“She’s not talking right now and I’m not pressing the point either,” I stated, as I saw Tammy approach us from the tennis club door. My heart sank because I hadn’t wanted anything else to spoil the day.
“Congratulations, brother,” she gushed, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight.
“Thanks, we’re really happy,” he told her. James glanced at me and slid his hand around my waist.
“Is that your daughter dancing with Josh?” she asked.
“It is. Tricia’s daughter, my stepdaughter,” James replied decisively, taking the challenge he felt she may make.
“She’s beautiful and so like you, Tricia,” she replied.
“Thank you, she’s brought a lot of love into our lives in recent weeks,” I told her confidently and smiled at James for reassurance.
“She’s perfect, I couldn’t want more in a daughter,” he remarked, and I noted how uncomfortable his statement had made her.
“I’m ashamed at how I behaved. You were right not to accept what I said. I can see how effortless you are together, despite all the waves you’ve had with your daughter getting back in touch … and your mom passing,” she offered.
I nodded. “Tammy, the concerns you had about James being with me were the same concerns I had voiced myself. James doesn’t make decisions without a lot of thought.”
“With Tricia, I never had to think about it at all. I’ve said it before, I’d choose my wife over a dozen children with another pretty girl,” he stated firmly and kissed my temple.
“I know. I’m not here to make a scene. I had wanted to catch you before the wedding to apologize, but there just wasn’t the time. All I wanted to say was I’m happy for you both and I hope we can put the past behind us, Tricia.”
“Of course,” I offered graciously, and I saw how relieved she looked when I’d accepted her apology.
“Okay, Sis, I guess you should get back to your girls, I think there’s a fight breaking out.” James told her nodding with his head in the direction of the dance floor. I looked toward the wedding party again and saw Milly and Belle arguing.
“Kids,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Indeed,” James replied, squeezing my hand as if to say I got this, he waited for her to say more.
“Well, I just came to wish you luck. We’ll be back in Arizona by the time you get back from your honeymoon, but you must come down and see us soon, the girls would love it.”
James smiled at the mention of her children. “We will, but it’ll be a while yet. After the honeymoon I need to step up at the firm.”
“Yeah, Dad mentioned to Jonathan he was letting go more of the reins… maybe you could find a spot for Jonny when you restructure? I’m about ready to come back to The Hamptons, now that Milly is getting older. I don’t want her to get tangled up with some boy down there in the desert before we make the move.”
“We’ll see … but if he does come in, he’d have to be prepared for some heavy supervision, I’m not sure he’s up for that since he’s been in a lead position for quite a few years now. Anyway, this is our wedding day and as much as I’d love to keep chatting, I won’t keep my bride waiting any longer. We’re heading off so…” He nodded again toward the girls. Bethany had joined them and was being scolded by Belle, “I think maybe you should get that and we can pick this up again when the timing is better.”
Tammy gave us a tight smile and headed back toward her girls, stopping to say something to her husband. He shook his head but didn’t move to help her.
“You can take that look off your face, wife. It’s never going to happen.”
Frowning I stared him out. “What isn’t?”
“Jonny coming into the firm. Dad told him before he married Tammy, he wouldn’t work with him.”
“Hm, but do you think he may change his mind because your sister wants to move back?”
“Stop. Today is about us … it’s not about other people’s domestic strife. You’re going to have years to catch up on all the workings of this family and today is not that day. Besides, I’m dying to see what’s under that dress—wait, you are wearing lingerie, right?” he asked, and I chuckled.
“Usually at weddings I dress for myself, but you’ll be happy to know that today, I dressed for my husband.”
“Right, we’re definitely leaving, we can thank everyone else in an email,” he said, his eyes catching my gaze with pure carnal desire brewing there. Dipping down in front of me, he placed his shoulder on my hip, and lifted me firefighter style over his shoulder. Everyone cheered as butterflies fluttered inside and my heartbeat soared as a thrill of desire took over.
“Let me down,” I squealed, laughing as he strode clumsily through the soft white sand to a limousine waiting in the parking lot. “Tricia, I’m going to do many things to you tonight, but I’m not going to let you down when I can lay you down.”
Hearing James’ play on words filled me with passion, desire, and hope, because I already knew he loved me madly and he was no quitter in life. There had been nothing more I’d needed to know when he’d asked me to be his wife.
The end
If you enjoyed James and Tricia’s stories, I’m excited to share that you can read more of this gripping family saga next spring when Adore You, Erin and Ryder, part 1 and Adore Me, Ryder and Erin will be coming in the Adore Duet, (books 5 and 6 of the Unchained Attraction Series.)
Acknowledgments
Edited by Karen Hrdlicka
Timeline Proof Krista Webster
Final proofs Sue Noyes & Lisa Perkins
Cover design Francessca PR & Design. picture Adobe
Beta team: Wendy Hodges, TL Wainwright Author, Nikki Costello.
About the Author
K.L. Shandwick Biography
FB group > https://bit.ly/2FyznAZ
Website > klshandwick.com
K. L. is a writer of contemporary, suspense & new adult romance, who retired in 2015 to write full time. Previously, she was a registered midwife and social care professional, but during her teenage years, she followed her passion for music by working as a merchandiser for rock bands.
K.L's writing career only started when she was challenged to write a chapter of a book. This led to her first series, The Everything Trilogy.
Mentally, K.L. still has a young outlook, (she says she's a young person trapped in an old person's body), she loves all genres of music, loves attending live band performances, and making new playlists to accompany the books she writes. After living and working in the south of England for most of her adult life, she now lives in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside with her husband.
Also by K.L. Shandwick
The Everything Trilogy
Enough Isn’t Everything
Everything She Needs
Everything I Want
Love With Every Beat
just Jack
Everything Is Yours
Last Score Series
Gibson’s Legacy
Trusting Gibson
Gibson’s Melody
Piper: A Last Score Spin off
Ready for Flynn Series
Ready For Flynn, Part 1
Ready For Flynn, Part 2
Ready For Flynn, Part 3
Flying Under the Radar
Unchained Attraction Series
Dare You, Part one, Billie and Sawyer
Dare Me: Sawyer and Billie
Resist You James and Tricia, Resist Duet
Other novels
Missing Beats
Exhale and Move On
Free to Breathe
Another Life
SOULED
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Resist Me (Unchained Attraction Book 4) Page 22