by Shelly Davis
“Wait until later,” she said, breathlessly as I nipped at the tops of her breasts. I was so ready to rip the dress from her body, I was almost thankful for the knock that brought us from our secluded little world.
“Come on, guys. They want to finish the pictures, so we can get to the reception and party,” Kyle said through the closed door.
***
We spent the rest of the night, eating, dancing, and having fun with our friends and family. We made our way around to every person who came to celebrate. By the end of the night each face blended together until I couldn’t pinpoint who was there and who wasn’t. Of course, all I could think about was getting my wife alone, and out of that dress.
“What’s goin’ on over there?” Toni asked, pointing toward Monique and my groomsman, Brody. Brody and I became fast friends when we met through Mike. He was a damn good mechanic and was looking to help in my garages if the opportunity ever arose. I wasn’t sure that would ever be a possibility, but he was a good friend to Toni and a huge help to Mike.
“Looks like they’re gettin’ cozy,” I said with a snicker. I’d noticed Brody and Monique hanging out a lot throughout the night. They looked good together, and their personalities were complementary. They’d make a good couple.
“Good, she needs a good man. The last guy she dated was a complete douche-canoe.”
I nodded, as I remembered hearing about her string of bad dates and worse short-term relationships. She seemed to be a magnet for assholes.
Just before midnight, Toni walked up to the DJ and took the microphone from him. She stood in front of our families and closest friends. Most of the other guests were gone, home to families and other parties to celebrate the new year.
“First, before the clock strikes midnight, Jules and I would like to thank you all for everything you have done for us. We appreciate and love each of you dearly. Thank you for spendin’ your New Year’s Eve with us. Second, before the countdown begins and then Jules and I leave, I must know one thing.” She turned toward where Cade and Harlan stood. “Am I going to have a niece or nephew?”
Harlan’s cheeks turned pink while Cade smoothed his hand over her slightly swollen stomach. He kissed her cheek and walked up to Toni. Cade leaned down and whispered in Toni’s ear, eliciting a big smile from my beautiful bride.
“It’s a girl!” Toni shouted, dropped the microphone on the DJ’s table, and launched herself into Cade for a hug. Soon she was at Harlan’s side, hugging her and leaning down to talk to Harlan’s baby bump.
Watching both Jake and Cade with their pregnant wives, made me desire that for myself. I couldn’t wait to start a family with Toni.
“Ladies and gentlemen, find that special someone and get ready, midnight is only moments away!” the DJ announced.
We watched until the clock got to ten, then everyone counted. “Ten, nine, eight…” I grabbed my bride and held her close as the clock continued to count backward. “Four, three, two, one. Happy New Year!” everyone shouted before kissing their dates and spouses.
I held my beautiful bride in my arms and whispered, “Happy New Year, Baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she smiled, leaned up on her heeled toes, and kissed me. It felt like the deepest, most passionate kiss we’d ever shared. It probably wasn’t, but it was so full of love and the promise of a happy and loving future. A future I wanted to get started with, right now.
Without another word to anyone, I decided I was done waiting to have my bride to myself. I picked her up and carried her out of the hall to the sound of cheers and well wishes.
We rushed across the parking lot to my waiting, and warm SUV. It had been days since we had any alone time and I was desperate for her.
“The best thing I ever did was install this remote starter,” Toni said as I slid her into the warm leather seat.
“The best thing I ever did was pursue you when you didn’t seem interested.” I kissed her lips before closing the door and running around the front of the car. As soon as I was in the car, I leaned across the center and kissed her again. We had a couple hours in the car to get back to Mooresville, and all I wanted to do was get her to myself in our bed.
“Well, Mr. Fuller, you caught me. What’re you gonna do with me?” Toni batted her eyes and smiled sweetly.
“Take you back to the hotel, unlace that damned dress, and finally have my wife,” I said with a grin and a wink.
Seduction sparkled in Toni’s eyes as she smiled at me. “Just wait until you see what I have on under this dress.”
Oh god, this woman was going to be the death of me.
The End
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Check out Book 1 in the Shady Falls Series—Victory Lane Available now on Amazon.
Book 2 in the Shady Falls Series—Under My Skin
Available now on Amazon
Acknowledgments
To my husband and children. Thank you so much for supporting every endeavor I undertake. You are my inspiration and my reason for being. I love you all.
Lisa, Thank you for being my friend and sounding board, for setting things straight when I needed it, and for all of the time and support you gave me through the writing process. You kept me sane when I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish.
Next to Rachel, Thank you so much for your amazing skills. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Next to Jessie, Thank you for your amazing book cover skills. I love it, it’s beautiful!
To Kayla, you helped make this book so much better than it ever would have been. Thank you.
Finally, to the Readers, Thank you for taking the time to read my work. I write because I love it. If you love it too, that is just an added bonus.
About the author
Shelly Davis is a writer and teacher in Western Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she is the oldest of six children. Shelly attended California University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts in education. She loves teaching and working with children. When she was nineteen she was bartending when a guy she’d noticed several times before came in with friends. Before he left for the night, he asked her out and the rest is history. Twenty years later, they have four children. Shelly loves 80s movies, history and crime TV shows, and NASCAR auto racing. She has a hidden love for working on and rebuilding old cars.
Victory Lane (Shady Falls #1) is the first book in the Shady Falls Series, published autumn 2015. Under My Skin (Shady Falls #2) is the second book in the Shady Falls Series, Published Summer of 2016.