Jack made a low moan and his hips jerked against me as he came, his body shuddering above mine as I felt his release inside of me.
The jarring of his body against my over-sensitized clit triggered my own second release and I gasped, my skin overheating as I clamped around him and felt spasm after spasm spiralling through me.
Well, that was our marriage well and truly consummated. I almost felt stunned from the intensity of it.
Jack supported his weight, panting desperately but still trying to peck small kisses across my damp brow. ‘Incredible,’ he murmured. ‘You are just incredible.’ He had done wonders for my confidence, but as always, his compliments made me blush and smile.
Once we’d recovered enough to move, Jack slid from me and handed me a hanky, which made me smile and think of my little handkerchief collection.
We re-dressed, both of us giggling and blushing as we tidied up the shed and quickly removed the fairy lights.
‘Do you want children?’ Jack suddenly asked.
A few months ago, I’d never thought I’d ever have a husband, let alone kids, but deep down I’d wanted both since I was a teenager. Would Jack want kids? We’d only just tied the knot, so I picked my reply carefully. ‘I think I would...how about you?’
Jack’s face softened into that sweet, soft expression that I loved and I even saw his cheeks blush. ‘I would, very much.’
I felt a warm, deep sensation of love building in my chest as I imagined mini versions of Jack or myself running around.
‘Guess we can start skipping condoms at some point then,’ I joked, before sobering my expression and giving his waist a squeeze. ‘You’d make an amazing dad.’ The words slipped from my mouth, but Jack seemed utterly thrilled.
‘You think so?’ He looked glued to my answer, his face serious as he waited for my confirmation.
Nodding my head, I cupped his cheek and smiled at him, hardly able to believe this stunning man was really my husband. ‘I know so.’
‘If we have kids they’ll be very lucky then, because you’d also be a great mum.’ My cheeks flushed, and Jack lowered his head and kissed me.
I’m not sure if it was the talk of children, the fact that we’d just got married, or the insatiable bond between us, but his gentle kiss quickly started to turn into something more heated as our hands began exploring again.
Dragging his head up with a groan, Jack grinned, his face flushed with desire even though we’d only just sealed our marriage five minutes before. ‘I’d like our next time as a married couple to be in a bed. Shall we head back to the room?’
My only reply was a keen nod. Sliding his hand down my left arm, he pulled my fingers to his lips and placed a lingering kiss on my wedding ring before interlocking our hands and turning for the door.
As we emerged from the shed into the light of day, it hit me what I’d just done – had steamy sex in a shed – and I laughed, setting Jack off until we were both giggling like naughty teenagers.
Jack tried to tug me towards the gate, but I paused, and pulled my hand free. There was one final thing I wanted to do today, and it seemed fitting to do it in the place where I’d married my amazing man. Touching the elastic bands around my wrist, I slid a finger under them, only to have Jack reach over and stop me with a frown.
‘Hey, you haven’t pinged those for a while, why now? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?’
Smiling at his complete misunderstanding, I shook my head then tugged both elastic bands off my wrist.
Jack’s mouth fell open in surprise as he watched me dispose of them on a table and rub at my empty wrist.
‘I don’t need them any more,’ I murmured softly as Jack moved closer to me, still gaping at my move. ‘I have you to keep me grounded now.’ Rolling up onto my tiptoes I closed the final gap between us and pressed my lips to his.
‘Yes, you do,’ Jack confirmed gruffly, pulling me against him and dragging my arm up so he could kiss the now bare skin on my wrist.
Reluctant to give up the contact between us, I stepped back but slid my fingers down and linked our hands. ‘Shall we head to the hotel?’
Jack grinned his sweet, affectionate smile and I just about melted, almost unable to believe that he was real.
I’d truly believed that the attack by Greg had irreparably changed my life. But now Greg was behind bars – at his trial last month he’d been given two life sentences – and I was relaxed, happy, and married to an amazing man.
Hollywood heartthrob, Jack Felton.
My saviour.
My husband.
‘Thank you for organising today, Jack. You’ve made me the happiest girl in the world.’
Looking around the courtyard, I sighed happily. Considering we’d put it all together in fewer than seven days, it had been everything I’d wanted and more. I’d never craved a huge wedding. The idea of being the focus of attention was terrifying, and as Jack and I had got closer in our relationship and discussed getting engaged it had quickly become clear that he didn’t want a big wedding either; he lived his entire life in the spotlight–he didn’t want our wedding to be in one too.
When Jack had proposed at the start of our holiday it had just seemed like the ideal timing. Jack had taken charge and planned it all, right down to moving us to the beautiful hotel in the centre of Florence with its garden that was licenced for weddings. And its shed, which probably wasn’t licensed for the things we’d just done inside it...
Allie had described our wedding as being perfect, and as I allowed Jack to pull me to his side and lead me onto the streets of Florence, I had to say I couldn’t agree more. It really had been perfect. The prefect day. The perfect man. The perfect start to my new life.
Epilogue
Allie
Just as Sean had promised several months ago when he’d made his dramatic declaration on his balcony, we were married on the beach behind his house in a ceremony that was more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.
Sean and I being together was obviously meant to be, because things couldn’t have gone any smoother. It had been an utterly beautiful day; the weather was perfect, and we’d decorated the beach and wedding area with lanterns and delicate bunches of white and yellow wild flowers, all buried in artistically arranged piles of shells and driftwood.
The pergola where we’d exchanged vows was wrapped up with ribbons and more flowers and as we’d held hands and said ‘I do’ we’d been able to smell their sweet scent on the warm sea breeze.
In true beach style, I’d walked to my fiancé in bare feet, and, instead of a wedding dress, I’d worn a cotton sun dress, but this hadn’t been just any old sun dress–Sean had paid a local designer to help me get it exactly right, and I’d been completely thrilled with the outcome. I’d debated about going for knee-length because of the weather, but in the end had gone for full-length white cotton to retain a part of the usual wedding tradition. Tiny shoulder straps opened out into a backless dress. After the fitted top, the dress plunged to the floor in floaty, airy layers which kept me cool but still looked gorgeous.
Sean, always a fan of me in backless, bra-less dresses, had loved it when he’d finally been allowed to see it. He’d also enjoyed taking me out of it later, when we’d snuck up to the house for a quickie to consummate our union.
I’d opted for three bridesmaids: Cait, Sarah, and Sean’s sister Evie. All three had had a dress of similarly simple style: full length, pale blue cotton with capped sleeves and a curved neckline. Cait had still wanted her back covered for the ceremony, and even though she was far braver with her clothing these days, I guess some of her engrained habits would take longer to get over than others.
We exchanged vows as the sun set behind us, and danced the night away o
n the beach surrounded by our family and friends. It was the perfect day, made even more perfect because I could see just how happy Cait was too.
And all because I’d covered that cleaning shift for Sarah and ended up snowed in with Sean. It was incredible to think that something as inconsequential as helping out my friend had led me to meeting the love of my life. Destiny must have been shining down on me that day.
Even with the twists and turns that our relationship had taken, I couldn’t help but think that everything had worked out perfectly for us. I had my amazing husband and a life in the sun, and Cait, the bravest woman I knew, had found her protector and soul mate, and could leave behind the ghosts of her past. It really was like our very own Hollywood blockbuster–complete with dashing heroes, loved up heroines, and a happily-ever-after ending.
The End
Acknowledgements
First thanks must go to my readers. A huge squishy hug goes out to each and every one of you. The last three years have been incredible, I’ve gone from writing as a hobby, to doing it full time and having two full series now in print, and this is all down to you guys for picking up a book and reading. I am so grateful and honoured that you did – THANK YOU!
I couldn’t do this without my lovely publisher, Accent Press. Thank you for supporting me. The whole crew are amazing, but a special mention must go to Alex, Bethan and Emily for putting up with my endless emails and queries. Alex, you are a saint to deal with my abysmal grammar!
To all my friends and family all around the world who support me and plug my books wherever possible – thank you! The tireless encouragement you give me is amazing. I can’t name you all, but you know who you are, and you are all superstars.
Technical help with this book was needed in places, so thank you Jo Ruiz for the insider information on the workings of a film studio, and Dr Helen Stewart for the medical advice.
My team of beta readers may be small, but we are perfectly formed! You are all fantastic, the feedback is always invaluable, so massive thanks to Grace Lowrie, Sam Berwitz, Leah Weatherall and Katie Newman.
To my newly set up street team – thanks for joining me on the ride, and helping to promote my books. I think we’ll have a lot of fun along the way!
Grace Lowrie, my bestie and a fabulous author to boot. I love our cake-fuelled book chats and can’t wait for the next one! You never fail to send me home feeling motivated and raring to write. The other inspirational authors I’ve met over the past three years, thank you for answering my questions, sharing ideas, keeping me going when times were tough and mostly, becoming people I am now proud to call friends. Laura Carter, Dee Palmer, Katie Newman and Laura Morgan to name but a few.
The list of people to thank could go on and on, but if I’ve missed anyone out feel free to poke me on social media and I’ll post my thanks publicly!
If I could ask one final favour...if you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review online or at Goodreads – every single review honestly does make a huge difference. Also, I love chatting to readers, so feel free get in touch with me. I may take a while to respond, but I will get back to you!
Alice xx
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Published by Accent Press Ltd 2016
ISBN 9781910939727
Copyright © Alice Raine 2016
The right of Alice Raine to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
The story contained within this book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publishers: Accent Press Ltd, Ty Cynon House, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN