Smiling, I motioned towards our nanny. “Rosie, could you take William up to the nursery?”
She nodded and then scooped him up into her arms. Rosie was so good with him. It was hard to believe he was already five months old. Vince and Amanda exited the house and joined the other guests on the beach.
“How’s my girl?” I asked, standing in front of the mirror adjusting my tie.
“Ella’s good. She can’t wait to marry you.”
“Excellent news,” I said, clasping my hands together. “E, here’s the deal. I need to get married. My bride and I have a plane to catch soon, and I’m very eager to celebrate properly.”
“Well, I can’t control the sun, buddy. You’re the one who wanted to get married at dusk on a beach in June.”
“Ahem, actually, Ethan, that isn’t entirely accurate.” At the sound of Ella’s sweet voice, I covered my eyes.
“Ella, you know it’s bad luck for us to see one another before the ceremony.”
“Could you guys give us a moment? I need to speak to Alex.”
The sound of heels clacking against the wood floor made my heart stutter in my chest. The blood rushed to my ears, and suddenly I felt faint.
Quit being a pussy, Alex, and man up.
“Sweetheart,” I called over my shoulder. “If you are having second thoughts, now would be the time to tell me. I mean, it’s totally okay. My mother is a little pissed at me that we aren’t getting married in a church, but I know she’ll get over it. Amy is going to tell her she’s a Buddhist to take the pressure off us today.”
Her hands came up to mine and then she pushed them away from my eyes, which I still kept screwed shut tight.
“Alex, look at me please.”
I slowly peeled my eyes open. My jaw hit the floor. She was breathtaking, a vision in ivory, and that fiery red color slicked on her lips made my dick half hard. Half of her blonde hair was tied back with some loose pieces framing her face and long waves cascaded over her shoulders.
Jesus Christ.
The dress she was wearing hugged her in all the right places and showed off the fullness of her tits. Post baby, Ella was even more gorgeous. When I asked her to marry me, she was five months pregnant. She said no and then downed half a carton of ice cream. Later that evening, I found her crying in the shower mumbling about being bloated and ugly. I stripped out of my clothes and joined her, I kissed her everywhere and I didn’t stop. I told her how much I loved her and that to me, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Then we had the most amazing sex in the shower. Apparently, pregnancy sex was crazy hot.
Who knew?
In between shower sex and restocking the freezer with her favorite ice cream flavors, she agreed to marry me. I stared at the sparkling diamond on her left hand. Ronan set me up with his ring guy, Tomas, and I had the perfect ring designed—a four carat French Pave Halo diamond set in platinum. Her wedding band was a circle of shining diamonds. Combing two things she loved: the French style and classic details.
My fingers teased under the thin strap of her dress, brushing across the new ink above her breast. Roman numerals for the date we met, giving me a new reason to remember.
She dipped her head to meet my eyes. She was saying something, but it might as well have been in French because I was too busy admiring every inch of her body to hear anything.
“Babe, you look stunning,” I said, sliding my hand over her stomach. I explored all the ways I would get her out of this dress. Short of ripping it, there was only one way that made logical sense, a zipper that started at the small of her back.
Piece of cake.
“Thank you, so do you,” she said, running her hands up and over my chest. “This suit is incredible, the tailoring alone.” Her eyes continued gazing over every inch of my dark blue suit.
My fingers tugged under her chin. “What’s going on?”
She looked up at me, those bright blue eyes piercing my soul. “I don’t think I can do it. It’s all too much.”
My arms wrapped around her waist, and I breathed in her flowery scent. “Okay, let’s runaway and get married. I’ll give Ethan the keys to our house and he and Nabila can take care of everything.”
She shook her head, pounding a fist to my chest. “Fuck, I love you.”
I swept her hair off her shoulder and then pressed a kiss to her golden skin. “I love you, too. Let me grab the keys to the Mercedes and the bags from the bedroom and then we can make like trees and leave.”
“Babe, no, we have guests.”
My lips brushed over the skin below her ear, and I felt my worry vanishing just like afternoon sun. Our guests were most likely sweating their balls off, so I needed to hurry this conversation along.
“So, you’re going to marry me today?”
“Maybe, but I’m not going to be standing up there alone.”
“No,” I said, looking into her eyes. “Nabila, Tinley and Holliday will all be right behind you. And I’ll be standing across from you.”
She laughed. “Alex, babe, I’m pregnant—again.”
“Holy shit, are you serious?”
She nodded and said, “Eight weeks. You must have some kind of mutated super sperm or something.”
My arms wrapped around her, and I lifted her up off the floor. “You have made me very happy.”
“And you’ve given me more than I ever dreamed possible. The moment I laid my eyes on you, my whole world changed.”
“So how about changing my world today and allow me to become your husband.”
“Would it be possible to get some ice cream after the ceremony?”
I dropped a kiss to her forehead. “You can have all thirty-one flavors if you want.”
I scooped up my bride, forgoing the tradition of having her father walk her down the aisle. The guy would have to forgive me. My reasons were twofold. One: We gave our son the middle name Carrick, aptly named after Ella’s dad. Two: He already walked Molly down the aisle. Bonus: Ella and I were giving him another grandchild.
How mad could he be?
I carried her past the pool, across the lawn and up to the dune overlooking the ocean. I couldn’t wait to marry this woman. Ella’s father shot us a confused look and walked down the steps to stand by his family.
“We’re pregnant!” Ella giggled raising her fist in the air. “Now marry me, Alex Robertsen, so we can go have sex!”
Ronan and his father narrowed their eyes at me.
Shit. Maybe I should re-think Yemen.
THE END
Playlist
As You Are by The Weeknd
Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself by Jess Glynne
Elevate by St. Lucia
Final Song by MØ
Hands To Myself by Selena Gomez
iKnow by Roman GianArthur
Kiss Me by Olly Murs
No Money by Galantis
Not Letting Go by Tinie Tempah featuring Jess Glynne
One And Only by Adele
Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
Roses by The Chainsmokers
Save A Prayer by Duran Duran
Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
Sorry by Justin Bieber
Stay by Kygo, Maty Noyes
This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris, Rhianna
What’s Next?
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These are just a few of the books I am currently working on. All are Standalone Contemporary Romances.
The Harbour Series
Healed by You (The Harbour Series, #2) – Grady James
Wicked Gentleman Series
Wicked Gentleman
Royal Gentleman
The Weekends Series
Fifteen Weekends
The Scripted Series
unScripted
Perfectly Scripted
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When readers messaged
me and asked for more from Alex it left me stunned. Alex was a secondary player in Fifteen Weekends, but his mystery and charm captivated readers and they fell in love with him. I was left with no choice but to write his story. After flipping through my notes and the small character bio I had created for him, it became quite clear that Alex’s story began years before his tangled affair with Amanda. Alex had a lot to say, and so did Ella. I loved my time with both of these characters and giving them their Happily Ever After. Thank you for reading Bound to Me.
Special Thanks to my hubby Kevin who travelled with me to author signing after author signing supporting me in every aspect of my writing journey this past year. I am very lucky to have you aboard this train of epic awesomeness even when someone gets riled up about phone chargers. Without your love and support, I would be even crazier than I already am. I know that is hard to imagine. To sum up, it is without question, that you can handle a fuck-ton of crazy.
Next, I have to mention My Editor, Missy Borucki aka “The Comma Wrangler” Thank you so very much for your guidance, encouragement and for making the editing journey, dare I say, FUN?! Believe in miracles, fourth times a charm.
Robin Bateman, loads of thanks to you and your red pen for making sure that this book was perfectly polished. Perhaps one day I shall write a character just for you. Of course he will be the lumbersexual version of Tom Hardy. Also, if we happen to be in Chicago together ever, we MUST hit up Giordano’s.
Kylie, Jeananna and the Give Me Books Promotions Team, for the amazing cover reveal and launch. I very much enjoyed working with all of you.
Sara Eirew, thank you for the most unbelievably gorgeous cover. I am in awe of your talent as a photographer and a designer. This cover perfectly captures the overall feel of Bound to Me.
The reason the inside of this book looks absolutely beautiful is all thanks to Stacey Blake at Champagne Formats. Thank you so very much.
Andrea Joan, Thank you for loving Alex enough to help me envision his story with Ella. #LobstersForever
Kelly, where would I be without our morning conference calls . . . excuse me morning ops meetings? It’s all fun and games until someone gets a screw, can’t reach ones coffee, or nearly gets kicked out of Marriot. Iowa will never be the same. Your support and your invaluable feedback are more appreciated than you will ever know. And thank you for just making me fucking laugh and remember to take things day by day. To sum up: You look good.
Christina Manis Westrich, you came into my life like a beautiful shining light. This past year you have helped me in a bigger way than you will ever realize. It truly is the small things that make a really big difference. Thank you for being you. I love your face.
Rachel Blaufeld and Fabiola Francisco, seriously, I don’t know what I would do without you both in my life. Thank you for the marathon support sessions via messenger or sometimes when a phone call is warranted. #SoapyThighsForLife
Jennifer Naumann, I adore you, and I am so freaking happy that we met last year. You’re always there on the other end of the line listening, offering support or giving me a good laugh. Thank you for your friendship.
I’m lucky enough to have some special friends in my life – Alison aka Beatrice, Amy Kelly, Cori, Megan, Millie, Michelle Rodriguez, Patti, Susie, Melissa, and Kelly aka #FuckinJenny. This a mixed bag of things that kept me sane whilst writing this book, and it was all because of each of you—cocktails, game night, epic conversations with meme’s, filling me in on the happenings of The Young and The Restless, drunk texts, hate watching The Bachelor, Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise (all with color commentary), vodka, cocktails by the pool, cocktails at the Fubar Lounge, more memes, Snap Chats during Game of Thrones and general debauchery.
Thank you to Josh Galloway for answering all the medical questions and talking out solid scenarios with me. You are now on speed dial.
Will Shouse, thank you for allowing me to pick your brain with all my questions. Your knowledge gave legitimacy to the characters in this book with a military past. Many thanks for your service to the United States.
To my Author Friends who inspire me and continue to believe in me—Alyson Reynolds, Ann Serafini, Anna Bendewald, Ashley Erin, BJ Harvey, Kate Canterbary, KI Lynn, Pawnie Santana, Stacey Lynn, and Skyla Madi. When I have a question no matter how big or small it’s nice to have your words of wisdom and straight talk. I feel very lucky to have all of you in my life.
Each day, I am in awe of the incredible bloggers who work tirelessly to spread the word and love of our books to this community. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to those of you who took a chance on me, my misunderstood, bold heroines, and each one of my heroes—my swoony gentlemen with a naughty side.
Christy Pastore lives in the Midwest with her husband, two lovable dogs and their crazy cool cat. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising and Marketing. Writing has always been a part of her life. Her first writing gig was for a celebrity entertainment website. Later she went on to create her own blogazine and media company combining her love of writing with fashion and marketing.
When’s she not writing flirty and dirty books or updating her celebrity fashion blog, she loves shopping online, binge watching her favorite shows and daydreaming.
She believes books, especially love stories are an escape from the real world.
A few of Christy’s favorite things:
Bold Heroine’s – Swoony Hero’s with a Naughty Side—Guilty Pleasure Reads and TV Shows – Designer Handbags – Men In Suits – Black and White Photos—Sexy Accents—Snow—Pinterest – Twitter – Instagram—Wine—Champagne—Soy Latte’s – Gummi Bears—Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches – Pickles—Popcorn—Sparkling Water—Eye Cream—Pedicures—Traveling—80’s Music—Musicals—Movie Trailers – Celebrity Red Carpet Interviews – Award Shows – Making Lists.
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Bound to Me (The Harbour Series Book 1) Page 27