by Baker, Tory
“There she is,” Momma Tina comes up and hugs me. I whisper into her ear, “Who is this woman cleaning?”
“I’m not sure, but I kind of like her,” she pulls away and winks at me.
We all get down to cleaning, bleaching everything we can. The refrigerator was probably the most disgusting, I forgot to clean it out before leaving and even with it only having take-out containers and a few condiment bottles, it stunk to high heaven.
“Oh, dear god, Summer Ann Richards. That has to be the most grotesque foul smell I have ever been around, and I changed your diapers.” She found a clothes pin and literally clipped it on her nose until the smell was gone.
I laughed until I got a whiff of it myself and gagged.
“Never again. Yuck,” I back away keeping the fridge open as I take a clothespin and do the same thing to my nose and get down to work.
“At least that’s the last thing on our list to do, here,” Momma Tina says.
“There is that. I’ll go take out the trash, that way everything is done, and we can all go home and shower. I don’t mind getting dirty, but smelling like bleach isn’t the most appealing,” my mother states. I look at Momma Tina and she just shrugs her shoulders.
“Thanks mom. I really appreciate all you help, and Momma Tina, I couldn’t have pulled off half the things without your help,” I tell them both.
We finish shortly after, and all head our separate ways.
31
Rome
I left work earlier today to meet up with my brothers and our mom, I was on a mission of my own. One that will give Summer the surprise of her life, I hope. If she doesn’t one up me, like she’s known to do.
We’re all at the jewelry store, Mason is showing me a ring he thinks will work for Summer. Heath is flirting with the sales lady, something he doesn’t even realize he’s doing. Mom though, she’s already found the ring I know I’ll be purchasing for Summer. It’s a one and a half carat French set halo diamond. It’s a showstopper without being overly in your face.
“That’s the one,” I tell my mother.
“It is, look at the wedding ring. The diamonds surrounding the ring, it’ll really shine beside it.” Her hand cups my cheek when she says, “I’m so proud of you Rome. I was proud of you before finding Summer, but the way you love her, it’s something I’m thankful I get to be a part of.”
“I love you, Mom. You know that I wouldn’t be half the man I am today, if it wasn’t for you?”
“I highly doubt that, I saw the strength and determination you have when you came to me on the cusp of those teenage years,” she laughs, but I know it wasn’t always fun and games with three rowdy boys.
“Still, you helped shape and mold me. Thank you for taking a chance on us,” I lean down and kiss her forehead, something I’ve always done to her. She’s everything a mother could ever be, even though she didn’t have to.
“Let’s get this ring purchased,” she says, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Damn it, Mom. You know I can’t handle it when you cry.” I wipe away the tears that are running down her cheeks. The two women in my life that mean the most to me and both of them have cried this week. It fucking pulls at my heart.
“These are happy tears, I swear,” she responds, turning around and walking towards Mason. He’s not really looking at anything in particular now that the ring is picked out.
Heath though, he’s being his usual self. Flirting and joking anyway he can. It’s something he does to hide the real him. I hate it for Heath, but it’s something he’s going to have to conquer himself.
32
Summer
Taking some much-needed time off of work is something I am thoroughly enjoying. After the three of us cleaned my mess of a condo, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up something to cook for Rome and me. He’s been amazing, always cooking even after he’s worked all day long. This is the least I can do for him, sure it won’t be something as extravagant as he would make. The man can cook, from pasta and meat sauce to casseroles, and of course grilling when his brothers aren’t manning the grill.
My skin flushes just thinking about that day, it seems so long ago.
I grab all of the ingredients I need to make one of my favorite dishes, chicken scampi with garlic parmesan rice, and a wedge salad. It’s not the hardest to make, but it is delicious.
While at the grocery store, I went ahead and picked up everything we could possibly need for the week and weekend to come. In fact, I may have gone overboard, when the cashier told me the price even my eyes gawked. That’s the one down fall goring to the grocery store hungry. You end up buying half the store.
“I think I’ll pour myself a glass of wine, while this cooks down,” I mumble to myself. I turn around, going to the fridge and scream, “Again, you got me again. I swear to all that is holy Rome, you will give me a heart attack one day,” my hand is at my chest trying to calm it down from thumping so hard.
“I was just enjoying the view, baby.”
“I’m sure that wasn’t all you were enjoying. I’m going to really have to stop talking to myself if you keep creeping while I do it,” I blow an errant curl out of my face, my hair is pulled back in a clip. My hair doesn’t get the memo that I don’t want it in my face, it’s an everyday battle.
“Yeah, that’s going to be a hard no. I like hearing you talk to yourself when you think I’m not around,” he grunts.
I smile and saunter towards him, he leans down and I’m on my toes to give him a welcome home kiss.
“You’re home a little late tonight,” I state when we pull apart.
“Met with mom and the boys, before coming home,” he responds.
“Is everything okay?”
“Absolutely, just checking in with them,” he says with a smile.
“Okay, dinner will be done in an about thirty minutes, if you want to change?”
“Yep, I’ll be right back,” he gives me another kiss and then I watch his firm backside in the slacks he wears so well, before I get back to pouring a glass of wine and overseeing dinner.
33
Rome
After I changed, we ate dinner at the kitchen bar, then moved outside to the back deck. The sun was setting, the perfect scenery for what I knew I was about to do. My plans of holding out and doing this somewhere else were thrown out of the water when I came home and she was concerned not only for me, but for what will now be her family too.
She’s looking out over the water, we moved the patio furniture so we would have an unobstructed view of the ocean. If I can’t find her curled up on the chair in the living room, this is where she’s at.
“I love you, Summer. Now and forever, this may seem too soon to many, but live all your years with me beside you,” I whisper into her ear. By the hiccup in her voice, I can tell she had no idea.
Her eyes lift up to mine, she’s crying and smiling at the same time. Fuck, I hate seeing her cry, but to know this is for the best reason possible, I’ll gladly take it.
“Yes! Rome, I love you so much, and can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” her lips find mine, the ring box is dropped in my lap and she’s straddling my waist.
Our tongues twining together, her writhing on my lap.
“Make love to me,” she says pulling away.
“With everything I have, I will. First though, you need my ring on your finger.”
Who am I to deny her, I grab the ring box, take the ring out, and place it on her ring finger.
“It’s so beautiful, thank you, Rome. You’ve given me everything I could have ever imagined.
“It’s you I’m thankful for, baby.” I respond, then I’m lifting her up in my arms, her hips never stop writhing, and I can the need pouring out of her body.
“Seems like I can’t take my time with you ever,” I say, slamming her body against the wall next to the sliding glass doors leading into the house. Not caring that it’s out in the open and we could get caught by a beach goer.
“Pull my pants down, Summer,” I demand, all while I’m thankful as fuck she just had one of my tee-shirts on today. I find the string at the side of her hips and pull it until it tears off of her body.
She places my cock at her entrance, and I drop her down on the length of my cock.
“Fuck,” she moans. My girl likes to cuss when she’s needy and wanting me inside her.
“Just like that,” her head is tipped back.
Her moans get louder as I pummel in and out of her tight heat, my mouth finds hers, trying to swallow them. I feel her pussy tightening on my cock, it spurs me on to get there with her.
“Come with me, Summer,” I grunt out. Her head tips back, my mouth finds her neck, and I nip at it. That’s all it takes, she’s coming apart in my arms and I’m coming inside her.
“Rome,” she gasps out.
“I know, baby. I know,” I tell her, keeping her in my arms as I take her inside. We have a lot more celebrating to do tonight.
34
Summer
When we told our families we were officially engaged, Momma Tina, Mason, Heath, and my mom weren’t even surprised.
My father on the other hand, he politely declined coming to the family barbecue we’re having today. It was hard to hear him say no, but then again, it’s something he’s done all of his life.
In the midst of everything that’s happened, my mom asked for a divorce. I was shocked at first, but when she told me it was time for her to spread her wings and fly, I wholeheartedly understood.
Our relationship is still rocky at times, but she’s really putting forth the effort to make it work.
“Rome, whatever you do, do not let your brothers touch the grill!” Momma Tina bellows as she walks outside to where we’re all sitting.
“Yes, please. I’d like to actually be able to chew it this time around,” I say jokingly.
“Har, har, har,” Mason says.
“Well if you and Rome weren’t spreading your germs all over the kitchen, maybe, we wouldn’t have burned our food,” Heath the joker, has me hiding my face in my hands.
“Heath!” Momma Tina says as she smacks him on the shoulder, then pointedly says to me, “I hope you bleached the kitchen.”
We all laugh and carry on while hanging out and enjoying our food and drinks.
When things start to wind down, that’s when Rome makes an announcement to our family, “We want to thank you guys for coming over and celebrating our engagement. Summer and I set a date. I’m thrilled to say she agreed with me on not wanting to wait, so keep you calendars cleared a month from today. We’ll have a small ceremony on the beach, then food will be here. Afterwards, I’ll be taking my bride away. Mason, Heath you’ll be on your own at the office. My phone will be turned off, so unless someone is dying leave us the fuck alone.”
“You did not just say that,” I shake my head.
“Damn straight I did, those asses will be the first ones, to call you or me every morning, noon, and night. It’s not happening,” he grunts.
“Okay, caveman,” I say with a smile. He’s not lying, and well, I want to bask in our honeymoon too.
Epilogue One
Rome
One Month Later
“I’m officially Mrs. Carter,” she whispers out while looking down at her ring and snuggling closer to me.
“Longest month of my life,” my hand finds hers and we entwine our fingers together.
“It wasn’t that long, it took me forever to find the perfect dress,” Summer responds. I’m not sure she could call it the perfect dress, clothes aren’t what makes her perfect to me. It’s just her that’s perfect for me.
“At least we’re married now,” her head is in the crook of my neck.
“That we are.”
“I have a surprise for you,” she tells me.
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“Remember when I threw my birth control away last month?” she asks.
“Fuck yeah, I do. One of the best days of my life when you told me, it was time for us to start our own family.”
“Well, surprise, I’m pregnant! Apparently, I was already when I quit taking my birth control. I went to the doctor yesterday to make sure it was safe for me to fly. It’s still new, I’m only seven weeks along, but I guess you have some kind of super sperm or something,” she rambles on while I’m sitting here speechless. She’s made me the happiest I could possibly ever be.
I drop to my knees in front of her, pulling her shirt up. Once her stomach is bare, I kiss her belly and tell our child, “I promise to be the best father I can be and to always be there for you,” I kiss her belly and then move my way up to her face.
Tears are rolling down her cheeks, unchecked, and there’s nothing I can do but say, “Thank you, Summer. This is the greatest surprise yet,” both of us are smiling.
“I don’t know, what if we have twins or something. Wouldn’t that be an even bigger surprise?” she questions.
“Fuck, woman. Now you’re just trying to give me a heart attack?”
“No, but it would kind of be funny to see your reaction,” she giggles. We spend the rest of our night on the private balcony of our suite we booked in Maldives. It took us hours debating over where we should go. Summer wanted somewhere inexpensive. I put my foot down and booked it without her knowing. We had words, once I said, “Baby, this is our one and only honeymoon. We have the means to do it and who knows when we’ll have a chance just to have a getaway just you and I,” she agreed and now here we are.
Epilogue Two
Summer
One Year Later
I stare down into Sawyer Mason Carter, he’s the spitting image of his father. His hair color, his complexion, even his eyes. He’s so much like Rome, and I adore every moment of him.
“Let’s get you dressed before Grand-mom and Grams get here, who knows, maybe your crazy uncles will show up too. Knowing them, they’re already here eating us out of house and home. If they don’t find a woman of their own soon and settle down, I’m worried they never will.”
“At least you’re talking to Sawyer and not yourself this time around,” Rome barges in.
“Son of a biscuit eater, you do it every single time. One day I’ll be old and grey, just watch, you’ll put me in an early grave.”
“Don’t fucking talk like that, Summer Carter,” he admonishes.
“Well stop scaring the crap out of me, and don’t cuss in front of the baby. It’s bad enough his uncles will corrupt him,” I say with a laugh.
“Speaking of Uncles, did you know that Mason arrived with Quinn?” My husband gossips. He swears women do, but I’m telling you him and his brothers are nothing but gossip queens.
“Oh really, that kind of shocks me. Though from what I’ve seen the past year, she’s slowly coming out of her shell. Of course, it didn’t help as soon as she moved here, her manager somehow convinced her to work ten months straight. I think she finally got rid of her though.”
“Interesting, maybe Quinn will be the one to settle him down,” Rome says with a knowing smile.
“Don’t do anything, Rome. She deserves a break and to spread her wings, plus she’s one of my only girlfriends,” I grumble.
“I won’t, I won’t,” his hands are up in the air, as if he’s saying he won’t do anything. I know him well enough to know he’s finding a loophole.
“Sure, will you finish getting him dressed so I can change?” I question.
“Yeah, baby. Though if you need help changing, we can always see if Quinn and Mason will watch Sawyer,” he says with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Really?” I state with a hand on my hip.
“I’m just kidding, go change. We’ll be downstairs when you get done,” I turn to leave but stop when I see how Rome is bent down over the changing table making silly faces to Sawyer.
I couldn’t be more in love with Rome than I already am but seeing him with our son. It’s my greatest accomplishment in life, having
both of them. I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring us.
The End!
COMING SOON
Just One Touch
Mason Carter knows what he wants, he’ll stop at nothing to get the woman he’s set his sights on.
Quinn Harper is Mason’s sister-in-law’s best friend. He’s been warned she’s off limits, but there’s no way he’s letting her slip through his fingers.
Quinn’s decided to end her career as a model. The world has chewed her up way too often and she just needs to heal.
Coming back home is the best thing she could have done for herself.
She never planned on meeting Mason and experiencing an attraction so powerful it’s unlike anything she has ever felt. She can only hope he feels the same.
Tory is back dishing up another Carter brother. These boys are hot as fire, sexy as hell, and filled with desire for their women. So, if you’re looking of instant love with a side of happily ever after. This book is definitely for you. Complete standalone and rated S for sexy, scintillating and safe.
Prologue
Mason
The dark circles, the tired eyes, the grayish complexion that’s marring Quinn’s appearance is something to be worried about.
She was off limits, I love Summer like a sister, but there is no damn way, I can stay away from Quinn. Not when she needs someone in her corner.
