Happy tears filled Ella’s eyes. “Yes.”
With a broad grin, Dillon kissed her, and they didn’t leave the bedroom for a long, long time.
Epilogue – The Wedding
Five months later
“It’s time.” Summer smiled in approval. “You look beautiful. Are you certain you want to marry my brother?”
“I like him a lot.” Was crazy in love with him, actually.
A knock came on the bedroom door. “Summer, are you and Ella ready? Your mother sent me to tell you everyone is waiting,” Nikolai called through the door.
“We’re ready. We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Summer said. “Well, if you’re sure you want my bossy brother.”
“Positive.” Ella picked up her casual bouquet of white flowers and greenery and straightened the pale slate-blue skirt of her gown. Her hair held fresh highlights in three shades of pink and she wore it in a messy updo.
Summer grabbed her bouquet and scanned her appearance in the full-length mirror. She wore a slender gown in a darker shade of blue. She opened the door and held it for Ella. “Let’s do this.”
Ella followed Summer out to the garden where Dillon’s family and their friends waited. One of their friends played his guitar.
Suzie darted around with her camera, snapping shots of her and Summer while Dillon waited with Josh and the wedding celebrant beneath an arbor of trailing blue and white ribbons and white potted roses.
Ella’s gaze drifted to Dillon who wore a shirt of a similar hue to her dress and black trousers. Their gazes connected, and a rush of emotion grabbed her. Since Dillon’s return home, they’d grown even closer, and Ella had said yes to Dillon’s proposal without hesitation.
When Ella reached Dillon’s side, he took her right hand in his and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Hey! Save that for later,” Josh said, his loud voice making everyone laugh including Mrs. Geneva, the wedding celebrant.
“We are here today to witness the marriage of Dillon and Ella…” Mrs. Geneva moved through the vows. “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Dillon drew Ella close and kissed her. Cheers and wolf-whistles filled the garden as the kiss continued.
“Ella. Dillon.”
Ella jerked away from her new husband while Dillon stared in the direction the voice had come from.
“Do you see her?” Ella whispered.
“Yeah.”
Hana waved at them with a broad grin. “Name your first girl after me.”
“That’s a promise,” Dillon murmured.
“You’ll have a strong, happy marriage,” Hana promised. “I have to leave. Goodbye.”
As they watched, Hana faded from sight. Dillon kissed Ella again, and they turned to face their families and friends.
“None of them saw Hana,” Ella said
“No, but it’s good to have her blessing.”
“It is.”
And together Ella and Dillon stepped forward to celebrate their marriage and the beginning of their life together.
Thank you for reading Stranded with Ella. How did you enjoy Ella’s and Dillon’s adventures with the ghost? I’d love to learn what you thought so please consider leaving a review at your favorite online bookstore, Goodreads, or Bookbub. A review would make my day!
I write several other contemporary romance series. Please turn the page for an excerpt from Protection, the first book in the Fancy Free series plus an excerpt from Secret Lovers, the first book in the Friendship Chronicles series. Both series are set in my home country of New Zealand.
If you’d like to keep up with my releases, check out my newsletter or follow me on Bookbub.
Shelley
Excerpt – Protection
A small country town.
An out-of-the-box condom company.
Fun, laughter and suspense.
Let the romance begin!
Book #1 in the Fancy Free series.
Warning: Condoms were tested and a few harmed during the writing of this story.
James froze, the rub of her luscious breasts against his chest felt like a kind of torture. For the second time she’d implied he had way too much experience. He studied her innocent expression and let his indignation go. For the moment. He traced his fingers around the base of one breast before following the feathering of veins beneath the surface. No freckles, but instead, skin the color of rich cream with not a blemish. Her breast quivered at his touch, her pretty pink nipple pulling tight. The soft sound of pleasure that whispered from her lips made his cock twitch.
Hell, she was beautiful, from her full, creamy breasts to her slim waist and flaring hips. Not exactly fashionable, but her body would make any red-blooded man howl with joy. His affronted feelings subsided even more when he concentrated on her. He trailed his hand across her collarbone, savoring the petal-soft skin. Touching her. Desire filled him plus the need to give her pleasure and make her first time with him one she would always remember. Selfishly, he didn’t intend to give her another opportunity to say no. He’d tried his best to do the right thing, to warn her. His conscience remained clear.
She was willing.
She wanted him, and knowing that was a powerful aphrodisiac.
“If there’s anything you don’t enjoy or if something I do hurts, let me know.” His voice sounded gritty while his cock tightened with pure need. Fighting the urgency thrumming through his body, he splayed his fingers across her breasts, lightly kneaded and plucked at her nipples.
Alice jerked before stilling, her eyes wide and full of anxiety. The reaction told him she didn’t believe she was a treasure worthy of exploration. James bit back a groan. God. He could explore sexuality with this woman for months, for years, and never get tired. A frown surfaced at the oddball notion. He wasn’t settling down with anyone. Damned if he’d stay in Sloan so his mother could sneer at him whenever they met. Fuck, he had no idea why he’d returned to Sloan anyway—some misbegotten idea that he’d be welcomed back into the family fold.
“Is something wrong?” Her voice held anxiety, the emotion underlined in her golden brown eyes.
James summoned a reassuring grin—hell, it must have been a smirk if her reaction was anything to go by—he leaned over and blew on her nipple. Large, to match her breasts, they puckered even more and colored to a deep pink on contact with the warmth of his breath. James licked around the circumference of her nipple, carefully watching Alice’s reaction. She took a hasty breath and held it for long seconds, her golden eyes wide and still unsure.
“You’re beautiful,” James murmured, the reassurance she needed to gain confidence easy for him to give. “So responsive.” He blew on her other nipple and watched her reaction. “See?” Unable to deny himself the treat any longer he leaned closer and drew her nipple into his mouth. Alice jerked and let out a soft moan. James used one hand to tease and tug at a nipple while his tongue swirled over the other one. Another low moan sounded, her hands clamped on his shoulders and fingernails dug into his skin. His mouth quirked into a grin and he let go with an audible pop. “Did you like that?”
Alice seemed to consider her answer before she replied. “Yes.”
“What did you feel? And where did you feel it?” A test. James waited to see what she’d say. A test of his willpower too. He kissed and nibbled at her breast while maintaining eye contact, enjoying the shimmer of expression across her face and the way she clamped her bottom lip between her teeth. Suddenly he couldn’t wait to see how she’d react when he kissed her intimately. “Alice?” he prompted.
Alice let go of her lip and moistened the curves of her mouth with her tongue. James watched the innocent gesture avidly, his gut jumped with awareness. Innocent but oh-so sexy.
His.
Awe filled him. Possessiveness. Reality followed swiftly.
Ugh, had he just thought that? This—whatever what might be between them—must remain a temporary thing.
Yeah, temporary.
He s
hook himself to emphasize the fact. “Alice?”
“When you,” she paused, her cheeks going pink, “sucked, I felt it all the way down there.” She gestured with her hand.
“Show me,” he whispered, intent on pushing her out of her comfort zone.
Alice hesitated then seemed to gather her courage. Her pale hand crept from his shoulder and skimmed down her body, across her quivering belly and halted half an inch away from the short curls that guarded her femininity.
“Go on.”
Her fingers moved stealthily downward. Her legs parted.
James smiled. Innocent and sexy. That was test enough for her now. He’d take it from here. He slid his hand down her body, following the same path her fingers had taken. But he didn’t stop. Instead, he parted her legs, his fingers skimmed across her swollen folds, lightly in an exploration of her moist flesh. Her scent rose, teasing him. James breathed deep and couldn’t resist a pass over her clit. The tiny bud peeked from its hood and pulsed beneath his touch. Soon he would thrust into her sweet flesh. His cock jolted at the thought and he thrust lightly against her upper thigh, teasing himself and pushing his need higher.
Alice’s hand slid across his shoulders, hesitant and a little shy. Her hand slipped downward and she seemed to gain confidence when he didn’t protest. Alice squeezed one buttock and earned a quick kiss. “Please,” she whispered, wanting him to hurry before he changed his mind. “Please, I need you.”
“Where? Tell me. Describe what you want,” he ordered, forgetting for an instant that he’d decided to take control.
She worried her bottom lip between white teeth, her eyes wide and uncertain.
“If you don’t tell me, I might do something you hate,” he drawled.
Alice hesitated for so long he thought he might have frightened her or pushed her too hard and fast. Finally, she released her bottom lip and the pale column of her throat moved when she swallowed. “I want to explore your body,” she whispered. “I want to know what you like.” Her warm hand squeezed his ass again, the innocent touch a heated reverberation throughout his entire body.
Giving. So bloody giving. Her first lover must have had rocks in his head. His heart thumped when he rolled off her, an offer of free access to his body and silent permission to explore as she wanted.
Trembling fingers skimmed across his stubble-covered jaw, dipped into his dimple and traced his mouth. James parted his lips a fraction and sucked her forefinger inside. Her gasp was loud. Startled. And it made him want to laugh. Instead, he sucked lightly on her finger and cupped her head. The silky strands of hair tickled his palm, bringing a desire to touch and stroke and soothe her jumpy virginal nerves aside, raising tenderness in him. His tongue smoothed across her fingernail and ran across the delicate skin between fingertip and nail. Alice gasped again, golden glints shining in her eyes. He captured her gaze with his and released her finger. James nipped her earlobe and surprised a yelp out of her.
“Ouch.” She pulled away to finger her ear. “I thought I was meant to be the one in charge.”
“That can be arranged.” After brushing another kiss across her lips, he kissed the tip of one breast and skimmed his hands across her rib cage. James smiled when she finally plucked up the courage to curl her hand around his cock. Her fingers traced the flared head, her curiosity endearing and arousing. She explored his tender balls and wrapped her fingers around his shaft. She pumped, focused so hard her tongue poked between her lips. The innocent exploration dragged a soft curse from him. “Enough,” he growled. “This is torture,” he added quickly before she put a different interpretation on his words. Discouragement was the last thing he intended.
He took a moment to kiss her again. Good girl. She learned quickly, opening her mouth to him in full participation rather than her previous passive behavior. A quick study. Their tongues tangled lazily. James felt the rapid beat of her heart, saw the flush of rosy arousal on her face and chest. He wanted to go slowly, to arouse her fully, teasing until she throbbed in need, until they both ached for the conclusion.
But it wasn’t going down that way. Not today. At least they agreed and wanted the same thing. James thrust one leg between her thighs, silently indicating she should part her legs. So beautiful. So sexy. He dipped his head to nuzzle at her breasts, moving over Alice and guiding his cock to her pussy. Moist warmth met him when he pushed just the tip of his cock into her sexy body.
“Fuck.” James froze, a heavy jolt of disbelief coloring his voice. He jerked away from her, horror in his stare.
Through his dismay, James saw her flinch as if he’d struck her. Another abrupt move on his part and she’d run for the hills that surrounded Sloan.
He cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you have a condom?”
A surprised burst of laughter bubbled from her, diluting the alarm he’d seen seconds earlier. “A condom?”
“It’s not funny,” he said stiffly. His body ached for release. Without a condom, he’d have to take care of the matter himself when he wanted the satisfaction that only the snug feel of a woman’s pussy would give. He’d end up with blue balls for hours if he couldn’t have her now. His hand just wouldn’t be the same.
“You do work for a condom company, right?” She chuckled, her breasts jiggling in a distracting manner. “Manager, isn’t it?” She giggled and her brows rose to punctuate the question.
“Give it a rest,” he muttered, a tinge of heat at the tips of his ears. A thought occurred. His gaze speared toward her. “If you’re offering sex, shouldn’t you have condoms?” More than a trace of accusation shaded his words.
“Oh sure. Do you know I’ve inherited a share in a condom company, and I don’t even know what one looks like in the flesh so to speak? All I’ve seen is the X-100 in all its inflated glory.” She giggled, her cute button nose twitching at the same time. “I guess we’ll have to do this another time.”
Will James finally get his hands on some condoms? Learn more!
Excerpt – Secret Lovers
Five friends: four female and one male.
Single and dating.
Looking for love in the city.
Book #1 in the Friendship Chronicles
Spicing up her sex life sounds exciting…until the fantasy hits the fan.
A grin formed on Connor’s face as he read the blog entry. Most people would label it a smirk. Hell, he knew where Maggie could find a man. He was that man. Damn, he couldn’t take this. He had to talk to her today, come to an understanding.
Half an hour later, he leaned on the intercom button, and a curious neighbor let him inside—probably to stop the racket at such an ungodly hour on a Sunday morning.
Taking the stairs two at a time, he raced up to the second floor and thumped on Maggie’s door. She took a long time to answer. Finally, the door flew open. Maggie…her hair. It was the first time he’d ever seen it loose, and it rippled down her back, stopping just above the curve of her ass.
“Hey.” Weak, Connor. He cleared the lump from his throat and sought a witty comeback. His gaze slipped to her breasts. Rounded and sexy. Tempting. A distraction.
“Connor!” A blush crept over her cheeks and down her neck. “Having a good look?”
Connor wanted to explore the pink glow with his lips. “You shouldn’t answer the door dressed like that.”
“You’re early.” Maggie scowled, crossing her arms over her chest.
Watching her butt, he followed her into the kitchenette, mesmerized by the dark locks glinting under the artificial light. It took him another four steps before he realized all she wore was an oversize T-shirt. He glanced down. Great legs. Normally she hid them beneath ankle length skirts or baggy sweats.
“Should I make coffee?”
“Yes. I need a shower.” She padded down the passage and disappeared into a room at the end. Connor didn’t move until he heard the rattle of pipes and the distant spray of water. A visual formed in his mind. Dark hair dripping wet, nipples playing peek-a-boo whi
le Maggie lazily soaped her body… Hell. The last thing he needed right now was to imagine her naked.
Coffee. Yeah. He forced himself to walk into the kitchen, arousal shooting through his veins and pooling in his groin. He needed to stick to the plan he’d formulated in the early hours of this morning, after he’d seen her blog entry. Talk to her today. Part A of the plan. Part B was keeping her, but that was on a need-to-know basis.
Spanking—that might cause a few problems too, but first things first.
Coffee…
Connor was familiar with the layout of Maggie’s apartment since the Tight Five often hung out at her place. It didn’t take him long to make coffee. By the time the shower stopped, water dripped through the coffee filter and the fragrant scent of ground beans filled the kitchen.
He waited. Where was she? Five minutes passed, then five more. He imagined her drying her body, smoothing on her body lotion smelling of old-fashioned lavender, brushing the knots from her long hair and restraining it into the braid she favored.
He grasped the edge of the table until his knuckles whitened. Damn, he had to get his lust under control. He couldn’t touch her, except in friendship. Not yet. Patience, man. Cursing, he grabbed two white china mugs from the cupboard and poured coffee. He steeled himself at the scuff of footsteps. Seconds later he smelled lavender, and Maggie breezed into the kitchen.
“Why are you so early?” she asked. “Didn’t you see Gwen or whoever you’re going out with last night?”
“I’m not dating Gwen anymore. I’m solo for the moment.” As soon as he said the words, he regretted them. Damn, why did he sound like Romeo between Juliets? Despite public opinion, his bedroom didn’t have a revolving door.
“Since when? Won’t you walk lopsided now without a babe to balance you?” Maggie winked and dropped onto a stool beside him at the breakfast bar. She leaned over to switch on the stereo, her V-neck T-shirt gaping to display creamy white curves. His mind blanked, his fingers itching to touch. Instead, he wrapped his hands around his mug and took a sip of coffee. Baby steps and patience.
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