Untamed: (Heath & Violet) (Beg For It)

by Callie Harper

  But then I’d had to flip the switch in my brain on over to Crazy Money. An extra invite would in no way stretch the Kavanaugh—and in Ash’s case rockstar—funds. They had money to burn. And Ana had insisted. She was really close to her parents. When she and Ash were in the city, they still managed to have dinner with them every Sunday night. She wanted to invite my mom. So I’d said yes.

  The May wedding was held in Ana’s hometown in upstate New York, a small town that still looked like a metropolis compared to Watson, Vermont. No venue big enough to accommodate their 600+ guest list, they’d rented out giant white tents and taken over a field.

  “Do you think people can tell what the sculpture is?” Heath’s sister, Gigi appeared by my side looking radiant in pink. She had the slightest hint of red in her hair and somehow it worked perfectly with the rosy color of her dress. I’d opted for a strapless sheath, glimmering and shimmering with pearly beads. I’d never worn anything more fabulous and Heath always made me feel gorgeous, but standing next to Gigi I was truly struck by her beauty. That girl was all kinds of beautiful.

  “Well—” I cocked my head to the side, looking at the giant ice sculpture over by the shrimp and oyster bar. I wanted to answer her honestly, but I also didn’t want to offend. “Is it…” I squinted, trying to guess. “The statue of liberty?” It was a wedding in New York. Maybe that was how it tied into the theme?

  “Oh no!” Gigi cried out, but stifled a giggle at the same time. “It totally does look like the statue of liberty! You’re right!”

  “Is it not supposed to be?”

  “No! I asked them to make Ash on stage. You know, like the guitar is in one hand and his fist is up in the air.”

  “Oh.” I could kind of see it when she described it. “I thought that was her holding the torch.”

  That did it. The two of us collapsed in laughter, cracking up so hard it brought tears to our eyes, which then made us dab at our eye makeup so it wouldn’t smudge. There would be photos!

  “Don’t worry, Gigi. It looks awesome, whatever it is.” I knew she’d put hours into wedding planning with Ana, helping out her new sister-in-law.

  “Guess that’s one of the good things about an open bar. Everyone’s going to get nice and drunk!” she exclaimed.

  “Make that six open bars!” I corrected her. They had three inter-connected tents, each of them lavishly decked out to meet the needs of each and every guest.

  “No one will remember a thing,” she declared, satisfied.

  Heath came over, wrapping a hand around my waist. He always stayed close, just how I liked it. He’d done a good job standing up with Ash as his best man. The ceremony had lasted about five days, in the Russian Orthodox church where Ana had grown up. But Heath hadn’t flagged. Now he just had to get through the best man’s speech.

  “How’re you feeling?” I asked, giving his hand a squeeze.

  “I’ll be better in an hour.” He did look slightly pale.

  After more milling and congregating and eating and drinking, the head wedding planner gathered the wedding party together and called everyone’s attention. It was Heath’s time to shine. I stood to the side, holding my breath.

  Heath took the microphone, looked out over the tent full of guests and began. “To you, this guy here’s a big rockstar.” He pointed at Ash who stood arm in arm with his wife, both smiling ear to ear. “To me, he’s my big brother. Which is even cooler.”

  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the time he was done, including tears of laughter after he told a couple of funny stories about Ash raising hell as a kid. Apparently one time he’d managed to set a shed on fire while trying to be like Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar on stage at the Monterey Pop Festival.

  “I’ve learned a lot of things from you,” Heath concluded. “First, do not set your guitar on fire in an enclosed, wooden shed.”

  “That’s true,” Ash agreed as everyone laughed and clapped.

  “And you’ve shown me what really matters in life.” My heart stopped in my chest for a moment as he smiled at Ash and Ana, then looked directly at me. “Once you’ve found the one you love, you never let go.”

  He wished them all sorts of happiness and they kissed and everyone cheered, but all I could think of was the look on his face when he said love. He took my breath away. I about threw my arms around him as he walked away from the happy couple, passing the mic to Ana’s maid of honor, whose hair happened to be blue.

  Kisses were all I could manage. My heart felt too full for words. I wanted to tell him how I felt about him, how much I loved him. But we were in the middle of his brother’s 600+ closest friends and family.

  “Well done, Heath.” His oldest brother Colt came over and clapped him on the back. “Great job.” The two shook hands.

  “I think you’re the one responsible.” Colt pointed at me, then gave me a surprisingly friendly hug. I’d met him a couple of times over the past few months as he helped out in building Heath’s business. He hadn’t exactly rubbed me the wrong way, but I’d never felt real warmth from him. He was always all business all the time, the consummate CEO, giving orders and taking names in impeccably tailored dark pinstripe suits. But now he looked truly happy.

  “I’m so proud of you,” he added, looking back at Health with honest big brother pride.

  “Thanks.”

  “Now I’ve got a couple new ideas I want to talk with you about.” Colt switched tracks, just like that, getting his all-business hat on again. “We’re going micro to macro. Local to global. I want to hook you up with some people in Indonesia I’ve been talking to.”

  “Hold on there, Baron.” Heath took a step back. “Let’s keep this party polite.”

  Colt paused, recognizing his brother didn’t want to talk shop. “That’s Baron of Warwick to you, big guy.” He winked at me. He could certainly turn on the charm when he wanted to. With those crystal blue eyes and that chiseled jaw, I was sure he had his pick of women clawing at each other to spend time with him. Whether any of them got close to him, now that was another matter. I didn’t see Colt opening up easily. That was a trait the Kavanaugh brothers had in common.

  Even Heath’s half-brother, Declan, seemed to share it. I’d been introduced to him and his pretty little wife Kara earlier in the evening. She’d brimmed with enthusiasm and excitement about being out at the party, but Declan had seemed more guarded. Until she’d mentioned their baby, just 20 months old. He’d beamed, the proud papa, as she’d scrolled through her phone showing us a whole bunch of adorable baby photos. That I hadn’t minded a bit. But talking business at the wedding? I’d pass if I could.

  “All right, I’ll give it a rest. For now,” Colt agreed. “But you—” He pointed at me. Heath instinctively pulled me closer. I loved how protective he was. “I want to talk to you, too. That Love Your Local show you’re planning is brilliant. I want to set up a meeting for you with a guy I know.”

  “Sounds great.” I meant it, too. I was all fired up about this show the Explore Channel wanted to pilot, featuring the best of the best of local gems all over the country. And I’d love to get Colt’s vast network to help grow it. But not at the party. Just then, I wanted to be with my man.

  “OK, then.” Heath signaled that the conversation was over, but Colt was already off and shaking hands with someone else he knew. Highly Networked. Same as High Net Worth. Colt was that guy.

  My guy, though? He knew how to slow down, take his time and focus on his woman. We enjoyed some amazing food and wine together, chatting more with his lovely sister Gigi. As the night progressed, Ash took the stage and dedicated a few classic crooner love songs to his new wife. With Sinatra in play, Heath led me onto the dance floor. There under the lights, his hands around my waist, mine up on his shoulders, I never wanted the evening to end. We moved in sync, completely in tune with each other.

  I didn’t know how to explain it, but we just clicked. I could still remember my initial struggles, telling myself Heath wasn’t my type.
How ridiculous that all seemed now. I’d had so much noise in my head, telling me the type of person I should be and the type of guy I should be with, that I couldn’t even listen to my own heart. But now it beat true and strong, for Heath. My mountain man who made me feel so safe and cherished and hot and bothered and laughing and relaxed all at once.

  I felt rather than saw him spot someone over my shoulder.

  “Violet, I know I introduced you earlier,” he said, pulling slightly away. “But would you mind if we went over to talk with my grandmother a little more? I’d really like you two to get to know each other.”

  “Of course!” Who could resist a man who loved his grandmother? Especially when the man in question looked so big and huge and strong he could rip a tree out by the roots with his bare hands, yet still had a soft side. Just when I thought I couldn’t love him any more, I’d find my heart expanding.

  “Heathcliff!” She gave her grandson a warm yet refined hug. She looked the ultimate picture of elegance, with perfectly erect posture and delicate features, her rose-and-silver dress making her look like a bloom in a winter garden.

  “And Violet.” She turned to me and gave me a smile, clasping my hand between her two. “So you’re the beauty who’s tamed the beast.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.” I blushed.

  “Well, you certainly are a beauty, my dear.” She beamed at me, and I suddenly felt like a princess with the queen mother bestowing her praise. “But I suppose you’re right.” She surveyed Heath, who even to an objective observer had to appear drop-dead gorgeous. All six-foot-five muscled inches of him in a perfectly tailored tux, plus those intense dark eyes and thick black hair. Yum yummy with a side of yum.

  “He’s not tamed, is he?” She winked at me. “You’ve cleaned him up a bit, but he’s still a wild woodsman.”

  I laughed. “I do think he’s got a plaid shirt underneath his tux.”

  “Hey,” Heath protested, feigning hurt. “I left it in the car to change into after the reception.”

  We chatted easily for a few more minutes. I didn’t know how someone could seem so regal and so warm simultaneously, but Heath’s grandmother did it.

  “You two have a lovely time tonight.” She wished us well, turning her attention to another couple of partygoers. But before she did, she added, “And Heath, do bring her round for tea next week.”

  “You’re in,” Heath murmured as he led me through the crowd. “She doesn’t invite just anyone to tea.” I smiled, happy she liked me, too.

  As we passed through the throng of partygoers, I saw so many celebrities it almost seemed surreal. I’d think, that guy looks just like… and then realize, it really was that guy. I guessed Ash had been crazy famous for years now, so that was his crew.

  Funny, when I’d first moved out to L.A. that was all I wanted, to be at a star-studded party with the chance of meeting and greeting celebrities. Now, as Heath led me toward the exit, all I wanted was some time with my guy. We’d done our time at the party. We’d chatted and danced and posed for photos. Now it was time for the real fun to begin.

  He took my hand and led me out in the starlit night, down a path to a tree. It had a charming wooden bench underneath it, and I wondered if the wedding planners had brought that in as well, thinking of absolutely everything.

  We sat down together, Heath’s arm outstretched behind and around me. We looked up at the stars overhead as he gently caressed my shoulder. I relaxed into him, a smile on my lips.

  “Violet.” I felt the deep rumble in his chest as much as I heard his words. “There’s something I want you to know.”

  “Yes?” I didn’t feel wary, but I did listen up. There was something in is tone that made me know this was important.

  He took my hand in his and looked down at our intertwined fingers. “I know we haven’t known each other that long.”

  “Four and a half months,” I agreed. Not that I was counting. But it did strike me as crazy that we’d only known each other that short a time. Somehow, though, I knew. The way I felt about him right then was the way I’d feel about him for the rest of my life.

  “I’m sure about the way I feel.” He echoed my thoughts as he looked up into my eyes, caressing my chin with his hand. “I love you.”

  My eyes filled with tears as I drew closer to him. “I love you so much, Heath.” We kissed and used the words we’d just expressed, over and over as we kissed and held each other.

  “Who would have guessed?” I asked, running my fingers through his hair. He pulled me onto his lap and I pressed my hand against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “City girl falls for mountain man.”

  “We tried not to,” he said, and I had to laugh, remembering how we honestly had, telling each other to stay away because we weren’t each other’s type.

  “Some fights you just can’t win,” I agreed.

  “So happy we both lost.” He grinned and kissed me under the starry sky in the moonlight. I couldn’t agree more.

  EPILOGUE

  Heath

  Violet and I drove down from Vermont to the city in a snowstorm. Mid-December and you never knew when a squall would hit. Good thing I drove a truck and not a clown car convertible.

  When we arrived, we stomped our boots and left them just inside the entry. Even in a doorman building, you didn’t leave your belongings out in the hallway. This was New York City, after all, not small town Vermont where everyone knew your name. But it was beginning to feel more like like a second home for us as we spent time in the city each month. Back in June I’d leased this apartment. Violet needed somewhere to stay when she met with colleagues at the Explore Channel, and sometimes I came with her, meeting with Colt and his people, or with other artists I was getting to know and like.

  Violet and I done some traveling, too, hitting the road and seeking out the best local gems all over the country. That was Violet’s job now, seeking out great stories to share for her series Love Your Local. And sometimes I’d come along with her, too, taking the opportunity to explore local art scenes. Amazing what you started learning once you picked your head up and looked around. People were doing interesting things all over. And now both Violet and I had vehicles to discover and share it.

  “What time is it?” she asked, carrying her dress into the bedroom. She’d picked out something special for my family’s holiday party that weekend. I knew she’d look stunning in it, but my favorite look on her was still nothing at all.

  I had big plans for our holiday party. I didn’t know if she had any idea. But just because I had big plans for the weekend didn’t mean I couldn’t also have some fun plans for that evening.

  “It’s not even four o’clock,” I assured her, following her into the bedroom.

  “We don’t have dinner reservations anywhere tonight?”

  “Nope.” I strode toward her with a gleam in my eye. I let her hang up her dress, but then I grabbed her and gave her a deep kiss.

  “Hey.” She smiled up at me, sensing where I wanted to go with the evening. Wrapping her hands around my shoulders, she ran them slowly down to my biceps, licking her lips. She looked good with my plans.

  “You know what I was thinking about during the drive down?” I helped her out of her jacket, then out of her sweater. “While you took that nap.” Off came her T-shirt, then her jeans. I really knew how to make quick work of pesky things like clothing.

  “I don’t know.” I already had her breathing quick, anticipating.

  “We’ve got a great big mirror in this bedroom.” I pointed to it next to the bed. “And I have an idea for how to put it to good use.”

  “Oh you do?” She pulled my shirt up over my head, proving two could play at that quick-to-undress game.

  “Come here.” I took her hand and led her to the edge of the bed then sat down. She smiled and started to lean down to kiss me, but I surprised her by spinning her around. Completely naked, she stood in front of the mirror on our bedroom closet door. “See how fun it is to watch?
” I reached up and toyed with her breasts, cupping, massaging, rolling her sweet, pink nipples lightly in my thick fingers.

  She watched me playing with her, the sight of my big hands grasping her breasts, and I could tell she liked it. Her lips parted, and she started breathing faster. I bet her pussy was getting nice and slick. I reached my hand around and gently dipped my finger in. So hot and wet. Watching her watch in the mirror, I started playing with her clit, finding the sensitive nub and rubbing it just how she liked.

  “Oh!” Her knees buckled slightly as she watched. She liked seeing me grab her, toy with her.

  “You see how wet you get, baby?” I asked, showing her the fingers I’d used to stroke her pussy. In the mirror, she could see them glisten. She moaned, gazing at them. When I brought my fingers back, she was even wetter. I shifted my weight, moving closer to the edge of the bed, then brought my legs between hers.

  “Spread open. Wide.” I pushed her thighs apart and she straddled me, bringing her pussy down close over my cock. The sight of her luscious, curved ass hovering right over my shaft was almost too much to take. But I wanted to make sure she was enjoying her view, too.

  “You see how you can watch like this?” I asked, and her eyes widened at the image of us, her down on my lap facing the mirror. “You’re going to watch us fuck, Violet. You’re going to watch yourself come.”

  “Oh!” she moaned. I loved talking dirty to her, saying just the right things to set her inner naughty girl free. “You want me on your cock?” she asked, positioning her wet entrance right on my tip.

  In response, I grasped her hips. Holding her there tight, I thrust up inside of paradise, her tight, wet walls clenching like a tight fist around my hard cock. She screamed, arching back in response. No matter how many times I entered her, I knew I always stretched her.

  “Yes,” I growled, grasping her long hair in my firm hand, keeping her secure on me. “Take me in. I want to see you work on my cock.”

  Wet, quivering, she started moving, up and down, taking my cock deep inside her, then pulling up, then down again. It felt so good, getting a rhythm going, as she pushed her pussy down onto my huge, fat shaft.