“Chelsea?” I tossed out there.
He shook his head. “That was duty. First, I thought she was pregnant, and then because I thought it would be wrong to end our engagement when she lost the baby.”
“Do you think she was ever pregnant?” I blurted.
His shoulders fell. “I don’t know. I’d used a condom every time. Plus, with everything her girlfriend has gone on record saying, I don’t know. But I’d been willing to make a go of it until I stood at the wedding. I knew then the wrong woman stood before me.”
Though he didn’t say it, Eddie was a stand-up guy. He wouldn’t have been a runaway groom.
“You don’t know what a relief it was when I found out she was scheming,” he said.
“You had an out.”
He nodded. “I hate to think that way. I would have been faithful to her, but things worked out the way they did for a reason.”
Our hands were clasped while lying on the bed between us and I gave his a gentle squeeze.
“It took all the love I had for you to walk away the first time. I wanted you to have no regrets when I finally married you. But you’ve had your time. That old guy has to go.”
I laughed. “He isn’t old.” He gave me a mocking glare. “He’s a silver fox and out of the picture.”
That had been one of the first things I’d done when I returned, not that Cole and I had been in a committed relationship. But he was a good guy too. He’d guessed that Eddie was the guy I told him I was in love with as my reason for breaking things off.
“Good, because you’re mine. I’m never letting you go.”
“Yours?”
“Mine.”
He picked up something from his side and revealed the gold bands we’d been married with that first time. I was surprised he’d kept them. Then he kissed me in that possessive way he did the first time, and I knew my heart was forever safe in his hands before producing the box with the sparkling ring.
I didn’t take them from him, not yet at least.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” He held my gaze, waiting for me to continue. “I asked about your feelings because I didn’t want you to feel obligated in any way for what I’m about to say.”
Eddie, being the smart guy he was, figured it out. “You’re pregnant.”
I bobbed my head in tiny movements, but he got the gist.
“And it’s yours. I swear.”
He looked at me like I just offered him crack. It wasn’t like he didn’t realize we hadn’t used protection. A thought that hadn’t crossed either of our minds in the frenzy we’d been in when we were together.
“I love you, Jilly, and more importantly, I trust you. That was never a thought.” His hand found my heart. “You are mine.” His hand went lower to spread over my currently flat belly. “This baby is absolutely mine.”
I could have cried, but he kissed my tears away. We fell onto the pile of petals and he showed me just how much he loved me and the bean a million times over. Love him, I did absolutely. He was mine and I was his and there was no doubt in my mind that he was my forever.
Epilogue
We stood on the Champ de Mars, the beautiful gardens behind the Eiffel Tower which stood in the backdrop as we neared the end of our destination wedding ceremony.
How quickly my life had changed after sharing my secret.
Eddie was insistent we get married right away. He wanted our child born with me carrying his name and not weeks before our son or daughter was born.
With a potential media circus, I’d suggested a destination far away from people who cared who we were. Paris, being at the top of my bucket list, was my first suggestion. Eddie agreed. The NFL was not the prominent sport here and his brother could come without being mobbed by fans.
“Do you take this woman to be your wife?”
“Absolutely,” Eddie said.
The small crowd laughed. Initially, our guests had included just his parents, my mom, and our siblings, but had grown into something more to include Eddie’s college buddies and some of my best friends as well.
“Traditionally, we say I do,” the officiator said.
Eddie grinned at me.
“I do take this woman, the only woman I have and will ever love, as my wife.”
The man gave him an indulgent smile. “That will work.”
“And you, Jillian, do you take this man to be your husband?”
Why break the new tradition? I thought as I said, “Forever and always.”
Our friends and family chuckled. Before I could be admonished, I added, “I do take this man, the only man I’ve ever loved or will love, as my husband.”
With our vows unconventional but true from the heart, we were pronounced man and wife.
Eddie swept me up and kissed me in a way that had color filling my cheeks. It didn’t matter. I was married to the man I loved.
The weather wasn’t exactly balmy considering the time of year. We made a dash for the car service we had waiting and headed back to the pricy hotel where a small reception was waiting.
“Do we have to register our marriage anywhere once we are back in the States?” I asked.
I hadn’t really thought about that.
“No. Our wedding certificate is enough for you to get your name changed.”
I forced myself to keep a straight face as I asked, “Who said anything about changing my name?”
Eddie lunged and I was pinned to the back seat. “You, woman, will be Mrs. McCabe, the first and only.”
Chelsea hadn’t had time to legally change hers before he forced her to sign the annulment papers with all his recorded proof of her deception.
I grinned at him. “Settle down, husband. I rather fancy the idea of being called Mrs. McCabe. Do you think that will be a problem at work?”
His jaw opened. I had been filling in as his assistant, but I liked the idea of being home with our child. It may not have been what I’d gone to school for, but having the opportunity, I was taking it.
“You know I love you as my assistant,” he began.
“Stop while you’re ahead,” I teased. “I’ve already found someone for you.”
She was a seasoned assistant with thirty years of job experience under her belt. The perfect person to handle my husband.
He kissed me and cupped my breast. I lightly slapped his hand away as to not draw attention from our driver.
“Come on, baby,” he said. The baby thing was new and frankly turned me the fuck on. “Let me touch you.”
* * *
Jillian had to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on. Otherwise, I couldn’t explain why I couldn’t keep my hands off her.
That was the real reason I didn’t want her to continue as my assistant. The number of times I fucked her on my desk was seriously affecting the number of billable hours. It was more important than ever that I built a future for our family. I planned to keep her pregnant, though she didn’t know it yet. A tiny basketball team sounded about right or maybe an offensive line.
Her tits, which were already fantastic, were getting bigger. It was something I thanked the Almighty for every day. Really, I thanked Him for her. She was everything a man could want and the only woman I would ever need.
I wanted her happy, which was why I was meeting with my buddy later. I had a proposition to make to him about Jillian’s future. Though I wanted her to be home with our kids, that didn’t mean she couldn’t work from home too if she wanted.
We arrived at the hotel after everyone else. I’d paid our driver to take his time, having hoped to get Jilly semi naked. She wasn’t having it. I was forced to rub her thigh, cursing the yards of fabric in my way.
I got out first after instructing my bride to wait. I opened the door and swept her into my arms to the delight of onlookers.
Multiple languages I didn’t understand were spoken. However, it was the soft sighs from the women around us that said I was winning major points with my wife.
&n
bsp; I carried her all the way into the ballroom where our friends and family waited. I didn’t put her down either. I walked all the way to the middle of the dance floor. We had to keep this moving. I had plans to fuck Jilly on every square inch of our suite if it took me all night.
When I set her down, I nodded at the band. Per my request, they played a cover of Bazzi’s “Mine”. Some of the words were changed so our parents wouldn’t be scandalized, as my lovely wife would’ve likely said if they’d played the original. I mouthed the agreed upon lyrics, promising all kinds of sinful things later.
Once that was out of the way and I’d marked her as mine in my way, the cover of Adele’s “Love Song” was next, which was the choice Jilly and I’d agreed upon. Though with tears in her eyes, “Mine” hadn’t been a bad surprise.
Our family joined us and I felt like the luckiest bastard out there.
When Cam cut in, I grudgingly let my brother steal my wife for a second. And only because I trusted him with her. Besides, he was madly in love with his wife and would never do anything I’d have killed him for.
I found my friend staring at the dance floor like he wanted to kill someone.
“Damn, brother,” I said. Wolf was my best friend. I could count on him like I could count on Cam. “Who do you want to kill and where should we hide the body?”
His eyes found mine. “It’s nothing.”
I’d caught sight of who he’d been looking at. I hadn’t met her, though I’d heard her name over the years.
“Is that Beth?” I asked.
His snarled yes was almost indiscernible. I watched as his younger brother danced with Beth the way I’d held Jilly in my arms.
“Are they together?”
His head snapped in my direction. “Hell no. They’re just friends.”
“Are you sure about that?”
She looked happy with him.
“Yes.”
I lifted my hands, knowing Wolf would talk about it only when he was ready.
“Look, I thought about your offer.”
When I’d invited him, he told me he was making a run for public office, though he had grander plans for the future. He wanted me to join his campaign.
“Yeah, what’s your answer?”
“I can’t. Not now anyway.” My business was still recovering from all the press I’d gotten. The last thing Wolf needed was for me to be involved. Besides, he lived in Washington, DC. Jilly wouldn’t want to leave her mother and sister. “But maybe Jilly can help you with your marketing campaign.”
That was something she could do from afar.
My bride showed up then. Since Wolf had arrived late the night before, I hadn’t formally introduced them.
“Jillian, you remember Wolf. He was the guy who came to the door the first night we were married.”
She held out a hand and Wolf’s sly gaze perused her. If I didn’t know him as well as I did, I would have taken that as a move. But his eyes only stayed on her long enough to greet her with a hug.
“You can always change your mind,” he teased.
My wife was perceptive. “Oh, I’m pretty sure you’re taken,” she joked.
His eyes found his prey as his brother continued to dance with the one woman I’d ever seen Wolf give two shits about.
“I was just telling Wolf here that maybe you could help him with his campaign.”
Wolf was half-listening but nodded. “Maybe we could talk next week if you’re interested,” he said.
Her jaw dropped. “Really?” Her eyes found mine and it was hard not to offer her the world, because I would give her anything she wanted as she mouthed I love you.
“Excuse me, Wolf. I’m taking my wife upstairs.”
He turned, amused. “Of course, you are. Who cares about the toast and all the other formalities?”
I laughed. “Exactly. Make my excuses.”
Then I led my bride out of the ballroom.
“Where are we going?”
“Upstairs.” I kissed her swiftly before leading her to the elevator.
Damn, that was tempting. I wondered how much it would cost me to get the hotel staff to take a blind eye to the elevator stuck between floors if I pushed the emergency button. I wasn’t entirely sure that would work.
“Oh no, you don’t,” Jilly said, giggling. “Not going to happen.”
“Well, let me tell you what’s going to happen.”
“What’s that?” she asked, having no fucking clue how hard I was and her teasing me with her lip caught between her teeth was going to be my undoing.
“I’m going to get you upstairs, cue up the original version of Bazzi’s ‘Mine,’ and make good on every word.”
“Yours?”
God, I loved this woman. Sexy as hell in nothing and in everything.
“Absolutely mine!”
Thank You
I’d like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to read my novel. Above all, I hope you loved it. If you did, I would love it if you could spare just a few more minutes to leave a review on your favorite e-tailer. If you do, could you be so kind and not leave any spoilers about the story? Thanks so much!
If you enjoyed this book, grab Chrissy and Cam’s story
MARRIED IN VEGAS: IN HIS ARMS
available now
AMASON: http://smarturl.it/ihaamazon
WANT TO KNOW AROUT MY NEXT BOOK
MONEY MAN
coming soon
BE SURE TO STALK ME FOR RELEASE DATE
Facebook: terrielainebooks
Instagram @terrielaineauthor
Goodreads: terri e laine
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/bDJ9kb
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all my readers! Every kind word spoken, message sent gives me courage to continue this journey or dream. Because never in a million years would I have guessed I’d be here. If not for you, I couldn’t do this. A BIG Thank You!
To Stephanie - Thank you for your tireless hours in making this anthology a reality. To Cary - Your support is also appreciated. To all the girls in the Blackout group, you guys ROCK!
To my beta reader, thanks you Kelly for always being there even on short notice. Your feedback is much appreciated.
A THANK YOU to Paige for squeezing me in last minute.
Thank you to Sarah Paige for the cover design.
About the Author
Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.
Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.
STALK ME AT
Facebook: terrielainebooks
Instagram @terrielaineauthor
Goodreads: terri e laine
Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/bDJ9kb
I have several upcoming releases, make sure to sign up for my newsletter or check my website for details.
www.terrielaine.com
Also by Terri E. Laine
Because Of Him
Captivated by Him
Chasing Butterflies
Catching Fireflies
Changing Hearts
Craving Dragonflies
Ride or Die
Sex, Alcohol, and My Neighbor (in Beer Googles Anthology)
Honey (in Vault Anthology)
Sugar
Married in Vegas: In His Arms
other books co-authored
by Terri E. Laine
Cruel and Beautiful
A Mess of A Man
A Beautiful Sin
One Wrong Choice
Sidelined
Fastball
Hooked
Worth Every Risk
&
nbsp;
Absolutely Mine: Married in Vegas novel Page 7