It only lasts for a moment but a sad smile hits his lips as he says, “Me too.”
Jordan directs his attention to the crowd in front of us and clears his throat, “Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us this evening.”
Jordan’s voice carries throughout the room as everyone begins to quiet. Jordan and I have earned the respect of every person here and we can see it in their eyes and actions as the entire room gives Jordan their undivided attention as he addresses them.
“Quinn and I are extremely thrilled to be launching New Capital Ventures. It’s a company we’ve built together from City Capital and Taylor Ventures. Your support over the last few months has been incredible. In return we’d love for you to enjoy this evening of celebration, and we look forward to making you a ton of money starting Monday.”
The crowd claps and cheers as Jordan finishes his speech. We decided weeks ago he would be the one to deliver our speech since he wasn’t the one recently investigated for fraud. There was a little worry in the beginning that my father’s actions could directly impact investors’ trust in us, but it was the opposite surprisingly. Top players in this cut-throat business actually praised me for having the guts to stand up to my father and turn his game back on him.
The band starts playing again. People stand from their tables and half head toward the dance floor and the other half to the open bar.
Alex meets me halfway between the stage and our table wearing a radiant smile just for me. “May I have this dance?” he asks, extending his hand for me to take.
Slipping my fingers into his, I allow him to lead me to the dance floor. Once we make it to the middle of the crowd, Alex yanks my body to his and I can’t keep the laugh he creates in me suppressed.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, angel.”
His eyes swirl with love. I can feel the truth in his words straight down to my bones. It’s a warm feeling that reaches deep within my soul and makes me feel whole. This man is my entire world. I fought it for so long and then I lost it. The saying is true, you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. I had no clue I had the most precious of gems in Alex.
My world has been opened thanks to this amazing man. I never want to go back to the life I was living before. It was missing a lot. A lot I didn’t know I wanted.
“Why are you smiling at me like that?” Alex asks, interrupting my thoughts.
Leaning forward into his body, as close as I can get, I say, “Because you are incredible and I love you.”
“I love you too,” he replies while guiding me across the floor. “I was serious though, Quinn. I’m so proud of what you and Jordan were able to do. Life kept trying to beat you down time after time. A lesser person would’ve given up. But you didn’t. You pushed and pushed and gave it your all to get here. I’ve always known you’d reach your dreams. Nothing was going to stand in your way. So, tonight is about you and celebrating this company that you created. Bravo, angel. Bravo.”
It never fails. This man always has the perfect thing to say to me but he’s forgetting something. “None of this would’ve been possible without you, babe. I wouldn’t have made it to today if you hadn’t been the person I needed. If anyone deserves the credit for me standing here right now, it’s you. You’ve always been the person I needed even when I didn’t want you to be. You’ve been my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and my shoulder to lean on when times get tough. You’re my voice of reason when my fucked up brain doesn’t want to think logically. You never put me down and you always have my back, regardless of your personal feelings. It’s always been me before you. You deserve to be celebrated tonight as well. Getting here, not only launching the company, but us, has been a long, grueling road, and there’s no one I’d rather be standing with when things finally get easy. I fucking love you, Alexander Conway.”
Emotion overtakes Alex’s face. His eyes glisten with moisture, and his lips curl up at the sides. I love that my words alone can do that to him. He loves me so much, and I can make him react like that with just words. I have the means to give him so much and yet all he wants is this. And this is exactly what I’ve always wanted but never thought I could have.
“I’m going to need to fuck you, now,” he laughs, fighting back the wetness trying to leak down his face. “You can’t say shit like that to me and use my full name and expect me not to need to be buried inside you. And just in case you didn’t already know, I fucking love you too, Quinn Taylor.”
3 years later
A BREEZE BLOWS, rustling my hair, just as my bare feet hit the warm sand. The salty scent of the sea fills the air, calming me as I reach the opening between the few rows of white folding chairs set up on the beach.
My eyes immediately land on a breathtaking Alex as he stands at the end of the aisle waiting for me. His still-long hair blows in the same breeze that catches mine. He looks delectable in his white linen button down and rolled up khakis. Today, this man becomes my husband.
If anyone had told me eight years ago there would be a day when I willingly married Alex Conway, I’d have laughed right in their faces and told them to fuck off. Yet here we are.
Taking my first steps down the aisle, I think about all the events leading up to today.
Alex proposed to me ten months ago, after waiting years longer than he wanted. His words not mine. He told me that he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me six years ago.
We’ve—I’ve—come so far since then. Alex and I have a relationship that most people would envy. He’s everything I could’ve ever wanted for myself and so much more. He’s done so much to help make me the woman I am today. A woman I’m very proud to be. A woman who has everything she could’ve ever wished for.
All the most important people in my life are waiting for me at the end of this aisle. The love of my life surrounded by our best friends.
For a woman who had a problem trusting and connecting to people, I’ve now got a ton of people who I trust my life with.
Ashley and Tanner beam at me with joy. These two brought Alex and I together and opened up all these doors for us. I honestly don’t know what we would’ve done without them. Our three-year-old nephew, TJ, stands proudly, holding his ring bearer pillow, next to his father and Uncle Alex, and Michaela, who is now four, smiles big at me from her mother’s side.
Tiffany, Candace, and a very pregnant Hailey McCallahan also stand with huge smiles at Ashley’s side while Jordan makes goo-goo eyes from Tanner’s side at his gorgeous wife.
Hailey and Jordan got married a year and a half ago. Seeing the two of them so in love kind of makes me happy my father did what he did to us. That string of terrible events brought them back together and created this beautiful love between them.
Tiff and Candace got married as soon as gay marriage became legal in New York. They’ve even started the process of adopting a baby.
Babies have become a topic of conversation in the last few months. Between Hailey, Tiffany, Candace, and Ashley, who informed us all last night that she and Tanner are expecting another baby, my feelings on having children have gradually changed.
Just last week, Alex and I made the decision to see what the future has in store for us. While we aren’t planning on making an extra effort to get pregnant, when we feel the time is right, we will stop preventing it. If it happens then it’s meant to be, and if it doesn’t then we know it’s not in our destiny.
I hear sniffles the closer I get to where everyone is waiting for me and I glance over to see my mother and Diana wiping a few stray tears from their faces.
My relationship with my mother has grown into something I never thought possible. Once she left my father, I started to see the woman I remembered from the early years of my childhood. She even found herself a man who truly appreciates and cherishes her. Harold has been a godsend for my mother, and I’ve never seen her so happy.
Diana and I still have a fabulous relationship. After the launch of New Capital Ventures, my mother and she
opened a business together planning events. They stick mostly to charity events and anything we need for the business, but they’ve made quite the reputation for themselves over the last three years and have become very good friends.
My heart is so full of love thanks to the people here today.
I told Alex I didn’t want some huge ridiculous wedding. I wanted to go someplace beautiful and private to start our lives together and not one person here argued. Everyone told us to tell them when and where to be and they’d be there.
As I reach the beautiful arbor, decorated elegantly with white lilies, at the end of the aisle, I know I made the right choice. The Caribbean makes the perfect backdrop for marrying the love of my life.
“You take my breath away,” Alex says reverently as he reaches out his hand to take mine. I went with a simple, yet elegant, wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline. The dress is loose and flowy and blows in the wind. It’s the perfect beachside wedding. My hair is down with soft curls at the end and my makeup is minimal.
The minister starts the ceremony as he speaks of love and life. I listen intently as I watch the waves crash on the shore behind him, filling the air with the beautiful sounds of nature.
“I understand the two of you have prepared vows of your own,” the minister says, looking between Alex and I.
We didn’t want the same old words that everyone says when they get married. Today is about us and we wanted to speak from the heart.
“We did,” Alex nods.
TJ scurries up next to Alex and hands him our rings, and Alex and I turn to face each other.
“Quinn, I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with you since the moment I laid eyes on you. You are the only person I’ve ever wanted to spend my life with. I love you more than words can ever express. You’re the air that I breathe. You keep me grounded. Your love is my reason for being. We’ve been through the tough and it’s only made us better. We’ve been through so much and standing here with you today, making you my wife, makes everything all worth it. I promise to love you always. I promise to be your friend, your anchor, your lover, your biggest critic, and most loyal supporter. I promise to always be honest and true. I promise to give you the life you deserve and put you above all others.”
Everything is blurred as the tears stream down my face. My heart swells with every promise because I know without a doubt that he means every word.
“Alexander, you are everything I never wanted. I always thought I’d never have what we have. You showed me that just wasn’t true. You’ve stood by me through some of the worst times of my life. You’ve been honest and loyal even when I didn’t deserve it. You have always put me before yourself and there’s nothing more I could ever ask of anyone. I didn’t think I was capable of loving someone until you came into my life and tossed it upside down. There is no one else on the face of the Earth who could mean more to me than you. I love you heart, body and soul. I promise to always be the best part of your life. I promise to never go to bed angry and to always be honest. I promise to love you as though every day is our last. I promise to always be the woman you deserve.”
Even through my haze of tears, I don’t miss the tears that leak from Alex’s eyes.
“Do you, Alexander Conway, take Quinn Taylor to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” Alex nods, sliding my beautiful wedding band on my ring finger.
“And do you, Quinn Taylor, take Alexander Conway to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Repeating Alex’s actions, I slide his wedding band on his finger and nod, “I do.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Alex doesn’t hesitate to reach out and grab me. He dips me and kisses the hell out of my lips as everyone claps and hoots around us. “Wife,” he murmurs when he finally breaks away for air.
“Husband,” I reply and watch his pupils dilate in desire.
“I can’t wait to have filthy sex with a married woman,” he growls and I can’t help but laugh. I’ve definitely done well for myself.
After all the pain and struggle, I finally feel whole. The bond between us irrefutable. Alex is my other half and I his. The possibilities are endless, and it’s only just beginning.
Wow! Quinn and Alex’s relationship wasn’t the easiest to write. This duet was never actually supposed to happen, but I’m so glad I wrote it. Alex is so amazing, and I’m glad I got to share him with the world.
Quinn on the hand is the chick you love to hate. But watching her grow into the woman Alex deserves was a ride worth taking. Even as adults, we still room to grow and mature. You just have to be willing.
This book is the end of the line for all of these characters. I love them so much and I have spent much of the last year and a half with them. I’m sad to see them go, but I can’t wait to bring you new stories with new characters!
But enough of that, on to the many thank yous…
My hubby… Your unwavering support is the most wonderful gift in the world. Sometimes I can get so wrapped in these stories that I complete forget the world around me. You never complain. Not when the laundry doesn’t get done, not when we’ve had takeout five nights in a row because I can’t stop working to cook. Not when my brain’s fried and I want to throw in the towel. You just tell me it’s okay and I can do it. You listen to me prattle on about fictional characters like they’re in the room with us with a smile. I love you!
My children… Thank you so much for being so understanding about mommy’s ‘working.’ Thank you for asking about my books and how many there are and congratulating me when they’re finished. I love you guys and everything I do is for you, even if it may not seem like it.
Tiffany… My slutty, dick-loving, country bumpkin! God, are there even words to express my gratitude for you, your work, and your loyal friendship? Thank you for EVERY single thing you have done for me. I push and push and you always come through, surpassing my expectations with a smile on your face. Even when I decided to make you bi-sexual, you took it with a smile realizing that in fact a hot sex scene with you and Alex was never going to happen. Thank you for your friendship. True friends are hard to find, especially the ones who would literally give you the shirt off their back. I love you, twat-suck!
Melissa… You are the rock stars of PAs. I love when I go to do something and see that you’ve already done it. You go above and beyond and I love you for it! I’m so glad I was able snatch you up and I’d be completely lost without you!! You are stuck with me forever!
Holly… My real life Quinn. Thank you so much for loving these characters as much as me. Thank you so spending hours help me get this book where it needed to be!! It means more than you’ll know! I can’t wait for the today I get to meet you in person! I may hump you…fair warning!
Isabelle… I hit the motherfucking jackpot with you! Even with your already overflowing plate, you find a way to be there whenever I need you. Whether I need a shoulder to cry on, a voice of reason, or someone to tell me I’m wrong, you’re my girl! I honestly have no idea what the hell I would do without you. Thank you so much for being my sounding board, my Google, my biggest cheerleader. Thank you for the late night phone calls that I know take you away from your own project. You truly are one of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Lisa…. Holy shit! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I’m so glad that I made the decision to work with you. You always seem to understand my visions and my characters and help me to make them even better. Thank you for sticking with me through this one. It was a rough road!
Bloggers and Readers…. Thank you for your support. Thank you for posting about my books. Thank you so much for taking a chance on a no-name author who you knew crap about! Thank you for joking with me, chatting with me, and hanging out at events with me. I met some really great people this year and I just want to say thank you! It’s because of you I’m putting out my fourth book!
I’m so sorry if I forgo
t anyone, but please don’t think you’re unappreciated. My brain is a little fried right now. It’s midnight and all I can think about is the next journey I get to take on!!
XoXo
Kimberly
Kimberly is a stay-at-home mom of four beautiful crazy children. She lives in New Jersey with her husband of ten years and enjoys every minute of her never-dull life. She loves a good book that is impossible to put down, and you will most likely find her reading in her downtime, unless of course, there is a football game on.
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Inhibitions
Kimberly Bracco
Copyright © 2015 Kimberly Bracco
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or publisher.
The following book contains mature themes, strong language and sexual content. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Irrefutable (The Apprehensive Duet Book 2) Page 26