“Alexandra Reed Mitus, I adore you.” He opened the tiny box. “Marry me.”
Her eyes slid from his to the jewelry. Then, her mouth dropped open. “Oh, Crockett.” Beaming, she extended her trembling hand. “I cannot wait to be your wife. So, yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slipped on the dazzling ring and swept her into his arms. With her hands on either side of his face, they kissed as the room broke into applause.
“I love you,” she murmured between kisses.
“I love you, too, my beautiful Goth Girl.”
“Hallelujah,” Kimberly exclaimed. “Only a decade in the making.”
The group congregated around, offering hugs and congratulations.
“I hate to celebrate and run,” Danny said when the string of congratulations and good wishes had come to an end.
“I’ve gotta get going, too,” Decker said. “If anyone belongs together, it’s you two.”
Alexandra hugged both men. “Thank you for having Crockett’s back and mine, too.”
Gavin moseyed over. “Dinner was delicious and the engagement made me cry. You two are perfect together.”
Alexandra hugged her friend. “I’m thrilled you were here. Give my love to Bruce.”
“Being in the baby delivering business, he goes when the call comes in,” Gavin said.
“We’ll do dinner when I’m back from California,” Alexandra said.
Hand in hand, the couple walked the men to the front door. “Thanks for being here,” Crockett said. “It means a lot.” He eyed Decker. “You’re in charge while I’m gone.”
“I think Ellen’s in charge.” Chuckling, Decker moseyed down the hallway toward the elevator.
“You deserve to be happy,” Danny said.
“Best to Allison and congrats on the big news.” Crockett said goodbye to his cousin.
Gavin shook Crockett’s hand and hugged Alexandra. “This was a special night. Thanks for including me.”
After closing the door, Crockett swept Alexandra into his arms and kissed her. “You’ve made me a very happy man.”
Her adorable grin crinkled her nose. “You, happy?”
“It’s a new concept, but I’m liking it.” After he snagged another kiss, they returned to the living room.
Brigit and Red huddled around Alexandra while Kimberly watched her daughter’s interview of Crockett and his team on his laptop. His future mother-in-law could not stop smiling. He sank down on the sofa beside her.
“You look like you’re enjoying yourself,” Crockett said.
She paused the video and smiled. “This is delightful.” Her expression sobered. “I kept Sophia in my thoughts every day. Your family must be overjoyed.”
“Overjoyed, stunned. You name it, we’re feeling it.”
“I’m sorry your parents couldn’t make it, tonight.”
“Under the circumstances, I didn’t invite them, but I did tell them I was proposing. Once things level out with my sister, we’ll celebrate with them.”
“You’re a good son, Crockett. My sweet Alexandra is a lucky girl.”
He shifted his attention to Alexandra. “From where I sit, I’m the lucky one.” With a smile, he pushed off the sofa, pausing to kiss his fiancée before joining Colton and Maverick.
The three men stood, shoulder-to-shoulder, staring out the living room windows at the twinkling city across the river. Maverick slung his arms around both men.
“It’s good being around you guys,” Maverick said. “Before you know it, you two idiots will be chasing babies in stinkpot diapers.”
Crockett flashed a grin. “Bring it on.”
“We’re in no rush,” Colton replied.
“I’m never getting married.” Maverick leaned against the window to face them. “Time to talk shop.”
“Now?” Crockett asked.
“He’ll talk even if we don’t listen,” Colton said and they laughed.
“We’ve finished phase one beta testing of your pregnant Eagle,” Maverick said to Crockett. “You’re a fucking genius to create a surveillance bird that carries a smaller device inside her. She’s a beauty. I’m going to need half a dozen.”
“You did the math on that, right?” Crockett asked.
“One point five mil.” Maverick shot him a grin, then flipped his attention to Colton. “I need a silent investor.”
“Colton’s anything but silent,” Crockett said. “And that’s a good thing. He goes quiet on you and you’ve got a whole different problem on your hands.”
“We’ll talk,” Colton said. “Did you hear back from Internado?”
“The good senator made a few calls,” Maverick said. “He set up more meetings in the past week than I’ve had all year. It’s like I’ve landed in Oz.”
“Stay clear of the flying monkeys,” Colton said. “Those things creep me out.”
“I’d destroy those damned monkeys,” Crockett said. “I don’t trust that wizard hiding behind the curtain.”
“My problem isn’t with the monkeys or the old geezer,” Maverick replied. “The Wicked Witch of the West scares the living hell out of me.”
“Everyone has a price,” Colton said. “Especially the senator. That job is just a launching pad for him. He’s got his sights set much higher.”
“You know better than anyone, Mav, there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Crockett said. “Watch your back.”
37
The Gift
After Crockett bowed, his little tykes bowed in return. Then, they scampered off the karate mats and over to their waiting parents. His yellow belts showed continued progression and he smiled. Slow and steady.
He couldn’t spar until the sutures were removed and he completed the PT treatment, which meant he had to drop out of the karate competition. Minor setback. Gratitude filled his heart as he slipped into his shoes, said goodbye to Hannah and her dad, and left the dojo.
On his way home, he called Alexandra. “Hey, babe. Be there soon.”
“Why, hello, Huntah. I haven’t heard from you in a while.”
Crockett smiled. “Electra.”
“I’ve missed you. Are you available tonight?”
“For you, always.”
“Your mask will be on the bar, along with a nightcap. Shed your karate gi unless you want to show me your hot moves.”
Her sultry voice lured him home in record time. He entered his penthouse, expecting to see her waiting by the door. Instead, the rich, earthy timbre of Imelda May crooning, “How Bad Can a Good Girl Be” and the flickering candlelight and dancing flames in the fireplace greeted him. His Goth Girl was nowhere in sight.
He eyed the shot of whiskey she’d left for him on the bar. But he didn’t want the burn of alcohol. He wanted the sweet taste of his woman. She’d left him a handwritten note beneath the bottle. “When you find me, you can have me.”
Heat pounded through him. In their bedroom, he stripped out of his karate uniform. Other than the glowing fireplace, he stood alone in the master suite. She wasn’t in the guest room either. Where is she?
As he walked toward the kitchen, he spied a yoga-like chaise lounge chair covered in dark, rich leather next to the living room windows. A giant red bow rested on the larger of two humps that were separated by a valley. If Electra had anything to do with this, sex was involved. He couldn’t help but smile, but his attention was diverted when Alexandra sauntered out of the shadows from the kitchen, wearing nothing but gold stilettos. His moan sounded like a growl as his gaze followed her supple curves. But it was the devilish gleam in her eyes and her beckoning smile that captured his heart.
“Hello, gorgeous.” He drew her close and kissed her. “Where are our masks?”
She slipped her arms around him. “I changed my mind, handsome.”
“No lovemaking?”
Caressing his cheek, she smiled. “That’s exactly what we’re going to do. I want you. No masks, no role-playing. Just love.”
“I love the sound of that.
”
“There’s something else…I’m on the Pill and I want us to be as intimate as possible.”
“I like the sound of that, too.” He nuzzled her neck, stroked her long back and curvy bottom.
She chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d object.”
Gazing into her eyes, he kissed her. “I adore you, Alex.”
“I love you, so much.” With their fingers interlaced, she led him to the curvy chair. “For the man who has everything, I bought you a Tantra chair.”
“I do have everything,” he murmured, wrapping her in his arms. “I have you.”
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Now Available on Amazon & Free on KU
She’s desperate for the one man she must avoid at all costs…
Wealth manager Brigit Farnay despises Colton Mitus. And with good reason. He ripped away her family’s company during the most painful time in her life. Forced to work with him, she can’t deny that Colton is gorgeous, brilliant, commanding. And the enemy. Her traitorous body craves his touch every moment of every day. And then she finds out about the erotic games he plays…
Corporate raider Colton Mitus is success and power personified. He demands control in the boardroom and in the bedroom. So he shouldn’t be tempted by the newest member of the Mitus team. But he is. Brigit challenges him and frustrates him, but also quiets the demons that haunt him, especially as she agrees to be drawn into his secret, sinful world.
The most lucrative deal of Colton’s career places Brigit’s family’s company in jeopardy. When old enemies return hell-bent on ruining him, Brigit is the only person who can save him. But she’s been keeping secrets that could destroy everything...
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This book...HOLY HELL...I don't even know if I can give it enough praise. Stoni has the ability to capture your attention and hold it throughout the entire book. The lies, betrayal, and sabotage that fills these pages will have you sucked in forgetting everything around you." Wicked Babes Blog Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “It’s nearly inconceivable to me that I just read a debut novel, and not a latest offering from a well-seasoned romance writer. Stoni...has very deftly proven her writing chops and has subsequently shot to the top of my list of favorite reads so far this year.” Scandalicious Book Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Twists and turns, unexpected side stories and surprises with every chapter. Colton and Brigit are very complex characters. There's some incredible writing ability showcased in this book. In less talented hands, the story would never have worked the way it does. Sexy and exciting read!" Night Owl Reviews
What’s Next?
THE LOVING TOUCH
Book Three of The Touch Series
Taylor Hathaway—the sweet, timid event planner from THE MITUS TOUCH—has an erotic secret and no intention of sharing it with anyone.
Jagger Loving—a couples-only resorts mogul whose notoriety as a playboy has gotten him into trouble—is days from launching his first American-based luxury property.
When an unexpected glitch throws Jagger’s world into chaos, Taylor is thrust in his path. But he knows her as Raven. And that’s not all he remembers about her...
A NOTE FROM STONI
Sadly, human trafficking is all around us. To learn more about it and how you can help, please visit these websites:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children ~ www.missingkids.com
National Human Trafficking Hotline ~ humantraffickinghotline.org
On a lighter note…Thank you for reading THE WILDE TOUCH! If you loved Crockett and Alexandra’s love story, please post a review. You’ll be helping other readers and I’ll appreciate your feedback.
Amazon ~ bit.ly/thewildetouchaz
Goodreads ~ bit.ly/thewildetouchgr
Half the fun of writing is connecting with readers! Here’s how you can reach me:
Facebook ~ bit.ly/stonifbf
Goodreads ~ bit.ly/stonigr
Twitter ~ bit.ly/stonitw
Website ~ bit.ly/stoniweb
E-Mail ~ [email protected]
’Til next time…Cheers to Romance! ~Stoni~
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A gigantic thanks to my husband, Johnny, who provided invaluable ideas as I birthed this plot. I’m grateful you’re my first reader and, while I cringe at the abundance of red ink strewn throughout the manuscript, I appreciate your thorough edits. Being a renaissance man doesn’t hurt, either.
Boundless love to my smart, funny, über-talented son for his love…and for always asking: “How’s the writing going, Mom?”
Heartfelt appreciation to my critique group for their relevant edits and attention to detail. Thank you Magda Alexander, MC Vaughan, and Andy Palmer!
A special thank you to Cindy Maroni, LICSW, for her expertise in the field of social work and human behavior, especially in light of the delicate subject matter.
A big shout-out to Howard County Police Officer Patrick Gipe for taking the time to educate me on Tasers and for answering my many law enforcement-related questions.
Along the way, I’ve met some fantastic writers. I continue to be in awe of your talents. Your support and friendships mean the world to me. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.
To the wonderful, enthusiastic readers and bloggers who took their valuable time to read my debut novel, THE MITUS TOUCH. I am forever grateful for your encouraging words. The following lovely ladies deserve a special shout-out: Judy, Beca, Emma, Crystal, Kat, and Jenny. Thank you for my happy tears. Being a new author in an ocean of romance writers is an insane adventure, but you made me feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what my heart has always dreamed about.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stoni Alexander writes erotic romance about tortured alpha males and independent, strong-willed heroines. Her writing career began with a family-oriented column chronicling motherhood, published for eight years in one of the Chicago Tribune's family of newspapers. She loves penning stories filled with angst and conflict where, in the end, true love triumphs.
In a previous life, she ventured into acting, appearing in numerous television, film and stage productions before transitioning to a successful business career. Having spent her childhood moving around like a gypsy, Stoni appreciates her deep-seated roots in the DC metro area. She’s married to the love of her life, is an über-proud football mom, and dreams of the day when her muse will inspire her at will.
THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series Page 34