Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  “You were too good to be true; therefore, everything about you had to be a lie. I’d settled for less for so long I was too afraid to hope for better. When Nash tried to belittle you and claimed he knew the kind of man you were, he made me realize how wrong we both were. I’d closed my mind to possibilities. Every time I said no to you, I was really saying no to me and denying myself the experience of something wonderful—someone wonderful.”

  She rose up on her elbow and looked him in the eyes again, filled with determination and conviction.

  “I knew you’d come for me. It didn’t matter that he’d taken the bracelet and made me leave everything behind. I knew you’d find me because ... I knew you loved me. I was dreaming about you, Brice,” she confessed in a small voice. “You always come to my rescue, just like in all those fairy tales. You saved me from Nash, and you saved me from myself. You are my knight, my prince, and my ever after.” She leaned over and kissed his lips. “Thank you.”

  He pulled her into his arms and crushed her against him until she felt him tremble. She let him hold her, even if his grip was a little tight. She sensed his need to. When he was finally able to let go, he brushed her hair back from her face and smiled down at her.

  “I have something for you. I’ve held onto it for weeks, hoping and waiting for the right moment.” He pulled a small black velvet box from his jacket pocket and gave it to her. She opened it and was stunned to see nestled inside a beautiful princess-cut diamond ring in a platinum setting. He removed the ring and carefully slipped it onto her finger. It fit perfectly and looked as though it had always belonged there.

  “I know this is sudden and unexpected, and that you’re still trying to find your way. But I don’t need months and months to think and analyze what I’m feeling inside. I already know where my heart belongs. It belongs to you.” He brought her hand to his lips and brushed it with a kiss. “You don’t have to say yes right now. Just don’t say no.”

  She stared at the ring in silent wonder, absorbing the proof of his love there on her finger, and her hand shook under the weight of all that it implied. The tears that had threatened for so long finally spilled over and tracked down her face, and he leaned over and gently kissed them away. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “I was so determined not to fall in love with you, Brice. But I’m glad I have crappy willpower.”

  The last brick in her wall crumbled and fell. She no longer needed her shield to protect herself. She’d finally let go of the past and allowed herself to believe that her heart and her future were in good hands.

  Epilogue

  Three months later

  “Wake up, sleepyhead.” He rolled her over and nuzzled her neck. One hand rested on her bare breast while the other supported her head and pulled her closer for a kiss. After all this time, he was still in awe that he was allowed to live and breathe and wake up next to this woman. It had been months since the kidnapping, but he still hadn’t gotten past the fear of almost losing her. There were nights he’d jerk awake in a panic from dreams that Nash had gotten away with his plan or that he hadn’t found her in time. He’d reach out and pull her close and breathe away his fear and reassure himself she really was all right. He knew that deep down he’d never get over that feeling of terror.

  That day in the hospital when he’d given her the ring, when, to his surprise, she’d said yes, that guarded look of distrust and fear had been replaced by something new—determination, devotion, and love. Andrew Nash could rot in jail for all he cared, but he grudgingly owed him a debt of thanks. If not for his dramatic actions, Candace might never have come to the conclusion that Brice really loved her. Now she belonged to him, body, heart, and soul.

  His parents had fallen in love with her on sight, and she and his mother had quickly become friends. His only hope was that she didn’t scare Candace off with all her badgering about how soon they planned to start having babies. His mom had a one-track mind.

  “Who’s asleep? I’ve been lying here waiting patiently for you to wake up so I could jump your bones.”

  “Why’d you wait, babe? You know you don’t need an invitation. You can jump my bones anytime and anywhere.” His voice was low and wickedly sensual.

  “Really? Anywhere?” Her eyes stretched wide and sparkled with mock amazement and mischief.

  He felt that familiar punched-in-the-gut feeling he always got when he looked into that beautiful sparkling well of brown and golden flecks.

  “Don’t act like you’re surprised. I think it’s safe to say that our escapade in the elevator more than justifies that statement. Not to mention the kitchen counter, the dining room table—and let us not forget the hot tub in the backyard. If you want to try something different, why don’t we stay in the bed for a change?” He chuckled.

  “You must have been reading my mind.” She grinned as she reached down and wrapped her hand around his shaft and felt it pulse and come alive in her palm. She gripped it firmly and stroked the length of it, letting her thumb slide across the head and make tiny circles over the tip. He groaned his pleasure, enjoying her soft touch. She leaned in and traced his lips with her tongue, insisting he open for her, and he complied. Once the kiss started, he took over and dominated her, taking it deep. He pulled her head back and skimmed her throat with his lips and tongue, and then spoke into her neck, his breath warm against her skin.

  “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” he asked.

  “Mm hmm.”

  “You know, if you start this, I’m not letting you out of this bed until we’re finished.”

  “So, stop talking.” She breathed in his ear. “Time’s a-wasting.”

  “I’m just giving you fair warning, babe.” He covered her mouth with his, and in one swift move he flipped over onto his back and pulled her on top of him. She spread her legs, opening wide to allow his cock easy access to slide inside her wet, warm channel. The sensation made them both shudder and groan with pleasure, and they were immediately swept away and lost inside their self-made world of love and lust.

  • • •

  She raised her head and looked at the clock on the dresser, and her eyes grew wide with alarm. “Damn it. Look what you’ve done. I’m going to be late! Sarona and Joyce are going to kill me.” She jumped out of bed and hurriedly gathered her things. “They warned me not to spend the night with you because they knew this would happen. I can just see them now, tapping their feet and checking their watches. I’ll have to listen to them muttering ‘I told you so’ for the rest of the day.”

  Brice looked at her with a satisfied grin. She might be frantic, but he was feeling pretty damn good.

  “Hey, don’t blame me. I warned you.”

  “I am not taking all the blame for this, mister. If I go down, you’re going down with me. Don’t just lie there. Get up! We’ve got a wedding to go to!”

  “Go ahead and get in the shower. I’d join you, but we both know I won’t be able to keep my hands off of you. I’d only make you later than you already are. I’ve got a little more time than you.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” She gave him a hurried kiss on the lips and rushed into the bathroom to take a quick shower and dress.

  He lay back with his fingers laced together behind his head, grinning like an idiot as he stared at the ceiling. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. The woman he loved was only a few feet away, and very soon, she’d be a permanent fixture in his life and in his home.

  • • •

  The wedding march sounded, and all heads turned to watch the bride’s approach. The groom was nervous but proud and sported a grin across his face from ear to ear. The bride was led down the aisle on the arm of her father, who smiled and proudly delivered her into the hands of her husband-to-be. When she took her place among the group, they stood in a row in front of the altar, the six of them, all friends. They had come together in a time of trouble and near loss, and now they stood together in a time of joy to bear witness to the blend
ing of friendships and families. This union would make the bond between them tighter, stronger.

  Brice looked across the narrow space that separated them all, and then stared at Candace. Her transformation from tousled lover to elegant beauty was breathtaking. She was the product of that wonderful magic women worked when the occasion called for something special. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The love he felt welled up inside and threatened to overflow, and he was completely consumed by a tidal wave of emotion. During the course of the ceremony, the minister’s voice resonated throughout the church as he spoke in reverent tones. But Brice was so focused on her face, her lips, and her eyes that the words were lost to him.

  David poked him in the ribs. “Hey,” he whispered loudly, his voice rippling with repressed laughter. “Pay attention. Your turn will come soon enough.”

  The minister repeated his question. “May we have the ring, please?” Brice grinned sheepishly and reached into his inside pocket to retrieve the wedding band and handed it to David. David turned and smiled at his lovely bride and repeated his wedding vow in a clear, strong voice. Brice listened to the words of commitment as he looked meaningfully at Candace, and she returned his stare with a look of understanding.

  David was right; their turn would come soon enough. They had come a long way together. The evil villain had been thwarted, the beautiful maiden had been rescued, and the hero had gotten the girl. It was a happily-ever-after ending ... after all.

  Final Mend

  Angela Smith

  Avon, Massachusetts

  Copyright © 2014 by Angela Smith.

  All rights reserved.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

  Published by

  Crimson Romance

  an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.

  10151 Carver Road, Suite 200

  Blue Ash, OH 45242. U.S.A.

  www.crimsonromance.com

  ISBN 10: 1-4405-8333-1

  ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-8333-9

  eISBN 10: 1-4405-8334-X

  eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-8334-6

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author's imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  Cover art © 123RF/Tyler Olson

  To Mammaw—I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. Your unwavering love and guidance has helped me keep my head above water more times than I can count. Your strength has kept me strong, and I will always treasure your teachings. I love you more than words can say.

  A special thanks to Teri for helping me through my various stages of panic.

  Thank you to the Crimson Romance team for believing in my work and helping me to make it stronger. Writing might be a solo journey, but I couldn’t have done this without you!

  A special appreciation for those I have lost—those who have touched my life in special ways and will continue to live on in my heart and my memories.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Jake Inman’s head was about to explode. His lungs ached. His limbs burned. The pressure of his body filled his ears with a dark, cavernous force, demanding attention, leaving him fearful this could be it. His last breath.

  He sailed out of the water, captured a lungful of air, and dove under again. The tangle of water and elbows created a blender-like experience. Churning, gurgling, disturbing his equilibrium. Not long ago, this situation would have panicked him, but swimming with a group of triathletes fighting for the position he wanted forced him to move forward, stroke by stroke.

  He no longer panicked, even when he couldn’t breathe. He knew it was only temporary, and he’d been through a hell of a lot worse. He’d learned to control his fear, letting the water soothe him as it slid across his skin.

  A sliver of light penetrated the depth as he surfaced for another quick breath before diving underwater. He fought for control as he maintained a continuous flow of air supply, his arms gliding in swift forward motions as he focused on the swimmers around him.

  He thought of yesterday, of Brandon and his concerns for Amy, but the image of the two people he loved most in the world held a dangerous distraction. Swimming took enough energy. During the most stressful events of his life, water relieved him of his pain. Not drugs, not alcohol, not women. Not anymore.

  He could thank his cousin Brandon for that.

  Which was why he was having such a hard time focusing today. Brandon was in trouble and when Brandon was in trouble, Jake was troubled. But Brandon had insisted Jake continue with his triathlons while he took care of everything.

  Jake hoped everything would work out for the cousin who had helped him through the darkest part of his life. He knew Brandon was a good man, a good father, and the courts would have to see what a lousy mother Lillian was. She claimed Brandon was never home, didn’t have enough time to give his daughter a home she needed, and he was trying to prove the courts wrong. The courts had granted temporary custody to Lillian until the divorce, with Brandon having visitation every other weekend. This arrangement wouldn’t have been so bad if Lillian weren’t bat-shit crazy. But Lillian had never cared about her daughter until now, now when it might hurt Brandon or now when Lillian might get something out of it.

  If Amy were old enough, it wouldn’t be a problem. She’d choose to live with Brandon and all would be fine. Jake knew Amy would be better off in foster care than with her own mother. But Amy was too young to know, too young to let her know, so Brandon continued to play nice while the court decided his seven-year-old daughter’s fate.

  As he reached the end of his swim, Jake pulled himself out of the water and refocused. Time to change as quickly as possible, refuel, and head for his next meet with the bike. He loved the bike, the burning in his calves, the way the wind tore at him as he pedaled. But swimming was his favorite, and his most feared. When he jumped into the water, he faced his fears all over again.

  And conquered them every time.

  He rushed to his bike and noticed Shawn hovering nearby, waiting.

  Worry kinked his muscles. He controlled it with slow breaths.

  “Jake.” Shawn laid a hand on his shoulder. Jake tied his shoes and ignored Shawn. “Jake.”

  He straightened, a shiver running through him at Shawn’s deadpan voice. “I’ve got to go. What is it?” Shawn had worked with Brandon’s management team for years, but Brandon was usually the one to accompany Jake on his meets. Shawn’s presence usually meant something wasn’t right. His job was mostly public relations, and he only attended meets when he had to make sure their athletes were making a good impression. As far as Jake knew, he hadn’t pissed anybody off.

  Jake reached for his bike, but at this point he wasn’t sure he’d finish the race. He might just pedal to his truck, to Brandon and Amy.

  “Amy is missing,” Shawn said.

  Jake dropped his hand. Let his bike fall. Blood pounded to his head as he tried to absorb this news. He face
d Shawn. No way could he have heard him right. “What?”

  “She’s … missing. Someone broke into their house—”

  “Someone broke in?” Fear kept him grounded, preventing any action. He needed to reach Brandon as soon as possible. Send out search parties for Amy. No, they needed to go after Lillian. There was no break-in. Lillian had taken her own daughter. She had custody and still had taken her. Anything to hurt Brandon. Anything to make him look bad.

  “Jake?” Frown lines cut into Shawn’s forehead.

  No way would Jake calm down. Brandon needed him. Amy needed him. Shawn needed to get out of the way so he could go to them.

  Shawn planted a palm on Jake’s chest when he tried to sidestep him. “Brandon is dead.”

  • • •

  Winona Wall smiled and nodded as she prepped a margarita and listened to the older couple across from her rave about their adventure today. The two had gone hiking and were now curled together at the bar, holding hands like teenagers. She learned they had been teenagers when they fell in love and were still together after forty-five years.

  She slid the margaritas to them and blushed when they wrapped their arms through each other’s and drank from their own glasses. It was sweet listening to their story, and not many people occupied the bar right now so she had the time to listen. Not that she minded. Learning people’s life stories was one of her joys of tending bar. She just couldn’t brush off the warning whispers in her mind at the phone call she’d just received.