by Kendall Ryan
Collins ushers me along down the dock. “What do you think Kylie was doing while you were getting all dolled up? I had her go to our house and pack everything in your closet that wasn’t nailed down. Although,” his voice gets raspy and he growls into my ear, “I plan on keeping you naked for the better part of the next two weeks.”
My panties dampen instantly and a tiny gasp escapes my lips.
Collins chuckles and with little effort whisks me off my feet, making me squeal with surprise. He cradles me in his arms and steps towards the yacht’s ramp. “Collins,” I say nervously, locking my arms around his neck. I’d boarded the boat many times and knew the ramp was sturdy, but worried that with him holding me, we might end up a little too top heavy.
He stops and his eyes lock on mine. “It’s okay, Gremlin. I’ve got you.” The assurance in his voice reminds me that I have nothing to worry about, because Collins has always protected me. He’s never let anything bad happen to me, and never will. I let out a relaxing breath and he continues on board, heading straight down to the lower deck.
He doesn’t stop until we’re in the master suite with the door closed and locked behind us. Still he doesn’t let go of me right away, instead pulling me into a kiss while setting me down gently next to the bed. As he kisses me his hands trace a path down the smooth silk fabric of my gown. He unzips the side zipper and helps me out of the dress, carefully pulling the strap over my head then letting the dress drop to the floor.
The backless dress didn’t allow for a bra, so now I stand in front of him wearing my purple lace panties and my flip-flops from earlier in the day. It seems an odd combination to me. I giggle as I kick off the silly beach shoes.
He laughs too as he shrugs out of his jacket and undoes his cufflinks. “Life will never be boring with you.” He steps forward, letting me help him with the buttons on his shirt.
I’d always thought making love on my wedding night would be a nerve-wracking affair. With Collins I’m not nervous at all, I’m full of excitement, and as we unbutton his shirt we both realize our intense need to be naked and in each other’s arms and work faster, finally pulling off his shirt and undershirt.
Faced with his bare chest, my body fills with heat, and desire pools inside me.
“Take off your panties,” he says.
I do as he says, feeling the heat and desire grow as he tells me what to do. I stand fully naked in front of him. His eyes drink in my body. I’m glad I recently waxed, because I know he likes me bare.
“Get on the bed.” His voice is raspy and low. I find just the commanding tone of his voice is enough to make me wet. I sit back on the bed, and move to the center, waiting for him. He knows the wait is torture for me, and he takes pleasure in teasing me this way.
His eyes remain on my body and his hands carefully work at unbuckling his belt. Just watching him work slowly at removing his clothing is enough to make me press my legs together, in need of release.
“Are you ready for me?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Show me.”
I want to show him, but I’m not sure what he wants.
“Touch your beautiful breasts for me while I get undressed. Give me a show.”
I do as he says, cupping my breasts in each hand, pinching my nipples, which are already hard. I pull at them and tease them, and it feels so good I have to squeeze my legs together tighter.
“Open your eyes,” he says, his voice is close.
I hadn’t realized I had closed them, and when I open, he’s undressed, and lying on the bed next to me. His eyes, still full of desire, lock onto mine. “I’ll take it from here.” His hands cup my breasts, fondling them as he bends down, sucking on each nipple in turn. I arch my back as my body is assaulted with more pleasure than it can handle.
“Are you ready for me?” he asks.
“Yes,” I pant.
His hand slides down over my opening. “You are so wet.”
“Yes, Collins. I need you. Please.”
He spreads my legs open and kneels down between them, rubbing his tip against my wet flesh. I moan, grab the headboard in anticipation, and he pushes in slowly at first. I’ve become accustomed to how big he is, but I still need a little time to be able to accommodate his size. He pulls back, then pushes in further, my body taking in more and more with each thrust until he’s filled me up, and I have to take a moment to remember to breathe.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his hand cupping my cheek.
After taking another breath, I nod. He leans in, kissing me gently on the lips, then slowly works his hips, and with each thrust I feel the tension build inside me as he moves faster. I find I need and can take more, and I meet his rhythm. He pumps faster and faster, and I want to come, but I wait until he’s ready for me. Holding on is torture, but he finally releases me.
“Come for me, Mia,” he says, and I do, in an earth shattering moment of pure bliss, I hold on to him and come apart. He continues pumping and comes just as I’m coming down, pulling me to him, filling me.
After, he wipes me clean, folds me in his arms, and holds me close.
“Mia, my Gremlin, my wife.” He runs his hands through my hair, removing the pins that have held it up all day. “Mrs. Drake.”
I look up at him and beam at the pride I see in his eyes.
“Collins, my husband.” I trace a line along his smooth abs.
He laughs and squirms as I glide over the ticklish section.
“Was the wedding everything you wanted? Because I know how important it is. Or at least I seem to remember thinking it must be important to you. After all, you started hoarding wedding magazines when you were ten,” he teases.
I bite my lower lip, and look down, embarrassed. But then I answer, “It couldn’t have been more perfect. How long have you been planning this?”
“A little while,” he says, as if it’s no big deal.
This morning seems like weeks ago, when he was up early and getting ready to go into ‘work.’ He must have been preparing all day getting ready. “How did your business deal turn out?”
“The business deal?”
“The one you’ve been working so hard on for the past few weeks.” I smile playfully at him.
His lips tug up in a grin. “So far so good. No, scratch that. It’s perfect.”
Epilogue
Collins
Six Months Later
Pace is in the pool with Max, and Colton is stationed at the grill, cooking succulent pieces of shrimp and steaks, but his eyes keep wandering over to his very pregnant wife.
Reluctant to leave Mia’s side, I’ve been hovering near the lounge chairs where the women are sunning themselves, occasionally fetching drinks, sunscreen and food for their growing bellies.
“I still can’t believe we’re all pregnant at the same time,” Mia says, placing her hand over her firm, round belly. She looks beautiful, full with my child, glowing and pretty. We had to change up our regular yachting tradition on the weekends since Sophie and Kylie’s queasy stomachs didn’t tolerate boating. Colton’s pool has been well-used this summer.
“I can’t believe we’re all brave enough to be wearing swimsuits while pregnant,” Kylie laughs. “Then again, Pace hasn’t minded the extra junk in my trunk, he says it’s an added bonus.”
I mentally file that under information I did not need to know about my little brother’s ass fetish. But, damn straight. Because that’s the fucking truth.
Sophie shifts, an attempt to get more comfortable and sighs. “Well, my bikini days are done after today, my top is about to burst open, I’m quite certain of it. And I refuse to buy a bigger size.”
Every time Sophie has to pee, which is about every fifteen minutes, Colton stops what he’s doing and hefts her to her feet, where she promptly waddles inside to relieve her over-used bladder. It’s actually quite adorable, but when I told her that, she shot me a death glare, so I’m keeping my trap shut.
Mia and Kylie are each about four months
along, but Sophie is due any day now. She and Colton are having a little girl, who they plan to name Becca Grace in honor of Sophie’s late sister. I think it’s a touching tribute. Mia and I talk about names everyday—text them to each other when I’m at work, but so far, we’re not sure. I’m guessing once we find out what we’re having, it’ll make things more clear. We didn’t want to waste any time starting our family. We’re both thirty, and want to have a few kids—so Mia stopped taking her birth control, and a couple months later—we were expecting.
The women have spent most of this morning talking about their pregnancy woes, a topic which I’ve become accustomed to in the last several months, but when the conversation around me shifts to pregnancy sex, Mia turns as red as a beet, and I have to excuse myself. There is only so much girl talk I can take. I’ll be back to check on them soon, but I need a dose of testosterone before I lose my man card.
I head toward Colton and the appetizing smells emanating from the grill. “How are they doing?” he asks when I get close.
“Good. But a man can only take so much discussion of food cravings, nipple sensitivity and the best methods for breast feeding.” I shudder.
Colton’s eyebrows shoot up, but before he can respond, a burst of laughter drifts over. “What are they talking about now?”
“Sex,” I say blankly.
Paces wanders over holding Max. They are both wrapped up in beach towels. “What’s so funny over there?” He tips his head in the direction of our women.
“Apparently pregnancy sex,” Colton comments.
Pace frowns and looks over at Kylie. “I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.”
“What do you mean?” I ask. Lord knows, I haven’t been able to keep my hands off Mia. Between her swollen breasts, round hips, and her increased sex drive, we’ve spent entire Saturdays in bed.
“Dude. I don’t want to poke my baby in the head,” he admits.
Colton and I share an amused look, and then break out in a fit of hearty laughter.
Colton removes a shrimp from the grill and blows on it until it’s cool, then offers it to Max. “Here you go, buddy.”
Max babbles something at Colton, then nibbles on his shrimp before toddling over to his mom.
With Max over by the women, Colton thumps Pace on the back of the head. “Don’t be a dumbass, bro. The baby’s far away inside the uterus.”
“He’s right,” I say. “There’s no way your teeny weeny is going to hurt the baby.”
Pace grunts in disgust. “Teeny my ass. Step inside that pool house boys, and I’ll show you what a real man looks like.”
“No thanks,” Colton says, rolling his eyes. “My point is that your woman has needs. Needs that you would be fulfilling if you weren’t such a pussy,” Colton finishes and turns back to the grill.
“Pregnancy hormones increase the libido,” Colton says.
“Indeed,” I confirm, nodding while Colton and I share a fist-bump. Apparently Mia and I aren’t the only ones humping like bunnies these days. Good to know.
“Lunch is almost ready, do you want to gather the women and children?” Colton asks.
Crossing the stone patio together, Pace picks up Max, while I offer to help Sophie to her feet. “Ready?” I ask her.
She nods and holds out her hands to me. “Thank you, Coll.”
“Anytime.” I wait while Mia rises to her feet and slips into her sundress. “Ready for lunch?” I ask, before pressing a kiss to her lips.
“Absolutely. It smells amazing.”
When we’re all seated at the outdoor dining table, that Colton has designed to accommodate multiple highchairs, we clink glasses, toasting to family, health and safe deliveries of all three babies.
“So will Dad be flying into town soon?” I ask, after swallowing a bite of steak. He’s been here several times in the past few months, meeting Kylie and his first grandson after she and Pace got engaged, and again for my wedding, and then Pace’s wedding, which happened a few weeks later.
“Yeah, he flies in on Tuesday,” Colton says.
Sophie places her hand on top of her belly. “Hopefully I can make it that long.”
We all smile politely at her, and Colton kisses the top of her head. She’s been convinced she was in labor three times now.
“You’ll be great,” Kylie encourages. “Just get the drugs,” she says with a wink.
I see Mia cutting her food into small bites.
“Are you getting enough to eat?” I ask, feeding her a bite from my plate.
“I’m getting plenty,” she smiles at me.
I kiss her hand and give our baby a gentle pat. My brothers are used to seeing me act all mushy by now, and they rarely complain. Shit, they’re in the exact same boat.
It’s crazy that what started as three brothers whose idea of relationships was a one night stand with no commitments and no expectations has grown into what will soon be a family of ten. It’s kind of astounding when you think about it. Life may not be a fairytale—there are bumps and detours along the way—but I know Mia is my happily ever after. She is my forever.
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Acknowledgements
First, thank you to my family, and most especially to my darling husband for supporting me in all that I do. I'm a lucky lady.
Thank you to my dear author friends, and all around rockstars, Rachel Brookes, Emma Hart and Meghan March for your keen eyes and enthusiasm for this story. A bear hug goes to my publicist Danielle Sanchez for your quick responses and imaginative plans for spreading the word about this series. It is wonderful having you on my team!
There have been so many wonderful blogs who've supported me in this journey, and frankly there are way too many to name. But please know that I appreciate everything you do, for your love of books, for your shameless pimping and for your abundance of love for indies. We couldn’t do it without you.
Most of all, thank you to the readers. I heart each and every one of you. Thank you for following this series to the end. I love the Drake brothers, each in their own special way.
Also By Kendall Ryan:
Unravel Me
Make Me Yours
Resisting Her
Hard to Love
Working It
Craving Him
All or Nothing
When I Break
When I Surrender
When We Fall
When I Break
Link to Amazon
Knox Bauer's life has unraveled to the point of no return. Fighting to fill the emptiness inside himself, he seeks solace in unfamiliar beds with unfamiliar women. As guardian to his three younger brothers, this can't go on...they look up to him in every way and all he’s done lately is prove how messed up he really is. Needing a change, he attends a local Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting, where he finds himself tempted by the alluring instructor, McKenna.
Twenty-one year old McKenna is trying to make amends. After losing her parents in a horrific accident, she knows if she can just be good enough, maybe she can forgive herself for what happened. With her newly acquired degree in counseling, she begins leading a sex addicts group where she meets the troubled Knox and her life takes on complications she never bargained for. She doesn't have time for a bad boy who only wants to take her to bed, even if her body disagrees. The fixer in her wants to help, but trusting Knox's true motivations might take more courage than she has.
ies # 4)