He joined the party, chatting with Ezra Holmes about Mackenna’s transition plans for the mayor’s office now that his fiancée was officially mayor-elect for the city of New Orleans. Jonathan then moved to the array of hors d’oeuvres displayed on the marble island that delineated the start of the kitchen, but he could barely swallow the small bite of crab cake he attempted to eat. Being unsure of Ivana’s whereabouts had set his nerves on edge.
Jonathan had checked his watch no fewer than a dozen times in the last half hour when the doorbell sounded and Sienna left the room to answer it. He heard a pair of muffled feminine voices coming from the foyer, but didn’t release the breath he’d been holding until Sienna emerged with Ivana in tow.
Thank God.
Thank God. Thank God. Thank God.
Pretending to be calm and unbothered had taken more effort than he first anticipated.
He wouldn’t pounce on her just yet. He would give her space. Maybe let her grab a bite to eat and chat with a few guests before he approached and explained to her that he was not willing to let her go so easily this time.
This time, he planned to fight for her.
But the moment Ivana entered the living room, she headed straight for him.
“Can I speak to you?” she asked, then grabbed his jacket cuff and tugged him toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms. They slipped into the Zenobia’s room. She flipped on the light switch and the bright primary colors on the walls nearly blinded him.
“Ivana—” Jonathan started, but she stopped him.
“Please, let me say this before you say anything.” She pulled in a deep breath and released it. “I love you. I don’t deserve your love or your forgiveness or your trust, but I love you, Jonathan. I will never love any man more than I love you.”
A jolt of hopefulness rushed over him even as a sense of calm cascaded through him. The sensation that his heart would burst clear out of his chest had never been stronger.
“Ivana, I—”
“Please, let me finish.” She held her hands up. “I’m not running away this time. I’m staying right here, and I’m going to earn your trust and your love. I know it won’t be easy. I don’t deserve easy.” Her open, earnest expression nearly did him in. “But it will happen. I am going to marry you, Jonathan Campbell, and we’re going to finish what we started. I can understand if you’re not ready, but know that I’m going to fight for you and eventually win you back. I love you too much not to.”
Her chest rose and fell following her impassioned soliloquy.
Jonathan took a moment to study her, his eyes roaming slowly over the face of this woman he loved like his very life depended on it. She was the very breath in his lungs. And she was his. Always.
“And here I thought I would have to go chasing halfway around the world after you,” he finally said.
She blinked several times, confusion clouding her face.
“What?” she asked.
Jonathan took a step toward her, then another. “When you didn’t show up to the office Monday morning, I’d convinced myself that you had run away again.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. Her eyes fell close. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“But I had every intention of going after you this time,” he finished.
Her eyes flew open. “You…you did?”
He brought his hand up to her face and drew the backs of his fingers along her jaw line. “You are my world, Ivana Culpepper. You’ve been my world—my everything—from the moment I met you. I won’t let fear keep us apart ever again. You returned to me once, but you won’t get a chance to do it again because I’m not letting you slip away this time.”
“I don’t want to,” she said. “Three years ago, I left because I was afraid becoming your wife would somehow rob me of my identity. That I would lose myself. I’m no longer afraid.” She took both his hands in hers and kissed his fingers, then she flattened them against her heart. “This belongs to you. I belong to you. Everything I have, I freely give it to you.”
She pressed her mouth to his, and murmured against his lips.
“You never have to worry about me leaving you again. I plan to be right here with you every day. Always.”
Epilogue
Three months later…
* * *
“Welcome to Campbell’s.”
Ivana moved aside so the group of young women who’d just walked through the doors of the club could enter. “You must be the NOLA Stars and Stogies. We have everything set up for you. Please follow Darynda.” She swept her hand toward the hostess. “She will show you to the cigar lounge.”
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone that a spot on the guests list for tonight’s official grand opening of Campbell’s—months earlier than they’d first anticipated—would be the most coveted prize in New Orleans, but Ivana still found herself in awe at the crowd. The buzz preceding tonight’s big event had been even more intense than when The Hard Court opened. It had to be the uniqueness of the club. There was nothing like Campbell’s in the New Orleans area. Entertainment writers from as far away as Jackson, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama had come into town to cover tonight’s festivities.
Despite the vast number of people already enjoying all the club had to offer, it didn’t feel crowded. Although the only thing dividing up the space were the four thick, circular brick columns that were original to the warehouse, the high ceilings and smartly designed seating areas created the illusion of privacy. As usual, Indina had done a masterful job with her interior design.
Guests seemed to be enjoying the well-stocked bar, which boasted the most expansive selection of scotch and bourbon in the South, but it was already obvious to Ivana that Campbell’s cigar lounge would be its most popular feature. The private room was booked for the next six months. What she found most fascinating was the number of women’s clubs that had called to reserve the space. Cigar smoking had apparently flourished among women in the years she’d been away.
“And how is my wife doing on this lovely night?”
Ivana felt her skin grow warm as Jonathan came up behind her and pressed a kiss beneath her ear.
“Your wife is charming the pants off everyone who enters this club,” she said.
She felt his deep laugh rumbling against her back. He spread his fingers low over her belly. “And how is Little Jonathan doing in there?” he asked.
She grinned. Peering at him over her shoulder, she cautioned, “You do realize if you keep assuming this baby will be a boy that it pretty much guarantees that we will have a girl, don’t you?”
“I don’t care what we have,” he said. “As long as I finally get to see you holding my baby in your arms, I’m happy.” He spun her around and locked his fingers at the base of her spine. Dipping his head, he traced her lips with a gentle, barely-there caress of his own.
Ivana felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. “Hold on a sec,” she said, taking out the phone. She read the text.
Stop necking with Jonathan and get your ass over here.
With a sigh, she glanced over to where Toby and Sienna congregated with the rest of the family.
“We’re being summoned,” Ivana said.
“Do we have to go?”
She laughed at his whine, taking him by the hand and dragging him toward the corner of the club reserved for their family and closest friends.
“Finally,” Toby said, rising from the sofa. He clamped a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. “You know, when I first walked through the doors of The Hard Court all those years ago, I was blown away. I was sure you could never come up with anything that could top it. Count on you to prove me wrong.”
“I’ve been proving you wrong ever since your ass claimed you had a better jump shot than me,” Jonathan said, bringing him in for a hug.
Nearly the entire Holmes clan had joined them for the grand opening. Monica sat with her back pressed against Eli’s chest, her husband’s hand resting on her hip. Willow and Harrison occupied th
e other side of the plush loveseat, mirroring the other couple’s pose. Alex and Renee, along with Indina and her husband, Griffin, sat on the opposite sofa.
“When do Mackenna and Ezra return from their honeymoon?” Ivana asked Indina.
“Tomorrow,” she answered. “They met up with Brooklyn and Reid in San Diego after their comics convention ended and they’re all flying home together. I think Ezra is still a bit salty that Mack didn’t want a big wedding, but he’ll get over it. Besides, we still have yours,” Ivana said in a sing-songy voice.
“Actually…” Ivana arched a brow at Jonathan. He lifted a shoulder in a shrug.
But before Ivana could share the news, Sienna said, “They’re already married.”
“What?”
“When?”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
Ivana held up her palms to stave off their questions. “We did it last week.”
After what happened the last time she planned a big, showy wedding, Ivana and Jonathan had both decided they wanted to keep it simple this time around. In a quiet ceremony with only her sister and Toby as witnesses, she and Jonathan had finally become husband and wife. Ivana thought she couldn’t be happier, until the next morning, when it had occurred to her that the tenderness in her breasts and her sudden aversion to all things citrus may have been due to something more than just a quirk or fast-developing food allergy.
She’d picked up a pregnancy test and drove straight to the law practice. Even now, Ivana felt herself warming at the unadulterated excitement on Jonathan’s face when she held up the stick, displaying the positive result.
Her doctor had assured her that as long as she remained in good health and kept her stress to a minimum, there was no reason she couldn’t have an easy, healthy pregnancy. Jonathan had instantly turned into a doting—somewhat neurotic—father-to-be. She told herself it was adorable and not annoying.
“Well, look who’s here,” Jonathan said.
Ivana turned and smiled at the sight of Nicolas striding toward them, his mother and his uncle, Javier, in tow.
“Oh, Nicolas, it is so great to see you all here,” she said, greeting him with a hug. “Thanks for coming.”
“This is the hottest ticket in town. We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he said.
Both Nicolas’s mother and his uncle thanked Ivana for the work she’d put into Campbell & Holmes’s new advocacy program. After introductions to the rest of the Holmeses, the trio headed for the bar.
Jonathan came up behind her and whispered in her ear, “Follow me?”
“Where?” Ivana asked.
He grasped hold of her hand and gently tugged, leaving her with no choice but to follow. He guided her toward the small opening that led to a hidden staircase. They walked up to the narrow second story landing that looked out over the crowd below. It was exactly what she’d imagined when she read her historical romances and dreamed about entering the exclusive halls of White’s gentleman’s club.
There were more than a dozen cozy seating areas, some larger than others, with long sofas, shorter love seats, settees and stools, all done in varying shades of deep brown, cream, and gold. Patrons enjoyed drinks and light snacks from the bar as they conversed with friends. It was an easy, relaxed atmosphere. It was perfect.
“I still can’t believe I was the inspiration for all of this,” Ivana said, entwining her fingers with his and leaning her head against his arm.
“I’ve come to realize that you’re the inspiration for everything that’s good in my life,” Jonathan said. He kissed her forehead. “As long as I have you here beside me, there’s nothing in this life that I can’t do.” He brushed his thumb against her cheek. “You are my everything.”
She smiled up at him, took his hand and pressed a kiss to the center of his palm. “And you’re mine.”
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thank you to all the readers who have accompanied me on this journey with the Holmes family all these years. It has been a pleasure to bring these characters to life. The Holmes family will remain with me forever.
* * *
A special thanks to the lovely Danielle Marie (@belle_marie_) and Willy Goodman of Willy Goodman Photography (@willygoodmanphotography) for my amazing cover photo.
Also by Farrah Rochon
The Holmes Brothers
Set in New Orleans, the Holmes Brothers series follows the lives of the men of the Holmes family as they find love in one of the world’s most romantic cities.
Deliver Me
Release Me
Rescue Me
Chase Me
Trust Me
Awaken Me
Cherish Me
Return To Me
The New York Sabers
Root for the hottest football team in romance.
Huddle With Me Tonight
I’ll Catch You
Field of Pleasure
Pleasure Rush
Moments in Maplesville
Visit the sexy, sultry, small southern town of Maplesville in my Moments in Maplesville novella series.
A Perfect Holiday Fling (Callie & Stefan)
A Little Bit Naughty (Jada & Mason)
Just A Little Taste (Kiera & Trey)
I Dare You (Stefanie & Dustin)
All You Can Handle (Sonny & Ian)
Any Way You Want It (Nyree & Dale)
Any Time You Need Me (Aubrey & Sam)
Be sure to look out for The Boyfriend Project, the first book in my brand new series from Grand Central Forever! Coming in June 2020!
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Visit my BOOKS page to see my entire backlist!
About the Author
A native of south Louisiana, Farrah Rochon officially began her writing career while waiting in between classes in the student lounge at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Arts from Southeastern Louisiana University, Farrah decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published novelist. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. Her debut novel garnered rave reviews, earning Farrah several SORMAG Readers' Choice Awards. I’ll Catch You, the second book in her New York Sabers series for Harlequin Kimani, was a 2012 RITA ® Award finalist. Yours Forever, the third book in her Bayou Dreams series, is a 2015 RITA® Award finalist.
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When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, traveling the world, and seeing as many Broadway shows as possible.
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