Epilogue
Whitney
“I’ve been informed that the couple has written their own vows. Troy, if you would go first?"
It's an extravagant wedding—at least part of me says so—but after getting to the Pro Bowl and signing a new contract with Jacksonville that makes Troy one of the highest paid linebackers in the game, I'm not all that averse to splurging on this momentous occasion. I'm wearing a white Vera Wang knee-length dress, and the sand is warm between my toes on the beach in the Bahamas that Troy rented for our wedding and reception. Behind me are Dani and Mom, who are acting as my bridesmaids, wearing blue Wang dresses of their own, bought and not rented, a gift to them from Troy. I'd been tempted as a joke to put Dani in the same horrible taffeta-style monstrosity that she had for her wedding, but I know the choice hadn't been hers, but Pete's mother’s.
Speaking of Pete, he and Cory have been gawking the whole time as they find themselves surrounded by professional football players, their wives and girlfriends. Troy didn't invite the whole team, but at least six members of the starting defense and a few other players he's formed friendships with made the trip, and I think the caterer finally understands why our wedding party of forty-six ordered a sixty-person buffet. Even I'm still shocked at the massive size of some of Troy's teammates, who have accepted me and Laurie with generally open arms, especially the ones here today.
I actually feel bad for Cory. He's still a manwhore, at least in his mind, but he works too much to actually be one. He's not too sure who he can approach around the wedding without possibly incurring the wrath of very large, athletic men who could inflict serious harm on him. Troy told me last night that he would make sure that Cory was introduced to some of the single ladies at the reception, just to be on the safe side. Cory's trying to calm down, and I think if he can find the right lady, he'll be a good man someday.
Cory and Pete are not the best man, though, as next to Troy is the man who had, through his own love of Troy, brought us back together. When I'd gone to his house, in tears and begging, Coach Steve Jackson had not only immediately agreed, but booked our reservations right away, and he even promised to not tell Troy about it. Thankfully, Troy's diligence on financial matters didn't ruin the surprise.
So it’s only appropriate, I guess, to have 'Coach' as Troy's best man while Dani is my maid of honor. After all, who else has done more to bring the two of us together? The man who is Troy's de facto father and the woman who is my soul sister could have no other place in our wedding than as the people who stand by our side during this important moment.
Troy clears his throat, and I have to restrain myself from reaching up to kiss him already—he looks so handsome, and yes, a little nervous in his tuxedo. "There are some couples, some situations that are just fated. Whitney, we've been through a lot, but at each step of the way, my heart has belonged to you. I know that with you by my side, life is going to be a wonderful adventure, and I love you for that. I can't promise you that every day is going to be easy, but I do promise you, forever and always, that I’ll love you, respect you, and honor you. This I vow."
The minister turns his head to me and nods. "Whitney?"
"I've so many times in our relationship been just about the stupidest, most hard-headed, self-destructive woman that I can think of. But each time, there have been three things that have saved me. First," I say, turning my head to glance at Dani and Mom before returning my gaze to Troy, "some very good people whom I love and who love me enough to have helped me, even if it meant being firm with me. Second, a good dose of luck. But third, and most importantly, your unfailing, never wavering, infinite love. Troy, you've told me so many times in our relationship that I saved you from going down a dark path, but what you never realize is that you saved me too. It’s because of this that I promise you my love, my heart and soul, my everything . . . forever. This I vow."
When it’s time for the rings, Laurie is nearly so nervous as the ring bearer that she has to get a gentle nudge from Mom to come up with her little pillow with the rings, earning a chuckle from the crowd. Still, she’s fascinated to be right there as her mama and daddy slide the rings on each other's finger, and she’s cheering louder than even the adults when we exchange our kiss.
The reception takes place at the same resort as the ceremony, where we dance and feast as the June sun descends into the Caribbean. Troy and I share a laugh when Cory comes over to our table, red-faced. "What's up, Cory?"
"Uhm, Whitney . . . would you be too upset if I asked your Mom to dance with me?"
It takes me a second to realize what he's saying, and when I realize what he’s asking, I laugh so hard and give him a kiss on the cheek. "With my blessing. Just be careful."
"I know. I don't want Troy mad at me."
Troy shakes his head and points at Mom, who’s currently chatting with Coach Jackson's wife, while Laurie and Gregory Jackson, Coach's son, both share some cake. Greg is just about ready to go to junior high school, and I can tell he's torn between wanting to hang out with Laurie, where he can at least feel safe and have fun, and wanting to hang out with the adults, especially the women who are suddenly becoming more enticing to him. Still, Laurie's fun to hang out with, and they're content for now.
Troy looks at Cory. "I won't sugarcoat it, Cory. She might be more woman than you can handle. And don't let the fact that she's forty-two fool you. She's got more energy than half the guys I play with."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks," Cory says, turning and walking away. Troy and I follow him with our eyes, and Troy leans over, whispering in my ear and putting on a horrible accent—trying to mimic one of those national geographic voices, probably something he picked up from Dani.
"The young buck, not at all aware of the possibilities and potential danger before him, goes into the territory of the cougar, who eyes the buck with interest. It’ll be interesting if—yes, the cougar has decided to toy with the young buck, to see if it’s as delicious a meal as it appears."
"You're terrible," I say with a smile, giving Troy a kiss on the lips, one of a thousand it feels like so far today, and still, I'm not satiated. "My Mom is hardly a cougar."
“You’re right, but she is beautiful, much like her daughter," Troy replies, kissing me again. "And as for the rest, well, Cory could do a lot worse."
"Hmm, Mom could do a lot worse. Say, how about you and I get out of here? There's a beachside bungalow that’s calling our names."
"And Laurie?"
I point to Dani and Pete, who are dancing together and still looking like they're on their own honeymoon after a year of marriage. It's cute and heartwarming. After our honeymoon, we're going to go back to Silver Lake Falls for a month before Troy starts offseason workouts, and it'll be nice to spend some time back home. "Dani already agreed to take Laurie with her. She says she and Pete need the practice anyway. They're planning, now that she's on track for her PhD and has a good job lined up too, that maybe they can look at becoming parents."
Troy smiles and leans in, whispering in my ear. "I was thinking the same thing."
I shiver as Troy runs his hand up my thigh, his hand so warm and reaching higher, higher . . . "You want another baby?"
Troy nods and his eyes are deep blue with desire. "Don't you?"
I nod, smiling. "Why do you think I stopped the pills a month ago?"
Troy takes my hand and pulls me to my feet, but before we can fully escape, Dani intervenes, getting on the mike and announcing a couple's dance. She’s laughing as I give her a dirty look, and I know that she's already anticipated Troy and me making an early exit. "One dance, that's all," she says, holding up a finger. "Please?"
The music starts, and I notice that it’s a song I hadn't heard before, at least one I hadn't danced to before. "What’s this?"
Troy smiles and takes me in his arms. "When I went to the Winter Formal stag, Dani danced with me one time. She knew she was standing in for you, though, as I had your letter in my jacket pocket."
W
e're moving in time with the music, a few other couples joining us, and Troy kisses my forehead and continues. "This song was what we danced to. I guess Dani remembered it after all these years and felt it was time to right that wrong.”
The music continues, and when it is over, nobody stops us as Troy takes my hand and we disappear into the darkness, heading back to our private bungalow, where our future as man and wife awaits.
Continue on with Over the Middle Book 2 (a different couple).
Preview - Duty: A Secret Baby Romance
by Lauren Landish
Coming Nov. 9th!
A Look Ahead
Aaron
“Hey sexy,” a familiar soft voice purrs behind me, “looking for some action?”
I turn from the tree that I'm leaning against to see Lindsey walking up to our secret spot here by Round Pond, her fantastic ass swaying with each step. She's let her hair out and it hangs long and free, just like I like, glimmering in the early spring sunset.
I’m a lucky man, I think to myself, lucky and cursed, but I can't help it. My mouth waters just looking at her.
“God, you’re so fucking beautiful,” I breathe, pulling her into me. I’m immediately enveloped in her natural clean, heady fragrance that makes my cock stiffen in my pants. “I've been thinking of you all day.”
Lindsey grins up at me. “You’re just saying that.”
“Oh yeah?” I pull her in for a hard, lingering kiss. Since coming clean with each other, I can't get enough of her, and as I swirl my tongue around in her mouth, I press into her, letting her feel my throbbing cock in my pants. She gasps when I pull away, panting for breath. “Does that feel like I’m bullshitting you?”
Her hand pressed to her breasts, she gulps, shaking her head.
“Good. Cause there’s more where that came from,” I say lustfully. I know I shouldn’t, it's too early in the evening and there's too much of a chance of us being discovered, but I move in closer.
Lindsey places a hand on my chest, stopping me in my tracks. She casts a furtive glance back at Central Area, just a little over a half mile away and visible down the hill. “You know we shouldn’t,” she murmurs, her voice heavy. “We're pushing our luck as it is. You're in uniform still.”
She’s right. We shouldn’t be doing this. But it’s gotten addicting, the getting together on post. I can tell she wants this as much as I do. I don’t know if I can resist, waiting until the next time I get to take leave, or even until this weekend when I can sign out a bike and the two of us ride away on a 'training ride' for an hour. I don't know if I can resist her, even if it gets me in trouble.
We know that what we’re doing is against all the rules. If we get caught, there will be hell to pay. But fuck, I can’t turn back now. I wouldn’t forgive myself for what would happen to Lindsey if we were caught, but I’m too invested now.
“Fuck the uniform, I can’t stop,” I growl, my body throbbing with need. “Besides, you can’t leave me hanging like this.”
She gives me a mischievous smile that makes my cock throb in my shorts. Damn she’s being a real tease tonight, she must have really gotten worked up when we played phone date last night. “Who said I’m going to leave you hanging?” She nods toward the trees. “I just want to make you work for it. You know, triathlete and all.”
This is a challenge. A challenge I can’t refuse. A challenge I’m looking forward to.
“You know I like challenges,” I say eagerly.
She begins to move away. “30 second head start.”
I hold in my grin. This will be easy. There’s no way she’s getting away from me. She might give me a run for my money on our bikes, but not on foot. “You're on.”
She takes off running, bounding like a deer down the dirt trail that leads away from the pond and toward the hills. I wait 30 seconds before going after her. Up ahead, I see a blur of color as she weaves in and out of trees. Not for long. I pump my legs as fast as they will go, leaping a dead log to cut the distance some more.
It only takes a few more large strides of my legs until I can reach out and take her body in my arms. I fall to the ground with her in my embrace and she squeals with the excitement of being caught as if we were teenagers. My shoulder slams onto the ground, but I’ve got her on my chest so that she won't be hurt at all.
She looks down, pushing her body up and off of me with both of her hands on my chest. Her breasts rise and fall with deep breaths and she stares into my eyes, a small smile playing on her face. My arms are wrapped around her waist and as I move a hand to cup her ass, her eyes widen. Lust clouds her eyes and I let the beast that’s been clawing to get to her out. I crush my lips against hers and love the feeling as she moans into my mouth.
I roll over and pin her under me, caging her in, never breaking our kiss.
“We can’t,” she breathes into the hot air between us, but I’m not listening. I kiss along her jaw and then down her neck as my fingers work to unbutton her pants. I’ve wanted her for so long. “The sun's still up, Aaron.”
Don’t do it, man. You’ll regret it. I pause as the words run through my mind. I peer down into her eyes and guilt threatens to overcome my lust. Such sweet innocence. I really shouldn’t be doing this. We get caught, and I could ruin her. I could ruin myself. I should get up and leave.
But the look in her eyes says it all. She wants me. All of me. Right fucking now.
I groan. I can’t take it anymore. Sometimes the best things come with risk. “I fucking want you, Lindsey,” I tear at her clothes until I she’s bared to me. My breathing comes in shallow pants as I look down at her flushed skin, her beautiful, curvy body.
“I want you too,” she whispers. Her eyes are full of vulnerability.
This is forbidden, we’re not supposed to be doing this. We're not supposed to be seeing each other, we're not supposed to be having sex, and we sure as fuck aren't supposed to be feeling for each other the way I do right now.
But as I gaze into her eyes and see nothing but desire back, I’ve already made up my mind.
Her needs are not only mine to fulfill. It’s my duty.
Mark your calendar. Duty releases November 9th! Sign up HERE to be notified as soon as it’s available!
About the Authors
Willow Winters
View her entire catalog on Amazon.
Like her on Facebook.
Willow’s Mafia Romance Series:
Dirty Dom (Book 1)
His Hostage (Book 2)
Good Girl (Book 3)
Bad Girl (Book 4)
Bad Boy (Book 5)
Lauren Landish
View her entire catalog on Amazon.
Like her on Facebook.
Lauren’s Ballers & Babies Series:
Blitzed (Book 1)
Over the Middle (Book 2)
Rushed (Book 3)
Fourth Down Baby (Book 3)
Tempted: A Bad Boy Next Door Romance Page 54