Afraid to Hope (Secrets & Seduction)

by MJ Nightingale

  “Congrats man, that is great news. Louisa’s a fantastic woman,” Teddy offered. “She’s been a great friend to both Ana and I when we went through our mess awhile back. Without her interference and seeing through the crap, well, we might not have what we do have.”

  “Thanks, Teddy. I think she is pretty incredible myself. And believe me, I know how lucky I am to have her.”

  “She’s lucky to have you too, Jay,” Victor offered and put out his hand. “Hey Monica!” he called above the din, “Louisa and Jay are moving in together, how about we share our news as well?”

  Monica blushed, as silence ensued Victor’s remark. Monica lifted her hand to show off her engagement ring. “We’re getting married!”

  “Oh my God!” Louisa and Ana yelled in unison, and then the three woman were screaming again. Now the questions were being thrown at Monica.

  “When?”

  “This summer. Victor’s birthday.”

  “How did he do it?”

  “His daughter actually proposed,” Monica informed them.

  “What?” And the girls were laughing and hugging while Monica explained that story.

  The men shook their heads and laughed. Teddy popped the cork on two champagne bottles, and Victor helped to pour the bubbling liquid into champagne glasses while Jay served. The group, hugged, stood close, and waited for someone to make the first toast. Jay piped in first, “Well, here is to good friends, and family, a life filled with love, and hope.”

  Glasses clinked. Victor whispered to Monica. “To a life of love and hope, and fire. We can’t forget the fire.” She blushed at the words only meant for her, smiled and took a sip of her champagne, but just a small one. They were trying to conceive after all.

  Jay’s laugh broke the silence. “I guess I won’t ever forget this birthday.”

  “It’s your birthday?” Teddy laughed. “Damn, what a night. Full of surprises. But, I think we better call Francine and my mom. All of these announcements, well, there’s going to be hell to pay if they don’t get the news from us. We may as well turn this into a birthday, engagement, elopement, adoption party.”

  “I love parties,” Ana cooed.

  “I, Victor Ciccone, choose you, Monica, to be my wife. You are my lover and my best friend. You have shown me patience, caring, and understanding. I don’t know what I ever deserved to have you come into my life. But you did, and for that I will forever be grateful. I promise to stand by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in sickness and health. I want you to know that I will cherish the love you have given me, and I just hope and pray that you never lose your faith in me. I will protect and honor you, and honor the love you have given me, Monica, until my last breath, and through all of eternity.”

  There wasn’t a dry eye on the beach as Victor recited his vows to Monica. A tear streamed down her face as she tried to compose herself for her turn. Victor’s hand reached up to wipe that tear away.

  “I, Monica Michaud, take you, Victor Ciccone, to be my husband. You are my lover and my best friend. When you chose me, you fulfilled all of my dreams. You are a man I respect and admire. Your strength, your commitment to your family and your country have only deepened my love for you. I too, promise you, that I will be by your side through all the good and the bad, and through any obstacles that may come our way. Since you have come into my life, I have felt cherished and protected and you know how important that is to me. You make me feel safe and desired, and there is no one, no one, Victor, who means more to me then you. I can’t wait to be the mother of your children, and honor you by standing by your side showing you my support and giving you my love all the rest of our days. I will love you for forever and a day.”

  Even Ana was shedding tears, as she stood by Monica’s side as matron of honor. Louisa, Kat, Tammy, a friend of Monica’s, Veronica and Stacey were there as well. All the bridesmaids looked lovely in pale spring lilac dresses.

  Monica’s mother, step-father and dad were there as well sitting in the front row of seats erected for the occasion and the lovely ceremony on the beach in Clearwater. On Victor’s side of the aisle were his mom, and four cousins on his mother’s side, who lived in Tampa and recently opened their own bail bondsmen business. His military friends were there too, looking dashing in their dress blues. Joe, Teddy, Jay and Michael stood beside him as best man, and ushers.

  Beyond them, as the sun set, was a huge tent and dance floor where the festivities would resume after the ceremony.

  Louisa cried softly at the beautiful words spoken and looked to Jay, who was smiling her way. The past few months had been wonderful with Jay, learning more about his tragic past, but mostly they talked about building a life together. He had graduated last month and took a job at the local airport. They were really on their way, she thought.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the pastor announced, and then there was cheering, and clapping all around as Victor took Monica into his arms, and kissed her for all he was worth in front of the crowd cheering him on.

  A buzzing next to Louisa disturbed her, and she looked to Ana by her side. Ana gripped her phone like a life line, and looked to Teddy who was staring across the aisle. Apparently his phone was buzzing as well.

  Louisa looked over her shoulder to read the text. “She’s ready. Come get your daughter.”

  It was from the adoption agency in Guatemala. The legal system there was different than their own and the hearing had been held when it came upon the docket, being drawn randomly by the next judge on the circuit. They had known it would come like this, the message, unexpectedly. They had been waiting patiently for weeks for this exact message. It appeared the hearing had occurred, and it was now just a matter of flying to Guatemala, signing some papers, and bringing their daughter home. They had spent one weekend a month traveling to see her, getting to know her, Jessica was her name. The expense had been worth it to acclimate her to them these past four months. But now she was coming home.

  “Excuse me, excuse me!” Teddy interrupted the cheering.

  All eyes turned to him. “I want to congratulate the bride and groom. I wish them the best, and Ana and I want to extend to them our love, and our support on this happy occasion. But for Ana and me, it has just got even happier, and I’m sorry to say we have to leave. But we just got the news that we can go get our daughter.” They had tickets on stand-by for just such an event.

  Monica, smiling, turned to her sister. And seeing Ana crying for all the world to see unabashedly clutching her phone, Monica was more than happy to share her special day.

  “She’s ready?”

  Ana just nodded. She couldn’t speak.

  Francine’s voice could be heard above the crowd, and confusion. “My daughter married, and my granddaughter ready to come home on the same day. I am so happy!” The crowd now with understanding dawning began to clap and cheer for Teddy and Ana’s good news. The few who didn’t know the full circumstances were quickly filled in.

  Ana finally found her voice. “I’m sorry, Monica, I wanted to be able to do the toast.”

  “That’s okay, sis, go get your daughter,” Monica beamed and added, “Lou can do it.”

  Lou nodded, when Ana turned to her. “Go get your daughter, Ana. Monica understands.”

  “Thanks, Lou. I love you.” And she thrust a paper at Lou with her speech on it, and crossed the aisle to take Teddy’s hand.

  They both stopped to hug Monica and Victor, and to offer their individual congratulations. Then they rushed down the aisle and across the sand to their car with the crowd waving them off and wishing them well.

  As the din faded, the pastor managed to return the party to the rightful proceeding of events.

  He cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Ciccone.”

  Again, there was more cheering as Monica and Victor made their way down the aisle to the tent set up for the reception.

  As the crowd followed them out, Jay held back
. He waited for Louisa to reach his side before they would make their way together to offer their individual congratulations to the bride and groom.

  “Hang back,” he told her. “Let the crowd go first.”

  The sun was nearly set. Lou watched the last of the wedding attendees make their way to the big white tent. Servers were waiting to the side to begin serving the dinner that awaited in trucks for the meal that had been planned. What a beautiful wedding and ceremony, Louisa thought as Jay’s arm snaked around her back. The vows and the service on the beach at sunset, had been utterly breath taking. It had been cool enough with the sea breezes keeping off the worst of the heat, the waves and seagulls audible over the sound system adding tranquility to the romantic setting. And now, a reception under the stars, but with the tent providing shelter from the birds and possible rain, Monica had gotten lucky with the weather.

  Jay’s thoughts must have been running along the same lines as Louisa’s because she heard him murmur by her side, “It was a beautiful day. Perfect. I really like the idea of having a wedding on the beach.”

  Lou’s head snapped up to see if she had heard Jay correctly. She turned within his embrace, and he was smiling down at her. His eyes shone, twinkling in their greyness, like the stars beyond him.

  “Jay?” she asked.

  “Lou, I love you, woman,” he said gruffly. He was digging in his pocket, and pulled out a small black box. She looked down at the box, and then back up at him before he had a chance to open it.

  “Jay?” she asked dumbfounded.

  “Louisa, I love you. You gave me hope for the future again. You breathed life into me. There is no one I would rather have stand by my side for always.”

  “Jay?” she asked again, her voice thick with emotion.

  “Louisa Sears, I want to spend all my days with you, all my nights, and all the seconds in between them. If you’ll have me, Louisa, will you marry me?” She heard the box open, and he was kneeling down in front of her.

  Louisa looked down at the small sparkling solitaire diamond, and fell in love with its simplicity, just as she had fallen in love with the complex man that was Jay.

  “Yes, Jayson Russell Fairbanks. I will marry you.” His smile at her answer lit up the night.

  The End

  MJ Nightingale has spent over two decades teaching students how to write, and now she is doing it herself. Originally from Canada, she graduated from University with her Bachelor of Arts and then went on to get her Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education.

  Reading has been a part of her life since she was a child. She has been an avid lover of classical English and American literature, but romance has always held a special place in her heart. She devours historical and contemporary romance novels all summer long, and any type of fiction; thrillers, crime, suspense, and drama. This is her third published book, and final installment in the Secrets & Seductions Series. All three, Fire In His Eyes, Afraid to Love, and Afraid to Hope, are erotic romance standalone novels that have intertwined characters.

  For 2015, MJ Nightingale will release a new spinoff series entitled The Bounty Hunters. Lou’s daughter, Veronica, will be featured as the first heroine. Continuing in the same erotic romance genre, these books will contain elements of suspense and intrigue.

  She currently lives in Florida, where she continues to teach, with her wonderful husband of ten years, and her sons. She plans on pursuing her writing career full time very soon.

  **MJ Nightingale would love to hear from her readers. She can be reached at authormjnightingale@gmail.com

  And you can also visit her author page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MJ-Nightingale/185806224943537?ref=hl to see what is coming next by MJ Nightingale.

  MJ Nightingale is an Indie author to watch out for!!!

  Her erotic romance series, Secrets & Seduction, is something you will NOT want to read in public.

  Fire In His Eyes

  Ex-army buck, Victor, teaches innocent sexy school teacher, Monica, all about sex, and not the old-fashioned variety your grandmother was used to either. Filled with gut wrenching emotional turmoil due to Victor’s secrets, you can be sure one of them will melt and the other will burn.

  Fire In His Eyes http://www.amazon.com/Fire-His-Eyes-MJ-Nightingale-ebook/dp/B00HFVMWOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403052999&sr=8-1&keywords=fire+in+his+eyes

  Afraid to Love

  Teddy is not your average bartender by no means. A cop on the mend from 9/11, he wants nothing but good times and to live each day to the fullest. When it comes to the bedroom, well, hmm, let’s just say he is not your average Joe. Then, he meets a fiery red-head named Ana, and she can teach him a thing or two. He falls for her, but she pushes him away. Why? Because she has so many secrets, and they make her Afraid to Love.

  Afraid to Love http://www.amazon.com/Afraid-Love-Secrets-Seduction-Book-ebook/dp/B00JA0ZGQY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403053047&sr=8-2&keywords=afraid+to+love

  Afraid to Hope –

  Jay and Louisa are both battle scarred, but ready to start anew. His scars are not just from the war in Iraq, and hers are not just from a teenage pregnancy that resulted in raising a child alone. The scars in them run deep, and the both have secrets. Can two people so deeply wounded learn to trust each other enough to share those secrets? And if they do, will those secrets make or break them?

  All three of MJ’s books will have you turning pages, reading in the dark, and wanting more. Will her characters find their happily ever after? You’ll have to read to find that out. But one thing, I can tell you is that they are hot, hot, hot! All are available on Amazon, Nook, and Smashwords.

  For 2015, MJ Nightingale will release a new spinoff series entitled The Bounty Hunters. Lou’s daughter, Veronica, will be featured as the first heroine. Continuing in the same erotic romance genre, these books will contain elements of suspense and intrigue.

  Please read on for some information about some authors I love!

  Emma's Home (the Fairfield Series, book 1) by MaryAnn Jordan

  Emma Dodd has always taken care of everyone including her niece when they were orphaned and the students that she works with. Moving to Fairfield where her niece now lives, she hoped to find a place to call home. Jake Campbell, gorgeous enough to catch any woman’s eye, had a hard time finding the right one. A Fairfield detective, he lives with his mother to help care for her since she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. After meeting Emma, he knows he has met the woman of his dreams. Now he just has to convince the independent Emma that it is time someone took care of her. While helping one of her students, Emma becomes suspicious of criminal activity in her new town. Will Jake be able to save Emma in time for them to build a life together? http://www.amazon.com/Emmas-Home-Fairfield-Maryann-Jordan-ebook/dp/B00J8MO4DA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403193917&sr=1-1&keywords=emmas+home

  Laurie's Time (the Fairfield Series, book 2) by MaryAnn Jordan Laurie Dodd was perfectly happy with her life. Raised by her loving aunt, she was ready to discover life out on her own. A new town, a new teaching job, a new apartment, and new friends. Finding a new man was not on her list, especially not one with the reputation of a player. Rob McDonald, a local firefighter, had grown tired of one-night stands, but had no desire to be paired with the new woman in town. Until he met her. One look was all it took and Rob knew that Laurie was the one for him, but he was going to have to work to convince her that he was a changed man. One that was worthy of her. A fire at the elementary school brought them together, but illness and deceit threatened to tear them apart. Will Rob be able to find the missing pieces of Laurie’s past to help her fight for her future? Will Laurie be able to forgive Rob’s deceit in order to have a future with him? http://www.amazon.com/Emmas-Home-Fairfield-Maryann-Jordan-ebook/dp/B00J8MO4DA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403193917&sr=1-1&keywords=emmas+home

  Carol's Image (the Fairfield Series, book 3) by MaryAnn Jordan –TBR

  When Detective Tom Rivers first meets beautiful Carol Fletcher, he
thinks he has been visited by an angel. The gentle ER nurse attending him after an accident, captivates him and when she slips away, he searches diligently to find her. A man used to getting what he wants, Tom works to earn Carol’s trust, knowing that she is the woman for him. Carol Fletcher, having grown up with her parent’s manipulations, is determined to make her own way and be her own person. She holds a secret and is cautious about giving in to the charms of any man, particularly the persuasive detective. But once she gives him a chance, she finds acceptance as well as love in his arms. When Carol becomes the object of a stalker’s infatuation, Tom vows to keep her safe. When the stalker’s intentions turns deadly, Tom is determined to stop at nothing to bring her back to safety. Will Tom be able to save Carol from herself as well as the stalker?

  For Nicky by A.D. Ellis - A contemporary new adult romance

  Elizabeth Decker has spent her life in the miserable shadow of her younger sister, Audrey. Nathaniel Morgan has spent his life protecting his twin brother, Nicky. Will Elizabeth and Nathaniel find their happily ever after or do they just face too many obstacles? For Nicky is a love story which focuses on many different facets of love. A painfully realistic, true-to-life, thought-provoking love story of healing, growth, and self-actualization mixed with plenty of heat and sweet in a beautifully heart-warming romance.

  Amazon US http://tinyurl.com/nx7x6ux Amazon CAN http://tinyurl.com/kxcf7cw

  Amazon UK http://tinyurl.com/nxp2hp6 Amazon AU http://tinyurl.com/k5wl7gt

  Kobo http://tinyurl.com/mmk7gnk Barnes and Noble http://tinyurl.com/oc2wm6w

  iBooks http://tinyurl.com/l7qm8c2 Paper back http://tinyurl.com/q3sd3qv

  Forgive Us Our Trespasses by M.L. Steinbrunn

  How long would you wait to be with the one that you love? How much of yourself would you hide in order to keep them? Brooks knows the moment he meets Vivian that he will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means leaving her. Running from his past, he spends the next decade trying to forget the shattered heart that he left behind. Is there any betrayal worth the cost? Are there some sins that cannot be forgiven? After a lifetime of rebuilding the walls guarding her heart, Vivian confronts the harsh reality that some fortresses are not meant to stand. Winding through a gray fog of disappointment and deceit, she must conquer her deepest fears to accept the love she believes she is too unworthy to have. As the paths of these two battered hearts cross once more, together they seek redemption for their sins. However, when the secrets of their pasts come knocking on their door, forgiveness and love will be tested, and they will be forced to answer the question: “When the lies run out, will the truth finally set you free?” Forgive Us Our Trespasses is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content. It is now available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.