With a Hitch

by RC Boldt

She presses her lips to mine in a tender kiss. Before it can get out of hand, she shoos me out of the bathroom so she can finish applying her makeup.

  A few hours later, I’m on my feet, clapping furiously with my parents, sister, and Darcy at my side. Violet danced to Five for Fighting’s Superman, and it was badass. Granted, I don’t know how they critique dancing, freestyle or otherwise, but she legit kicked ass.

  I glance beside me to see Darcy wearing the biggest, proudest smile with tears in her eyes as she applauds. Once Violet steps forward to bow, Darcy approaches the stage along with my parents and Ava, and they each present my niece with a bouquet.

  Once the recital is over, and after we compliment Violet on her performance and exchange hugs goodbye, we head to my truck.

  “God, she was incredible,” Darcy remarks with awe in her voice as I pull onto the road heading home.

  “She really was.”

  We fall into a comfortable silence on the drive with only the soft sounds of the radio playing in the background. After I park in the garage and we head inside the house, I snag her hand. “Hey, want to head outside with me for a bit? Check out the stars?”

  She tips her head to the side, eyeing me curiously. “Sure.”

  We leave our shoes on the mat, and I lead her toward the back doors to the patio. I discreetly pick up something I’d hidden behind a canister on the kitchen counter earlier.

  I guide her to one of the chaise lounges on the outside patio. Light from the nearly half moon casts a glow over us. I sit back first and guide her to sit between my legs, her back resting against my chest.

  “It’s so peaceful,” she says softly.

  “It is.”

  We relax in comfortable silence for a moment before she says, “This reminds me of that night.”

  I smile at the back of her head. I was hoping it would.

  “Does it?”

  She nods, still gazing up at the starry sky. “I don’t think I could ever forget it.”

  “It’s how it all really started, I think.”

  She tips her head to the side to peer at me. “You think so?”

  I nod. “Why don’t you turn around, and we can recreate it a bit?”

  With a soft laugh, she stands and turns before settling herself on my lap. Legs straddling me, she rests her hands on my shoulders.

  “Like this?” she asks playfully.

  I frown thoughtfully. “I think we might need some modifications.”

  Amusement is threaded in her voice. “Such as?”

  Bringing my right hand up between us slowly, I say, “Maybe like this?”

  She freezes, eyes going wide, lips parting in surprise as she stares at the ring pinched between my thumb and index finger. It’s a four-carat square brilliant cut diamond on a simple platinum band. I knew she wouldn’t want a ring that’s too over the top, but I still want it to be clear she’s spoken for. Very spoken for.

  My voice is hushed, but I can hear the thick emotion in it. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. With my strong, brave woman who loves fiercely. With the woman who’s become my best friend. I already come home to you and wake up beside you, but I’m selfish, Darcy. I want more. I want the honor of calling you my wife, and eventually, the mother of my children.” I swallow hard past the lump in my throat, and my hand holding the ring between us shakes. “What do you say, Duchess? Want to get hitched?”

  It’s here, on this perfect night, with the stars and moon shining down their light from the sky that I hear the best thing I’ve heard in years. It surpasses the moment I heard my name called as a NFL first round draft pick and being named captain of the Jags. It surpasses being awarded NFL Sportsperson of the Year and earning a Super Bowl ring in my final season.

  The word that passes from her lips fills me with unimaginable happiness.

  Her eyes lift to mine, bright with unshed tears. “Yes.”

  But as I slide the ring on her finger, she raises her eyes to mine again, and unease rushes through me at the odd expression on her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She presses her lips thin and glances down at the ring before her eyes lock with mine. “You mentioned me eventually being the mother of your children. Well, I need to talk to you about that…” Her words are spoken so softly, so faint, I have to strain to hear her.

  “Okay,” I draw out the word. I’m not sure where she’s going with this.

  “What would you say if I told you that might be happening sooner rather than later?”

  I stare at her, stunned. “You mean you’re…?”

  “Pregnant.” She offers a wincing attempt at a smile, as if she’s afraid of my reaction.

  I lower my gaze to her stomach and gently cover it with one palm. “How far along?”

  “I just took a test earlier today, but I think about four weeks.” Her laugh has a nervous edge to it. “It’s been so crazy with work that I didn’t pay attention.” She worries her bottom lip. “Are you upset?” She rushes on without waiting for me to answer. “Because I know we didn’t plan this, and we never really talked about a timeline for kids, and you’ve—”

  I slip my other hand to her nape and tug her in, silencing her with a kiss. I part her lips with my tongue and show her just how not upset I am. Once I’ve kissed her senseless, I lean away a fraction.

  “Duchess?”

  Her eyes flutter open. “Yes?”

  “I hope it’s a girl who looks just like you.”

  Her features crumple, tears escaping the corners of her eyes. “You do?”

  I nod, my throat tightening with overwhelming emotion. “And you know what else?”

  “What?”

  I touch the tip of my nose to hers. “If she asks for a pair of pink Chucks with white stars, you’d better damn well believe Santa’s going to bring them.”

  Six months later, because I’m impatient as hell and neither of us wanted anything fancy, I married Darcy Cole.

  It was a backyard wedding, much like Becket and Ivy’s. We were surrounded by friends and family as Tank proudly officiated, and I pledged my life to the woman I once thought wasn’t my type.

  I still get a little emotional thinking back on that day. She married me. The half-black former NFL player who used to play it safe by sticking to a certain type of woman. I guess Darcy and I were both playing it safe in our ways.

  I’m grateful as hell we finally broke free of those unspoken rules. Otherwise, I would’ve never ended up with my tall blond, blue-eyed, fair-skinned, fiercely independent, no rhythm, kale-hating (although I think I’ve converted her, and she’s too damn stubborn to admit it) matchmaker.

  Sometimes, you end up falling in love with the person you least expect. Love might hit a few snags along the way, and things don’t go off without a hitch like you’d prefer. In our case, it all made this journey that much sweeter.

  Between us, though, I’m pretty sure it was my beautiful cocoa skin that wooed her.

  Well, maybe that and the sex chair.

  THE END

  Enamored with Kyler Watson? Stay tuned for his story, coming in Fall 2019!

  Want to know more about Ivy & Becket? Read on for an excerpt from their book, DITCHED.

  To all survivors speaking out,

  We hear you.

  We believe you.

  We admire your bravery.

  National Sexual Assault Resource Center

  https://www.nsvrc.org

  Excerpt of DITCHED

  Prologue

  Ivy

  SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

  Miami Gardens, Florida

  I wring my hands nervously before realizing this won’t do me any good.

  The overwhelming pandemonium from the NFL fans in the Hard Rock Stadium is nearly deafening, and I stare down at my palms, flexing my fingers as an anxiety-ridden anticipation courses through my body. I don’t want to do this, but it’s my only choice. There’s no other way.

  Even though I’m certain it’s too late.

>   A slap on my shoulder jars me, drawing me from my conflicted thoughts, and my gaze locks with Corbin Hartson, the coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

  “All set?” he yells to be heard over the raucous crowd.

  I nod. “All set!” I holler back with far more conviction than I feel.

  “Then get out there. Let’s do this!” A slap on my shoulder punctuates his enthusiasm, and I resist the urge to rub the spot. What is it with coaches and players and the slapping thing? Geez.

  I close my eyes and drag in deep breaths meant to be soothing, attempting to psych myself up to follow through with this plan. And I can’t help but be amazed at how this all came to be.

  My eyes flash open, and I know this is it. It’s time. I can do this.

  With my first step onto the field, carpeted with crunchy Bermuda grass, I force myself to put one foot in front of the other. My focus is centered on one thing—on one object—sitting on the fifty-yard line.

  For the first time in my adult life, I’m wagering what I’ve long believed was cold and bitter. Useless.

  My heart.

  Click here to read more!

  Dear Reader

  If you would be so kind as to leave a review on the site where you purchased the book, it would be appreciated beyond words. Once you’ve done so, if you send me an email at rcboldtbooks@gmail.com with the link to your review, I’ll send you a personal ‘thank you’!

  Please know I truly appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to read this book! To stay up to date on my future releases, you can sign up for my mailing list (I’m the most anti-SPAMMY person ever—promise!) via this link: http://eepurl.com/cgftw5.

  If you enjoyed Darcy and Dax’s story, be sure to check out my other books:

  Standalones

  Out of Love

  CLAM JAM

  Out of the Ashes

  BLUE BALLS

  He Loves Me…KNOT

  Tap That (with Jennifer Blackwood)

  DITCHED

  The Good Samaritan

  The Teach Me Series

  Wildest Dream (Book 1)

  Hard To Handle (Book 2)

  Remember When (Book 3)

  Laws of Attraction (Book 4)

  About the Author

  RC Boldt enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.

  RC loves hearing from her readers at rcboldtbooks@gmail.com.

  Stay Connected to RC:

  Facebook: https://goo.gl/iy2YzG

  Website: http://www.rcboldtbooks.com

  Twitter: https://goo.gl/cOs4hK

  Instagram: https://goo.gl/TdDrBb

  Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BBBReaders

  Acknowledgments

  With a Hitch

  Copyright @2019 by RC BOLDT

  Editors:

  Tamara Mataya

  Editing 4 Indies

  Diamond in the Rough Editing

  Proofreaders:

  Judy’s Proofreading

  Deaton Author Services

  Cover:

  James Critchley Photography

  Amo Lidder, cover model

  Cover Me Darling, cover designer

  Acknowledgments:

  My husband and daughter who support me every step of the way—I could never do this without you both. Thanks for being my biggest cheerleaders.

  My readers—I’m not even remotely kidding when I say that it’s still surreal to know that I actually have readers. That’s the honest truth. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who spend your hard-earned money on my books. Thank you for reading my stories and allowing my characters to be a part of your escape from this crazy thing we call life! It’s an honor and privilege I don’t take for granted.

  All the book bloggers—I could never truly find the words to thank you for all that you do! You are simply amazing!!

  My author friends—You have no idea how much your friendship and support means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  Lauren S. & Hazel J.—You ladies graciously volunteered to read the rough draft of this and helped me refine it to be what it is. I’m grateful for not only your friendship, but for your support and feedback.

  Melissa, my PA—I could never manage to thank you enough for all of your help and for always being on top of things. I’m so thankful for you.

  Emily, my agent—Thank you for taking me on and believing in my work. Teaming up with you has been a complete game changer in the best way imaginable.

  Marisa, my cover designer—Thank you for always being so helpful and going above and beyond to help my vision come to life.

  Tamara, Julia, and Jenny—You ladies are my lifesavers. Also, thank you for still agreeing to work with me after I tossed my biggest book (ever!) at you.

  Sarah, my Australian BFF—Thank you for being by my side from the start of this crazy journey. There’s no way I would’ve survived without you and your unfailing encouragement! #LYLT

  Judy and Julie—Thank you for being the best proofreaders on this earth and putting up with me!

  My team of betas—Thank you for all of your feedback and help with this book!! I can’t express how much I appreciate you ladies. I love you and your eagle eyes.

  My readers group—You are the greatest, most supportive bunch I’ve come to know. I adore you all more than words could ever express!! <3

  To wine and coffee—Seriously, you guys. You are so damn loyal it nearly brings me to tears. This book’s for you.