by Kennedy Fox
I glance around at everyone, forcing myself to walk toward him, wondering what the hell is going on. Just as I open my mouth to say something, Alex drops to his knee, holding Riley close to his chest. My hands fly to my mouth when I realize what’s going on. Mama takes Riley from Alex’s arms, and he waves me closer with a smirk.
“River,” Alex says, digging inside his suit jacket. When he pulls out a black velvet box and opens it to show me the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen, I don’t feel like I can keep standing because my knees go completely weak.
“Meeting you a year ago has changed my outlook on everything. A life without you in it is no life at all, and every night, I thank God for you and Riley. I can’t imagine a day without the two of you, and I never want to. You’re the absolute best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m so happy to call you mine.”
Before he can even finish the rest of his speech, I fall to the ground and swing my arms around his neck, not able to hold back the tears that stream down my face. I have to kiss him, taste him, touch him.
“I love you, River.”
“I love you so much,” I say, my voice barely working. I don’t want this moment to end.
“Please spend the rest of your life with me,” Alex whispers across my mouth.
My eyes flutter closed, and it all seems like a dream. “Yes, yes. Forever.”
For a moment, I forgot everyone was standing around watching us until Jackson yells out, “GET A ROOM!” We start laughing and pull away, and he wipes the tears from my cheek with his thumb before he slides the ring on my finger.
We all exchange hugs and congratulations, and I’m so overwhelmed, so damn happy, and completely ecstatic that I’ll be a Bishop too. Today is the anniversary of our beginning, and it also marks the start of our forever. The excitement doesn’t wear off, and then Mama tells me she’s keeping Riley overnight. At first, I hesitate, but when Alex squeezes my hand three times, I agree.
“I want to be alone with you. I brought everything she could ever need for him while you were on your little treasure hunt,” he whispers in my ear as we walk hand in hand toward the house. Benita is chatting about bridal parties and wedding showers, and when she asks me if she can start planning them, I tell her yes, because it makes her happy, and I know she’ll go above and beyond because she’s a party planning extraordinaire. She hugs me tight, and Aaron pulls her away with a chuckle.
“Welcome to the family. So excited I get to keep my honey bun overnight,” Mama says, giving me a big hug. As soon as Riley was born, they turned Alex’s old bedroom in the house into a nursery. It was a sweet gesture that warmed my heart, and I’m happy his parents want to be involved. She’s a wonderful grandma and proves that every single day with her love.
After we say our goodbyes, I can’t stop glancing over at Alex in a full tuxedo and tie as he drives us home.
“What?” He smirks.
“Nothing,” I say with a smile, and he grabs my hand, looks at the ring that fits perfectly on my finger, and kisses my knuckles.
Once we park, and we’re inside, nothing in the world can keep us apart. Our mouths gravitate together as waves of need wash over my body.
“God, I need you so fucking bad,” he growls against my neck as his lips drag across my skin. Tracing the shell of my ear with his warm mouth, I lose myself in his gentle touch as his hand runs under my shirt and cups my breast. My head falls back on my shoulders, and I lose myself in his kisses.
* * *
ALEX
Her skin tastes sweet, and I want to kiss every inch of her body, and tonight, I just might. To know River is going to be my wife, be my forever, makes me so fucking happy. I’m the luckiest man in the world, and each time I look at her, it’s confirmed.
As I try to take off my suit jacket, she grabs my hands to stop me.
“Keep it on, just a little longer.”
I smirk. “So you like this look?”
She wraps the tie around her fist and pulls my face closer to hers. “Sure do, cowboy.”
Taking my time, I unbutton her shirt, watching her breasts rise and fall as I remove it from her body. Gently, I run my fingers across the tops of her breasts and reach behind and undo her bra. She watches me intently as I touch her, and it’s so fucking intense. As the bra hits the floor, I dip down, taking her taut nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the tall peak. River’s eyes flutter closed when my hands slip lower, snapping open her jeans. I slide my hands into her panties and can already feel her arousal. Her breath hitches when I hook my fingers in her panties, and I slide them down along with her pants. Kicking off her shoes, she steps out of her clothes and stands before me naked. Stepping back, I take my time admiring every curve of her sun kissed body.
“Damn,” I whisper, meeting her eyes, going all the way down to her cute toes and back up again. I take a mental snapshot of this woman who agreed to be my wife, my everything. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” I tell her, and she’s all smiles.
“You are too.” River stalks toward me, shaking her hips. Taking control, she takes her time removing my tuxedo jacket and tie and unbuttons my shirt. Her soft hands trace down my abs, and my breath increases. Not able to wait any longer, my greedy mouth is on hers. My hands are in her hair, and soon her legs are wrapped around my waist. Holding her ass tight as she straddles and kisses me, I walk us toward the bedroom. After I set her on the bed, she continues to watch me as I remove the rest of my clothes.
“I have to taste you first. Edge of the bed,” I demand once I’m fully naked, and she smirks.
She doesn’t hesitate, but I grab her ankles and quickly move her closer before dropping to my knees and placing her legs on my shoulders. As I dip my tongue into her sweetness, she lets out a long sigh, running her fingers through my already messy hair. I move my tongue up and down her slit, teasing her as much as I can. Immediately, her body responds, and I gently place a finger inside. As she moans, I watch as she grabs her nipples between her fingers and pinches. It’s such a fucking turn on to see. I slip in another finger, giving her exactly what she desires. She’s so fucking wet as I slide my fingers in and out in a slow rhythm while I apply pressure to her hard nub. River arches her back, writhing, as I apply more pressure and increase the pace. With white knuckles, she fists the comforter, pushing her body harder against me. Placing my hands under her ass, I pull her to me and drive my tongue deeper inside.
“Fuck,” she pants, practically begging for release. “I’m so close.”
Though I slow down, wanting the orgasm to teeter on the edge as long as possible, it doesn’t take long before she’s buckling beneath me. Her breath quickens, and her mouth falls open while she loses all control of her senses. As she rides the wave of her orgasm on my mouth, her moans are like sweet music to my ears. A crescendo of emotion as her body eventually goes still. I stand, and she moves her body up the bed until her head rests on the pillow. With a smile, she curls her finger, demanding I go to her, which I happily do. Kissing up her stomach, her breasts, her neck, I place flutters of kisses across her jawline until my mouth finally meets hers.
With hooded eyes, she looks up at me. “I love you, Alex.”
“You have no idea how much I love you.”
She grabs my face with her hands and searches my eyes. “I do.”
Taking my time, I tease her opening with the tip of my cock. She opens her legs wide, begging to feel me, and I can’t hold back any longer. In one long stroke, I fill her with my length. She’s so fucking wet, so fucking beautiful, and it makes me hard as steel. Her fingernails scratch down my back, and she holds me tight as if she’s never letting me go as we rock together in slow motion. Her soft pants against my skin cause emotions to swirl through me as I pump in and out of her.
“I want it harder, Alex. I need more.”
“Mmm, whatever you want, darlin’.” I grab her earlobe in my mouth and suck.
I don’t make her beg, and I give her exactly what she wants. Sh
e screams out my name as I slam my cock into her, over and over again. I don’t want this moment to end, but I know if I keep at this pace, I’ll be crumbling to pieces soon. The orgasm quickly builds, and I force myself to slow so I can enjoy her as long as possible. As we continue to make sweet love, our hearts and bodies mend together as one. The emotions I’m feeling are almost too much as the orgasms sneak up. Another thrust, and I almost feel blinded by the orgasm. The intensity practically takes my breath away as I lose myself inside her. River is my everything, and without her there’s nothing.
My heart is so full as she looks at me, her green eyes glimmering, completely satisfied, and I smile back. After we clean up, she crawls back into bed, and I pull her close, needing her skin against mine. As I hold her tight, she draws circles on my chest and listens to my heartbeat then wraps her leg around mine. We’re a tangled mess, and I never want this to end.
“I can never get enough of you, River.”
She props herself up on one elbow and smiles sweetly.
“Well luckily, we have forever,” she says, glancing down at her ring before leaning over and tugging my bottom lip into her mouth.
Epilogue
RIVER
SIX MONTHS LATER…
Each day, Riley grows up more and more. He definitely has a strong personality but is an all-around happy baby. In nine short months, Alex and I have already watched him crawl for the first time, and even heard him say his first word, which happened to be “horse.” I know once Riley starts walking, we’ll be in trouble because he’s already so independent, super curious, and wanting to do everything himself. We’re raising our own little cowboy and couldn’t be prouder.
With the exception of the day Riley was born, my wedding was the second most beautiful day of my life. Natalie and Adam flew down, and so did my parents. They all stayed in the B&B for almost a week, and I had a hell of a time showing them around the ranch and teaching them how we do things in Texas. I may be an implant, but I consider this home now.
After the proposal, we wasted no time on planning. The wedding was more than I could’ve ever imagined. The weather was perfect, which was needed considering it was outside. Since Alex’s sister was married a few years prior on the ranch, the boys had plenty of practice with setting up giant tents and dance floors in the backyard. When the sun set, that’s when the dancing and drinking really started. There were so many family members and friends in attendance, it felt like the whole town was there. All I have to say is the Bishops really know how to throw an epic party.
Looking back a few years ago, I never would’ve imagined this would be my life—a happy little family living on a ranch in West Texas. I didn’t know what truly living was until I met Alex Bishop. My household is so full of laughter and love that it makes my heart burst with emotion. Though we didn’t all get off on the right foot, Alex’s family is everything I could’ve ever wished for and more. I’m the luckiest woman in the world, and each day that I hear my little boy giggle and feel my husband’s touch, I know that’s true.
Six months after having Riley, I decided to take Evan’s offer and put my application in at the hospital. I was offered a position the following day and was happy to get back to a job I knew I loved, even though I knew I’d miss Riley tons. Mama Rose begged to watch him during my shifts, but she didn’t need to beg hard because I know how much she loves and adores him. Riley loves his grandma so much and instantly smiles every time he sees her. They keep each other company while all the boys are out working too.
Alex and I decided to postpone our honeymoon because of our work schedules. However, we’re planning to visit Key West again, and I can’t wait to check things off the new bucket list we made. After the wedding on Friday, we said goodbye to our guests, then spent Saturday and Sunday alone at home as husband and wife.
Monday morning comes quick, and Alex and I rush around. After I feed and change the baby, I kiss Alex goodbye then take Riley over to Mama’s house. She greets me with a smile at the door in her robe. I pass him off with a quick smooch, give her a big hug and thank you, then head to work.
While I drive to the hospital, all I can think of is how quickly the weekend went by. How everything these past six months have gone by so fast. The wedding events happened too quickly, and my head is still spinning at how magical and unreal it feels. As soon as the hospital comes into view, I let out a laugh when I think about Evan. A little birdy told me a rumor about him, and I can’t wait to call him out on it because I’m pretty sure it’s true.
I park and walk in, taking in the familiar smell of the hospital. No matter the location, they all seem to smell exactly the same—sterile, clean, and oddly enough, it brings me back to my childhood when we’d be in and out of the hospitals for Rylie. As I ride the elevator, I think about my baby sister. Though she’s not physically here with me, I’ll always carry a piece of her in my heart.
A smile touches my lips, but when I step off the elevator and see Evan, it grows into a shit-eating grin. My timing couldn’t have been more perfect. He looks up from the chart in his hand and sees me walking toward him. Pretending to groan, he goes back to his paperwork.
“So…how was your weekend?” I keep the right amount of sweetness in my tone.
Evan glares at me. “How do you think it was?”
“If the rumors are true, I’d say it started off at a ten and dropped down to a one really quick.” I chuckle.
Amelia, my labor and delivery nurse with Riley and who also became my partner in crime after I started working here, walks up smacking her gum with her eyebrow popped. “Rumors?”
Evan’s uncomfortable with the conversation, but it’s good for him to squirm every once in a while, and now that I’m family, he can’t be rude. Mama’s rule, not mine.
“Oh yeah. Juicy rumors, too. Apparently, Evan hooked up with some random chick the night of my wedding. Some friend of a friend and no one knows who this mystery woman is other than her name. Stelllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaa.”
I watch as he takes a deep, annoyed breath and releases it slowly. I bet he’s hoping I don’t know the end of the story too, but he’s not that lucky. There are no secrets when Jackson is around, and even he knows that.
“And apparently the morning after, he woke up and she was gone, along with every piece of the tux he rented. Underwear and all.” I chuckle, biting down on my lip to keep my laughter under control. ” Had to call every single one of his brothers to bring him a set of spare clothes.” I’m laughing so hard, I can barely get the words out. “And the only person who answered his call was John. Apparently, there were some pretty desperate voicemails left.” I glance at Evan who’s wearing a scowl.
“Damn,” Amelia says, her eyes wide. “Who does that?” She chuckles.
“Stella! He would’ve been better off wrapping a sheet around his waist and making a run for it. Because they’re never going to let him live it down,” I tell her. We’re both bent over laughing, and Evan isn’t amused, but we continue talking about it like he’s not there.
“Don’t you think I’ve gotten enough shit from my brothers about this weekend? Just had to bring it to work too. Go ahead, laugh it up. I’m glad I could amuse you both.” Evan shakes his head before handing the file to a passing nurse.
Amelia and I continue poking fun when we hear Evan suck in a deep breath. I look up and realize the new doctor is stepping off the elevator with a lost look in her eye. Trying to make a good example, Amelia and I straighten up but continue giggling at Evan’s expense.
“Who’s that?” Amelia asks, looking back and forth between us.
“I’m pretty sure that’s the new ER doctor they told us about last month. Dr. Emily Bell. She just finished her residency and has to work under Evan.”
I look over at Evan who’ll be training her considering he’s the attending supervisor. Evan’s been working as a emergency medicine doctor for several years and when Dr. Lockhart retired recently the hospital had to find a replacement.
&nbs
p; Evan becomes stiff as a board, and I elbow him. “Lighten up before you scare the poor girl away.”
He stifles a sarcastic laugh, and his entire demeanor changes as she stops at the nurses’ station. I hear her ask for Dr. Bishop, and he rolls his eyes with a deep groan.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask him.
His jaw tightens. “That’s her. That’s the woman who stole my goddamn clothes,” he says under his breath, shaking his head and scrubbing a hand over his scruffy jawline.
Amelia and I both turn our heads and get a good look at her. She’s gorgeous, stunning actually. Her chestnut brown hair is pulled back into a long, sleek ponytail, and she’s wearing a black pencil skirt so tight it could be painted on. Her cream blouse is tucked into her skirt, revealing a small waist. Her slender legs are accompanied by red heels at least three inches high. Black glasses frame her dark eyes and the deep red lipstick she’s wearing says she doesn’t take anyone’s shit—the ultimate man eater.
As I glance back at Evan, I’m dying inside trying to hold it together. What are the odds?
“It was her?” I ask, confused. “Emily?” My jaw drops. “I thought mystery girl’s name was Stella?”
“So did I,” he says between gritted teeth, and now it all makes sense. Ultimate man eater confirmed, except she chews them up and spits them out.
Evan shakes his head and crosses his arms over his broad chest. The air in the room seems to dissipate and is replaced with thick awkwardness. Someone points out Evan, and she smiles then walks toward us. Once closer, recognition and maybe a hint of regret flash across Emily’s face before she pushes the emotions away and continues forward.