“How . . . ?” If Tortoise was here, then Libby . . .
She stood in the doorway, more beautiful than he remembered her. Her long hair was loose and wavy, skimming over the top of her breasts. She wore a green sweater paired with dark jeans that clung to her hips, and a pair of brown boots. He couldn’t believe she was there. How?
Megan.
He still sat in the chair, Tortoise excitedly licking his face. Without thinking, Noah nudged the dog down and stood.
Libby stayed perfectly still in the open door, worry in her eyes. “Noah, I’m so sor—”
He didn’t let her finish. He scooped her into his arms and kissed her hard. This had to be a dream.
When he lifted his head, tears streaked down her cheeks and fear filled his chest. “Lib, what’s wrong?”
“You still love me. I was so scared you’d hate me.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “Oh God, Lib. I could never hate you. Never in a million years.”
“I was so wrong. I should have trusted you.”
“Shh.” He kissed her into silence, his tongue seeking hers. Her arms tightened around his neck as he lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he carried her across the yard and in through the back door, Tortoise following on his heels. He took her to the master bedroom and set her on her feet, cupping her face in his hands. “I never thought I’d see you again, much less touch you.”
“I was miserable without you, Noah. I need you.”
“I need you too.” He pulled her sweater over her head, then paused. “I got my test results today. I’m clean.”
“So no condoms?” she asked hopefully, giving him a sly look.
“No condoms. Thank God. I don’t have any here.”
They undressed each other, then made love in a combination of passion and reverence. Afterward, he held her in his arms.
“You were right,” she whispered.
His hold on her tightened. “Those are my second three favorite words,” he teased.
She laughed. “And your first three?”
“Hearing you say I love you.” He gave her a long leisurely kiss. “But what was I right about?”
“You said I was looking for an excuse to leave you first. My dad’s words were ringing in my head, and I wasn’t thinking straight.” She looked up at him. “I saw him when I was twelve. I never told anyone.” Then she told him about the horrible visit that left her more scarred than she’d realized.
“You kept that to yourself all these years.” His voice broke. “Oh, Libby. The man was a fool. You are the most lovable person I’ve ever known.” He cupped her face and kissed her again, then smiled against her lips. “I can’t believe you came back to me.”
“Blair and Megan helped me come to my senses.”
He chuckled. “Megan worked some of her wiles on me yesterday.” Then he realized how well his sister-in-law had orchestrated their reunion. “Wait here.” He stopped in the doorway and looked back at the most beautiful woman in the world, still in disbelief that she was naked in his bed. “Are you hungry?”
“Only for you,” was her husky response.
He felt his own body respond. “I plan to keep you very busy that way, but I’m talking about actual food.”
Her teasing fell away. “I only want you, Noah.”
“I’m all yours.”
He came back a few minutes later, grinning ear to ear. “Megan must have had a lot of faith we’d work things out.” He held a tray stacked with cheese, crackers, and fruit, along with two juice cups and the bottle of champagne. “She left a note saying I’d know when to use this.”
Libby sat upright in bed, letting the sheet pool in her lap, and the sight of her bare breasts was tantalizing enough for him to want to make love to her again. “She was always the one of us who was the most prepared for anything. Don’t let her innocent face fool you. She’s a schemer.”
He gave her a wicked look. “It’s the quiet ones that always fool you.” He popped the top of the champagne and filled the juice cups, handing one to Libby.
“Look at this,” she laughed. “Someone gave us champagne and I didn’t even have to wear my wedding dress.”
Her smile faded, and guessing the reason, he cupped her cheek in his hand. “I have your dress. It’s back at my apartment. I couldn’t leave it.”
She looked down at the tray on the bed. “Thank you.”
He lifted her chin and searched her eyes. “Promise me that you’ll never leave me again. I don’t think I could survive it.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Never.”
“And I’ll never leave you. It would be like ripping out my own heart.”
They made love again, this time more playful, and he marveled how every time seemed to be better than the last. Then they lay in each other’s arms and Libby told him about her friends’ intervention and how miserable she’d been without him. He told her about his talk with Josh and the possibility of taking over the Seattle office.
“What do you want to do?” Libby asked.
“I don’t know yet.” He looked down at her. “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to be happy. Whatever that means.”
“I have to provide for us, Libby. I want you to focus on your photography.”
“You don’t have to provide for me. We’re partners. We’ll figure it out. Together. Okay?” she asked sleepily. He realized it was after midnight in Kansas City. No wonder she was tired.
He gazed into her eyes and kissed her softly. “I made you a present.”
That got her attention. “What is it?”
“I’ll show you tomorrow.”
She propped herself up on her elbow. “You can’t tell me that and expect me to wait. I want my present now, Noah McMillan.”
He leaned over and kissed her again. “I’ll give you anything you want, Libby McMillan.”
She grinned against his lips. “You’ll regret that promise.”
“Probably.” He grinned back. “But it’s worth it.” He stood and stepped into his jeans. “I need to take poor Tortoise outside anyway. Don’t fall asleep.”
But she was dozing when he got back, her hair spilled on the pillow behind her head. He stared at her for several seconds before she roused.
“Stalker,” she murmured.
“I couldn’t help myself,” he laughed as he sat down beside her, hiding the candlestick behind his back.
“Where’s my present?”
“Am I not present enough?” he teased.
“You’re everything I need, but you promised me a present. Where is it?”
He loved this about her. Her excitement over the littlest things. She made him feel that same giddy happiness. He had no idea how he’d gotten lucky enough to have her, but he would never deny his need for her again.
He fingered the grooves of the candlestick, suddenly nervous. “I made it for you this afternoon. I was going to bring it to you as a peace offering. I’m still rusty, so keep that in mind.”
“You were going to come to me?”
“I couldn’t live without you, Lib. Even if that makes me a selfish bastard.”
She grinned. “Then I’m a selfish bastard too.” She sat up, practically bouncing with excitement. “Now back to my present. You made it? Give it to me!”
He put it into her open hands. “It’s a candlestick. Like I said, I’m rusty so it’s a little uneven on the left—”
She kissed him and pressed the candlestick into his chest in her excitement. “You made this?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever gotten. It’s even better than the one Blair gave me before I got on the plane, so that’s saying something.”
He wanted to ask what Blair had given her, but she distracted him with that beautiful mouth of hers. They showered each other with kisses, and he marveled that he could be so deliriously happy.
As he drifted off to sleep, her voice broke into his thoughts.
“Oh, my palm was right all along,” she murmured, half-asleep. “And I was scared I’d gotten it wrong.”
He roused awake, determined to never let her down again. “What did you see on your palm?”
“You. I was so worried it was someone else.” She looked up at him when he tensed. “I’ll explain it to you tomorrow. Just know that your candlestick is the most perfect present to chase away my last lingering doubt.”
“You still doubt us?”
She shook her head. “No. Not anymore. Just promise to love me even when the girls go south and we’re good.”
He smiled, kissing her forehead. “I promise to love you no matter what.”
It was the easiest promise he’d ever made.
Epilogue
Libby paced the floor of the New York art gallery, feeling like she was about to throw up. Her exhibit was opening in half an hour and she wasn’t ready.
Her husband’s arms pulled her back to his chest and his lips found her neck. “It’s going to be great, love,” he whispered in her ear. “Your exhibit is amazing.”
She laughed. “You’re just saying that because you’re in every single photo.”
He laughed with her. “Well, I’m sure having an amazing model helped.” He spun her around, looking down at her with so much love it sucked her breath away. “I’m so proud of you, Lib. You did it.”
“Only because of your encouragement.”
Garrett groaned. “Are you two newlyweds about to attack each other again? Because you have a room only a couple of miles away. Use it.”
“Like you’re one to talk,” Noah laughed, keeping his arm around her back and tugging her to his side. “I just saw you feeling up your wife a few minutes ago.”
To Libby’s surprise, Blair blushed.
“Okay, okay.” Josh squeezed Megan’s hand as they walked toward the group. “We’re all newlyweds and we can’t keep our hands off each other. May we always be this way.”
“Hear, hear,” Noah agreed and motioned toward the entrance to the room.
A waiter walked up to Noah, carrying a tray of champagne. “As you requested, sir.”
Noah winked at Libby and she felt herself blush as he started to hand out the flutes. “I think all six of us have something to celebrate, so Libby and I thought it would be good for all of us to say what we’re grateful for.” He held up his glass and looked into Libby’s eyes. “Libby. I wouldn’t be half the man I am without you. Thank you for standing by me while I tried to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
He’d struggled with his decision to stay in the office, but Libby had encouraged him to try, assuring him he’d have her full support to quit if he felt pressured or overwhelmed by Josh. But Josh had stuck to his promise to stay out of Noah’s office. He’d flourished in his position over the last couple of months. Libby was so proud of him, some days she wasn’t sure she could contain her happiness.
They’d moved into his grandfather’s house, and he spent part of his time in the workshop, creating things out of wood. She’d confessed her fear that her palm had said she would marry someone creative, and he’d told her that if woodworking wasn’t creative enough, he had all sorts of creative ways to make love.
“I’m so proud of you, Libby.” His eyes glistened. “You did it, baby. Even though I tease you about your success being linked to your ridiculously handsome model, this was all you. And it’s just the beginning of many great things.”
She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him, smiling against his lips before she lowered back down.
“I never would have finished if not for you. Not just because you were my model,” she teased. “But because quitting was never an option. You fed me, gave me coffee, and encouraged me when I was sure I’d never make the deadline. Thank you.” Tears filled her eyes. “I never knew I could be so happy until you loved me.”
Garrett coughed and said under his breath, “Get a room.”
The group laughed and Noah kissed her anyway. When he lifted his head, he shot his friend a grin. “Okay, hot shot. Your turn.”
Blair lifted her eyebrow in expectation.
Garrett’s grin turned mischievous for a moment, like he was going to make some sort of joke, but then he said, “I’m grateful for second chances.” He turned to his wife and held up his glass. “Blair, these last few months have been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I can’t believe you’re mine after everything that happened, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He wrapped his free arm around Blair’s waist and pulled her in for a long kiss.
“Get a room.” Noah laughed.
The others joined him in laughter.
Blair blushed again, trying to regain composure. “I was going to say I was grateful for this ass—” Garrett leaned into her ear and whispered something that made her smile. “I’m grateful for my friends who tolerate my brisk behavior and love me anyway. And I’m also grateful for second chances. Both in love and in friendship.” Her gaze settled on Libby. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, Libs.”
Libby smiled at her friend.
“My turn,” Josh said, glancing first at Noah and then at Megan. “I’m grateful that I sat down next to a drunk woman on a plane who told me her sad tale. And I’m so glad I took a chance and pretended to be her fiancé.” He smiled down at her. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”
She looked up at him with adoring eyes. “Neither can I.”
Everyone clicked their glasses together and took a sip, with the exception of Megan, who had an ornery grin on her face as she held her glass in place.
“Why aren’t you drinking?” Blair demanded, her question an accusation.
Megan’s grin grew wider.
“Oh, my God!” Libby shouted. “Are you pregnant?”
Megan cringed. “I wasn’t going to say anything until after your exhibit, Libs. It’s your night, but Noah figured it out yesterday so this was all his idea. I hope you’re not angry. I didn’t want to take the spotlight away from you.”
“Angry?” She shook her head. “I’m going to be an aunt. A real aunt since you’re my sister-in-law now, not pretend like before. This is perfect.”
“Sure,” Blair said drily. “Rub it in.”
Megan pulled both of her friends into a hug. “I love you both the same. I want you both to be godmothers.”
“You realize this is the end?” Blair asked. “No more date nights. No more cute outfits. Nothing but sleepless nights and spit-up.”
Megan’s eyes filled with fear, but Libby squeezed her arm. “Don’t listen to her, Megs. It’s not the end. It’s just the beginning of something wonderful.”
Then she gave Noah a knowing smile as she held the glass of champagne she’d pretended to sip. It was a new beginning for both McMillan families.
And Libby had never been happier.
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Continue the Wedding Pact series with THE VALENTINE, a Blair short story.
Then read Megan’s brother Kevin’s story.
Megan, Knickers, Libby, and Gram make appearances
ONLY YOU
(Bachelor Brotherhood #1)
June 14, 2016 eBook
October 2016 print book
Read the the first two chapters now!
The Valentine
The Substitute
Chapter One
Blair Hansen-Lowry stared at her client in disbelief.
“You never closed the toilet lid,” Allison DeSanto shouted across the conference table. “You caused me pain and suffering that I will never recover from.”
“Are you kidding me?” Marco, her soon-to-be ex-husband, shouted back. “I forgot to close the lid one time and you claimed you broke your tailbone, a claim that wasn’t even substantiated since you never went to the doctor!”
Blair pushed out a heavy sigh, rubbing
her temple with her fingertips, and shot an exasperated glare toward Marco’s attorney, Dane Albright. Blair had spent her short career representing women who were divorcing assholes set on bilking them out of every dime they could get, but the more time she spent with Allison DeSanto, the more she wished she was representing the husband.
Allison started in on a new litany of perceived wrongs, but Blair had reached her limit. “Allison. Enough.”
Blair’s harsh tone drew a jolt of surprise from Dane, a man known for his steel edge.
Allison gave her a startled look, and her mouth dropped open. She obviously wasn’t used to being called out for her narcissism, which Blair suspected was the root cause of her impending divorce.
The sooner this settlement was agreed upon, the better, but they weren’t even close since Allison refused to budge on anything. The only reason Blair was even representing her was as a favor to her best friend Megan’s mother—a decision she’d regretted the minute Allison DeSanto had walked into her office.
Blair gave Dane a pointed look. “Can I have a moment with my client?”
Dane pushed his chair back, shaking his head. “You can have as many moments as it takes.” He lifted his eyebrows to help convey his meaning.
“If you want to wait in the client lounge, I’ll let you know when we’re ready,” Blair said. But it was wasted breath. Both men were already out the door.
Blair picked up her phone and called her assistant. “Melissa, will you meet Mr. Albright and Mr. DeSanto in the lounge and make sure there’s a fresh pot of coffee? We’re all going to need it.”
She cast a glance to her client, who was already on her phone, tapping away on the screen.
“Of course,” Melissa said. “But before you hang up, Garrett called for you.”
“Oh?” Blair couldn’t stop the smile that curled her lips. She probably didn’t deserve that man, but she loved him more than she could have imagined. She’d only been married for six months, but she was happier than she’d ever expected. Especially since Garrett wasn’t the man she’d originally intended to marry. “He didn’t try to call my cell or text me.”
The Wedding Pact Box Set Page 91
