Riley’s grin grew wider and he looked over Dax’s shoulder at what he was sure was the audience that had grown to watch his mental breakdown. Hell, there were probably people recording the whole scene on their phones, but he didn’t care at this point.
“Okay.” Riley tried to take the envelope out of his hands but the train had left the station and whether they liked it or not they were on board.
“Okay?!” Dax snatched it back and shook his head. “No. No. It’s not okay because you think this is funny, but you are going to go home tonight with your wife. The mother of your child. You are going to go to bed with her, wake up with her and you know what I’m going to be doing? I’m going to be at an airport and then on a plane and then knocking on every fucking door in Nashville if I have to, to find the woman that I want to by my wife, the woman that I told Ace I was going to marry the first time I saw her, the woman that I want to have my children. And while you’re watching football and playing with your kid tomorrow, if I’m lucky I’ll be on my knees apologizing and begging her to give me a second chance and promising her that if she does I’ll spend every single day of my life making it up to her because my life doesn’t make sense without her smile, without her laugh, without her toothbrush in my fucking bathroom. So no, no Riley it’s not okay.”
His face was deadpan, which was not unusual for Riley, as he said, “You’re not going to the airport tonight. And you’re not going to be on a pl—”
“Don’t try and talk me out of this.” Dax said as calmly as possible so they would see that he hadn’t lost his mind. He hadn’t. He didn’t think. He just wasn’t used to feeling things and obviously he needed a little practice reining it in. “Just please,” he begged, “please, sign the paper.”
Riley shrugged and took it out of his hand and as he signed he said, “I would say okay but we saw where that went.”
When he handed it back to him, Dax took it and didn’t even give him shit for being a smartass. He just sincerely said, “Thank you.”
As he turned to go he was already growing aware that his behavior had probably been a little much, but he’d deal with it after he found… He froze when he saw what he thought was a dream.
Ginny was standing in front of him, wearing a red dress that he wanted to lick off her and tears were falling down her face.
Okay, damn, maybe he had lost his mind.
“Told you you wouldn’t be getting on a plane,” Riley said from behind him and he knew she was not a dream.
“Ginny.” He stepped forward at the same time she launched herself into his arms and buried her face his neck. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her and held on so tight he was pretty sure they’d have to call in the Jaws of Life to get him to let go.
“Did you hear that?” he asked against her ear.
She nodded. “It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
Romantic wasn’t how he would have classified it but hell, he wasn’t going to argue.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” he repeated as he held her even tighter.
She was shaking her head no.
“Yes I am,” he insisted. Now that he held her again he knew there was no way he could handle all that open-relationship shit, so he really needed her to know how sorry he was.
“No.” She lifted her head and he saw her red-rimmed blue eyes staring back at him and his entire world righted again. “I’m sorry. I should have said something. I shouldn’t have left. I should have told you that I love you. That you are the only one—”
He crushed his mouth to hers, not able to wait another second to kiss her, to taste her. Applause erupted around them as well as several suggestions to get a room. He ignored it and kissed her so that he branded her as his, ’cause he sure as hell was hers.
When they finally came up for air he peppered her with light kisses and told her he loved her again and again.
“I love you, too.” She held onto him tightly. “I came here and I had a whole speech planned.”
“A speech planned?” He shifted back so he could see her beautiful face.
“Yes!” Her eyes widened. “It was going to be just like the end of Runaway Bride.”
She was so damn adorable he couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sorry I ruined your speech.”
“It’s okay.” She smiled back at him. “I liked yours better anyway. Especially the end where you said your life didn’t make sense without my toothbrush in your bathroom.” Tears were once again forming in her eyes. “And the part that you said you want me to be your wife and have your babies.”
He lifted one hand and wiped her face. “Well, what do you think?”
She was nodding before any words came out. “I think, yes. Yes. Yes.”
He crushed his mouth to hers again and more applause and declarations of “she said yes” were heard. And again there were suggestions that they should get a room. This time he decided he should take them up on it.
As he carried his bride to be out of his bar, he heard The Colonel yell out that he was off probation and Ginny’s head fell back and she laughed and he knew that if he could hear that sound for the rest of his life he would be a happy man.
When they started down the stairs she held on tighter and said, “You don’t have to carry me.”
He kissed her on her cute button nose because he knew that if his lips touched hers again they might soon get arrested for public indecency. “I know I don’t have to, I want to.”
THE END
Coming Jan 2017
Don’t miss Nate’s story
All He Desires – Nate & Eliza
Other Titles by Melanie Shawn
THE CROSSROADS SERIES
My First – Book 1
My Last – Book 2
My Only – Book 3
My Everything – Book 4
Tempting Love – Book 5
Crazy Love – Book 6
Actually Love – Book 7
Fairytale Love – Book 8
My Love – Novella 8.5
All He Wants – Book 9
All He Needs – Book 10
THE HOPE FALLS SERIES
Sweet Reunion – #1
Sweet Harmonies – #2
Sweet Victory – #3
Home Sweet Home – #4
One Sweet Day – Novella #4.5
Snow Angel – #5
Snow Days – #6
Snowed In – #7
Let It Snow – #8
Perfect Kiss – #9
Secret Kiss – #10
Magic Kiss – #11
Lucky Kiss – #12
Christmas Wish – Holiday Novella #12.5
WISHING WELL, TEXAS SERIES
Teasing Destiny – Book 1
Convincing Cara – Book 2
Discovering Harmony – Book 3
About the Author
Melanie Shawn is the writing team of sister duo Melanie and Shawna. Originally from Northern California, they both migrated south and now call So Cal their home.
Growing up, Melanie constantly had her head in a book and was always working on short stories, manuscripts, plays and poetry. After graduating magna cum laude from Pepperdine University, she went on to teach grades 2nd through 8th for five years. She now spends her days writing and taking care of her furry baby, a Lhasa Apso named Hercules. In her free time, her favorite activity is to curl up on the couch with that stubborn, funny mutt and binge-watch cable TV shows on DVD (preferably of at least eight seasons in length – a girl’s gotta have her standards!).
Shawna always loved romance in any form – movie, song or literary. If it was a love story with a happy ending, Shawna was all about it! She proudly acknowledges that she is a romanceaholic. Her days are jam-packed with writing, being a wife, mom aka referee of two teens, and indulging in her second passion (dance!) as a Zumba instructor. In the little free time she has, she joins Melanie in marathon-watching DVDs of their favorite TV programs.
They have joined
forces to create a world where True Love and Happily Ever After always has a Sexy Twist!
You can keep up with all the latest Melanie Shawn news, including new releases and contests, at:
melanieshawn.com
and
facebook.com/melanieshawnbooks
All He Feels - Dax & Ginny (Crossroads Book 11) Page 24