“You have no clue how amazing you are at kissing.” Ema winked at him. “Plus you threw in the private jet offer.”
Knox threw back his head and laughed, but he sobered quickly as he bent closer to her. “Luckily for you, I’m willing to keep showing you how amazing I am at kissing. Over—” He kissed her. “—over—” A longer kiss. “—and over again.” This time he deepened the kiss, and Ema was lost in the joy and passion of the moment. An intricate dance began that had nothing to do with their feet, but Ema had never loved any dance as much as this one.
Epilogue
Ema held a sleeping Shelby on her lap and watched the Titans versus Patriots game from Knox’s private box. Genevieve and Claire always came to the games, but today Ema’s parents and Knox’s sister and husband had flown in too. Ema watched the Titans players congratulating each other as the game ended with them the victors, 21-14. The fans were screaming ecstatically.
The past four months had sped by as Ema and Knox had spent every spare minute together. Things had gotten busier as the regular season started, but she had been able to schedule a lot of shows close to him, and her show moving to ABC in August had made her life even easier. Her new producers only required her to spend a day or a day and a half at each home. With all their different camera angles and production crew making sure filming stayed on schedule, and sometimes even directing dialogue and activities, it was much easier to get plenty of footage for an hour-long show. It wasn’t as spontaneous, and sometimes she missed that, but it was more than worth it to see her show reach its potential. The most important thing for her was she spent as much time as possible with Knox and Shelby.
Knox had teased that she’d tamed him into a wimp, but she felt like he flourished and shone. He was happy, confident, and so good to her and Shelby. He was still overprotective at times and no man would dare to look cross-eyed at either of his girls, but he was more social with his teammates and their families and he was dealing well with his PTSD. They’d gone to visit his dad and sister, and seeing his father wasting away was hard, but Ema was proud of how calmly Knox handled it. Seeing him with his nephews was adorable.
They also spent a few weeks, before his season started, in Kauai. Her filming crew came to the island with them and captured some celebrities and their families on vacation. Knox had fit into her loud family perfectly, especially since all the women loved to cook for him. Her aunts and mom would do just about anything to be rewarded with one of his smiles. Not that Ema blamed them.
They found a church close to his home, and Knox had eased into Sunday attendance and was even volunteering with the youth group on Thursdays. He was finally accepting the Lord’s plan and realizing it wasn’t his fault that he’d survived and that Tyler, his mom, and his sister would want him to be happy.
She stood, cradling Shelby against her shoulder and smiling at her dad. “Great game, huh?”
“Your man’s a stud,” her dad said.
“I taught him everything he knows.”
Her dad chuckled.
She started to walk toward the door. Shelby was almost four now and she was heavy to carry, but Ema had no desire to put her down.
“Wait,” Aunt Genny said. “Knox asked us to wait for him here.”
“Oh? Okay.” Usually they’d head home and he’d be at least a half hour behind them after a game.
There was a quick rap at the door. Claire got it, and some serving staff entered, cleared away the food they’d consumed during the game, and brought in fresh food, drinks, and desserts.
Ema arched an eyebrow at Claire. Everyone else was talking and seeming content to wait for Knox. “Are we having an after-game dinner here?”
“Something like that.” Claire winked at her and turned to talk to Knox’s sister, Sarah. Ema noticed Brig’s eyes straying to Claire time and again. She and Knox kept hoping the two would date, but so far Claire had evaded Brig’s attempts to ask her out.
The buffet, which would put some cruise ships to shame, had barely been set up and the servers had disappeared when the door burst open. Knox strode in, looking devastating. His dark hair was wet from his shower, and when he spotted Ema and Shelby, his beautiful smile lit up his face. No opposing quarterback would believe how soft he could be with his girls. He shook her dad’s hand and hugged her mom, but he only had eyes for Ema.
When he reached her, she inhaled slowly. “Did I tell you that I love Perry Ellis?”
“As much as you love Sloane Kent?”
“Almost.”
He chuckled. “What about the Beast? Do you love him?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Occasionally.”
Knox laughed and pulled Shelby from her arms.
“Don’t wake her up,” Ema said.
“She’d cuss me if she wasn’t awake for this.”
Ema shook her head. “What?”
“Shelby, love,” he whispered. “Are you ready?”
Shelby blinked her eyes and then hugged her daddy tight around the neck. “Is it time for my a-prize?”
“Yes, baby.”
She put out her dimpled hand. Knox placed a small ring box in her fingers. Ema gasped and she heard her mom already sobbing loudly. Her mom may have been born a haole, but she’d embraced everything about Hawaiian culture.
Shelby turned to Ema and shoved the ring box into her hand. “Will you be my mommy?” she demanded. “I really want you to.”
Tears crested Ema’s eyelids and trailed down her cheeks. “Oh, sweet girl. I would love to be your mommy.” She reached over and hugged Shelby.
Knox set Shelby on the ground, took the ring box back out of Ema’s hand, and bent down on one knee. “I love you, Ema. Will you tame the Beast for the rest of your life?”
Ema couldn’t stop the tears. “I think I’m qualified for the job.”
“Yes, you definitely are.” Knox grinned.
Ema tugged on his hand, and he stood and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her gently and then popped the ring box open. A huge round diamond sparkled up at her. It was beautiful, and she loved it on sight.
“Wait.” Knox snapped the box shut. “You never said yes.”
Ema gazed up at him, forgetting anyone else was in the room. “I love you, Knox. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Knox opened the box back up and slipped the ring onto her finger. He handed Shelby the ring box and then pulled Ema close, tenderly caressing her lips with his own. “I love you so much,” he whispered against her lips.
“I love you, my beast,” she whispered back.
He gave her a kiss that was better than any Disney movie. Ema didn’t check, but she knew there were probably sparks swirling around them. The loud cheering from their family and friends was perfect.
Ema savored each second of Knox’s kiss. He still couldn’t dance very well, but his kissing more than made up for it. He pulled back, wrapped his hands around her waist, and lifted her high above his head. “I love you, Ema Kahue!” he shouted.
Ema put back her head and laughed. He slowly lowered her close to his chest and she could hear Sloane Kent playing in the background. Knox moved them slowly around the room in a slow dance, and Ema was lost in his dark gaze.
Knox’s eyes flitted down in surprise; Shelby had grabbed on to his legs. His grin widened. “Hey, love.” He lifted Shelby into his left arm, encircling Ema’s waist with his right.
Their first dance as a family. Ema had never been part of anything so right.
About the Author
CAMI CHECKETTS IS A WIFE to a daredevil husband, a mother to four future WWF champions, an exercise scientist trying to make her corner of the world healthier, and a writer hoping for more time to write.
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If you enjoyed The Beastly Groom, please continue reading for an excerpt of The Irresistible Groom, Claire and Brig’s stor
y, which will be available for pre-order soon.
www.camichecketts.com
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Excerpt - The Irresistible Groom
Claire Tucker’s three-inch heels tapped a quick pattern as she rushed across the laminate flooring toward the exterior doors of the yoga studio.
“See you tomorrow,” Hallie, the young front desk attendant called.
“Yes, you will.” Claire grinned, waved, and pushed at the front doors. She was at the five a.m. power yoga class every weekday morning at Holistic Studios. With the fast pace of her life and business, she needed some time to ground herself and slow down. Especially when she had days like yesterday where she’d had to call security to remove a hulking football player who couldn’t take no for an answer from her office. She didn’t date much and she especially didn’t date jerks who thought every woman wanted them.
The state-of-the-art yoga studio also had locker rooms and clean showers so she could be ready and to work in her downtown Dallas office by six-thirty. Work was her life and that was fine by her.
A man caught the door and held it open for her.
“Thank you,” Claire murmured, glancing at him. Her breath caught and she paused in the open doorway. “Brig?” Brig Hunsaker was her client, Knox Sherman’s, head of security and she had the hugest crush on him. She always kept it under control because there was no way she’d fall for a man who put himself in danger again. Kyle’s face swam through her mind but she pushed it back out again. It had been three years and she’d healed and forgiven herself—sort of.
“Claire.” A huge smile made Brig’s cheeks crinkle.
He had a smooth, perfectly handsome face, blue eyes, prematurely gray hair, and an unreal built body. He was so smoking hot Claire had trouble thinking straight around him. She berated herself for it constantly. She was a sports agent and her clients were all buff and most of them were extremely good-looking. None of them had turned her head, except for Brady Giles, who was now happily married, but she knew now that crush on Brady was a mere lollipop compared to Ghirardelli milk chocolate with sea salt and caramel when she looked at Brig. How was she going to stay strong around him? He’d tried to ask her out quite a few times when she’d been at Knox and Ema’s house and she’d always been able to change the subject quickly or tease and get away.
“Hey, Brig. What are you doing here?”
“I teach a Tae Kwon Do class at seven-thirty. Came early today to work out some kinks before class.”
Claire couldn’t resist glancing over the muscles revealed in his gray tank top. Sheesh. Why did she have to be so drawn to the buff types? Most of the time that meant athletes—off limits because of her career; muscle heads—off limits because the steroids had fried their brains; or men who protected and served—off limits because she wasn’t going there ever again.
But my oh my Brig looked good. No harm in looking, so long as she didn’t think about throwing all her chips in the pot.
“Good to see you.” She walked out the door. He didn’t give her much room and her shoulder brushed his muscular chest. He smelled like musk and man. A smoldering warmth started in the pit of her stomach. Move faster, sister. It was still dark outside this early in the morning, but the city lights illuminated the sidewalk nicely.
“Wait.” Brig released the door and jogged to her side.
Claire took some calming breaths, trying to center herself. She needed another yoga class.
Brig touched her arm and no amount of breathing could prevent her from noticing how good his touch felt. It was like rocky road ice cream in a waffle cone on a hot Texas day.
Claire turned to him. He stared at her with those bright blue eyes and she wanted to trip on her Kate Spade stilettos and see if he caught her. She hated being short so she always wore the tallest heels she could get away with. She was a powerful, career-driven woman and the lift helped give her confidence. Brig wasn’t as tall as Knox or Brady or some of her other burly clients, who most likely had some form of gigantism. He was probably about five-eleven. The perfect height in her book. Instead of feeling small and looked-down-upon, she felt protected by his tough manliness. Stop it, Claire. You’re not going there.
She waited for him to say something. He was the one who’d chased her down and called for her to wait, right?
A muscle worked in his jaw as he looked down at his hand on her arm and then back into her eyes. “Everything about you is so perfect,” he said.
Claire arched an eyebrow at him, trying to look at ease while her heart was slamming against her chest. How could she resist him? He was cool, calm, and perfect. He reeled her in like she was a guppy on a hook large enough a thousand pound marlin couldn’t escape from it.
He released her arm and jammed a hand through his hair. It melted her heart that this military man could be affected by her as he mussed his own hair and studied the pavement. She loved his gray hair. It set him apart. She loved his calm persona and confidence more than his looks, and that was really saying something because his looks were perfect to her.
“Things don’t come out right when I’m around you,” he muttered.
Claire was ecstatic that he’d just admitted that. “So the tough, perfect body guard has a weakness?” Dang she shouldn’t have said that, it was like she was egging him on.
Brig’s slow smile did funny things to her stomach. “Yeah. You’re definitely my weakness.”
She had to step back or she might do something really stupid, like ask him out. “Everybody has to have one. You know, Superman and Kryptonite.” She spun on her heels and headed toward the crosswalk. “See ya.” Flinging her hand up, she ground her teeth in frustration when she noticed the traffic light had turned green and the crosswalk was a solid red hand.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Brig striding deliberately to her side. Dang it, dang it, dang it. Say no, be strong. Oh, good night, he’s too stinking fine for his own good.
Claire ignored him as he came so close his shoulder brushed hers and that musky man smell swirled in her nostrils. Yum. Forget breakfast, she only wanted Brig. No! She needed to move. The downtown Dallas street was quiet this early in the morning. Maybe she should run across on a green light and pray she didn’t get tagged by some errant vehicle.
“Kryptonite hurt Superman. I don’t think you’d hurt me,” he said in a low rumble that did funny things to her stomach.
Claire couldn’t resist turning to look at him. “You have no idea how wrong you are. There would be nothing but hurt in store for you and I.” Her stomach curdled. Hurt? What would he say if he knew she was responsible for her fiancé’s death? She knew more about hurt than anyone.
Brig’s smooth brow wrinkled and his blue eyes looked troubled. “You’re wrong, Claire, please give me a chance. Just one date.”
Claire took a steadying breath and shook her head. She couldn’t hold his gaze. Why did he have to look like she’d hurt him already? If only he knew. It was so much smarter to keep her distance. Head of security, military man. No, thank you, may I please choose again.
The traffic light turned to yellow and she took the out, rushing across the crosswalk. Staring at the pavement, she prayed she could get away and he wouldn’t come after her. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyelids and that made her angry. How dare Brig worm his way into her heart with his kindness and patience. She was protecting him as much as herself. He had no clue how twisted her heart was and what she’d done to the last man she’d claimed to love.
A screech of brakes startled her out of her misery. Her head whipped up to see headlights bearing down on her. She screamed and tried to hurry out of their path but her tight skirt and heels were working against her. Please help, she screamed a prayer as she heard Brig calling out her name.
Find The Irresistible Groom everywhere ebooks are sold June 20, 2018.
Also by Cami Checketts
Navy Seal Romance
The Protective Warrior
The Captivating Warrior
Billionaire Beach Romance
Shadows in the Curtain
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Onboard for Love
Trusting the Billionaire
How to Kiss a Billionaire
Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Resilient One
The Feisty One
The Independent One
The Protective One
The Faithful One
The Daring One
Park City Firefighter Romance
Rescued by Love
Reluctant Rescue
Stone Cold Sparks
Other Books by Cami
Pass Interference: A Last Play Romance
Saving Sycamore Bay
How to Design Love
Oh, Come On, Be Faithful
Protect This
Blog This
Redeem This
The Broken Path
Dead Running
Dying to Run
Full Court Devotion: Christmas in Snow Valley
A Touch of Love: Summer in Snow Valley
Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley
Light in Your Eyes: Winter in Snow Valley
Romancing the Singer: Return to Snow Valley
Christmas Makeover: Echo Ridge Romance
Last of the Gentlemen: Echo Ridge Romance
Fourth of July
Poison Me
The Colony
The Fearless Groom: Texas Titan Romance
The Trustworthy Groom: Texas Titan Romance
The Beastly Groom Page 17
