A Little Bit Wicked (The Wickeds

by Melissa Foster

  “I talked to her about this. Did she tell you?” Justin asked.

  Reba said, “No, honey. We weren’t privy to anything you said in those sessions. She just assured us that if she felt we should intervene, she would let us know.”

  “I don’t know if we did the right thing or not, son, but we did the best we could by you.” Preacher glanced at Reba with a sorrowful expression. Then he said, “And we’d understand if this changes things between us.”

  “You once told me that love was a powerful force. Too powerful to be outdone by reason. This changes everything,” Justin said honestly. “For the better.”

  Reba’s breath rushed from her lungs, carrying sounds of relief, and more tears sprang from her eyes as she went to him. He rose to his feet, taking her in his arms. Her tears wet his cheeks as she said, “We love you, sweetheart.”

  Preacher’s strong arms circled them both, and Justin was swamped with love, gratitude, and relief.

  “I have to come clean with you about something, son.” Preacher put his arm around Reba as he said, “Your mom and I aren’t perfect.”

  They laughed, and Justin said, “Maybe not for some folks, but you’re perfect enough for me.”

  CHLOE AWOKE TO the dogs bounding off the blankets as Justin came through the front door. Sun shone through the glass walls of the cantilevered room overlooking the pond where they’d fallen asleep last night. Her gaze moved to the large piece of driftwood with inlaid candles from Artsea, the cute shop in Harborside. Justin had surprised her with it when she’d come home from her first day back at work. The piece was perfect for the room, and making love by candlelight had become one of her favorite things, right up there with dancing in the moonlight with her favorite person—the rugged bad boy who was closing the distance between them with a to-go coffee cup and a Blue Willow Bakery bag in his hands, and their four-legged boys by his side.

  Justin crouched beside her and kissed her cheek. “Morning, beautiful.”

  “Hi,” she said sleepily. “What time is it?”

  “Early.” The dogs nosed the bakery bag. “I brought you muffins and bagels.”

  “Mm. Special occasion?”

  He kissed her neck and said, “Just stockpiling nooky points.” He took her hand and said, “Come with me to my studio? I want to show you something.”

  “Do I finally get to see the sculpture, Mr. Mysterious?” Giddy excitement bubbled up inside her, and she popped up to her feet. He’d been working long hours in the studio, and the last couple of weeks, he hadn’t allowed her to see the sculpture.

  He led her to the front door, and with a coy smile, he said, “If you play your cards right.”

  “I kept you up playing all night long. That should count for something.”

  As she slipped her feet into a pair of flip-flops, he reached into the coat closet. He pulled out one of his zip-up sweatshirts and helped her put it on over her sleeping shorts and top. His eyes darkened as he said, “Your smart mouth does me in every time.”

  He took her in a toe-curling kiss.

  Every time he talked about her mouth like that, she got as hot and bothered as if he’d touched her all over. Last night he’d said it as she was doing all sorts of delicious things to him. She’d amped up her efforts, and they’d both gone a little wild.

  She heated with the memory as they headed down to the studio with Sampson and Shadow. The dogs ran around the studio sniffing everything. The sculpture for the rally sat on the floor in the middle of the room, covered with a sheet.

  Chloe bounced on her toes. “I’m so excited to see it.”

  “As excited as you were when I had your name tattooed on a ribbon on my back?”

  “Yes!” He’d added more than just her name. Tank had tattooed three dragonflies buzzing around the tree and one perched on the ribbon with her name on it.

  “I couldn’t have done this without you, babe. I hope you like it.”

  He whipped off the sheet, and the impact of the lifelike faces looking back at her took her breath away. Unlike his other artwork, there was nothing sad or broken about the piece. The faces were intricately carved and instantly recognizable. She walked around the gorgeous sculpture, taking in the nuances of his family’s eyes, smiles, dimples, beards, and so many other small details, like the beauty mark beside Reba’s left eye and Zeke’s furrowed brow. He’d even captured Zander’s playfulness in the laugh lines around his mouth. She ran her fingers along the deep, winding grooves he’d carved between and around the faces. She could feel the energy he’d hoped to convey.

  “Justin, this is magnificent.” Her gaze dropped to the base of hands cradling the pillar from which all of the faces and energy bloomed. The hands were just as recognizable as the faces—defined by tattoos, thick or narrow fingers, aging knuckles, the shape of their fingernails, rings, and the bracelets Madigan so often wore. Chloe walked slowly around it, admiring every detail. Her eyes caught on a familiar hand, one with a dragonfly engagement ring. She moved closer, unable to believe her eyes.

  “Justin…? Why am I on here?”

  He went to her, his gaze soft and loving. “This is the first year I’ve been able to face this event without feeling like I’m that lost little boy walking into my mother’s bedroom again.” He put his arms around her and said, “That’s because of you, baby. You helped me realize that I can’t change what she did, and I can’t keep carrying the guilt of not saving her. Your idea of focusing on the people who helped pull me through was exactly what I needed to find closure. I went to see Preacher and Reba this morning, and I told them everything.”

  He told her that Preacher and Reba had already known because Preacher had gone to see his father in the first few weeks he’d moved in with them. Today Justin had filled in the blanks for them.

  She knew that couldn’t have been easy. “I would have gone with you.”

  “I know you would have, but I woke up before dawn with you cuddled against me and the pups sleeping near us, and I knew I had to get the last of my secrets out if I was going to give us everything I had moving forward. I needed to do it alone.”

  “I understand. But, Justin, you always give us everything you have, and then some.”

  “No, babe. I try to, but I’ve felt her ghost chaining me down. But now, because of you, this event will no longer throw me back to that awful morning. It will carry me forward, reminding me of all the good in the world and the strength love can bring.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I love you so much. I’m just so happy for you.”

  “You freed me, baby.”

  “We freed each other.”

  He kissed her softly and said, “Yeah, but now I’m ready for a ball and chain, sweet cheeks. How would you feel about a Christmas wedding?”

  Her heart leapt. “The same way I’d feel if you said let’s go to the courthouse on Monday and get married. I want to be your wife no matter when, where, or how we do it.”

  “There’ll be no courthouse wedding for you, Ms. Mallery. I promised my girl that all her big days would be celebrations. You, my beautiful future wife, are going to get the white wedding you never dreamed of.”

  Tears dampened her eyes and she said, “That sounds perfect. Do I get a honeymoon that’s a little bit wicked, too?”

  “Baby, our honeymoon will last the rest of our lives.” He brushed his lips over hers and said, “And there’s nothing little about your Wicked.”

  Ready for More Wickeds?

  Grab your next Wicked novel below, and then continue reading for information on more Dark Knights and Bayside Summers novels, including one for each of Chloe’s Bayside friends. You’ll also find details on Daphne’s love story, TEMPTED BY LOVE, the first book in the Steeles on Silver Island series.

  Fall in love with Tank and Leah

  When the person you blame for your grief is the only one who can save you from the pain… An emotionally gripping story of love, loss, and hope, with a rich and entrancing happily ever after.

&n
bsp; Tank Wicked lost his sister and has since vowed to save everyone else in his path. He lives by the creed of the Dark Knights motorcycle club, sworn to protect and respect his community, and he selflessly saves lives as a volunteer firefighter. He treats the men and women who work for him at his tattoo shop like family. But life isn’t a balance scale where good deeds negate bad things to come, and one foggy night life guts Tank once again. When a car careens over the side of a bridge and into a river, Tank springs into action, plunging into the water to rescue the passengers. Four people go into the river, but only three come out alive.

  Leah Yates is just trying to make it through each day. When the man she blames for her grief becomes the only one who can pull her from the depths of despair, she discovers that even hope comes at a price. Maybe this time she won’t have to face it alone.

  Buy THE WICKED AFTERMATH

  Ready for more Dark Knights?

  The Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor novels are waiting for you at all book retailers, starting with TRU BLUE.

  There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family—Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.

  Buy TRU BLUE

  Remember to download your Whiskey/Wicked family tree here:

  Whiskey/Wicked Family Tree

  Fall in love on the sandy shores of Cape Cod Bay

  Follow Chloe’s sister, Serena, and each of their friends to their happily ever afters in the BAYSIDE SUMMERS series, starting with Bayside Desires.

  Desiree Cleary is tricked into spending the summer with her badass half sister and a misbehaving dog. What could go wrong? Did I mention the sparks flying every time she sees her hunky, pushy neighbor, Rick Savage? Yeah, there’s that…

  Buy BAYSIDE DESIRES

  Fall in love with the Steeles on Silver Island!

  Settle in on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles.

  Enjoy heart-meltingly beautiful and toe-curlingly sexy romance in Tempted by Love, an emotionally riveting story about a man who has lost it all and carries a torturous secret, a divorced single mother who has everything to lose, and the little girl who helps them heal.

  Buy TEMPTED BY LOVE

  Love Melissa’s Writing?

  Discover more of the magic behind New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. The Wickeds are just one of the many family series in the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection, featuring fiercely loyal heroes, sassy, sexy heroines, and stories that go above and beyond your expectations! See the collection here:

  www.MelissaFoster.com/love-bloom-series

  Free first-in-series ebooks, downloadable series checklists, reading orders, and more can be found on Melissa’s Reader Goodies page.

  More Books By Melissa Foster

  Love in Bloom Romance Collection

  LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES order

  Love in Bloom books may be read as stand alones. For more enjoyment, read them in series order. Characters from each series carry forward to the next.

  SNOW SISTERS

  Sisters in Love

  Sisters in Bloom

  Sisters in White

  THE BRADENS (Weston, CO)

  Lovers at Heart, Reimagined

  Destined for Love

  Friendship on Fire

  Sea of Love

  Bursting with Love

  Hearts at Play

  THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO)

  Taken by Love

  Fated for Love

  Romancing My Love

  Flirting with Love

  Dreaming of Love

  Crashing into Love

  THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD)

  Healed by Love

  Surrender My Love

  River of Love

  Crushing on Love

  Whisper of Love

  Thrill of Love

  THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

  Embracing Her Heart

  Anything for Love

  Trails of Love

  Wild, Crazy Hearts

  Making You Mine

  Searching For Love

  Hot For Love

  BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS

  Daring Her Love

  Promise My Love

  Our New Love

  Story of Love

  Love at Last

  A Very Braden Christmas

  THE REMINGTONS

  Game of Love

  Stroke of Love

  Flames of Love

  Slope of Love

  Read, Write, Love

  Touched by Love

  SEASIDE SUMMERS

  Seaside Dreams

  Seaside Hearts

  Seaside Sunsets

  Seaside Secrets

  Seaside Nights

  Seaside Embrace

  Seaside Lovers

  Seaside Whispers

  Seaside Serenade

  BAYSIDE SUMMERS

  Bayside Desires

  Bayside Passions

  Bayside Heat

  Bayside Escape

  Bayside Romance

  Bayside Fantasies

  THE STEELES AT SILVER ISLAND

  Tempted by Love

  THE RYDERS

  Seized by Love

  Claimed by Love

  Chased by Love

  Rescued by Love

  Swept Into Love

  THE WHISKEYS: DARK KNIGHTS AT PEACEFUL HARBOR

  Tru Blue

  Truly, Madly, Whiskey

  Driving Whiskey Wild

  Wicked Whiskey Love

  Mad About Moon

  Taming My Whiskey

  The Gritty Truth

  SUGAR LAKE

  The Real Thing

  Only for You

  Love Like Ours

  Finding My Girl

  HARMONY POINTE

  Call Her Mine

  This is Love

  She Loves Me

  THE WICKEDS: DARK KNIGHTS AT BAYSIDE

  A Little Bit Wicked

  The Wicked Aftermath

  WILD BOYS AFTER DARK

  Logan

  Heath

  Jackson

  Cooper

  BAD BOYS AFTER DARK

  Mick

  Dylan

  Carson

  Brett

  HARBORSIDE NIGHTS

  Includes characters from the Love in Bloom series

  Catching Cassidy

  Discovering Delilah

  Tempting Tristan

  Standalone Books by Melissa

  Chasing Amanda (mystery/suspense)

  Come Back to Me (mystery/suspense)

  Have No Shame (historical fiction/romance)

  Love, Lies & Mystery (3-book bundle)

  Megan’s Way (literary fiction)

  Traces of Kara (psychological thriller)

  Where Petals Fall (suspense)

  Acknowledgments

  I hope you enjoyed Justin and Chloe’s story as much as I loved writing it. I’m looking forward to writing love stories for all of our Wicked world family and friends! In the meantime, I hope you’ll read my original Dark Knights series, The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor. If you want to know more about Justin and Chloe’s friends, pick up the Bayside Summers series, and then get ready for The Steeles at Silver Island, featuring Chloe’s friend Daphne.

  If this is your first introduction to my
work, please note that every Melissa Foster book can be read as a stand-alone novel, and characters appear in other family series, so you never miss out on an engagement, wedding, or birth. You can find information about the Love in Bloom series and my books here:

  www.MelissaFoster.com/melissas-books

  I offer several free first-in-series ebooks. You can find them here:

  www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree

  I chat with fans often in my fan club on Facebook. If you haven’t joined my fan club yet, please do!

  www.facebook.com/groups/MelissaFosterFans

  Follow my author page on Facebook for fun giveaways and updates of what’s going on in our fictional boyfriends’ worlds.

  www.Facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor

  If you prefer sweet romance, with no explicit scenes or graphic language, please try the Sweet with Heat series written under my pen name, Addison Cole. You’ll find the same great love stories with toned-down heat levels.

  Thank you to my awesome editorial team, Kristen Weber and Penina Lopez, and my meticulous proofreaders, Elaini Caruso, Juliette Hill, Lynn Mullan, Marlene Engle, and Justinn Harrison. Last but never least, a huge thank-you to my family for their patience, support, and inspiration.

  Meet Melissa

  Melissa Foster is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. Melissa has painted and donated several murals to the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.

  Visit Melissa on her website or chat with her on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups and welcomes an invitation to your event. Melissa’s books are available through most online retailers in paperback and digital formats.

  Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

  www.MelissaFoster.com

  Free Reader Goodies: www.MelissaFoster.com/Reader-Goodies