by T Gephart
“Lincoln,” she purred, my name breathed out like aural sex. “Come on, baby, look at me.”
There was a gentle thud, the blanket that had been wrapped around her pooling on the floor as her sexy bare legs got closer.
Fuck.
She was naked.
“Don’t you want to see me?” She reached down, grabbing one of my hands and placing it on her ass, my hand staying put even after she’d pulled hers away. She took hold of the other one, my traitorous hand curling around her tit even though I’d threatened my own arm with amputation, neither of those bastards listening to me.
“Ooooo I like your hands on me.”
See, sadist, her body shimmied, and I had no fucking choice but to look up. I was trying to fight it, promising myself all kinds of things if I just held strong, but at the end of the day, I could never say no to her.
“Ahhhh, there he is.” She grinned, the black velvet box held out in front of her proudly, right below her tits. You know, so I couldn’t miss it. “I have something very special to give you.”
I swallowed, reassuring myself I could still do everything I had planned. I could still design the ring, have the moment, do all the things even after she asked me to marry her. And in the end, did any of it really matter? I wanted to be with her, and she wanted to be with me, so if asking me to marry her was so important, then I’d suck it up and let her do it her way.
“Okay.” I nodded, reluctantly removing the hand on her tit and accepting the box. The other hand from her ass also had to forfeit its position seeing as opening it was a team effort.
“Lincoln Archer.” She took a breath, waiting for me to crack open the lid. “Will you move in with me?”
Inside the box, nestled against the soft black material was a silver key.
“Jesus, Zara.” I grabbed at my chest, holding the key tightly in my hand. “I thought you were going to—”
“Hey, slow down there, Lincoln. It’s been a month. We still haven’t even ironed out the prenup.” She giggled, knowing exactly what I would’ve thought when I’d seen the box.
Absolute.
Sadist.
“Yes.” I pulled her into a kiss. “Yes, I’ll move in with you. I’m assuming you have cleared this with Belle?” I was pretty fond of her little sister, and while I didn’t need anyone’s blessing to be with Zara, I didn’t want to be the thing that came between them.
“Who do you think got the key cut? It was my idea to put it in the box.” She grinned, wrapping her arms around me.
“Good. Then that’s a double yes.” I kissed her, loving the feel of her naked skin on mine. “Wait, should we call her and let her know? I know how impatient she is waiting for news.”
But before Zara could answer me there was a thundering of fists on the door.
“Don’t come in,” both Zara and I screamed out, cursing that my bedroom didn’t have a lock. I tossed on a pair of sweatpants, giving Zara some basketball shorts and a T-shirt so we were at least semi-decent. And took a deep breath before opening the door.
“I told her ‘stop, don’t do it, no’,” Nate chuckled standing behind a beaming Belle. “But she overpowered me.”
“She overpowered you?” I raised a brow, Nate being over a foot taller than Zara’s sister, and at least eighty pounds heavier.
“I’m stronger than I look.” Belle flexed her non-existent bicep muscle, screaming when she saw the key in my hand. “Yay! He’s moving in! OMG, I’m so excited. I finally get a big brother.”
Belle flung her tiny body at me, hugging with all her might. “And don’t forget, when you get married, I’m still the maid of honor.”
“Belle!” Zara shook her head, pulling her free from my chest. “He just agreed to move in, can we chill on the wedding talk?”
Belle grinned at her sister. “Sure, sure. But I have a witness.” She pointed to Nate. “And a verbal contract given in good faith is almost as good as a written one provided it is witnessed by someone impartial and in good standing.”
“You sure she didn’t go to law school?” I whispered, dropping my lips to Zara’s ear. “Because she’d have made a killer trial lawyer.”
“I know.” Zara sighed.
“Okay!” Belle clapped, calling us to attention. “Both of you get properly dressed and then we’re going out to celebrate.”
“Belle,” Zara started to protest. “Can’t we just order take out and chill on the couch?”
“You mean the couch you both defiled and will require hospital-grade sanitizing before I sit on it again?” Nate smirked. “Yeah, I’m going to take a pass and go with Belle on this one.”
I flipped him off, not bothering to hide my grin.
Belle waved her hand, overruling Zara’s objection. “Pleaseeeeeeee. You know I require celebrations. Even Nate agrees. And since the last time I insisted, you both met, I figure you should be thanking me instead of complaining. Now hurry up, I’m hungry.” Belle clapped again before turning to leave. “Oh, and Lincoln.” She paused, standing just outside the doorway. “We need more creamer. Be a super big brother and see that we don’t ever run out. Okay? Thanks.” She blew a kiss and then disappeared.
“You want to change your mind?” Zara asked, shaking her head as she closed the door. “Unfortunately, you’ve done it once, and now she’s going to expect it. It’s not too late for you to find your own place.”
“Nah.” I pulled her in for a hug. “I’ve made up my mind. And I will make endless trips to the store for creamer, and take constant demands from Belle if it means I get to be with you. Think of it as my greatest mistake.”
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Thank you so much to my family who have loved me through one of the toughest times in my career. Gep, Jenna, Liam and Woodley, I know it hasn’t been easy, but thanks for loving all my broken parts.
Thanks to my extended family and friends, who I haven’t seen nearly enough. 2022? 20223? Whenever it is we come together, there are going to be so many hugs. Love you guys so much.
Thanks to Sally Thorne who told me I wasn’t done. Who called me as often as I needed, reading chapters in parts, telling me she wanted more. I don’t think I’d have finished without your constant encouraging—sometimes angry—emoji filled messages. #IfYouCan’tLoveYourselfHowTheHellYouGoingToLoveSomeoneElse.
Special thanks to the beautiful Gayle Williams, who was going through her own hardship. No matter what was going on in your life, you always wanted to be in mine. Thanks for all your love and support, and most of all, your beautiful heart.
Thanks Kimberly, Aimee, and Caroline and everyone at Brower Literary and Management. Thanks so much for being so understanding and supportive, love you ladies!!!
Thanks so much, Nichole Strauss from Insight Editing. I blew through every single deadline, and you stayed with me. Thanks for believing in my work and working with my craziness.
MK! What can I possibly say about you? You read this one in record time, your insight invaluable as always. Thank you, thank you, a million thank yous.
Thank you Elaine York from Allusion Graphics LLC, Publishing and Book Formatting for making my pages look beautiful. And for working with my crazy schedule—what schedule?—and not telling me no. Lord, I’d have cried if you did!
And Hang Le, thank you seems like it’s not enough. I’ve never been so horribly unorganized and just a general hot mess as I was this year. Every single date went out the window and you squeezed me in regardless. I will never forget your kindness and grace and your incredibly beautiful covers. Thank you, all the hugs xx
Thanks a million to Rebecca from Rebecca Fairest Reviews Editing Services for proofreading and final eyes. I know you had your own busy time, and yet you fit me in, I can never be thankful enough.
S
o much thanks, love, hugs, and lack of social distancing to all my author friends both near and far. I hate it’s been so long since I’ve seen you guys, I miss you so goddamn much. Every connection, message, text, smoke signal—whatever—means the world to me. Can’t wait until we’re together again and I can give you all inappropriate hugs filled with gratitude. PS Keep those books coming, I love reading all your beautiful words.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to all the bloggers, reviewers, bookstagrammers, group admins and promoters who read, promote, review, and share my work. I will never take any of it for granted and am so thankful for all your LOVE and SUPPORT.
Thanks so much to Mary Dubé from Grey’s Promotions. It’s been a pleasure to partner with you and share my work with the world with you guys at the helm.
Thank you, Liz, MJ, and Jillian at 1001 Dark Nights.
THANK YOU TO THE T GEPHART REVIEW CREW AND ENTOURAGE. Thanks for all your love, support, messages, and just for showing up. It means the world to me and I adore you.
Special thanks to Pole and Aerial Divas Richmond and Pole Divas Reservoir who helped me put myself together this year. Your love, support and encouragement made me feel so empowered and strong, and each and every one of you is a beautiful precious soul. Shannon, Casey, Franny, Lauren, Bec and ALL the DIVAS—I came looking for fitness and instead found a family.
And lastly, as always, thank YOU. To the person reading this book who could’ve easily been reading something else. I will never take the opportunity to entertain you for granted. It is—as always—an honor. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, STRONG AND BRAVE. And don’t let anyone else tell you different. PS eat the cake, wear the dress, and dance like EVERYONE is looking but you no longer give a shit.
T Gephart is a USA Today and International bestselling author from Melbourne, Australia.
With an approach to life that is somewhat unconventional, she prefers to fly by the seat of her pants rather than adhere to some rigid roadmap. Her lack of “plan” has resulted in a rather interesting and eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history. She’d tell you all about it, but the statute of limitations hasn’t expired yet. But all those crazy twists and turns have led her to a career she loves—writing romantic comedy.
When she isn’t filling pages with sassy and sexy characters with attitude, she’s living her own reality show in the ‘burbs of Melbourne with her American husband, two teenage children, and her fur child—Woodley.
She loves adventure, to laugh, travel, and strives to live her life to the fullest.
tgephart.com
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The Lexi Series
Lexi
A Twist of Fate
Twisted Views: Fate’s Companion
A Leap of Faith
A Time for Hope
The Power Station Series
High Strung
Crash Ride
Back Stage
The Black Addiction Series
Slide
Sticks
Stand
#1 Series
#1 Crush
#1 Player
#1 Rival
#1 Lie
#1 Muse
#1 Love
Collision Series
Train Wreck
Car Crash
Hot in the City Series
Send Me Crazy
One Click Love
Not Just Friends
Between The Lines
Crazy in Love Series
My Greatest Mistake
Crazy in Love #2 (Belle’s Story- Coming soon!!!)
Crazy in Love #3
Crazy in Love #4? (I mean, it could happen, I suck at planning)
Standalones
The Fall
One-Night Stand-In
Viral
