Sam started. She blinked and wiped her face with a small shudder. Turning her head to face him, she smiled—a small, tentative curving of her lips. “What are you doing here?”
“You’re here.”
She studied him. Dark, luminous eyes. Was that even possible? Luminous and dark at the same time? Gage moved to sit closer. He had to touch her, but not yet. Too many questions, too much at stake for a casual caress. He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands between his thighs. “Did you mean what you said?”
“Every word.”
Gage gazed out to the Pacific. The waters calm, smooth. He wished he mirrored the ocean on the inside, but too many emotions left him wired, anxious. “Sam.”
She slid her long legs in front of her to sit up facing him. The hem of her cream linen slacks gathered at her ankles.
Gage reached out and followed the gentle curve of her neck over the smooth cap of her shoulder with his finger. The white silk of her camisole was bright against her tanned skin.
She shivered. “I am so sorry.”
The words meant more knowing she loved him. It remained a mystery, even to him, but the apology washed away years of pain. Memories and yearnings for his mother, visions of Sam’s retreating back, accusing glare—all flowed out to sea with five syllables.
However, relationships took two. “Me, too.”
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
Gage moved directly in front of her and then took one of her hands in his. He looked over her swollen, red rimmed, eyes, and plump lips. They begged to be kissed. So he did. With a gentle touch he kissed one eye, then the other, finally pressing his mouth to hers.
She sighed against him.
“Sam, I’m sorry for measuring you with the same stick I used for my mother. You’re nothing alike. But losing you would hurt even worse, so I pushed you away and condemned you for running.”
She turned his hand over in hers and ran her fingertips over his calluses. “I’m sorry for not trusting you.”
“I’m sorry for not trusting you. It’s something we need to work on.”
Gage pulled her to him. She straddled his lap and wrapped her hands around his neck. He kissed her, a soft caress. “We’re stronger together.”
She smiled and her eyes filled with tears. “Together?”
He kept his mouth against her as he spoke. “Don’t you think?”
Nodding, she placed kisses all over his face. He held on tight. No turning back. If she ever tried to leave, he’d go with her. Wrapping his hands around her rump, he pulled her closer onto his lap. Sam belonged to him now. “You’re mine. Don’t ever walk away from me like you did when we first met, like you did on the red carpet, like you did today. Stay. Fight with me. Challenge me. I promise to do the same.”
Sam laughed, tears streaming now. But full of joy this time. “I promise.”
He’d have to trust her and ask her to do the same. “If we really mean it, then let’s prove it. I know you are what I want. I’ve waited for you, Sam. Dreamed of you. Marry me. Make all the pain worth it.” His heart thundered in his ears. His whole life held in her hands.
In her hands.
“You can trust me to protect you, to take care of you without changing you. Together we will be strong enough to handle anything Hollywood has to throw at us, and then some. We can limit how visible we are, increase security, and I’ll shift from acting to directing.”
She shook her head, eyes wide. He placed a finger over her lips. “It’s what I’ve been wanting to do. I want a family, Sam, and I feel like directing can give me that. Give us that.”
Pulling back, she cupped his cheek. “Are you sure?”
“More than anything in my life.”
She nodded, her eyes bright, a blush rose to her cheeks. “Yes, Gage Cutler. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
His lungs locked down. “You will?”
She threw her arms around his neck, holding on tight.
He prayed she never let go.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The wedding decorations shone like chocolate diamonds coupled with the most brilliant aquamarine, and the crystal shine of citrine. Silky brown, bright blue, and lush green sheers draped the stucco walls. Cascading ivy and potted palms created intimate bubbles of escape. White orchids bloomed on every surface and called to the luminescent china that graced each round table scattered throughout the backyard paradise.
Sam tempered the giddy burst of affection that threatened to spill out onto each and every guest. She tightened her hold on her husband’s hand.
They’d promised to always walk toward one another, never away. To nurture the strength of individuality and cherish the unbreakable link of their unity. To trust and never condemn.
Gage glanced down into her face with his brilliant blue-green eyes, reminding her of what was coming later that night. She giggled.
“You’re happy,” he whispered next to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Even better, I finally feel alive.”
He pulled her in front of him, her back to his chest, and wrapped his hands around her hips. The heat of his body a silent promise for later. They admired their colorful mosaic of guests, family and friends, dancing, mingling. Enjoying the celebration and each other. Laughter floated above the music, silverware pinged, and corks popped. Sam had never heard a more beautiful melody.
She nudged Gage in the ribs with a giggle. “Oh, he’s in trouble.”
Across the way, her sister, Addi, hands on her hips, shook her head at Martin and Raquel’s nephew, Roque.
She tried to go around the hottie—Sam would have to feel her forehead later. She must be sick to walk away from that—but he stepped in front of her once more, blocking her path. Addi shoved her finger into Roque’s chest, vehemence in her expression, making him back up with each pronounced jab. Before he opened his mouth to respond, she spun on her heel and walked away.
Gage laughed and whispered in Sam’s ear. “He’s a crazy man. I never want to get on Addi’s bad side. She scares me.”
Sam nodded. “Smart man.”
They watched Roque stare at her as she stalked off, a half smirk on his face. His cousin, Liam, elbowed him in the side, and Martin Jr. shook his head with a devilish grin.
They glanced from Roque to Addi, who darted angry glances in his direction from her spot next to Bel.
“Ooooh…that is interesting,” Sam said, pulling Gage’s arms around her tighter. He kissed the side of her neck.
“We’re not the only ones who saw it.” Gage jerked his chin in the direction of Raquel and Martin. The two stood with their heads close, whispering, and a look of determination playing across Raquel’s beautiful face.
Gage pulled in a breath. “Should I warn Roque?”
Sam shook her head. “Hell, no…no one warned us.”
He laughed. “Thank God.” Turning her toward him, he brushed his lips across hers once, twice, then repeated the action against her forehead. She was loved and the knowledge warmed her.
The event was more than she’d ever dreamed. Their families had connected instantly, to the delight of both Gage and Sam. Bel and Addison conspired in a corner, Luca and Cutler Senior laughed at something Mr. Dekker had said, and Sam’s mother walked arm in arm with Raquel through the crowd.
The two women approached, and Martin stepped up alongside his wife.
Raquel kissed Sam and Gage each on the cheek. “Do you love it?”
They nodded. “This is amazing, thank you.” Gage’s deep voice held a catch, and they all studied his face. He threw his hands up. “What?”
“Leave the sentimentality to the ladies, boy,” Martin said, turning to blow his nose.
They all laughed, and Martin pulled Raquel closer to his side.
Martin nodded at Sam with a smirk. “You had me worried, girl. But Raquel assured me we’d succeed.”
Sam shook her head with a confused chuckle, but deep down she knew, and she was thankful. “What
are you talking about?”
“Whatever happened to the bro-code? You should be warning your fellow man, not conspiring against them.” Gage nailed Martin with a look.
Raquel, who seemed deep in conversation with Dee, placed a hand on her husband’s arm and looked at Gage. “Bro-code? Don’t be silly. I’m his wife.” The tone in her voice warned against denying it.
Martin tossed a wary glance her way and then shrugged back at Gage. “What can I say?”
Gage put his hands up as if in surrender and chuckled. “Not a damn thing. Smart man.”
In a flourish, Raquel selected two champagne flutes from a passing waiter and presented one to Sam’s mother as she sipped from the other. “It’s simple, darling.” She spoke with her hands, her dress of layered sheers catching on the slight breeze with a dramatic flair. “I know what’s best for my babies. Or more to the point, who, is best for my babies.”
Sam narrowed her eyes, hoping for clarity. “What—”
Raquel slid her free hand back through the crook of Dee’s arm and then repeated the action with the other, careful not to spill her bubbly while ensnaring her husband. “Come, it’s time to cut the cake.” She led her companions to the triple-tiered confection, leaving Sam and Gage in their wake.
Sam looked at Gage, and he raised a brow. Her lips pulled up at the corners. “I have no idea how she thinks she knows.”
Gage returned the grin. “Maybe it’s better that way. Martin and Raquel terrify me sometimes. Somehow I feel like the less we know, the better off we are.”
A rush of emotion threatened to spill over as Sam’s eyes filled. Her chest squeezed with the power of it. “I am better off with you. It’s a wonderful feeling to have someone believe in me, and to have someone to believe in.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I do, and it is.” Pulling her close, he rested his cheek against her temple.
“Thank you for waiting for me, for reaching me.” She wrapped her arms around his waist.
Gage cupped Sam’s face in his hands. He held her gaze with an intensity she’d never witnessed before. “Sam.” He kissed her forehead, then each cheek, finally pressing his lips to hers.
He released her from the kiss but continued to hold her gaze. “I have waited a long time for you.” Brushing his thumb over the curve of her lower lip, he smiled. “And you are worth every second.”
Sam got lost in the intensity of his gaze, feeling at once whole and part of something greater. Not because she found a man, but because she found herself, and she was someone to love. Staring into his eyes with growing excitement, she slipped her fingers through his, delighted in the sensation of his skin and the promise in his eyes.
A promise of a life filled with love and friendship and passion.
Green, his eyes were green.
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Acknowledgments
To my children and husband, otherwise known as my hearts and soul, thank you for believing in me, and always knowing I could do this even when I didn’t. To my big brothers Tommy, Todd, and Billy, as goofy as I am, you’ve always held me up. Todd, having you read my book, and like it, was an experience of a lifetime, and Billy you’re the best cheerleader a girl could have. To Paula, my sister of the heart, I’m forever in awe of you. And to my mom who’s continued to mother me from the other side, I hope I have a fraction of your grace. Thank you.
Thank you to my editor Kate Brauning who somehow knew exactly how to lift me up and push me forward without letting me fall. To my editorial director, Candace Havens, for giving this story a chance and pushing for it to be better and better, to Liz Pelletier for being so all-around generous, and giving this writer a home, and to Robin Haseltine for loving my story first. You’ve all made my dreams come true. Thank you to the marketing team—you know you hold a special place in my heart—to the production team and everyone in between. You’re my very own super heroes, and Entangled Publishing is a family I adore.
Thank you to Cherry Adair, a champion of new writers, for seeing something in me that allowed your generosity to flow onto the cover of my book in such wonderful words.
Thank you, Gina L. Maxwell, for looking at my words when I needed you and seeing what I couldn’t. Marni Bates and Cecily White, there are no words…and you both know why. I love you all.
Thank you to Romance Authors of the Heartland, with special love to one of my very dear mentors, Cheryl St. John, who told me to never stop learning, and also: Sherri Shackelford for always keeping me in stitches, Eve Savage for your sassy energy, Queen *lizzie Starr for your sparkles, Barb Hunt for your caring ways, Debra Hines for understanding me, and Donna Kaye for your sweet affection. Thank you, Terri Oswald, for sending me to the best RWA conference I’ve ever experienced all because you saw promise in me back in 2012, and I promised not to let you down. And never last nor least, Victoria Alexander for helping me plot, plan, and becoming a beloved friend, even though upon introduction I asked for twenty seconds of fan-girl time before acting normal, though I’m not sure the normal was ever there to begin with. Without all of you, my story would have no beginning.
Thank you to Kameron Claire for your friendship and for believing in me enough to help create my street team, MK & Co. I love everyone in this family, from the very first to the still to come.
Thank you to Colorado Spring’s Pikes Peak Writers for continuing my growth and entrusting me with your conference for a year. Writer’s Night was one of my favorite meetings with my inspirational heart, Rebecca Davis, my literary chops, Deb Courtney, my example of perseverance, Karen Emanuelson, and my first critique buddy, Deidre Greenly for learning with me. For the push and encouragement from M.B. Partlow, Donnell Bell, and Susan Mitchell. There are too many of you to name here, but you know my heart is overflowing with your faith and support. Thank you to all of my lovely friends in Writer’s Write for keeping me motivated and dreaming the dream.
I want to send a special shout out to Shannon Smithwick who beta read this book for me before anyone else. Her first comments, ‘Loving your book…and can’t put it down…’ gave me the first real feeling that I might just be able to do this. I’ll forever love her. Thank you to L T Kelly who, through threatening me with a punch in the face if I didn’t stop making certain mistakes, ensured I quit making said mistakes. Our mutual love of red wine and the word ‘aluuuminum’ has grown our acquaintance into a lovely friendship. To Julie Fairfield, and all my other beta readers and friends, your feedback, your time, and your support helped me get through the scary process of getting my work out there. To Kenny Golde for your time answering my questions and your suggestions on resources while I researched this book. One more exuberant thank you to the readers of this book. Experiencing life with you in this way is magical. I hope that at least one scene, one line, or simply one word resonates with each of you.
And to my sisters and brothers in the fight against breast and all types of cancer. I know both sides, having lost my mom to breast cancer at a young age, and surviving myself. I got hit during the last edits of this story. My writing was one of the things that carried me through. I have many more books to write. And I’ll get to.
To my Facebook family, you held me up with such overwhelming love I’ll never be able to express what it meant to me to have so many people sending out healing light, praying, pushing positive thoughts, and checking in to make sure I’d win in both my health and publishing, many of you’ve I’ve never met in person. I’m still spinning from it all. Thank you.
Hugs and loves and peanut butter. MK
About the Author
MK Meredith writes single title contemporary romance promising an emotional ride on heated sheets. She believes the best route to success is to never stop learning. Her
lifelong love affair with peanut butter continues and only two things come close in the battle for her affections: gorgeous heels and maybe Gerard Butler…or was it David Gandy? Who is she kidding? Her true loves are her husband and two children who have survived her SEA’s (spontaneous explosions of affection) and live to tell the tale. The Merediths live in the D.C. area with their three large fur babies…until the next adventure calls.
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