Tom tightened his arm around her and sighed. “Ready for pictures, babe?”
She chuckled at his resigned attitude. “Cheer up. We’re preserving the memories of the happiest day of our lives.”
“You’re right. Let’s go.”
Tom secretly enjoyed the experience, but grumbled the whole time just to see Kendra’s emerald eyes shine with laughter. He wanted to always make her that happy. And then there was Connor. Over the last three months, he’d fallen in love with his boy a little more each day.
In one of the pictures, he sat with Kendra leaning back against him with his hand around her waist. He placed his hand over Kendra’s stomach and knew that it would be the same with the little life that grew inside her. He’d missed so much with Connor, but it would be different with this baby.
When the pictures were done, Tom picked Connor up and took Kendra’s hand. Together they walked outside to the new Porsche Cayenne Wagon that Tom had bought for Kendra. It was decorated with pink streamers and white balloons that said, “Just Married” in silver lettering. She handed Connor off to Vincent and got behind the wheel. She turned the ignition and the purr of the engine thrilled her.
Tom got in and kissed her cheek. “Let’s go party.”
Kendra put the car in gear and took off.
* * *
Sully pulled Marcus aside just as they were entering the reception. “I took a message from Kade Colter today. He said, he’d be in on Monday with a 1962 Alfa Romeo Spider that needs a complete overall and that you’ve agreed Lexie would work on it.”
At his raised eyebrow Marcus said, “And?”
“Does Tom know about this? I mean, Kade Colter—her ex-brother-in-law. What the hell is that about? Lexie will spit like a wildcat when she hears, and Tom’s going to have your balls on a plate.”
“It’s business, that’s all. If I can stomach a Colter then so can she. Colter insisted on Lexie working on his car. She is the best mechanic to work on the Italian vehicles. I told him that if he disrespected Lexie, I’d have his balls on a plate.”
“Let me guess, he’s paying good for the privilege.” Sully shook his head. “I want to be around when you find something you care about more than making money. And I’m warning you now. Any funny business from Kade, if he upsets Lexie in any way, I’ll make sure he never bothers women again, and you can stick this job where the sun don’t shine.” With that, Sully stalked into the reception hall.
“Sully seems to be in a bad mood for someone at his boss and best friend’s wedding,” Stella said as she hooked her arm through Marcus’s and led him inside.
Marcus’s serious gaze disappeared and his sexy grin that always made her body heat and think of cool satin sheets, replaced it. “I’ve seen too little of you lately. I’ve missed you,” he whispered as his hand molded her left buttock. “Care to let me take you home and give you wild orgasm’s all night?”
Stella usually would have jumped at the chance of taking Marcus home. His body was smoking hot, and he knew his way around a woman’s body as well as he could drive fast cars—like a world champion. They’d been FWB (friends with benefits), for years, and she was really proud of the fact that no one even knew. It added to the excitement and eroticism. But watching Tom and Kendra over the past few months had twisted something deep inside.
“Maybe. Catch me later and I’ll let you know.”
Marcus winked, “I promise not to get thoroughly shit faced then, just in case,” and he moved toward the bar.
Just then she caught Kendra starring at her with a frown on her face. The bride made her way across to Stella. “What’s going on with you and Marcus?”
Stella laughed. “Going on? Don’t be ridiculous. Nothing. Why?”
Kendra tipped her head and looked at her for so long Stella thought she knew. Then Kendra shook her head. “I’m being silly. The idea of the two of you together is ludicrous. Both of you are as bad as the other—relationships are out, hot sex with no ties—is in. It’s a wonder you two have never hooked up.”
Stella felt her face heat. To take Kendra’s mind off her suspicions, she linked her arm with Kendra’s and led her back to Tom. “What if I told you I’m re-thinking the whole love’m and leave’m one-night stand thing?”
“I’d say you were overcome by the emotion of the day. I do look good in this wedding dress. You just want a chance to wear one of your own.”
“Ah, you know me so well.”
Kendra stopped and pulled Stella round to face her. “Are you for real?”
Stella nodded. “I think I want that special person. I want a ‘Tom’. You know, the one.”
“Well, you don’t find ‘a Tom’ from a one-night stand.” Kendra laughed gaily. “Or maybe you do, but only if you’ve known him for years. You just have to be brave and open to the idea of letting a man into your heart.”
“Sigh. Nothing’s easy is it?”
“Have you got a man in mind?” the bride asked, not realizing Stella did.
The reason she hadn’t been so ‘available’ to Marcus of late, was she didn’t want to just be a FWB to him. She wanted to be important to Marcus. More than just a casual lay. She wanted to be someone he cared about.
She’d hoped by pulling back he’d take note, but so far, he still only viewed her as his little sister’s hot, sexy best friend. Somehow, she had to find a way to change his perception and perhaps get under his skin.
Kendra looked around the reception at all the guests. “There’s a lot of hot racing car guys here tonight. Maybe we could find one with a heart.”
Stella reacted with a pretend shudder. “Lexie would say hell no.”
Kendra pulled her in for a hug. “I will make it my mission to find the perfect man for you. Someone who will love you as you deserve.”
As they made their way over to the head table, Stella wished Kendra could make her brother grow up and see what was under his nose.
* * *
Once the scrumptious meal was eaten, the DJ announced the ‘bride and groom’ dance and the newlyweds took the floor.
Taking her in his arms, Tom whispered against her ear, “Ready to shock the shit out of them all?”
Kendra giggled. “I can’t wait to see their faces.”
“Me, either. Let’s do it.”
Their song, A Thousand Years began playing and Tom waited a few beats before beginning the waltz they’d rehearsed since he’d recovered from surgery. Gliding across the dance floor, Tom couldn’t take his eyes from his bride.
He never thought he’d ever be able to live out the dream of marrying the woman who’d captured his heart so long ago. As he twirled her around the dance floor, he vowed to himself that he’d never take her for granted.
Pulling her into his embrace again, Tom said, “I love you, Tiger, and I’ll never let you go.”
Kendra smiled up at him. “I’ll never let you go, either. I love you so much, Tommy.”
He kissed her with such feeling he thought his heart would burst.
She pulled back on a sexy grin. “The night I went to your house to tell you about Connor I should have known you were a closet family man.” She giggled at his raised eyebrow. “What man, who doesn’t want a family, plans to build a big family home.” She pressed closer. “Remember the promise you made not long after we became engaged? You promised me our family home would be ready by the time this little one is born,” and she pushed her bulging stomach into him.
He twirled her around before adding, “It will be finished. Didn’t I promise that I would never, ever lie to you?”
At her look of delight, he secretly hoped his contractor didn’t let him down…
“Just as well I told the contractor there would be a big fat bonus if he got the house finished by September. I’d hate for you to have told me your first lie.”
He threw back his head and laughed with joy. He had found the woman he could trust with his heart and who would never leave him, even if he was not quite perfect.
&
nbsp; Luckily they were perfect together, the perfect family, and that’s all that mattered.
The End
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READ on for the first chapter of Lexie’s book - Purr For Me book #2 in the Drive Me Wild Series.
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Excerpt - Purr For Me
Chapter One
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Lexie glared at her best friend Tom Lorde as she sat on the other side of his desk in the office of Bad Boy Autos. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
Tom’s returning stare was just as direct. “I’m not doing anything to you. You’re the best restorer of Italian sports cars here, and that’s what this job needs. Besides, Sully is all over this. Do you really think I’d leave you facing this alone? Sully has your back.”
Stay cool, don’t get angry. The private detective she wanted to hire to find Jason cost more than she ever imagined, and Bad Boy Autos paid the most. She needed this job. Time was running out. Besides, Tom had promised to help her find her ex. If she didn’t find Jason Colter and soon, she’d… It was as if the locket hanging against her bare skin around her neck burned.
Lexie lowered her voice to an ominous timber. “That’s not what I’m talking about. Kade Colter, Tom. Kade. He’s my ex-husband’s brother. You know, my coke-head husband that beat me, abused me, and then stole all my money.”
Guilt and remorse flickered in Tom’s blue eyes before his expression hardened. “I know Jason was a real bastard to you, but Kade always treated you decent, right? They’re so different I can’t believe they have the same parents. Besides, a few months ago we turned his business away for you. We can’t do it again. Kade could really damage our reputation if he lets everyone know we keep turning his business down. He’s rich and mixes in the right circles to destroy us.”
Lexie knew from Tom’s tone that he was going to be a real hardass about this. There was no point in wasting her breath with her boss and owner of Bad Boy Autos, but she didn’t have to pretend to like it. She rose and left the office without another word.
“Lexie! Come back here!”
Ignoring Tom, Lexie headed for the bay she shared with Jake Sullivan, aka, Sully. Since he was working on a vintage Indian motorcycle that week, there was plenty of room for a car in the bay. An Alfa sat there, looking forlorn with its faded and chipped racing red paint. A couple of scratches ran down the door on the side facing her. They reminded Lexie of the deep wounds gouged in her heart. She wanted to hug the car, it might be damaged like her, but hell, with some tender loving care it would blossom. She took a gulp of air and rubbed her chest. All it needed was a bit of love. Just like her. No. Never again. Love sucked. Like this battered car, she’d become bitter and broken and thrown away.
“Can this morning get any worse?” she softly said to herself through gritted teeth. Sweat dripped down her brow as the thermometer inched up to 92 degrees, her temper rising with the mercury. Kade—bloody—Colter leaned against the ‘seen better days’ 1962 Alfa Romeo Spider. The quintessential sports car was a wreck, but it was a pure diamond in the rough.
What a beauty! She raked her gaze over Colter. Yep, a real beauty. Damn it.
Kade grinned and leaned in, all denim and swagger, smelling like a male model. Looking like a male model. Hot. She ground her teeth. Handsome wasn’t even his middle name. It should be his first—Handsome Colter. And how like him to own the one car her hands itched to work on.
As she walked nearer, she pushed her hair back off her face. All the better to see the car with—yeah, right. Her gaze shifted from the car to Kade’s dark, mesmerizing eyes. He stepped closer and suddenly the air fled from her lungs. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth to distract him from seeing the pulse pounding hard in the hollow of her throat. Could he see? Dear God, please no. Why had she married the wrong brother? Her life would have been completely different if she’d meet Kade first. She hated him for making her think that. Hated him for insisting she work on his car.
“I brought you a present,” he nodded his head at the Alfa. “How d'you like to work on my car,” Kade’s sexy voice added to the headache building behind her eyes.
Placing her hands on her hips, she smiled. Rock and a hard place… This is what it felt like to be trapped. A thought struck. She could tell him to fuck off, but as her fingers trailed over the chassis, she admitted she wanted this job. For the joy of restoring the car, of course. Only the car.
A picture of the ATM swallowing her card this morning was all it took to remind her she could not afford to lose this job. Kade stepped closer and he smelled delicious. She should run, leave, but Kade’s brother had taken all her choices—taken everything in fact. Money, house and her pride. The other half of Bad Boy Autos, Marcus Black only needed one little reason to show her the door and pissing off Kade was a big reason.
Her eyes narrowed as she took in Kade’s stance, leaning over the hood of the Alfa as if he owned this workshop, with a smug look on that handsome face. When did she really ever have a choice?
“She will be amazing when I’ve finished with her.” Her stare dared him to disagree.
“I know,” he said as he pushed off the car. “Good—”
“So, what’s her story?” Lexie interrupted him. The pleasantries were over. She wanted him gone. She started looking the car over. The hood was in the same sorry state as the passenger side. “Needs a complete new paint job but let’s see what’s under this battered hood. Keys.” She held her hand out to Kade.
He gave her a smile that brought back a lot of memories she wished her brain would forget. “You haven’t changed. Still beautiful when you’re pissed off.”
“Not interested in chitchat. Keys.”
“Still tough as nails too.”
“Keys.”
The warmth in Kade’s eyes faded along with his smile. “Look, I know Jason—”
“You don’t know shit, Kade, and I’m not discussing anything except this car with you,” Lexie said.
Or perhaps not. She eyed Kade and a risky idea swarmed like buzzing bees in her head. Could Kade lead her to Jason? He’d said he had no idea where his brother was. Her eyes narrowed as she waited for him to hand her the keys. Was he lying? Was he protecting his brother?
Only her pride stopped her from asking Kade to cover the debts his brother left her with. This was her fault for being stupid and gullible, so she would fix it. Why should Kade have to pay for his brother’s sins? She eyed him slyly. But it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup plan. If the worst happened…
Kade slid his Ray-Bans back on and held out a keyring to her. She took it and went around to the driver’s side. As she slid into the driver’s seat, Lexie spotted Tom standing right behind where she’d just been. His eyes held a steely glint, and he’d crossed his arms over his chest. Their gazes clashed for a moment before she cranked the engine to life.
She smiled at the deep growl that met her ears. However, a moment later, the motor coughed, sputtered, and died. Lexie found the release lever and popped the hood. Kade beat her to the punch and had the hood propped open before she’d shut the driver’s door.
“It’s a mess,” Kade said. “Which is why I had it towed here. Bad Boy Autos is the best at this work. Money’s no object.”
Tell that to someone who didn’t know where her next meal was coming from. Jason was in the wind, hence the detective she now had to pay for too. He’d taken off and left her with debts she could never repay. He’d put the thing she cherished most in this word in jeopardy. Girls! Never let your husband talk you into mortgaging anything that belongs to you! She wanted to visit every high school and tell her story.
Jason. Just his name made her stomach fill with acid. Handsome, confident, with a sexy-as-sin-smile, and money to burn, can turn any woman’s head, but unlike what she did with cars i.e
. check under the hood, she was too young, too desperate for love, and too stupid to look below his surface.
She didn’t want to look under another Colter’s hood unless it had four wheels, so Kade could take that come to bed smile and try it on a woman stupider than her. But she wasn’t opposed to using him to help her get her property back.
She glanced back at Tom, who still stood watching her like a snake about to strike. Tom warned her not to give Marcus cause to fire her. Marcus was not a fan of hers. He tainted her with the same brush as Jason, because on the racing track Jason had caused Marcus to crash, ending his racing career. That meant Marcus was just waiting for a reason to fire Lexie.
She needed this job. Needed the money—lawyers and detectives didn’t come cheap. She reached up and fondled the locket she wore round her neck and never took off. She didn’t need to open it to see the picture inside. A picture of her mother standing beside their cabin at Clear Lake. The cabin was the only thing her mother had left her, and now she might lose it. She kicked the car’s tire. Where the fuck was Jason? Unless she could find him and get her money back, the bank would foreclose on the cabin. She squeezed the locket tighter, wishing she could beat herself black and blue for stupidly mortgaging the property when Jason asked.
Eat, Pray, Love should be required reading for all women.
Back to her conundrum. Pissing Kade off and having him take his business elsewhere would qualify as grounds for termination in Marcus’ eyes—and Tom’s—maybe. Thinking about the sea of debt she was drowning in, Lexie knew this job was the life preserver she needed to keep her head above water and pay for the best detective in California. If he couldn’t find Jason… only then would she admit defeat. She still had time. A month. And now she had Plan B.—Kade Colter.
She would work with Kade. What was the saying? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer? It wouldn’t be dangerous at all… She mentally kicked herself. Surely she was immune to men, especially if their last name was Colter?
Reckless Curves: Bad Boy Autos (Drive Me Wild Book 1) Page 22