by Ford, Mia
I love you, Mia, and I’m so happy to be with you. I can’t wait for our lives together.”
Mia wipes some tears away from her eyes, almost choking on her happy tears. I can she her flapping with panic. “You’ve taken the words right out of me, that was so sweet. I can’t remember what I wanted to say.”
I lean forward and kiss some of the tears from her cheeks, hopefully reassuring her. “It’s okay,” I whisper. “It doesn’t matter what you say, we’re going to be together forever, you have all the time in the world to tell me.”
Anxiety is coursing through her, I can see it. She’s shaking all over. I shouldn’t have thought about myself, I should have seen that she needed to go first.
“Noah, I… I love you…” Her voice cracks, emotion claims her. “You have no idea how happy you make me. You’ve…” She breathes and flaps her hands in front of her face. “You’ve made me stronger, more powerful, better in every way. And you already make me happy. You have no idea how happy. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. We have so many more things to do together and I’m excited for it.”
I wrap her up in my arms and hold her to my chest for a moment, calming her down. Then it’s time for us to exchange rings, which totally takes the attention of us because Alex is so adorable. The people watching us coo and aww at him, which makes me and Mia giggle. Then we slide the rings down on to each other’s fingers, repeating the traditional words that are expected of us to say. For better for worse, for richer for poorer, until death do us part, all the things that we already know we will do without even thinking about it.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” Those words fill me with more happiness than I ever thought possible. “You may now kiss the bride.”
I grab Mia and dip her down low, pressing me lips to hers to feel those delicious fireworks exploding all the way through us. The room cheers, but I can barely hear it, my heart pounds with happiness in my ears. I finally have everything that I ever wanted and more. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.
“I love you,” I murmur as we pull apart. “So much.”
“I love you too… and now I get to call you my husband. I must be the luckiest woman alive.”
“I’m the lucky one! I get to keep you.”
We stand and I pull her into my chest, knowing that I’m the lucky one really, I have my dream woman. A woman who loves my son as if she’s his own and who has given me an incredible daughter as well. I’m sure we’ll have more children, more adventures, more fun…
The world is our oyster and I can’t wait to see where the future takes us.
25
Sneak Peak: Burning with Lust
Blurb
The last time I threw myself into commitment, I got my heart burned.
I had sworn off women ever since then,
But Jodi was different.
Ever since she walked into my casino, I knew she’d be trouble…
She’s petite and curvy,
Her ashy blonde copper hair and green eyes pierce my soul.
Those painted plump lips that completely dry my mouth out. Simply gorgeous.
Like s*x on heels!
And I hire her,
Soon she gets under my skin like no one has ever done before,
And I can’t shake the possessive feeling that she’s mine.
But soon I realize she’s hiding something,
Something big to tear us apart.
And then I screwed up,
Moved away without a goodbye.
Didn’t give her a chance,
Didn’t know she was carrying my baby.
And when I know the truth,
I am ready to shed my ego and win back my girl,
After all I’m burning with Lust!
I’ll prove my love to Jodi and my baby growing inside her,
This time, I’m not letting her go. This time, I’m chasing after her.
But, will she give me a second chance?
Chapter 1: Brock
“So does that sound like something you can handle?”
I narrow my eyes at the mousy woman in front of me. Personal assistant jobs often attract this sort of person, someone who’s very precise and takes things very seriously. It’s wonderful, usually, but it’s never worked out for me. The Las Vegas casino scene is fast-paced, often unpredictable, and can be a little wild.
“I . . . I think so.” Her uncertainty speaks volumes. “Yes, I’m sure I can.”
While she nods, I don’t share her confidence, so I plaster on my shit-eating smile and shake her hand. “Okay, well thank you for coming in. I still have some candidates to see, so I will be in touch.”
“Yeah, okay, thank you.”
As she scurries out of my office, I rake my fingers through my dark hair, hoping that someone inspires me soon. Why did Callie have to have a baby and decide to stay home to raise her? I understand, but it’s very annoying. She was great at her job. She understood the business well. I don’t know if I’m going to find that again.
“Jodi Night . . .” I take a glance at the final resume. “I hope you inspire me.”
I stare hard at the door, silently praying for someone mind-blowing to walk through those doors.
“Are you ready for me yet?”
Whoa! Okay, when I asked for someone special, I wasn’t expecting . . . Well, how do I even describe her? Pale, ashy blonde-copper hair, green eyes that pierce my soul, a heart-shaped faced, and painted plump lips which completely dry my mouth out. She’s beyond gorgeous. Like sex on legs.
“Yes, I’m ready for you. Please, come in. Jodi, is it?”
“Yes, that’s right, and I presume you’re Brock Stanton?”
“Ah, you’ve done your research!”
“I have. Plus, anyone who lives in Las Vegas knows your name.”
She isn’t dressed in a typical way for a job interview. She has a fifties-style rockabilly dress on, all black with red stitching. Tattoos peek out the top of the dress, making me intrigued to see more . . .
“So have you always lived in Las Vegas? I feel like I would have seen you around.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. It’s a big place. But no, I only moved here last year.”
“Dare I ask what brought you to the city of neon lights?”
“The glitz, the glamor . . . Oh, and my friend lives here, and I needed to escape my old life.”
I lean on the table and smile at her. “Sounds interesting.”
“Oh, come off it. I’m not going to give you everything all in one go. You’d have to hire me for that.”
The girl has balls! I love it. It’s very refreshing compared to all the quieter women who have come in here. She isn’t like Cassie, either. She’s got way more sass. I run my eyes up and down her, my heart racing faster. She intrigues me—an exciting enigma. I want to dive in so much deeper.
“Who says you’re the most qualified for the position?”
“Have you read my resume?”
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ve read it. I’m not one of those bosses who leaves all the dirty work to someone else. I need the person who works with me to be the exact right person. It’s a miracle you’ve gotten this far.”
She leans closer to me, her breath tickling my cheeks. A shudder runs up and down my spine.
“So if you do all the dirty work, what will be left for me?”
I smirk, enjoying the blatant flirting. It’s been a long day, and I love it when someone shakes it up a bit.
“The way you’re talking, I’d think you know my reputation.”
“Oh, I do. You’re a playboy who doesn’t settle down.”
“No, not for the wrong woman.”
“I see, so you’re just kissing a lot of frogs to find the right person?”
“Exactly!”
“Have you ever had a serious relationship?”
She’s challenging me, and I love it. I have a feeling that Jodi wants to shock me, so I’m going to
be the one to shock her first. “Actually, I was married.”
“You were?” She leans back, immediately creating a distance. “I didn’t know that.”
“No? Well, it isn’t something I broadcast. It ended a long time ago.”
“What happened?”
I half-shrugged at her. “If you want to know that, you’ll have to come and work for me.”
“Well, that’s hardly fair. That’s in your control, isn’t it? Not mine.”
“You sound like you don’t want to give up control.”
“Yeah . . . is that obvious?”
Oh God, now my brain is spinning into overdrive. The temptation to grab her and throw her over the desk, to bury into her, to make us both wild, is almost overwhelming. I have to squeeze my hands by my side just to resist.
“Hmm, that’s intriguing.”
“So what do you think? You think you might want to give me the job?”
I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes at her. “Are you flirting with me to get the job?”
“No way. I know that I’m the best person for the position. I’m hardworking, surprisingly organized, determined, and a quick learner as well. Also, I’m fiery. In case you couldn’t already tell, I can tackle people. I know how forceful this industry can be, and I can handle it. Most people don’t assume that personal assistants need to be strong, but I know. I can do it.”
Okay, so now we’re on to what she can offer the company, and she’s giving me some damn fine answers. I like it. She’s making my decision so much easier for me.
“What did you do before you worked here?”
“Before I came to Vegas, I worked in the stock market.”
“Oh, that’s still a very male-dominated world.”
“Exactly, and I handled myself very well.”
“I can imagine.”
“Then, since I’ve been here, I’ve been doing bits and pieces. I’ve worked the blackjack table, I’ve been in an office environment, and I’ve even done some modeling.”
“Yes, I can see that. So what’s brought you here to me?”
“Well, this is the most successful casino on the strip, you’re a very powerful man, and also, I want the job.”
“That’s a good answer.”
“Thank you.” She gives me a look, sensing that I need more. “Look, Brock, I’m going to level with you. I need this job, and I will work my ass off for you. I can’t keep living in my friend’s spare room forever while I flit from job to job. I need a steady position, and I need my own place. I’m never going back to New York, so I need to start a life here.”
I nod slowly, drinking all of that in. “Okay, you know what, I want you to be my personal assistant. Even before you said that to me, I wanted it to be you.”
“You did?” Her eyes light up, but then she rearranges her expression. “Don’t you need to see everyone?”
“I have seen everyone. I want it to be you.”
She breathes out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank you so much. You don’t know what this means to me. When do you want me to start?”
“I want you to start right now, but I don’t think that’s practical. What about Monday morning?”
“Yeah, sounds great.” She rises from her chair, giving me a glimpse of her supple, sexy legs. “Thank you.”
I reach my hand out and shake hers, immediately feeling a bolt of electricity race through my arm. She jolts back as if she can feel it too, which only makes it a lot more fun. Working with her is going to be something else.
“I look forward to it.”
I watch her sashay away as if she’s on the catwalk, stripping my breath away as she goes. Maybe I should have asked her out on a date rather than giving her a job. This is going to be seriously dangerous, but it’s fun. Jodi Night is the one who’s inspired me, and I’m pretty sure I’ve made the right decision in the end.
“Knock, knock.”
I smile to myself, knowing who it is. “Come in, Josh. I know you’ve been hanging around all day, not doing your work. My casino is probably in chaos downstairs, but don’t you worry about it.”
“Hey, don’t be like that.” He leans his cheeky face around the door, making me laugh. “I’m a kick-ass manager. You wouldn’t have me working for you if not.”
“True, true. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve replaced Callie.”
“You have? Already?”
“Yep. Someone came in, and she was perfect.”
“Oh yeah? What’s she like?”
“She’s got a strong work ethic, a good resume, and the right personality.”
“She must have. I don’t think I’ve ever known you hire someone on the spot. Is she hot?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re married. Don’t you forget that.”
“I’m not married. I just have a girlfriend. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want there to be hot women walking about the place. Anyway, I’m really wondering if that’s the reason you hired her.”
“No way. I’m not like that. I don’t ever mix business with pleasure.”
But those words feel empty as they roll off my tongue. Jodi is trouble. She makes me want to break all the rules. She changes everything.
“Oh, so she is hot then. That should be exciting. But if she’s good at her job, then don’t drive her away.”
“You don’t have a high opinion of me, do you?”
“You know I do. I’ve just seen your striking good looks get you in trouble before.”
“Hmm, yeah, I suppose you’re right. But I’m pushing thirty now. Maybe there will come a time when I want to settle down.”
“Your biological clock ticking?”
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“So that’s a yes then. How old is the new personal assistant?”
“Not that it matters, because it isn’t going to happen—”
“But?”
“She’s twenty-five.”
“Ooh, that’s pretty perfect.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle. “It isn’t perfect. She’s an employee, nothing more. Get your mind out the gutter, you old perv. Don’t try living vicariously through me because you won’t be able to keep up.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Let’s have a drink, shall we? Then we should take a walk around the casino so I can see if it’s still standing.”
“You say that like you don’t just want to take a walk around to admire how far you’ve come. The rags to riches story.”
“It was just a set of good investments.”
Some decisions made on a whim after my marriage fell apart, when she cheated on me with a rich older guy I believe she might still be with now, which resulted in me really improving my life and my mom’s life. Perfect. Of course, my father got nothing, but that’s because he’s living in Europe somewhere with one of the girls in my high school classes.
That was a fun graduation ceremony, to say the least. Finding my father with a cheerleader. In hindsight, maybe that’s why I got hitched in such a rush.
“As if you don’t love it. You have every right to stroll around proud as punch. That’s exactly what you should be doing.”
“Oh, alright then. Let’s do it. Let’s get some whiskey and admire me and my achievements. Sounds like fun.”
But I know I won’t be able to get Jodi off my mind, probably not all weekend. She’s only been gone for a short while, and I miss her already. Her spark is dangerous—it could ignite a fire that spreads rapidly. There’s no telling where this is going to end, but I’m excited to find out.
Chapter 2: Jodi
“How did the interview go?” Millie crosses her fingers hopefully. “Did the guy seem nice? Is the job good?”
“Oh my God, Brock Stanton is everything.” I flop down onto her couch and mock-swoon. “He’s handsome. Honestly, he’s even better in real life than he is in pictures. I fell for him hard.”
“He’s not a blind date. He’s a potential employer! I more mean
about the job anyway.”
Millie laughs as she hands me a steaming mug of coffee. Then she sits opposite me and smiles, but I can see the worry there behind her eyes. She’s scared that this will be another temporary mess that leaves me with no financial security. Little does she know that I kicked ass and I’ve sorted out something epic.
“I know, and not potential. He gave me the job already.”
“He did? That’s incredible news. Oh wow, I’m so happy for you.”
“Yeah, so I’ll be out of your place before you know it. I have a deposit saved up anyway, so it won’t be difficult for me to get a place now that I’ll have a regular income. But thank you for the room. You’ve been a star.”
“It’ll be weird with you gone! I don’t know how I’ll cope.”
“At least we’ll be in the same state again. I’m not going back to New York.”
“Thank God. I wouldn’t be able to relax knowing you’re in the same city as him.”
“You can say his name, you know. It doesn’t bother me as much as it did. I’m away from Thomas King, the asshole I used to work with at the stock market, the guy I went on one date with after my relationship with Harry broke down, and who decided it was a good idea to stalk me when I didn’t want him.”
Maybe I can talk about it with ease now, but it was a dark time. He hacked into my computer, he would leave me a string of psychotic messages, he often broke into my home . . . it was a nightmare. It took me a while to build up enough evidence to get a real case against him too, during which time it took everything I had not to crumble. But even when I got the restraining order against him, it didn’t feel like enough, so I came to Vegas to stay with my high school best friend for a while, just for a break. I didn’t think it’d end up permanent.
“I think it’s time you find a new guy. It’s been a long time since things ended with Lucas.”
“Ah, Lucas. My ill-advised fling when I first arrived in a poor attempt to make myself feel real and alive again. What a mistake that was. Not that he’s a bad person, I suppose. Just very damaged.”
