Single Dad’s Fake Fiancée: A Cowboy Romance
Page 31
I swallow.
It was so hard to forgive. So hard to move past all this pain and all this pride. But there is a time to stand up for yourself, and there is a time to extend a hand to the person who needs you.
Preston didn’t just want a lover. He wanted a partner. It’s why he liked it when I talked back, when I fought against him, when I refused to let him steamroll over me. He was a hot billionaire who was used to everyone letting him have his way, and he liked that I never did.
I set down the pancakes.
He shudders as if I’ve just told him I never wanted to talk to him again, but that’s not what that gesture means. I reach for him.
He stills when I make contact and looks at my hand like he can’t believe it’s really there.
“Look, I was young. You were young, too,” I say.
“It’s no excuse,” he whispers.
“I know. You’re not making excuses. You’re accepting my judgment. And that’s why I have to forgive you.”
He blinks up at me. “What?”
“You didn’t remember. I think my pride couldn’t handle it. I mean, shit, I still can’t totally handle it. It was my first time. But then again, I should have chosen a better first time with you. I knew you were drunk, but I was so eager for it to happen that I looked past it. I should have forced a commitment if I wanted one. You didn’t remember, and we weren’t together at that time.”
“Tachell, that doesn’t excuse what happened.”
“You’re right, it doesn’t. But I can’t just keep hating you because you wounded my pride. That isn’t a good reason.”
“I like your pride,” he tells me.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I have to be queen of the mountain all the time. I can let things in. Like love, and forgiveness.” I touch my stomach. “We have a baby on the way, and I’m going to need to put my pride aside to do what’s best for her, for my partner, and for myself. Strength is what matters. And I wasn’t strong with you. I never told you how I felt because I couldn’t accept it. I was afraid of being burned, and I hid that fear behind my pride. I was basically doing the same thing you were doing, albeit in a slightly more sophisticated manner. I mean, Preston, you’re only supposed to tease the girl you like in second grade, not every grade after and well into adulthood.”
He runs his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I kind of blew it.”
“Not completely. You’ve got a secret weapon.” I look down at the half eaten pancakes. “No girl can say no to those.”
He laughs. “You know, most would say no girl could say no to my billions.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve got some standards.”
He grins. “Pancakes over diamonds.”
“Hey, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves! But yeah, I would prefer a plate of pancakes when you mess up over a diamond necklace any day.”
“I think that’s just because you know I’ll already spoil you with diamonds every chance I get.”
“Well, you also told me you’d make pancakes for me every morning for the rest of my life. You’ve missed a few mornings so far.”
His eyes go dark. “I guess that just means I’m going to have to make it up to you in other ways.”
“Well aren’t you cocky.”
“That’s only because I know you can’t take your eyes off my cock.”
Damn. He had a point there. I laugh as he puts his arm around me and gently pulls me in for a kiss.
And he kisses me again.
And again.
And again.
These perfect, sweet, beautiful kisses that flutter in my heart and make me float as if I have wings, surrounded by the scent of lavender and white roses.
Chapter 53
Epilogue
We marry as the leaves are turning and the overripe apples are falling to the ground. It’s a warm and clear Vermont day. Most of the guests chose outfits that were inspired by autumn colors—golds, pinks, reds and browns. I am the only one in white.
I smile as I look down the center of the aisle. Friends and family are gathered around us. My father hugs my weeping mother. Priscilla tilts her head to the side with a satisfied smile. Kate and Sondra, my bridesmaids, flash me eager grins. Even Reggie is tearing up.
Preston looks down the aisle at me with a look that makes my heart stop. I hold my extremely pregnant belly and his eyes move down, softening. Everyone present can see the love between us. Love that has been tested and renewed. Love that was built before and after I lost my memory.
I walk down the aisle. The man of my dreams waits for me at the end of it. He has been watching me and loving me for my entire my life, waiting for the moment when I’d reach out for him.
I take his hand and face him, reveling in its warmth and the comfort only he can give me. I remember, again, the darkness and fear that consumed me while I was in the coma. The feeling of his fingers were what brought me back. They were the only thing I remembered when I woke up.
We hold hands throughout the ceremony. We hold hands as we say our vows. We hold hands as we kiss for our first time as a married couple. I’m so happy to be holding his hand again as we start our life together.
When we’re pronounced man and wife, he puts his other hand on my belly. My heart swells. I know that he loves our daughter just as much as he loves me. This beautiful child will come into a world full of love with two parents who cherish her. She’s got two crazy aunts who are gonna protect her with their lives. Both of her grandmothers are strong women who look out for their own, and they’re gonna make sure she’s also strong enough to take anything, and they’ll be there to catch her when she falls. I have a feeling that soon she will have brothers and sisters to watch out for.
And they’d better like pancakes, because I think there are a lot of those in our future. Every morning, in fact, on a breakfast table with a bouquet of fresh lavender, lots of laughter, and hearts overflowing with love.
Inspired by Her Fans
The inspiration for Single Dad’s Fake Fiancee actually came from Imani’s fans! After releasing His Brother’s Baby, Imani received tons of emails and messages asking about what happened to Destiny! Destiny gave Shawna a place to stay while running away from an abusive relationship, supported Shawna when she lost custody of her baby, and her sacrifice allowed Shawna to reunite with her baby.
Well, after hearing from readers, Imani wanted to know what happened to Destiny too. Imani knew Destiny would have to end up with someone with a heart as big as hers. She knew that Destiny deserved a big, caring family since she had grown up without that kind of support. And who better to provide that stability and love than a Corbett?
Imani is so happy to share this sequel to His Brother’s Baby with you, and to revisit the Corbetts! She has many more Corbett stories to share, and she hopes that you enjoy reading them as much as she’s enjoyed writing them!
Also by Imani King
Read about Shawna, Destiny’s friend, in:
HIS BROTHER’S BABY
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The Billionaire Corbett Series Continues!
Imani King has another Corbett Cowboy spinoff coming out soon! This one is about second chances and true love.
THE COWBOY’S BABY
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The Original Billionaire Corbett Brothers!
CHRISTIAN
A beauty and the Beast Romance.
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DYLAN
A sweet Christmas Romance.
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ROWAN
A Billionaire Cowboy romance.
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SAINT
A Surrogate Romance.
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NICHOLAS
An independent woman meets a playboy!
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And don’t forget to check out the first book in Imani’s newest series, The Sisters of Charming Place!
NALA’S FAKE MARRIAGE
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