Shattered Bonds: Book Seven of Wicked Play

by Lynda Aicher

  The truth of that flushed him with a different kind of heat. This one spread through his chest to tremble down his limbs in a tingly rush of amazement. He’d wanted to savor every second, but she broke that resolve with another shattering kiss, just like she’d broken down his walls with her unending need to give. So he gave her what she wanted and drove into her hard.

  He set a pace that made kissing impossible and talking irrelevant. They spoke with their bodies, every touch a confirmation of love, each sound a bond that wove them closer. She surrounded him, held him, and he still couldn’t get enough. Swore he’d never have enough. He curled his arms behind her knees and tilted her hips up until he was buried as deep as he could be within her.

  She clawed at the bedding, her cries ones of passion that flushed her skin. With a growl, he dropped her legs to wrap his arms beneath her and sear her to him. Damp flesh to flesh, he slowed his pace just enough to tease one last plea from her.

  She opened her eyes, blown pupils turning them dark as night. He held her gaze through three slow strokes before her lashes fluttered and she gasped. “Please,” she whimpered. “Make me come.”

  The request flipped a switch that propelled him to the edge. He found her wrists and held them over her head as he drove back into her with skin-slapping stokes that jarred them both. Her legs tensed around him, and he buried his face into her exposed neck to sink his teeth into a tender spot at its base.

  Her cry pierced the air as her muscles clamped around him. He came too, grinding into her with a growl before thrusting hard as his release blew through him to verify every belief of love and commitment he had about them. Liv was his.

  His limbs were heavy, his chest heaving for each breath when the world settled back around him. He released his hold on her wrists to level himself up and study the languid smile that curled over her face.

  Sated and happy. The emotions were mirrored within him.

  She turned her head, eyes fluttering open as her smile grew. She wet her lips in a slow show that enticed him to place a tender kiss on them.

  “Does this mean I get to keep the car?”

  His snort of disbelief was lined with the amusement she never failed to pull from him. “Yes,” he answered around another kiss. “I told you the car was yours.”

  “I was thinking of naming her George.”

  He choked back his laugh to ask, “Her?”

  “Yes, her.” She arched a brow that dared him to disagree with her assessment.

  “Okay. Why George?”

  “Because I will hug her and love her and keep her forever.” Her impish smile fell away as she reached up to run her fingers over his lips. “Just like the man who gave her to me.”

  Her eyes glistened with withheld tears, and he showed her exactly how her words wrapped around his heart to seal up any remaining cracks with her love. The next kiss was gentle yet left him trembling when he lifted his head.

  “And he promises to do the same.” He waited a beat then added, “Bunny.”

  “What?” Her mouth hung open before she smacked him upside the head. “I’m not a bunny.”

  He chuckled and rolled to the side to clean himself up with a tissue before tugging her slightly resisting body into his arms beneath the covers. He burrowed his nose into her hair as she harrumphed against his chest. “Sugar then?”

  She gave his nipple a sharp twist that shot pain tingling over his chest. He took that as a no.

  “Babe?”

  She lifted up with a sigh to glower at him. “What’s wrong with Liv?”

  His heart filled even more as he framed her face. “Nothing,” he insisted. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with Liv. She’s absolutely perfect for me.”

  She stared at him for a moment, mouth working before she ducked her head and settled back into her spot on his chest. “Well, okay,” she huffed. “But I’m still calling her George.”

  That was absolutely perfect, too. He wrapped her in a hug and savored the reality that he finally had someone who complemented him in all the ways that counted. Liv would be his partner in life, which, despite his past beliefs, was what he’d always wanted.

  It’d just taken a strong, generous woman to show him that.

  Epilogue

  “Do you, Deklan Winters, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

  “I do.” His voice rang through the clearing in a smooth note of confidence, his gaze unwavering from the woman he so clearly loved.

  Liv sniffed and dabbed at the tears that insisted on falling. The entire day was beautiful. From the perfect June weather to the flowers bordering the lake to the placid waves that gently lapped against the shore. But most important, the smiling faces of everyone in attendance. It was impossible not to cry with the joy that flowed through the small group that surrounded the wedding couple.

  Noah tugged her close to his side, his kiss spreading down from her temple to flush her with love and the cleansing sense of pure happiness. She wasn’t the only one whose cheeks held a shine. Even the strong, stoic men were blinking back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm them.

  “And do you, Kendra Morgan, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”

  She stared into Deklan’s eyes, her voice strong and clear with conviction. “I do.”

  In so many ways, the simple words spoke for all of them. This ceremony was a new beginning and proof that they’d survived. Harcourt hadn’t won, not even close.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  A cheer went up as Deklan swung Kendra into a low dip and took that kiss with a gentle strength that reconfirmed how much he cherished her.

  Jake gave a loud whoop, and Tyler let loose with a piercing whistle that had them all laughing. It was heaven and peace and renewal in one big swoop.

  Deklan straightened, and Kendra quickly spun around, grabbed the bouquet from her sister’s hands then tossed it over her shoulder. A small gasp went through the crowd, and all eyes followed the arching bunch of promise as it lifted high into the air, only to plunge back down into the unsuspecting hands of Vanessa.

  Another cheer went up while V stood with her mouth open, pure shock on her face. Liv laughed into Noah’s arm at how perfect that was.

  “It’s your turn next, V,” Kendra cheered. Her grin was so open it was impossible not to smile with her.

  The woman had become a close friend since she’d started working full-time at the youth center with Liv three months ago. By some miracle, the only lasting effect of the accident was the bad headaches she still got when overtired. The generous donations that continued to come into the center had allowed Liv to expand and upgrade both the building and the services they provided.

  “What?” V sputtered, even as Holden dipped to his knee before her.

  A hush descended over the group in a wave of stunned expectation. Liv clamped a hand over her mouth, her other one snagging a death-hold around Noah’s wrist.

  Holden took Vanessa’s shaking hand between his, his expression one of such open sincerity that Liv gave up on trying to stop her tears.

  “I agree,” Holden said, his voice deep and certain. “I love you, Vanessa Delcour. You’re my heart, my strength and my partner. I want you with me every day and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Will you marry me?”

  The silence suspended though the group on a held breath as Vanessa swallowed, wet her lips then slowly reached out to slide her palm over Holden’s cheek. “Yes.”

  Holden launched to his feet to swing V into a huge hug. The cheers went up for a second time as he spun her in a circle while she kissed him.

  Liv leaned into Noah and laughed when he handed her another tissue. She mopped up her cheeks, uncaring that half her makeup appeared on the tissue. She’d smartly packed more in her purse that morning.

  V’s feet barely hit the ground before she raced to the front of the group, somehow looking graceful in her four-inch wedged heels on the grass. She gave Kendr
a a quick hug then swung her arm into the air and let the bouquet sail again.

  Liv’s heart hitched as she realized how right V was. This was too good to end.

  The flowers landed with a soft swish in the outstretched hands of Quinn. Her face lit into an exuberant grin as she lifted it into the air, the roar of cheers celebrating with her. Marcus dipped and lifted her with one arm to plant a kiss on her lips as their son clapped along with everyone else in Marcus’s other arm.

  Blake threw his tiny arms around his parents’ necks, his blond hair shining like his mother’s. A round of awws rippled through the air before Marcus set Quinn back down. She beamed at them all, glanced at Marcus then opened her purse. A second later she held up her left hand, fingers wiggling.

  Another collective gasp lifted through the group at the sight of the sparkling diamond band on her ring finger. “Surprise!”

  “What?” Allie cried. “No! When?”

  Quinn ducked then snuggled into Marcus’s side when he gathered her to him. “We eloped back in November,” he said as he stared down at Quinn, the love shining in his expression.

  There was a stunned silence before more shocked cries filled it in.

  “You did what?”

  “Why didn’t tell us?”

  “What the hell?”

  The two grinned and waited for the questions to die down. Marcus lay his head against Blake’s, who’d huddled into his dad’s protection during the ruckus. “After the accident, we realized how vulnerable we’d left Blake.” He pressed a kiss to his son’s head. “Everyone was going through so much, and it was something just for us right then.”

  “Okay,” Seth said, “but that was eight months ago.”

  “Eight crazy months of upheavals and achievements and upsets…” Marcus shrugged.

  “Initially, it never seemed like the right time,” Quinn added. “Then the longer it went, the more awkward it became to bring it up. It had nothing to do with excluding anyone. Really.”

  The minor element of hurt at not being told was overshadowed by understanding. Liv could see where they were coming from. Between recovering, moving and the changes to The Den, the last half year hadn’t been easy for any of them.

  Tyler broke the uneasy tension when he limped up to Marcus. “Congratulations, dude.” He gave him a fist bump. “Well done.”

  Marcus handed Blake over to Quinn and hauled Tyler into a back-pounding hug that had the man grunting and Allie scowling.

  “Careful,” Tyler wheezed around a smile. “I’m fragile. Remember?”

  “Not by a long shot,” Marcus said before swiping the back of his hand over his wet cheek.

  And there came the tears again. Liv dabbed at her eyes and laughed at the same time. Tyler had spent four months in the hospital and the next three enduring painful physical therapy in order to walk again. He might never get rid of the slight limp that remained, but he’d been determined to ditch the cane before the wedding, which he’d done.

  “Okay,” Quinn said, weaving through the crowd with Blake to reach the front, where Kendra and Deklan still stood. “Here we go.” She turned around and bounced in time with her words, Blake giggling along. “One, two, three.”

  The bouquet sailed with a wicked hook to the left to practically nail a startled Rock in the face. The man threw up his hands and ducked as the flowers were crushed in his grasp.

  He stared wide-eyed at the object, then swiveled his head to shoot a panicked look at Carter, who was shaking his head. “Oh hell, no,” Rock said and quickly tossed the bouquet away. “We don’t need the paperwork.”

  Rock and Carter were more than solid in the bond they already had, and the laughter increased when the flowers bounced off Seth’s head to land in Allie’s hands. She stared at it for a moment before swinging her gaze between Seth and Tyler.

  Liv caught her breath as the moment turned serious again. The three had moved into a sprawling ranch house in a gated community not far from Noah’s new house when Tyler had been released from the hospital. Allie’s parents still refused to speak to her, but one of her brothers had shown up to help them move and was still part of their lives.

  “This should be interesting,” Noah murmured. Allie had joined his law practice as a new partner, focusing on pro bono and community action, so he had firsthand knowledge of how tenacious she could be.

  Allie turned to face her men, her expression tender. “I love you both more than I will ever be able to say.”

  “Ditto to that,” Tyler replied, a hitch in his voice as he took Seth’s hand.

  “The law won’t let me marry you both, and I could never choose just one of you.” She wiped away a tear and sniffed. “Plus, there’s no way a piece of paper will ever make what we share stronger. I already have everything I want, which is more than I ever expected.”

  Allie disappeared into a man sandwich that left her curly hair puffing out over Seth’s shoulder.

  “That’s good,” Seth said, his nose buried in her curls.

  “Because you’re not getting rid of us,” Tyler finished before he pulled each of them into a kiss.

  Liv leaned into Noah, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her to his chest. She tilted her head and let the confirmations warm her. Smiles filled the face of everyone in attendance. How could they not? In addition to the close-knit Den family, Kendra’s family was there, as well as other friends who’d supported them and the club through the aftermath of the accident. Another celebration was planned at the club next weekend, but this day had been kept small on purpose.

  Allie pushed her way out from between the two guys, laughing. “Okay. There’s no point in me heading to the front.” She met Cali’s gaze and tossed the bouquet over before the other woman could back away.

  “What?” Cali caught the flowers, a deer-in-the-headlights expression falling over her usually composed face. “I’m good.” Her hand went to the choker as she spun around to face Jake.

  He studied her, another silence descending. He cupped her face, his eyes soft with emotions he reserved for her. “You are.” He swiped a thumb over the delicate silver collar. “You’re still mine, right?”

  Cali clamped a hand around Jake’s wrist and nodded. “Yes,” she whispered, then stronger. “Yes.” She was engulfed in Jake’s embrace an instant later. “I’ll always be yours.”

  Noah handed Liv yet another tissue, and she wiped at her eyes with a soft chuckle. She could always count on Noah to be there with whatever she needed. They’d had their bumps, including some heated disputes over his habit of buying whatever she wanted and her stubbornness in refusing to accept it all. But she loved the home they’d made together with walls full of vibrant colors she’d insisted they paint themselves.

  Cali broke away from Jake, made an exaggerated scan of the group, then turned to Liv with a broad grin. “There’s only one left,” she singsonged.

  Oh… Liv backpedaled into Noah, who didn’t move an inch. Her pulse took off when everyone turned to face them, the same expressions of cunning and mischief on their faces. She really should’ve expected it, but she was still stunned when Cali tossed the bouquet at her.

  Liv panicked. That was the only excuse she had for failing to grab hold of the flowers when they hit her shoulder. The bundle bounced off and started to plunge to the ground on a startled gasp before Noah shot his hand out to snag the wrapped stems before the petals touched the grass.

  A cheer went up, but Liv barely heard it behind the roar in her ears. There wasn’t… He wouldn’t… This wasn’t…

  “I was going to wait until later.” Noah dropped to a knee. “But…”

  …happening.

  “Liv,” he said.

  And everything calmed. What she heard in her name was “I love you,” “you’re beautiful,” “you’re mine.” That was what this day was really about. The victory of love and the promise it had given them all when someone had tried to destroy it.

  She reached out with the hand he wasn’t holding to
brush his curl to the side. “Noah,” she mimicked, ensuring her tone carried everything his had.

  “Do I need to say more?” He raised a brow, and she ran her fingers over the uplifted arc.

  She gave a small shake, smiling. “I already heard it.”

  “But I have more,” he said, his eyes open windows to his soul. “You came into my life and made me want to live again. You reminded me how to laugh and to find the joy in the little things. Your generous spirit fills my life with the love you freely give to everyone.” Noah brought her fingers to his lips for a soft kiss that sent another wave of unchecked tears down her cheeks. “But it’s the love you hold for me that I treasure the most.”

  He reached into his pocket to retrieve a small velvet box, and Liv had no chance of controlling the full-body tremble that consumed her. He flipped the lid open to reveal a simple but elegant princess-cut solitaire diamond on a platinum band. “Will you marry me?”

  It hit Liv right then that he’d planned this. It wasn’t a proposal based on pressure or a rush of the moment. This was Noah thinking ahead and setting his agenda before the rest of them had even thought of it.

  This was real.

  Just like their love.

  “Yes.” Liv burst into a grin so big her cheeks hurt. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  She threw her arms around his neck when he swept her into a hug so tight she knew he’d never let her go. His kiss was deep and full and said even more than the words he’d spoken. She gave it back and let the happiness take permanent root in her heart.

  He set her back to slip the ring onto her finger, her hand shaking the entire time. The weight of it was the permanence she’d originally doubted. The one she’d questioned and had subconsciously avoided.

  “Of course he’d have a ring!”

  She looked up at Holden’s remark and laughed through her tears.

  Noah flicked a smile at the other man and winked. “Of course I would.”

  The rush of hugs and congratulations was spread through the entire group. This family built on love was one that would endure and last. Adversity had only made them stronger, brought them closer and ensured that no matter what the future brought, they’d always have each other.