by Riley, Alexa
“I love you, too,” I say as I pull his face close and kiss him. I can feel his need for me just below the surface and I know the second we’re home he’s going to strip me bare and possess my body in every way possible.
I ache for him to connect us. All this stress about Mark has weighed so heavily on us. Now that we are free of everything all I want to do is spend the rest of my life loving him.
He wraps his arms around me, and just as I deepen the kiss the door flies open and both sets of parents come crowding in. I laugh as all four of them start talking over each other, asking if we’re okay and what happened, and then someone shouts about babies.
I can’t help but giggle at the commotion, and I pull Barrett against me and close my eyes. I say a little prayer of thanks to whoever it is that watched over me and my baby. I won’t take a second of my life for granted.
Epilogue
Barrett
Two weeks later…
The backyard is lit with fairy lights in the trees, and candles in mason jars light the path that Genevieve will walk down to meet me. It’s all simple but beautiful, and everyone pitched in to make it a perfect day for us.
Hay bales make up the seats and everyone is getting into place because it’s almost time. Soft music comes from a guitar being played close by, and I can see movement in the house. Genevieve’s father is walking her down the aisle and I can see him holding the door open to wait on her.
She hid in our bedroom and I had to get ready in the nursery so I wouldn’t see her. It was the only thing she asked for, so of course I had to reluctantly give in. I love her so much that I can’t deny her anything. Even if it’s been driving me crazy.
My sisters are standing in the front with Gabi as we all wait for her to walk out. Steph’s husband John and their two kids are sitting close and he can’t keep his eyes off of Steph. She told me today that they’re moving back home, and I nearly gave my mother a heart attack when I yelled with excitement and picked her up and spun her around. After all that’s happened she said she’s finally at peace and just wants to be closer to all of us. Especially since Genevieve and I are expecting.
My mom and dad haven’t stopped smiling since they came into the hospital and found out everyone was okay. They love Genevieve and her parents and they’ve all loved fussing over us and helping plan the wedding.
This home is where Genevieve and I fell in love, and we knew this was the place we wanted to get married. When we got back from the hospital she didn’t seem surprised that I wanted to move the wedding up. In fact, she seemed just as ready as I was. If anything, this whole thing made us realize just how short and precious life really is. I’m ready to fill this house with a family and begin our lives as husband and wife.
When she walks out onto the back porch her smile lights up the whole night. She’s got her hair pulled to one side with flowers in it. Her dress is a simple slip that hugs her body and flows down to her bare feet. She steps onto the soft grass and clutches her bouquet of lilies in one hand and her dad’s arm in the other. I can only stare at her, at how utterly beautiful she is, as she gets closer.
Her dad approaches, and the minister begins to speak, but all I can concentrate on is how breathtaking she is. The moonlight shines on her pale skin, and I can still see her blush up at me. Her dad puts her hand in mine and I pull her close to me before I reach up and run my thumb along her cheek. I whisper to her how perfect she looks and how much I love her as the ceremony begins around us. I’m prompted to say words and I repeat what I’m supposed to. But all I can think is how lucky I am that I get to marry my best friend—the woman I love and want to spend every moment of every day with for the rest of our lives.
When Genevieve slides the wedding band on my finger it finally feels real. To have her mark on me, just like the one I have on her. I can’t help it when my hand goes to her belly and I say my vows. Because in this moment I promise it not only to her, but to our child as well, and I want our witnesses to see it.
“I will love you until my last breath and beyond. You will be my soulmate for all eternity. This I vow,” I say, and Genevieve begins to cry.
I wipe her tears away and pull her close as I press my lips to hers. They’re so soft and sweet, and nothing in my life has ever felt so perfect.
Cheers from the crowd erupt around us as I reach down and scoop her up in my arms. I hold her there as the minister announces us and I’m so proud I could practically float.
The rest of the night is a blur, but I try to hold on to every memory I can. We dance and eat cake, and we laugh all through the night. Our wedding is everything we dreamed it could be and so much more. I’ve given Genevieve all that she wanted and made her dreams come true. But this is only the beginning. Our days will begin again and this time there’s nothing standing in our way.
“I love you, wife,” I whisper in her ear as I pull her close.
“I love you, husband,” she says, resting her head on my chest as we sway to the music.
I’ll never get tired of hearing those words.
Epilogue
Genevieve
Four years later…
“Could we possibly have any more pink?” Barrett asks, and I look at him and put my hands on my hips. “You’re right, I don’t know why I ask stupid questions,” he mumbles, walking back into the kitchen to get more balloons.
“How do you do that?” Lynn asks as she stares in wonder.
I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t know what you mean.” I shrug, pretending to look innocent.
“He’s right, though. It looks like Miss Piggy planned this party,” Lynn says as she looks around.
Just then Gabi comes out wearing a gigantic pink ball gown covered in sparkles.
“That would be her,” I say, and Lynn and I laugh.
“You laugh, but you two have matching dresses in the living room,” she says, crossing her arms.
“Oh no,” Lynn cries, holding up her hands, but Gabi shakes her head.
“Oh yes. If this is what the princesses want, then this is what they get. They only turn four one time.”
“I think they’re cute,” Steph says as she walks outside wearing the same thing.
As if on cue, John, Neal, and Barrett all come out sporting pink coats and glitter ties.
“That’s just unfortunate,” Lynn mutters beside me, and I have to smother a laugh.
Of course Gabi and I both had twin girls on the same day. I ended up going into labor early and she was a week over. We couldn’t have planned it better if we tried, and we really did try. So our four girls are turning four all at once and it’s a surprise pink glitter bonanza. All the grandparents are keeping them occupied until they bring them over in an hour.
“They don’t even know about the party. How do you know this is what they’d want?” I say, eyeing Gabi suspiciously.
“Put it on and don’t ask questions,” she sing-songs, then walks back into the house to finish getting the party ready.
Barrett comes up behind me and wraps his hands around my waist. “How about we slip upstairs before the guest of honor arrive?” His hand goes to my growing belly, and I feel his lips begin to trail down my neck.
“Yes,” I say, gripping his hand and tugging him behind me.
“Where are you going?” Steph says, putting her hands on her hips. I give her a wink and she laughs. “Just don’t let her catch you!” she shouts as we sneak inside.
We have to hide in the front entrance until we see Gabi walk by, with John following her and carrying a gigantic pink cake.
“Now,” Barrett barks as he scoops me up in his arms and runs up the stairs.
I have to put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing and getting us caught. When we get to the bedroom he shuts the door and bolts it behind him. He jerks at his sparkle tie and tosses it to the ground.
“You better not forget to put that back on,” I say as I wiggle out of my shorts and pull off my top.
“You know I’ll w
ear it. Anything for my girls,” he says, yanking down the cups of my bra and going for my breasts.
He sucks on my nipples and the sensation goes straight to my core. When I was pregnant with the twins he was so scared that anything he’d do would send me into early labor. This time, it’s one baby, but we’re not finding out what it is. I’ll be happy no matter what and I know Barrett will be, too.
I spread my legs after he picks me up and sits me down on the edge of the bed. He’s long and hard as he slides all the way inside me, filling me utterly.
I cry out, and he puts a hand over my mouth while he whispers in my ear. “Shh. This will be quick, lady. We’ll be back before anyone even knows we’re gone. Now hold on to my shoulders and let me in.”
I relax, and he thrusts again. This time I can feel his soft curls pressing against my clit, and I whine against his hand. I’m always so wet and needy when I’m pregnant, and it’s so much worse this time. I’ve had him twice today already and even now I know that one orgasm won’t be enough. I’ll need at least two to hold me over until tonight.
“Fuck, you’re greedy for it,” he grunts, burying his face between my breasts.
I feel my pleasure build and then release all too quickly, and I keep moving my hips.
“More?” he asks, and I nod. I’m not nearly finished with him.
He pulls out and I whine, but he scoots down and puts his mouth between my legs.
“That’s it,” I whisper as I grip his hair with one hand and roll my hips against his mouth.
This time when I climax it’s harder than the last, and I feel my body begin to relax.
He kisses me once more before he moves up my body again and slides his cock back into my pussy. He presses his lips to mine, and tasting myself on him urges me forward.
“Go away,” Barrett growls, but I didn’t even hear a knock. I’m so lost in him and in us that I don’t care if someone breaks down the damn door.
My body tightens as his lips make their way back to my breasts and he kisses me there. It’s everything I need and he knows it. He’s always so attuned to what I want.
“Say it,” he growls as he thrusts into me once more.
“I love you,” I gasp, and I kiss him.
His warm release inside me triggers my own, and I whimper against his lips as the pleasure washes over me. He takes me to paradise every time we make love, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.
“I love you,” he says as he tries to catch his breath and runs his hands up and down my body.
“I know what you’re doing in there, and if you don’t get your butts dressed and downstairs in five minutes I’m going to eat all the cake,” Gabi warns, and I put my hand over my mouth so she doesn’t hear me laugh.
“She wouldn’t dare,” Barrett says, then he sobers up. “Shit, she probably would.”
He lifts me off the bed, and I giggle as he takes me to the shower.
“Where are we going?” I ask, surprised he’s not getting dressed.
“I’m not done with you yet. And I have a second cake in the refrigerator.”
“You really do think of everything,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“What can I say? I’m made to be yours.”
THE END!
Thankful For Her
by Alexa Riley
Autumn has always felt a soul-shattering pull to her stepbrother, Hunter. The only problem is that they’ve never met. But this Thanksgiving they’re finally going to meet and when they do, all her desires will be confirmed.
Hunter Danvers has lost a lot, and seeing his father marry a nightmare of a stepmother, he thinks he’s lost him, too. He reluctantly comes home for Thanksgiving. And then everything he knows to be true changes.
Warning: Get stuffed with insta-love, a secret baby, and gravy puns galore! This glossed-over holiday just got a reason to be celebrated, and it has nothing to do with the cranberry sauce!
Chapter 1
Autumn
I stand in the hallway looking at his picture, something I shouldn't be doing. I'd die if anyone found the secret picture I had of him hidden away in a drawer in my bedroom. But this huge portrait on the wall is nothing like the one I’d stolen.
Hunter Danvers.
He’s the man who takes up too much of my thoughts. When I was sixteen his father married my mother and my secret obsession began. I was only sixteen at the time, but even two years later, I’ve yet to meet him.
My mother and new stepfather were married before I could even blink. Not that I minded. I love Neil and he’s always so nice to me when I’m home. He makes me feel welcome, and he’s wonderful to my mom. He even went as far as to try to talk me into coming home from boarding school and going somewhere close by. It was a nice offer, but I politely declined.
Not because I didn't want to, but because my mother would never want that. She’s always trying to get me out of her hair as fast as possible. It works out fine because I don’t want to live full time with my mother either. She's a hard woman to please and I find myself trying to make her happy even though I know it won't work. I can't help myself.
I may not love boarding school, but I’m used to it. I like being there more than I ever liked being home. Though the silver lining to coming home is seeing pictures of Hunter. Every time I’m visiting I pray he shows up and I can actually meet him. But so far no such luck.
This time, though, I’m set to be home for eight weeks. Normally I'd make plans to do something with a friend over the Thanksgiving break, but Neil insisted I come home. He made a big deal about having a family dinner together and how he was going to get a giant turkey so I had to come eat it. My mother wanted to appear like she was a good mom and went along with him. It’s something she does when she has a new husband. She pretends to care when they’re around. Normally it doesn’t bother me, but with Neil it feels different. He's not a jerk like most of my mother's exes. I like having him as a stepfather.
An arm wraps around my shoulder and I look up to see Neil standing there. My cheeks warm a little as I wonder if he saw me staring at Hunter. The wall is littered with pictures, so maybe he thinks I was looking at all of them.
“She's beautiful, isn't she?” My eyes follow Neil’s line of sight. He's looking at a picture of his deceased wife. Hunter's mother.
“She is,” I agree.
She looks nothing like my mother. She’s a bright light with blonde hair and blue eyes and full, round cheeks. My mother has midnight-black hair and dark eyes. Sometimes I think she looks like a porcelain doll. Her face is unmoving and her skin is flawless.
I can tell from the picture she doesn't have a personality like my mother’s either. The woman is sitting at a table littered with paints, brushes, and drawings. It's a mess and there are two little boys in her lap. Hunter and his brother Vance. They’re both kissing her, their little hands are in her hair and on her face, getting paint everywhere. She’s laughing. The picture is so beautiful it makes my eyes water. I know two of the people in the picture are gone and it destroyed Neil’s life. I can tell he misses her. The look of loneliness is always on his face. I adore Neil, but I don’t know why my mom did marry a man whose heart she’ll never have. It’s clear one women would forever hold it and she’s gone. Then again, I guess it was never love my mother was after. It’s always about money and social standing.
“It's like I've lost them all,” he says so quietly I almost don’t catch it.
If I had to guess I think he’s referring to the fact that Hunter doesn’t come around much. Then I wonder if the Hunter Danvers in my head is one hundred percent fake. It breaks my heart a little to think I might have gotten it wrong. What if he’s cold and distant instead of what I imagine him to be?
Neil lets out a deep sigh. “You'll bring him back.”
I don’t know what he means by that, but he pulls me close and I lean my head on his shoulder. I’m not used to someone being so kind, and though it feels foreign, it’s so nice. It makes me w
onder what my own father was like. And it makes me wonder how Hunter can stay away from a dad like Neil. If he were my dad I’d spend as much time with him as I could. Especially if he were the only family I had left.
“Hunter is coming tonight,” he says. I turn to face him and see he’s smiling from ear to ear. “This is going to be the best Thanksgiving in…” He pauses as a sad look comes over his eyes. “Well, the best in a long time. And even better that you’re here, too. Your mother has invited half the town for a turkey celebration, but either way, I know it’s going to be wonderful having you with us.”
I can’t help but smile back. I look at the dimple that forms in his cheek and I wonder if Hunter has it, too.
“I want you to finally meet him. It's time.” He says it like he's been waiting for the right moment.
I want that, too. I’ve wanted it from the first moment I saw his picture almost two years ago. What will he think of me? Excitement creeps into my belly and I feel myself get nervous. What should I wear? I picked out a white dress, but now I'm not so sure. Everyone always says I look young for my age. I want to look older, maybe even sexy. I don’t want him to think of me as his little stepsister. I want him to want me, to think I’m a woman, because I’m sure that’s all Hunter dates. The thought of him with other women grosses me out and makes me jealous. It’s irrational because I’ve never so much as met the guy. I know I’m being completely ridiculous. But I can’t help but wonder if they’re all supermodels or movie stars. The excitement I was feeling lessens and a little bit of sadness takes its place.
“Meet who?”
My mother’s voice echoes in the hall and Neil and I turn to see her staring at us. Her smile is forced and I know it. I can always tell because it doesn't meet her eyes. Now, with all the botox she gets, it’s harder for her to fake it.