Picture Perfect Lie

by Marquita Valentine

  “Why there?”

  “Duke and his ex-wife eloped there.” I cock my head to the side. “Not the best example, I give you that, but I do know we can be married in less than four hours... What do you say?”

  Chapter 23

  Campbell

  “I can’t give you the answer you want right now.”

  At Knight’s shocked look, I grab Hazel’s monitor and bolt outside.

  Fully expecting him to come after me, I quicken my steps to the shoreline. It’s hard to hear anything over the crashing waves this time of year. Besides, I doubt he’ll propose to me again, out in the open. Our lie would be exposed, then.

  But he doesn’t come after me.

  My heart cracks even more, which is stupid considering I need time to think away from him.

  I hold the baby monitor to my ear, listening for any hint that might tell me what Knight’s doing. Is he leaving? Packing? Calling up that Marisa chick so they can have a family reunion?

  I blow out a breath.

  My imagination is in overdrive and my emotions... my emotions are fractured, a lot like my heart.

  “The water is not fine, so do not jump in,” Quinn says from behind me.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask, not in the mood for small talk.

  She comes to stand beside me, shoving her hand into the pockets of the maxi dress she’s wearing. “In the neighborhood.”

  “Hazel’s sleeping—it’s nap time.”

  “I know. Knight threatened decapitation if I woke her up.” The wind blows her hair around. “It wasn’t very twinly of him to let you come out here by yourself, so I decided to stop you from going swimming.”

  Sometimes... I think Quinn doesn’t even believe the crap that comes out of her mouth. “Hazel was super cranky today. I think she’s trying to cut her first tooth.” I don’t want Quinn to get caught up in the middle of our fight. “I can text you when she wakes up?”

  “Knight asked me to talk some sense into you,” she says, and I sneak a peek at her.

  “Why would you need to do that?”

  “Because he asked you to marry him, and apparently, you said maybe later?” She brushes her hair out of her face so casually, as if informing me she knows my secret isn’t the second scariest thing in my life right now.

  “I said I couldn’t give him the answer he wanted to hear.”

  “Good for you.”

  “Really?”

  She nods. “Yeah, I mean, Knight’s not a great catch at all. He’s too into saving people for a living. I mean, who needs guys like that? And Hazel doesn’t need her dad. That’s crazy talk.”

  My heart skitters out of control. “I didn’t ask him to save me.”

  “Yet he did it anyway.” Quinn gazes up at the sky and then back at me, her silver eyes, so like her twin’s, sad. “I’m not going to try to convince you to say yes to him. But I do want you to consider a few things before you give him the answer you can live with.”

  “And those would be?”

  “One, he carries a lot of guilt—like all the time—for not being able to stop our father from killing himself. When Laird disappeared, that was another strike against his soul... Knight can’t stop himself from helping people. It’s like breathing, and I thought that you got that about him, maybe even loved him for it. Understood his need to right all the wrongs he can because that’s what drives him.”

  “I didn’t know about your dad.”

  She shrugs. “It was a long time ago.”

  “Laird’s disappearance wasn’t.”

  “No, it wasn’t. To be honest, we all know he’s dead. All of us except Ophelia.”

  A lump forms in my throat, huge and overwhelming. “I can’t fault her for that. I would, too, if something happened to Knight. I would... I wouldn’t think the worse until I could touch and see... proof.”

  “Same here. Anyway, back to my brother. I have never seen him like this. Never. And he sure as hell has never lied to me about a woman before. Not to protect her. Not to get us to like her... He’s never had a reason to protect someone so much. But you... for whatever reason—you made a liar out of my brother.”

  “I didn’t mean for things to go this far. I had to protect Hazel. My parents wanted to take her from me.”

  “Does Knight know?”

  “No. I was too ashamed to tell him.” I wipe my eyes, anger and helplessness converging to make me cry. “It’s fine now. They kicked me out. Told me that we were never welcome back.”

  “Knight wouldn’t have let them take her away from y’all.”

  Not even Knight has that kind of power, but I don’t bother telling her that. “I know. He would have fought for her. Protected us.”

  “Exactly.”

  “What’s the other reason I should give him the answer I can live with?”

  Quinn smile trembles on her lips. “Because he’s leaving tomorrow, and I would hate for something to happen in order for you to realize that the two of you deserve each other.”

  My hand goes to my throat. “He’s leaving tomorrow? B—but he said that he had two more days.”

  “One of those days is for military stuff. You can’t be there for that.”

  I take off running to the house, tripping over a sand bank and pushing myself up again. When I get to the back porch, I’m covered in sand and sweating, but that’s not going to stop me from telling Knight what I can live with.

  “I can’t live without you,” I shout, yanking open the door.

  “Shh,” he says as he gently bounces Hazel in his arms. “She just woke up, but I don’t think she got her nap out.”

  “Okay.” I rip my shirt off. “Give her to me. I’ll nurse her back to sleep and then we’ll talk.”

  “No.”

  “But I’m covered in sand.”

  He lifts his gaze to mine. “I can’t wait that long, sweetness.”

  Because you’re leaving tomorrow. My heart turns in my chest. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Right now. Tonight.”

  Love and relief flash in those silver depths. “I’m going to make you so damn happy, Campbell. You won’t regret saying yes to me.”

  “I know.”

  “Why are we whispering,” Quinn says, and I start to laugh.

  “Hazel woke up.”

  “Did you say yes?”

  I nod. “Mind watching Hazel for us so we can elope?”

  “I’m actually busy. What about tomorrow?”

  My eyes almost bug out of my head. “We can’t wait until tomorrow. Tell her, Knight.”

  He moves closer to me. “We can wait until tomorrow.”

  “But you have military stuff to do.”

  He smirks a little. “Quinn lied.”

  I swing my gaze back to her.

  She grins guiltily. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for true love winning.”

  “I can’t believe... Fine, we can wait until tomorrow.” I scoop up my shirt from the floor. “I need a shower.”

  “Make it quick,” Knight says, stopping me from leaving the room. “We’re going today, and we’re taking our daughter with us.”

  “So romantic.” Quinn sighs. “Too bad I can’t tell anyone.”

  “We owe you,” I say, keeping my eyes fixed on the man I love. “You can go now.”

  “I’m going. I’m going.” She squeezes her bother’s arm and blows Hazel a kiss as she leaves.

  “I love you, Campbell.” Holding Hazel to his chest, Knight bends down and presses a sweet kiss to my lips. One that’s full of promises I know he will keep.

  “And I love you.”

  Epilogue

  Knight

  ONE YEAR LATER

  Today, I’m finally going to be a father.

  In my heart, Hazel’s been my daughter since I first laid eyes on her in the Atlanta airport... and when I married her mother, that sealed the deal.

  However, there’s always been the matter of legally making Hazel a King. I don’t want her growing up without my last name and
all the security that comes with it.

  And her real father didn’t give a damn. He had no problem at all signing away his rights to her.

  While she’s not related to me by blood, she’s irrevocably part of my heart and soul, but since the legal system doesn’t count those integral parts of me as proof, we’re at the county courthouse in Royal Bay to make it official.

  Hazel’s wearing her favorite princess dress, as she calls the outfits her aunt Quinn buys. Pale blonde curls are held back with a bow bigger than her head.

  I suppose that’s fashion for little girls.

  Plus, if it makes Hazel and her momma happy, then I’m not going to argue with that, or stop my twin from spoiling her niece.

  Campbell looks gorgeous and sexy, her stomach slightly rounded from where Hazel’s little brother or sister is growing inside. We haven’t told anyone yet, but I’m about to burst at the thought of being so blessed.

  I never thought I deserved a family like this, with a woman who loves me so fiercely and completely. But the powers that be proved me wrong.

  Campbell proved me wrong.

  I thank God every day for putting me on the path that led to her and Hazel. My life was so empty before then, filled with things that couldn’t make me whole.

  Hazel grabs my hand. “Hold me, Daddy.”

  “Always, baby.” I pick her up, putting her on my hip. She lays her head on my shoulder, her pale curls tickling my face. “Ready to go inside and meet the nice judge?”

  “Nope.”

  Campbell laughs. “Are you ready to have an ice cream cone and watch the turtles?”

  I feel Hazel nod. “Nope.”

  “Women,” I mutter, earning a hip check from my wife.

  “Not women. Toddlers.” She shakes her head at me. “You have a lot to learn—and oh my word. Is that your mother?”

  Squinting against the sun, I spy my mother crossing Royal Bay’s courthouse parking lot. She smiles when she sees we’ve spotted her.

  “Um. I swear I didn’t say anything.” I grab Campbell’s hand with my free one. “I hope... shit. Shoot. I’ll take care of it.”

  “No.” Campbell lifts her chin. “I’m not ashamed of my past, and I’m so proud of you for wanting to make our daughter legally yours.”

  “I’m so sorry I’m late, but by the time Judge Watkins emailed me, I barely had time to change.” She takes Hazel from me. “How is my precious grandbaby today?”

  “Hungry for ice cream.”

  Campbell smooths the bottom of Hazel’s dress. “We promised to take her to get some and to watch the turtles.”

  “I hope you don’t mind if I tag along.”

  “Momma,” I begin. “We’re here because—“

  “Yes, dear, I know, and if we don’t get going, we’ll be late and then I’ll be forced to use my influence to get another judge to push the paperwork through, or whatever needs to be done for y’all.”

  “You’re not surprised,” Campbell says.

  Lifting her shoulders, she smiles ruefully. “A mother knows, honey, and a mother also knows how to count backward. When you got pregnant with Hazel, Knight was on a mission in Syria for two months. So unless you’re originally from there and met my son during that time...”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  My momma’s mouth trembles. “Because who in their right mind would turn down such a precious gift as Campbell and Hazel?”

  “Not me, that’s for damn sure,” I agree, then catch Campbell’s eye. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”

  “I love you,” she whispers, then she hugs my mother. “And I love you, Jane Ellen.”

  My mother wipes at her eyes and smiles. “You two are going to mess up my face.” She waves us on. “Let’s get this little girl her proper last name.”

  I sling my arm around Campbell. Together, we walk inside the courthouse.

  Thank you for reading Knight and Campbell’s book. If you loved their book, please consider leaving a review.

  Up next is Quinn King’s story in BIG TALKING MAN, coming May 22!

  I, Quinn King, do solemnly swear that I’m not the least bit attracted to my brother’s best friend, all-around pain in my tail, and sexiest man alive, Tate Prescott... anymore.

  He’s a big-shot actor turned director out in L.A. and spends his days sweet-talking actresses right out of their Agent Provocateur Lingerie... or so the tabloids say.

  Apparently he’s run out of playmates, because Tate’s returned home under the guise of giving back to our community by filming his next blockbuster here in Castle Beach. The salon I own is busier than ever because of it, too.

  What the women around here don’t realize is that Tate is the love-them-and-leave-them type. But I haven’t forgotten, and I refuse to be the girl who wastes her time on him.

  Then one day on my way to work, my car breaks down and who ends up rescuing me but Tate himself. Before I can say thanks but no thanks, he’s demanding to be repaid with a date. Then one date turns into two, then three and...

  I might be addicted to his kisses, his washboard abs, and... well, you get the picture.

  Now everyone thinks we’re a couple.

  Worse, I think we’re a couple.

  In the end, though, Tate will go back to L.A., no matter what he promises... just like he did before, because he's nothing but a big-talking man.

  Add to your Goodreads TBR

  More Books by Marquita Valentine

  Standalones

  Scored

  Sidelined

  Nailed

  Kings of Castle Beach

  Picture Perfect Lie

  Big Talking Man

  What Lovers Do

  Dirty Little Secrets

  Hide Your Crazy

  Take the Fall Series

  Take the Fall

  When We Fall

  After We Fall

  Hard to Fall

  The Lawson Brothers

  Love So Hot

  Love So True

  Love so Irresistible

  Love So Tempting

  Love So Perfect

  Love So Unexpected

  Love So Right

  Love So Wild

  The Brides of Holland Springs Series

  The Billionaire Bride

  The Temporary Bride

  The Forgotten Bride

  The Christmas Bride

  The Scottish Bride

  Seducing the Billionaire Series

  Seducing the Billionaire’s Wife

  Seducing the Billionaire’s Secretary

  Holland Springs Series

  Drive Me Crazy

  Driving To You

  Twice Tempted

  Third Times the Charm

  His Christmas Wish

  Not Over You

  Be Mine

  Royals in Exile

  Royal Scandal

  Royal Affair

  About the Author

  Marquita Valentine is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance.

  Since first taking the plunge in July of 2012, Marquita has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling Ebooks Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes&Noble. She’s been called “one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been accused of being “a sexy, fun, and slightly addicting contemporary read” (The Book Queen).

  When she’s not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south with her husband, two kids, and a dog.

  www.marquitavalentine.com

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