A Love to Cherish (Finding Love Series Book 2)

by Tory Baker

  “Neither do you.” He licks his lower lip, making me clinch my legs together. I throw the sheets off, sliding out of bed, and make my way to the bathroom.

  “Care to join me?” I ask him.

  “You’re killing me, woman. Any other day and I’d have you slammed up against the shower wall.” With his words alone, I can feel the wetness gather between my thighs. With the way he speaks to me, my body always craves more.

  “Maybe next time,” I reply.

  I make fast work of the shower, wash my hair, and shave before getting out to brush my teeth. I throw on a robe that the villa provided, leaving myself bare underneath for Colt.

  “Hey Colt, did you order breakfast?” I come out asking.

  Stopping dead in my tracks, “Holy freaking hell, there’s no way!” I scream out. Standing before me is my mom, Presley, Callie, and Clairabella.

  “How is this possible?” I ask them.

  “Well, see, Colt came to your father and I not long ago and told us his plans. Basically, we’re here to get you ready for your wedding. Tonight,” my mom says as she comes up to take my hand to look at the ring Colt gave me.

  “Tonight? How is that even possible?” I murmur out loud.

  “That’s where we come in. Momma Grace got everyone here and the ball rolling and then Callie and I helped with your dress,” Presley says.

  “This, it’s a dream come true. I mentioned in passing once about a destination wedding and Colt is making all of my dreams and wishes come true.” Tears are filling my eyes.

  “None of that, we have a wedding to get ready for, but first we need food,” I say. “Bella, have you eaten breakfast yet?”

  “No, but Uncle Colt said he ordered me French toast, just the way I like it with extra syrup, too,” the sass in her voice telling me she roped Colt into this.

  “Oh, I bet. Well, let’s eat. Then I’m pretty sure you have a job to do today, too?”

  “Yes, Auntie Pres said I’ll be the flower girl and Noah will be the ring bearer, isn’t that right Auntie Lala?” she asks.

  “You are absolutely correct,” I tell her as we sit around the table to eat our breakfast with everyone laughing and carrying on.

  24

  Colt

  While the girls were getting ready, my dad, Dylan, Silas, Nash, Reed, and Lincoln, along with baby Noah, made sure everything was good to go for our sunset wedding.

  “She’s all yours now, are you ready for all things Lyla?” Dylan, Lyla’s dad asks.

  “Oh yeah, I knew it the minute she came in spitting mad that Silas had her doing his dirty work,” I replied.

  “About that, I think you’ll thank me later. Hell, you should probably thank me now. If it wasn’t for me being a needy prick, you wouldn’t be here,” Silas grunts.

  “Whatever you say, Silas, whatever you say. You knew Lyla was yours like I knew deep in my bones Presley was meant for me. Don’t let him think for one second it was his doing,” Lincoln says while he holds Noah, his head in the crook of his neck with his thumb in his mouth. Seeing what Lincoln and Presley have, even seeing Callie with Clairabella, I know deep in my soul it will only be a matter of time until Lyla and I have one of our own.

  “He can think what he wants, Lyla would have appeared in my life one way or the other. Are we ready to head our own ways and get ready for this shindig?”

  “Yeah, we have an hour until it’s go time,” my dad says.

  My parents have never met Lyla or her parents, they didn’t care though. They welcomed our wedding with open arms. I knew as soon as I called them, they’d be willing and ready to help us out.

  “I’m ready when you are, is everything done?” I ask.

  “Yep, we just left the venue, and everything is set up. All we have to do is show up,” Reed states.

  “Whelp, I guess we better go get in our Sunday best, boys,” Dylan states, slapping me on the back. I watch him and his sons head to their room before turning back to look at my dad, “What are you thinking about over there?”

  “How damn proud I am of you. You made your shop a massive success, didn’t take the offer we gave you to even help you start it, and now look at you. You’re so in love, much like I am with your Mom. I see nothing but good things from here on out for you and Lyla. Even without meeting her, I know she’s the one for you. Plus, look at how much her friends and family banded around you and Lyla for this to take off. I’m damn proud son, damn proud,” he reiterates while bringing me into a hug. My dad isn’t normally the one to tell you his emotions and how he feels — that’s usually Mom’s department. He even has me choked up with what he’s telling me.

  “Thanks, Dad. It means a lot, you and Mom raised me not to take life for granted, not to live off of someone else’s wealth. I had to do this on my own, but without your advice I probably would have never made it,” I say with honesty.

  “Love you, Colt,” He gives me a hug and I respond, “Love you too, Dad,” then we head off to get ready. I have a bride to marry.

  25

  Lyla

  “Ouch,” I say out loud after pinching myself, feeling like I’m living in a fairytale right now. The girls helped me get ready, along with my mom and Colt’s Mom, who is so sweet. It’s like having another bonus Mom in our family.

  I’m standing in front of the mirror, my hair is done in a low bun with soft tendrils falling around my face, my makeup is simple and understated, but my dress. Dear God, it’s the dream dress I envisioned when us three were teenagers and flipping through magazines looking at what would be our dream wedding. It’s cream in color. I never wanted the white dress with a puffy ball gown feel, instead I always wanted softer muted tones. A dress that was simple yet elegant, it has a plunging back, cap sleeves, it’s fitted to my frame, and detailed with all the lace overlay I could ever dream of.

  “What are you ouching about?” Callie comes up beside me in her bridesmaid dress. She’s as beautiful as ever in her silverfish-grey colored, v-neck chiffon mermaid dress. Her and Presley look amazing in them.

  “I swear it’s like I’m dreaming and this can’t be real life,” I blow out a puff of air, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. I’m not nervous about marrying Colt, it’s more like I’m so excited I can’t stand myself.

  “Well you aren’t dreaming. You and Presley, you’ve been there for me every step of the way, and I couldn’t be happier and prouder than I am of you two now. Not to mention, both of the men you chose accepted all the craziness that goes along with us and Clairabella.” Tears are shimmering in her eyes, which is making my eyes tear up. “Oh my gosh, you two. Stop, I’m usually the one crying, why are you two crying?” Presley comes to join in.

  “This woman, it’s all her fault,” I point my thumb at Callie blaming her, which causes us all to laugh. Callie is usually the one keeping us in line, now it seems to be Presley’s job.

  “Well, we need to dry it up, we have fifteen minutes until we’re set to go and Clairabella has something to give you from Colt.”

  “What in the world could that man give me that he already hasn’t?” I question.

  “That’s easy to answer Auntie Lala,” she’s in her flower girl dress, ivory in color like my own, and a sash wrapped around her waist that’s the same color has Presley and Callie’s dress.

  “Oh yeah, and how is that,” I bend down to give her a squeeze, when we break apart, she hands me a small wrapped box.

  I take it out of her hand and ask her, “Will you pull the bow off for me?” she does as I ask with a big smile on her face. Opening the lid to the box my heart stops.

  “What is it?” Bella asks.

  “It’s a vintage locket,” I take it out of the box, you can tell it’s older and weathered but so amazingly beautiful. I open the locket and my heart swells even more. On one side there’s a picture of Colt and me, and on the other side there’s a picture of Bella.

  “Oh, Auntie Lala, that is so so pretty,” she says in awe.

  “It sure is, wil
l you help me put it on?” I ask her.

  “Yes! Mommy, will you help me too?” Callie comes up and shows her how to work the clasp and together they put Colt’s present around my neck.

  “Thank you, thank you all so very much,” I turn around and say this to everyone, my mom, Colt’s mom, Marie, Presley, Callie, and Clairabella.

  We hug, smile, and laugh, then make our way out the door.

  26

  Colt

  “God damn you are gorgeous,” I tell Lyla as we sway to the music at our reception, watching her walk down the aisle almost had me on my knees. The small smile, the way her dress molded around her hourglass figure, the ring and necklace I gave her on her body. I don’t care if you’re a grown ass man, seeing your woman walking towards you, knowing you’re going to grow old with her, love her unconditionally, it’s all I could have ever asked for. All the money in the world can’t buy you what I have in Lyla.

  “Colt,” she purrs, feeling me press my hard cock into her lower stomach.

  “I can’t wait to strip you down, have you bare for me in nothing but the rings I put on your finger and my necklace that’s wrapped around your neck,” I finger her collarbone, tracing the line around her throat.

  “We can leave now, right?” she asks.

  “If we leave right now, your Dad will probably stab me with the fork he has in his hand right now,” I laugh.

  “I’ll tell Mom, I’ll just say we’re working on making them grandparents.” That tightness in my chest about wanting to see her round with our child, fuck what it does to me.

  With one fell swoop, I pick her up, my arms under her knees and along her back as I carry her out of our reception.

  Whoops and hollering are happening, but nothing can get in the way of getting her to our room, her face is buried in my neck, the slight teasing of her tongue as she tastes me almost makes me stumble.

  I move in double time once she starts nibbling on my neck, only stopping to put her down to open the door to our villa.

  “Hurry,” Lyla’s body is wrapped around mine even though she isn’t in my arms. When the door finally opens, I pick her up again and carry her over the threshold. I don’t give a fuck if this isn’t our home or not, if I can keep her in my arms always, I will.

  A few strides later, we’re at the bed and she slides down my body. “I’m going to need you to get undressed, Mr. Montgomery.”

  “Oh, I will Mrs. Montgomery, but first I’m going to undress you. Turn around for me.” My voice is thick with need. Lyla does what I ask, my fingertips trace her spine, her body lights up underneath me.

  “Watching you walk down the aisle towards me, it was a feeling I can’t even describe. I know you were pissed as hell about your brothers making you run their errands, but I’m thankful as ever,” I rasp in her ear as I step closer behind her, my hand wedged between us, as I slowly lower the zipper that starts at the base of her spine, traveling down to her legs.

  When she puts her arms down to her side, it falls to her feet, “You’ve got to be kidding me, you’ve been bare underneath this dress all evening?” I groan.

  Lyla gives me a coy smile over her shoulder, it makes me want to bend her over this bed, spank her ass, and take her as hard as I can.

  “Yeah, and it’s all for you.”

  “You’re definitely asking for my hand to mark your ass, Lyla,” I skim my hands along the side of her body until the palms of my hands are being filled by her breasts, her head tilts back on my shoulder.

  “You better watch out, Colt. I might like what you’re offering,” I pinch her nipples in response, making her moan for me again, her ass massaging my cock, and that’s when I can’t take it anymore. I back away and strip out of my suit I wore to our wedding until I’m naked.

  She’s on the bed naked, her legs spread, eyes on me. “Why, Mr. Montgomery are you happy to see me?”

  “I’m more than happy to see you.” I come down between her legs, grabbing the back of them, holding her open with the crook of my elbows. With one thrust I’m seated deep inside her. “Oh God, Colt,” Lyla whimpers. Our first time together as husband and wife, our eyes never leaving one another’s, and I hope like hell when I come inside her, we’ll make a child of our own.

  27

  Lyla

  Two Weeks Later

  Colt and I came home a week after we said our vows in front of our closest friends and family. He even had his best friend, Richard, there as his best man. We didn’t get to see him a whole lot the day of the wedding, but we were able to have breakfast with him and the whole family the next day before they all departed for the airport.

  “Ugh,” I say to myself. I’m working on a flat lay for a fashion designer at home. Our home. By the time we got back from Barbados, the girls had already moved me into Colt’s house and all I had to do was unpack.

  “What’s wrong?” Colt asks from the doorway of the home office we set up. He’s on one side and I’m on the other. My mess is usually strewn everywhere, and he doesn’t seem to mind one bit. He just laughs, knowing I’ll put it all away at the end of the night.

  “I can’t get my stupid phone to work right, I swear technology is not my thing,” I say, standing up with my hand on my hip, ready to throw the phone at the wall.

  “Let me see it, baby.” He holds the palm of his hand out for my phone and I gladly hand it over to him before sitting down on the floor, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to come out. I would never cry over something like this.

  “This is bananas,” I say out loud.

  “What’s wrong now?” he hands me back my phone. “You had it on the wrong settings, you can’t have it on slow motion if you want it on portrait mode.”

  “Little shit like this, it’s making me want to cry, and I’m so damn tired lately,” I complain.

  “Well babe, you think maybe it’s that time of the month or you could be pregnant?” Colt throws out.

  I get up from my place on the floor and fly to my desk to look at my calendar. “Holy shit, I know we joked about it at our wedding, but Colt, I think we need to get to the store now,” I rush out.

  “Let’s go,” he replies without a care in the world, but he has a smile plastered on his face.

  “Are you ready for this?” I ask, just in case.

  “Lyla, pretty sure the first time I came inside you. I know now, I knew it then, and I’ll know it forever. You’re it for me, and I’m more than ready to have a munchkin or five running around.”

  “Did you just say five?”

  “Yep, I was an only child, you know that. I hated it. I want our kids to be surrounded by siblings.” He grabs my hand, taking it in his and bringing it to his mouth to kiss my knuckles.

  “Okay, but can we reconsider five kids? I’m one of four, and while our house is much bigger, five babies with heads the size of a watermelon coming out of my vagina —I think we should think on this. I saw Bella and Noah’s birth, and yeah. I’m not sure on five,” I think I reiterate it until I get my point across.

  “How about four?” Apparently, I didn’t.

  “Three?” I counter.

  “I’m good with three, let’s go get a test and see how things go. No matter what, know this Lyla Montgomery — I love you and what we have, it’s a love to cherish each and every day.” Cue the waterworks because with that statement there’s no way I wouldn’t be a blubbering mess.

  “I love you, Colt, more than I could ever say.” Tears are rolling down my cheeks. Colt takes me as I am, wiping the tears off of my cheeks, kissing my lips lightly, and then taking my hand to lead me towards the front door so we can go to the store and get a pregnancy test.

  I giggle along the way, giddy with the promise of a baby in our future. This is definitely one of my favorite moments in our life.

  28

  Colton

  “No way, no how, Mister! You are not watching me pee on a stick. There is no way you’re coming in here while I do this.” I just smirk at Lyla with her
attitude in full throttle.

  “Whatever, you think this is bad? This is nothing, but I’ll give you the privacy, but the minute you’re done, I’m coming in,” I state.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you, now give a girl some privacy, please.” She pushes me out of the bathroom and slams the door in my face. All I can do is chuckle and wait until I hear the toilet flush.

  “You’re a weirdo, Colt. I know you never left the door. I’m washing my hands then I’ll let you in,” she hollers through the door.

  She’s not wrong. I’m still standing where she left me, only now I’m leaning up against the dresser we have by the door leading to the bathroom.

  “What was that about being a weirdo?” I murmur.

  “Oh hush, are you ready to see if we’re pregnant? It should only take a few more minutes until we know.” She’s standing at the opening of the bathroom, her hands wringing together. I place my hands over hers, my forehead meets hers. “We got this, babe.” I reassure her, she takes a step back, I keep my hands on her hips as she walks backwards.

  “Did you set a timer?” I ask Lyla.

  “Yeah, we have two minutes left.” I bring her in for a hug, whispering in her ear, “I’m thinking I want a little girl, one that has her Mother’s dark hair, light skin, infectious smile, and has a heart of gold.”

  “You can’t say stuff like that, not when I can see us having a little boy, with tousled hair so much like his father’s, green eyes that are full of mischief, and this happy go lucky vibe that I love so much.” We’re both whispering for no good reason, just telling each other our hopes and dreams.