Claimed by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 2): Duke Ryder

by Melissa Foster

  Speaking in Greek, Duke said, “I can’t very well ask you to marry me if I don’t speak your family’s language, now, can I?”

  “M-marry you?” She spoke in English, too shocked to think.

  “I arrived early and had lunch with your family. Your parents, grandfather, and brothers. I’ve wanted to ask you since you first stayed at my house, when I imagined your belly round with our babies.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “You do want babies, don’t you?” He already knew the answer, but she looked so gorgeous standing in the moonlight with a shocked expression on her beautiful face that he couldn’t resist toying with her just a little.

  “Yes! Yes! I want lots of babies with you.” She gripped his shirt, anticipation buzzing like live wires between them.

  “And I assume you’ll want to move into my place?” he said as nonchalantly as he could.

  “Yes! I drew up plans for gardens and everything.”

  “Okay, well, let’s go inside.” He picked up the suitcase, and she yanked him back.

  “Duke! You can’t leave a girl hanging like that!”

  He dropped the suitcase and laughed. “Baby, do I ever leave you hanging?”

  He took a step away, shrugged off his suit coat, and took out his phone.

  “Duke…” She laughed and shook her head. “Maybe I won’t say yes after all this.”

  “Maybe not, but I have a good feeling about us.”

  He flicked on Spotify and turned on “Lose My Mind” by Brett Eldredge. He kicked off his shoes, having removed his socks earlier, and moved around her to the beat of the music, rocking and thrusting his hips, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. As Brett sang about a roller coaster of emotions and knowing when they’d met he’d never be the same, Duke spun around and ground his ass into Gabriella’s hips.

  “Oh my,” she said with heat in her eyes.

  The chorus sang of making his screws come loose and driving him wild, and Duke slid his shirt off of one shoulder and leaned in close like he was going to kiss her. She leaned forward and he moved just out of reach as the beat quickened and Brett sung about being driven crazy.

  She giggled as he took off his shirt and whipped it around over his head, then tossed it to her. She caught it and pressed it to her nose, inhaling deeply with her eyes closed. Everything she did turned him on, and when she let out an erotic moan, he nearly forewent the rest of the dance to take her in his arms and kiss her. But this was for her, and he wasn’t going to do anything short of fulfilling every single one of her wishes, of her fantasies, for the rest of her life.

  As the chorus repeated, Duke flicked open the button on his slacks and gyrated his hips, closing the distance between them again. He unzipped his pants and thrust his pelvis against her thigh, making him hard and earning another sexy moan from Gabriella.

  “Mm. I wanna make you lose your mind,” she said, reaching for him.

  “And you will,” he said as he moved away and stepped out of his slacks to the beat of the music, leaving him naked, save for his briefs.

  He grabbed Gabriella around the waist and pulled her to him, grinding his erection against her hips. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he sang the chorus against her cheek as the song wound down. He reached into his briefs and took out a black velvet bag, dropped to one knee, and removed a ring from the velvet.

  “OhmyGod. Duke.”

  “Gabriella.” He paused to steady his breathing and brought her hands to his lips, pressing kisses on each knuckle. “Baby, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, and you’re the only woman I will ever love. I want to make all your dreams, all your fantasies, come true. I want to be there to celebrate your joys and to make sure that you never cry for the same reason twice.”

  He rose to his feet and gazed into the eyes of the woman whose heart was so big she tried to deny their attraction to save the island and the people she loved.

  “Will you marry me, baby? Be mine forever? I promise I’ll never leave you hanging.”

  “Yes, I’ll marry you, Duke. I’d marry you right this second.”

  He slid the ring on her finger as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. The quartet of princess-cut diamonds encircled with round diamonds glistened in the moonlight. Two rows of diamonds joined together and formed the band, just like their hearts joined together to form their love.

  “I might have forgotten to mention one little thing,” Duke said with as serious of a tone as he could muster while his heart expanded in his chest.

  “What?”

  “As my wife you’ll be part owner of BRB Enterprises. If you want to move back to the island and manage the projects, I can work from just about anywhere.”

  She leaped into his arms, speaking so fast it made his head spin—in the very best of ways. “Really? You would do that for me? You’d move here? Away from your house on the water? With me? For me? What about Addy? My practice? Ohmygod!”

  “We’ll figure it all out, and of course there’s a position for Addy, too. I’d never separate you from your porn-watching partner.” Her laugh cut straight to his heart. “I promised to fulfill your every wish. Always and forever, baby. I’ll never let you down.”

  They sealed their vows with a salty, tear-soaked kiss. And as Duke carried Gabriella inside, he felt like the luckiest man on the planet, knowing he’d be kissing her luscious lips every day for the rest of his life.

  Epilogue

  “IT’S STUNNING, SWEETHEART,” Gabriella’s mother said as Gabriella looked at her sparkling engagement ring for the millionth time since Duke had put it on her finger the night before. “And I’m so glad Duke flew everyone in to help celebrate your engagement.”

  “And your anniversary,” Gabriella added. Nearly the whole town had shown up for the celebration at the big house. It was a familiar, festive scene, with lamb roasting on the spit, laughter coming from all directions, children playing and dancing, and Duke’s and Gabriella’s families coming seamlessly together. She had been so surprised when she’d seen everyone she’d nearly hyperventilated.

  “There’s no better anniversary gift than seeing our Gabrielaki happy. He’s a wonderful man, sweetheart, and everyone here can feel his love for you. He wears his heart on his sleeve, just like you do.” Her mother nodded toward Duke, watching them as he stood with his family and Gabriella’s brothers.

  Duke blew Gabriella a kiss. His brother Blue nudged him with his shoulder and said something that made Duke and the others laugh. From the moment she’d met them, she’d loved his brothers Blue and Gage just as much as the rest of his family. Blue’s fiancée, Lizzie, was chatting with Addy, Siena, Trish, and Katarina. Addy kept stealing glances at Jake, and it was impossible to miss the way Jake was salivating over her. She wondered how long it would take before her matchmaking relatives noticed the spark. A few feet away, a group of her aunts were huddled together by the buffet table, their eyes trained on Addy and Jake, and she smiled, remembering how they’d glommed on to Duke the morning of the birthday party. Boy, did she love those women. Boy, do I love Duke.

  Siena lifted Katarina’s daughter, Ermione, to her hip. She looked so natural holding the little girl. Gabriella felt a pang of longing. She suddenly had more sisters than she ever dreamed of, and she couldn’t wait to get to know them even better, raise babies together, and one day they’d all watch their children as they fell in love and married.

  She was getting way ahead of herself, but she and Duke had stayed up all night making love and talking about their future. They both wanted lots of babies.

  “Gabrielaki mou.”

  She’d been so lost in thought, she startled at her grandfather’s voice. She took comfort in the scratch of his bushy mustache as he pressed a kiss to each of her cheeks.

  “Your future husband, he has given this family a beautiful gift,” he said with a serious tone.

  “Yes, he has. Emily and Rebecca have incredible ideas, and they’re so in tune to nature and the environment, I just know we’re in good h
ands.”

  “Ah, you see his gift of regenerating the island. I see something else, sweet girl. It takes a special man not to feel threatened by a smart, headstrong girl like you. And it takes a generous, loving heart to want to nurture that strength, to push you outside your comfort zone, instead of tamping it down or trying to control it.”

  Duke broke away from the others and set a seductive stare on Gabriella. The crowd parted for him as he made his way toward her. Every determined step made her pulse quicken. The rich love in his gaze was layered in lust and desire, and as her breathing became shallow, she wondered how her legs would hold her up if he kept this up. Did her grandfather notice her reaction?

  Oh crap! Grandpa!

  She turned to face him, and her grandfather leaned in close and said, “Every flower needs sunlight, sweet girl, and Duke has helped you shine. He has given us a much bigger gift than helping the island. He has given our family the gift of your happiness,” he said, “and for that I am eternally grateful.”

  She realized that her grandfather had pushed her past her comfort zone, too, and in doing so, he’d also helped her spread her wings and shine.

  “And I’ll forever be grateful to you, too. Everything you’ve done has led me to Duke. And, Grandpa, he is my sunlight, my rain…my everything.”

  **

  DUKE’S HEART FELT like it was going to beat right out of his chest as he approached Gabriella, the woman who would soon be his wife, and hopefully one day, the mother of his children. He was so full of love for her that he could think of nothing beyond reaching her and holding her in his arms.

  He watched as her grandfather said something in her ear. Then he and her mother stepped away. Duke reached for Gabriella’s hand and laced their fingers together, drawing her in close. The music changed to a slow tune, and as he wrapped his other hand around her waist and brought her body flush with his, they swayed to the music.

  “Have I told you lately how much I love you?” he whispered against her cheek.

  “Yes.” She sounded as breathless as she had after their first kiss, and his whole body took notice.

  “Let me tell you again. I love how important your family is to you. I love how you try to do right by everyone and the way you go above and beyond when it comes to us. I love the sexy way you look at me but are a little embarrassed to let me see it.” He felt her heart beat faster against his chest. “I love the way you look first thing in the morning, when you’re barely awake but your hands are seeking me out. Baby, I love the way our bodies fit together, like we’re meant for each other.”

  “I love that, too.”

  “What are you thinking of right this very second? How incredible it felt to make love last night?” He lowered his hand to the base of her spine, holding their hips together, and whispered, “Or can you feel how much I want to make love to you again?”

  She nuzzled against his neck as they danced. “You’re going to turn me to liquid right here in front of everyone.”

  He glanced at their parents, dancing beside Pierce and Rebecca and Emily and Dae. Cash and Siena were dancing with Ermione between them, and Blue and Lizzie were standing arm in arm, talking with Gage and Trish. Dimitri was leading Addy to the dance floor, and Jake watched on, tracking them like a panther ready to pounce. Duke laughed to himself, remembering how he’d felt when Gabriella had danced with the blond guy at the birthday party. He knew there would be times he’d be jealous in their future. How could he not, when he was marrying such a brilliant, beautiful woman? But he was damn glad she would be coming home to him each and every night forever more.

  “Don’t worry, baby. If you turn to liquid I’ll soak up every last drop and make you whole again. But, with the heat sizzling between us, I think you should just get used to being liquid, because that’s never going to end if I can help it.”

  “You’re a little sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she teased.

  “No, baby. I’m very sure of us.”

  She gazed up at him with eyes full of trust and love and surety, and when she said, “So am I,” he could feel the truth all the way to his soul.

  —Ready for more Ryders?—

  Actress Trish Ryder takes her job seriously and has no time for those who don’t. When she’s awarded a major role in a new movie featuring America’s hottest rock star, Boone Stryker, she’s beyond excited. The six-two, tattooed hunk of burning desire is known for his dedication to his craft—but when he ditches their first meeting, she begins to wonder if he’s just another rocker with a great PR team.

  Sex, booze, women, and music pretty much sum up Boone Stryker’s private world. He’s coasted through life playing by his own rules with plenty of people willing to cover his tracks, and he’s not likely to change—until he meets a woman who refuses to give him the time of day, much less anything more.

  Sparks fly from the first moment Trish and Boone meet—Tensions run hot and desire runs hotter when they’re trapped together on a remote location with no place to hide. Will sparks ignite, or will a hurricane douse the flames?

  Buy: CHASED BY LOVE

  **

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  Continue reading for two excerpts from Melissa Foster

  Please enjoy this preview of

  RIVER OF LOVE (The Bradens)

  Chapter One - River of Love

  A MAN COULD take a wedding for only so long before he drank too much booze or left with a warm, willing woman to wash away all that purity. Sam Braden stood with a drink in one hand and a greedy itch in the other, debating doing both.

  “I’ll take the redhead if you want the brunette.” Ty, his youngest brother, lifted his chin in the direction of the bar. In addition to being a world-renowned mountain climber and photographer, Ty was also Sam’s carousing partner. “Unless you’re double-dipping tonight, in which case I’ll go for one of the Staley sisters.”

  Sam scoffed. Been there, done them.

  He spotted two blondes slinking across the dance floor toward them. He’d hooked up with the one who was currently eye-fucking him last month, and the redhead Ty had been ogling moments ago had joined them in their hot, sweaty romp. His gaze shifted to the sexy brunette standing by the bar looking like she wanted to jump over it and hide behind it but she couldn’t quite figure out how. Faith Hayes. He’d been trying not to look at Faith all night, but he was losing that battle. Faith worked in Cole’s medical practice. She was sweet, and good, and smart, and…Sam should not be thinking about laying her on the bar and doing dirty things to her gorgeous body.

  No. He definitely should not.

  Every time he looked at her, every time he thought of her—which was every damn day—that feeling of wanting more than a few quick hookups resurfaced. He not only wanted to lay her down on the bar, but he wanted to take her home. That was bizarre, too, since as a rule Sam never took any woman to his cabin. But half his visits with Cole at his office were merely made-up opportunities to get a glimpse of Faith. He didn’t fully understand his fascination with her, considering he usually preferred the kind of woman who wanted to jump him and damn well knew how, but there was no denying the stirring inside him every time she was near. He forced himself to look away and focused on the dance floor, where their eldest brother, Cole, danced with his new wife, Leesa, and just beyond, their younger brother Nate and his fiancée, Jewel, were gazing into each other’s eyes. Weren’t they always? Sam used to get hives just thinking about being tied down—unless, of course, it was to a bed. But he couldn’t deny how happy his brothers seemed since they’d fallen in love, and lately he’d begun feeling as if he were missing out on something.

  The tall blonde sidled up to Sam, blocking his view of Faith and blinking flirtatiously, while her friend joined Ty. “You boys look lonely.”

  “Ladies,” Sam said smoothly, bringing his attention back to the pretty girls who definitely knew h
ow to use their bodies for the good of mankind.

  “Care to dance?” she asked, and like a puppy with a bone, Sam followed her out to the dance floor.

  Music and dancing ranked right up there with white-water rafting in Sam’s book. As the owner of Rough Riders, a rafting and adventure company, he rarely slowed down, but a strong beat calmed his internal restlessness. And Sam was always a little restless.

  The blonde moved sensuously in his arms, reminding him of all the reasons a woman should win out over booze tonight. On that thought, his eyes drifted back to Faith, still standing by the bar, holding a drink he’d bet was soda, and nervously running her finger up the side of the glass as she…watched him? Sam’s lips curved up and Faith’s gaze skittered away. She became adorably flustered whenever he visited Cole at the office, and though he probably shouldn’t, Sam got a kick out of flirting with her.

  Cole stepped into his line of sight, blocking his view of Faith and casting a threatening look at Sam, sending the message, Don’t even think about it.

  There were no two ways about it, Sam loved women and everyone around him knew it. He loved the way they smelled, the feel of their soft bodies against his hard muscles, their delicate features, the sounds they made in the throes of passion. But his mind refused to play the any woman game these days. It was drenched in thoughts of Faith, and he wanted to experience all those things about her firsthand.

  “Sam!” Cole chided.

  He shook his head to clear his mind, laughing under his breath, as he turned his attention back to the woman he was dancing with. His hands sank to the base of her spine. Mm. She felt good. His eyes were drawn to Faith again, who was staring into her drink. Bet you’d feel even better, was his first thought, but it was the second—I wonder what you’re thinking—that took him by surprise.

  ***

  I SHOULDN’T HAVE come to this wedding. Faith checked her watch for the hundredth time that evening. She’d told herself she had to stay for an hour after dinner. That was the respectable thing to do at her boss’s wedding, even though she’d rather leave right this very second. Work obligations outside of the office were uncomfortable enough, but now she was not only surrounded by people she barely knew, but her stupid hormones were doing some sort of I Want Sam Braden dance. God, she hated herself right now. Look at him, getting all handsy with the town flirt. He’d been dancing all night with every other woman in the place. They practically lined up to be near him. Why shouldn’t they? He was not only nice to everyone, but he was tall, dark, and distractingly handsome. The kind of handsome that made smart girls like Faith forget the alphabet. His arm was the most coveted spot in all of Peaceful Harbor, and damn it to hell, she did not want to be there.