Miles grinned. “Is her name Kaitlin, by chance?”
The officer nodded and smiled. “Want me to send her on her way?”
Miles looked at Zak. “Go talk to her. You know you want to. She saved your life, after all, chasing after you the way she did that first night.”
“Oh, you heard that, did you?”
“I heard everything. Including your lame proposal and her fear-induced answer.” Miles gave him a stern look. “What are you going to do about that now that you’ve both survived?”
Zak ignored his question. “So am I free or still awaiting trial?”
“Tell her you’ve agreed to a deal with no jail time. You can even go home with her tonight if you want, but don’t forget you’re leaving the area. Very soon.”
“Right.” Zak wasn’t certain seeing Kaitlin again was a good idea, but was foolishly happy he’d be able to speak to her alone one last time.
Zak detoured to collect the personal things that had been taken when he was processed like the others, and left through prisoner release to the hallway where Kaitlin waited.
She launched herself into his arms, which closed tightly around her without any conscious order from his brain. “I’m free. Let’s go.”
“What happened?”
“I made a deal for no jail time.”
“Good.” But there was a hint of disapproval. Zak desperately wished he could tell her the truth. Too bad she wasn’t already his wife. He looked up and saw a sign that made him grin. Because it definitely was a sign.
“How’s your level of faith in me right now?”
“Bruised.” She followed his gaze, and shock filled her expression. Her eyes met his.
“So, will you hang on with me for just a little bit longer?”
Her sudden smile followed by her nod made his heart swell. She tightened her grip on his arm.
Zak hustled her down the hallway toward a place where they’d both need to have confidence in each other.
~ ~ ~
Kaitlin gathered her courage and didn’t stop to analyze a thing. Going purely on faith, she said to the assembled few, “I do.”
Less than an hour ago, she had watched Zak stare at a sign that said Marriage Licenses like he’d just solved all his problems.
The Justice of the Peace said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Zak leaned in, kissed her like nobody’s business to the cheers of the two witnesses and the other assembled couples getting married this morning.
“My place or yours, Mrs. Langston,” Zak said as they skipped down the courthouse steps.
A nervous laugh escaped. “I’m still getting used to being Mrs. Langston instead of Mrs. Thornton. And I don’t care where we go, but before we fall into bed, I want you to explain a few things.”
“Of course. Now that you’re my wife, I can tell you exactly a few things, Mrs. Langston.”
Zak did a little explaining and then a lot of taking her to previously unreached heights of pleasure before coming up for air.
As they drowsed together under the sheets, Kaitlin thought how happy she was to have thrown caution to the wind and trusted her heart. Her new husband wasn’t a criminal at all. She had a lot to learn about him, the real him, but the most important thing was that he wasn’t a felon. He couldn’t share mission details, of course, but she didn’t care. She’d married a man she was desperately in love with who’d saved her life in more ways than one.
Zak didn’t agree.
“The truth is, baby, I was just a bad boy in big trouble until I met you,” he said with a laugh.
As he showed her, again, how good a bad boy could be, she sank her nails into his amazing ass and cried out his name. No more peeking through the curtains for virginal little Kaitlin.
From now on she was Zak Langston’s woman.
Epilogue
Lush, humid air surrounded Zak as he entered the seven-digit keypad code for the house his parents owned in Key West. He hoped they hadn’t changed it since the last time he was here. A quiet snick and the back door next to the kitchen unlocked. He turned the handle and pushed the door open. A rush of cool air blasted him in the face.
Bless his sweet mother. She always kept the thermostat set at seventy-two degrees. Like walking out of a sauna and into a refrigerator. Zak was excited to be here and hoped all of his brothers had made it to the biannual gathering.
“Is anyone here?” Kaitlin asked.
He pulled her inside by their clasped hands and closed the door. “Probably. And if not now, soon. Quite a few family members will descend on this house.”
“Hard to blame them,” Kaitlin said, looking around. “It’s a nice place. How often does your family meet here?”
“Twice a year. My parents own it, but rent it out except for the last two weeks of May and October. They reserve that for family. There’s an open invitation to any of us boys who can get here. We lounge by the pool, drink beer and catch up on the life and times of whoever makes it.”
“How long since you’ve visited?” Her voice trembled a bit despite the simplicity of her question. He knew why she was nervous.
“I’ve missed the last two times. Don’t worry. They’ll be glad I showed up.”
She didn’t look convinced. “What if they aren’t glad that I showed up?”
He cupped the side of her face and pressed a reassuring kiss to her lips. “Oh, please. My family, especially my mother, will be delighted. Trust me.”
They’d come to Florida all the way from Arizona, enduring not one but two lengthy layovers along the way. It had been five days since they’d exchanged their vows in front of the Justice of the Peace. Zak figured a delayed honeymoon in Key West to announce their marriage was a good plan. Kaitlin was not as confident.
His brother Deke was the lone member of his family who had gotten the surprise news and only because Deke’s last job had taken him to Arizona. Zak was looking forward to kicking back in Arizona with his new wife while they waited for Kaitlin’s contract to end in four months. The Organization had given him honeymoon leave for as long as he wanted it.
“I’m not so sure,” Kaitlin said. “My mother was displeased, as you well know.”
“Well, I suspect it’s different with daughters and mothers rather than sons and mothers. My mom had given up hope of any of us ever marrying, so she’s probably going to squeeze you until bones break. Besides, I think your mom and stepdad are more upset about Brooke being in trouble than you eloping with me.”
“I’d say it’s a toss-up, but I’m trying to keep a good attitude.”
“That’s my girl. Or rather, my woman.”
She sighed rather dramatically. “Before we got married, you used to call me baby. Is the honeymoon over already?”
Zak laughed. “So what you’re saying is you want the bad boy back.”
Someone pushed the swinging door to the kitchen open, intruding on their laughter.
“Zak, is that you?” A grin spread across his mother’s face as soon as she saw him.
“Hi, Mom.” Zak folded his mother into an exuberant hug.
She squeezed him tight. “I’m so glad you made it this time. Your father will be, too. You know him. He’s just fiddling with the car.”
They broke apart and Zak immediately turned to his wife. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Kaitlin.”
His mother smiled and hugged her, like he knew she would. “Welcome to the madness of our biannual gatherings.”
“Thanks, I’m happy to be here.”
Maura Langston had lived in a household with massive levels of testosterone for years, and maybe because of that she’d developed hawkeyed skills a spy would be proud of. Grabbing Kaitlin’s left hand, she examined the wedding ring and sucked in a shocked breath. “This is your wife, Zak?”
Zak nodded, locking gazes with Kaitlin, who was clearly struggling to keep her smile. “We eloped five days ago.”
His mother squealed in joy and hugged Kaitlin
so tight, Zak thought he did hear a rib crack. His mother was making happy noises between tears and a babble of conversation. Kaitlin finally seemed to accept her acceptance. She stopped looking so anxious and embraced the older woman wholeheartedly in return.
The two most important women in his life finally finished hugging, but his mother kept a hand on Kaitlin’s shoulder like she would disappear in a puff of smoke if she didn’t keep a tactile connection. “Well, there’s no two ways about it. We’ll have to have a celebration feast tonight.”
“Oh. Don’t go to any trouble,” Kaitlin said.
His mother laughed. “It’s no trouble, honey. The truth is, with five adult boys to feed, every night is a feast whether we have something to celebrate or not.”
“Well, I’m happy to help you cook.”
His mother sniffed and teared up. “And you cook, too? That’s just so wonderful.”
Jack Langston strolled into the kitchen.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Zak! Good to see you, son.” The older man clapped him on the back once and glanced over at Kaitlin. “What do we have here?”
“Jack, great news! This is Kaitlin, Zak’s wife. Can you believe it?”
His father looked surprised for about a second and a half. Then he laughed and slapped Zak on the back again. He hugged Kaitlin. “Welcome to the family. It’s a zoo most of the time, but a fun one.”
Jack put one arm around Kaitlin and the other around his wife. “Has she started in on you about grandchildren yet?”
“Dad!”
“Jack!” his mother said at the same time. “They’ve only been married five minutes. Let’s give them a couple months, and then we can start sending e-mail reminders.”
His parents led Kaitlin out of the kitchen on a tour of the house. Zak was about to follow when he heard someone outside pushing the buttons on the keypad. The door unlocked and Deke came in.
“Hey. Where’s your wife? You didn’t lose her already, did you?”
“No, I didn’t lose her already. Mom and Dad are showing her the house.”
Deke grinned. “How did they take the news?”
“Surprisingly well, actually. I think they’d trade me for her in a second.”
“Good for you. I can’t wait to meet her. Is anyone else here?”
“Not that I know of, but I haven’t made it out of the kitchen yet. I’d better go find Kaitlin. They brought up grandchildren before they walked out.”
“You knew that was coming.”
Zak shrugged and grinned. “Yeah.” He’d never spent much time thinking about children. Like marriage, it was always something he planned to do someday. With a wedding band on his finger, someday had arrived.
Deke punched him in the arm for no discernable reason, because that’s what brothers do.
Zak paused in the doorway. “Be nice to me or I’ll tell Mom and Dad you knew about the wedding and didn’t tell them.”
“That’s harsh, bro.” Deke followed him into the next room.
Zak punched his brother solidly in the shoulder to return the first strike, happy to be back with his family and ready to have a honeymoon with Kaitlin.
Who knew? There might be grandchildren on the way sooner rather than later, if this honeymoon in paradise went well. He was certainly willing to do his part as often as his darling wife desired.
The End
About the Author
Fiona Roarke lives a quiet life with the exception of the characters and stories roaming around in her head. She writes about sexy alpha heroes, using them to launch her series, Bad Boys in Big Trouble.
www.FionaRoarke.com
www.facebook.com/FionaRoarke
Coming Soon
Bouncer, Bad Boys in Big Trouble 2
Bodyguard, Bad Boys in Big Trouble 3
Here’s a peek at Bouncer, Bad Boys in Big Trouble 2:
Undercover DEA Agent Reece Langston is used to women coming on to him in his role as a bouncer at the city’s hottest club. None of them tempt him to break his own rules of non-engagement—until FBI Agent Jessica Hayes makes him a sexy offer he can’t refuse.
Excerpt from Bouncer:
Prologue
Saturday night – Joe’s Bar
“What do you mean you’ve never had sex before?” The utter surprise in Kelli Baker’s tone was second only to the volume at which she shouted the inflammatory information.
Jessica Hayes sent her soon-to-be-ex-best friend a horrified look. Speechless, she promptly lowered her head in abject shame, afraid to look around and see who might have heard the notification to the world of her virginal status. The trendy upscale bar they were in was quiet enough that voices could definitely carry well outside of their private two person circle.
Knowing Kelli as she did and that her friend would continue chattering until stopped, Jessica regrouped quickly and snapped, “Could you say that a little louder? I don’t think the single desperate men of Outer Mongolia heard you.”
Kelli glanced over one shoulder quickly and promptly touched Jessica’s hand in apology. “Well, I’m sorry, but I mean, damn, girlfriend! When you said you really needed to get laid I didn’t realize we were talking about the premier event. I almost brought a guy with me tonight, but he had to work. So how did you make it to your advanced age without bumping uglies with a guy?”
“Four older brothers and a small Midwestern town.” Jessica took a sip of her club soda with lime and the memories of her high school years invaded her thoughts.
The high school boys of Cornelia, Missouri were all cowards. No guy would ever ask her out for fear of retribution. Her shortest brother was six foot two, damn it. A mother bear seemed neglectful in comparison to her brothers and the way they protected her from the advances of any male in a three county radius, a skill they learned well from their father.
Even now she couldn’t visit home without all the eligible bachelors between the ages of eighteen and eighty cowering away from her in fear.
“You don’t say. Sounds like the title of a bad TV movie of the week.”
“Yeah, that’s my love life—a bad TV movie of the week broadcast on cable at two in the morning. It isn’t as if I haven’t tried, you know. I got close a couple of times, but in retrospect I was far too picky.”
“Define close,” Kelli said, twirling her drink straw around the ice in the bottom of her nearly empty glass.
“My second year of college.”
“Do tell.”
“He was a sports media major. Deep voice. Sexy deep-blue eyes. He stared at me in the cafeteria for a month before finally asking me out.”
“So why didn’t you do him?”
“I tried. We went to a pledge week frat party at his fraternity house, where he managed to get rip-roaring drunk in record time. He led me, staggering all the way, to his room. We had to kick out another couple and he cleared most of the coats off the bed before feeling me up a couple times and then ejaculating on the sleeve of one unlucky guest’s Burberry jacket.”
“Eew. That’s just nasty.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to offend your delicate sensibilities. It was a frat party. Everyone knows you take your chances if you leave coats and stuff laying around in any of the bedrooms. That was karma, pure and simple.”
“So you didn’t even get anything out of the near exchange of bodily fluids?”
“Not really. I got up and left, but quite a few people saw me leave his bedroom. Frat Boy apparently thought he did the deed, so he washed his hands of me directly afterwards and considered the conquest done. On Monday he started staring at a freshman with big boobs and ignored me completely. I was so embarrassed. It took me a year and a half to get up enough nerve to try again.”
Kelli shook her head. “He’s the one who should have been embarrassed. I wish I’d been around back then to get you back up on the horse.” She took a long sip, finished her drink and gestured at the busy bartender to prepare another. “As a matter of fact, if you’d mentioned I was deal
ing with virgin territory tonight, I would have selected a different place. Hell, I would have hand-picked someone special to take care of you.”
The thought of Kelli explaining to someone special how her friend needed to be de-virginized made Jessica wish she’d ordered tequila tonight instead of club soda to numb the humiliation.
“Great. Or I could just schedule an appointment with my gynecologist and have it done surgically. Maybe she could light a candle for atmosphere.”
“No way. Don’t do that. What about all those hunky guys with guns where you work? Surely there are possibilities there, right?”
“No. I never want to date anyone from law enforcement, and especially not anyone I work with.”
“Why not?”
“Too weird to have slept with someone and then work with them, knowing what they look like naked. Besides, what if it didn’t work out? Too much drama. So no, law enforcement guys are not an option. Move on.”
“Fine. Then leave it to me. I’ll pick someone nice, someone you won’t ever see again, and most especially a guy who knows what he’s doing without any guilt-filled strings attached.”
“So a total stranger you know firsthand is sexually amazing? That man surely doesn’t exist or you’d already have him chained to your bed. I don’t need you to find anyone for me. I especially don’t want someone you’ve been with.”
“Are you sure? I know a guy or two who would volunteer in an emergency.” Kelli smiled. “This seems like an emergency to me.”
“Well, it’s not. And really? Men you’ve used up and thrown away? No, thank you very much.”
Biker (Bad Boys in Big Trouble Book 1) Page 18
