“No, just the opposite. It makes me feel safe.” I let go of my knees and move closer to him, needing to feel that safety. He takes my hand, holding it like the connection means everything, and it does. He’s been my rock the last few weeks. Never once did I see the love he has for me waver, even when I just now told him the worst of it all.
“Fuck,” he whispers again, and I move closer, needing a stronger physical connection to him. I push him back against the couch and straddle his lap. I push my chest against his and slide my core against him, heating my body instantly as it remembers the connection between us. This is what I want life to be about with him. Love. Strength. Passion. Understanding. It all stems from the connection we have with one another.
“Make me forget.” I reach up to cup his face, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. “I want your touch to be the one I think about when I need to forget. Please, Kingston. I need you.”
“You have me. Any way you want me,” he tells me before claiming my lips and claiming my soul. He chases away the memories, replacing them with new ones, ones I’ll never let go of.
Chapter Forty-Five
The Proposal
Kingston
It’s sometime after two in the morning when we find our bed. We’ve spent the last few hours reacquainting ourselves with one another, erasing the memories she’s desperate to leave behind. She’s snuggled into my side, wearing my shirt and nothing else. Her long, dark hair is spread out across the pillow; its scent fills my nose.
“I love you, Kingston Cole.” Her voice penetrates the darkness, and I pull her in closer to me.
“I love you, too, Queenie.” Kissing the top of her head, I inhale her more deeply. My body is exhausted, but my hunger for her is insatiable.
“Marry me,” she whispers sleepily. I shift, looking down at her in the dark. Her green eyes glow up at me, and I realize she isn’t asleep but completely coherent.
“Queenie...”
“I can’t think of anything else I want more in this world than to spend the rest of my life with you, Kingston.” Her finger runs along the length of my side. I can’t help but shiver from her touch. “We’ve been through a lot, some might say too much, but there isn’t another man in this world for me. No man I would rather do it all, see it all, experience it all with. The good and the bad. The dark and the light. Just you. The way I see it, we’re heading down this road, have been since we first laid eyes on one another. I don’t want to wait another day. Marry me.”
“You don’t have to convince me, Queenie. I’ve been trying to tell you this very thing since the moment you let me back into your life. You are mine,” I growl, quickly moving to hover over her. She spreads her legs and wraps them tightly around me. I feel my cock stir to life against her. Like I said, insatiable.
“And you are mine,” she responds with a seductive smile before pulling my lips down to hers and kissing me with a new desperation. Her hands run along the length of my back, caressing it with the tips of her fingers.
“Say you’ll marry me,” she murmurs against my lips, pushing her hips high against me.
“Are you trying to seduce me into answering you?”
“That depends,” she smiles. “Is it working?”
I chuckle before flicking my tongue across the seam of her lips. She opens hers in response, yielding under my control. I plunge my tongue into her mouth, tasting her for the thousandth time, but it’s a taste I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of.
She pushes against my chest, and I pull back to look down at her.
“Are you going to give me an answer?”
“I didn’t think I needed to.” I run a finger down the side of her face, stopping at her chin. Her soft, pale skin looks like perfect porcelain against her dark hair. Even with the rosy flush of her arousal, she looks like a goddess.
“Say the words, Kingston.” She tilts her head down, trying to give me a serious stare. “I want to hear you say it.”
I lower my lips to her once more, brushing them lightly across hers. I can’t help it; I never want to stop kissing her. Smiling down at her, I finally say the words, giving her the answer she already knows to be true.
“Yes, Mississippi Rivers, I’ll marry you.”
How could I not?
Without her, I’d be lost.
Chapter Forty-Six
Going to the Chapel
Missy
I glance down at the simple silver band adorning the third finger on my left hand and can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I look over at the man sitting behind the wheel of the large black truck and sigh. His matching band twinkles back at me as the midday sun catches it through the window.
He looks over at me and smiles. He reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a kiss on my ring.
“Happy?”
I nod, looking over at my shoulder at the two little people sitting quietly behind us, staring out the window next to them.
Kingston wanted a large wedding. I didn’t. I only wanted my man and our children present. Maybe it was out of character for me to want to keep such a special moment quiet and secret from our friends and family. But the way I saw it, after everything we’ve been through the last few months, this moment was one I didn’t want to share with anyone. Not yet at least. And I know our friends and family, being who they are, would understand.
Kingston did manage to convince me to purchase a special dress for myself and Layla for the occasion. We found similar dresses and shoes in lavender; they were her first pair of high heels. We did our hair in matching braids, with sprigs of baby’s breath woven through them. I brushed her cheeks with a little blush and even added a coating of light pink lip gloss across her lips. Getting ready with her this morning was an experience I’ll always treasure. It made me think about the many times I watched my own mother get ready for some special occasion with my father when I was Layla’s age.
The boys dressed up in black button-ups and black slacks. They both stood in our master bathroom shaving and prepping for the big day. Of course, Oliver’s razor lacked a blade, but that didn’t matter to him; it was the shared moment with his father that he treasured. They surprised Layla and me when we came out of the bedroom with small bouquets of wildflowers. They each had a matching boutonniere pinned to their shirts.
Everything about the morning had been perfect, and as I walked down the aisle toward them all, I couldn’t help the tears that fell from my eyes. Never had I seen a more beautiful sight. My family waiting for me to join them and make us all one.
We pull up to our house, and the street is littered with cars. I look over at him, but he avoids my gaze. I know instantly he has something planned. Something he didn’t tell me about.
“Don’t get mad,” he breaks the silence, pulling into the driveway and shutting off the engine. When he looks over at me, I feel joy radiating in my direction, and I can’t help myself. I lean forward and place a kiss on his lips. There’s no way I can be mad at him, not on a perfect day like this. Knowing him like I do, I already know what to expect when I cross the threshold into our home. It will be filled with our family and friends, ready to celebrate our union as man and wife.
“Let’s go inside.” I pull back and release my buckle. I hear three more clicks follow suit, but before I can open the door, Kingston grabs my hand. I turn back to him.
“Don’t you want to know what I’ve planned?”
“I already know,” I whisper softly. Reaching for the door, I slide out, smoothing down my skirt after I’ve closed the door. Oliver is beside me and his hand slips into mine. We walk around the front of the truck and meet Kingston and Layla. Joining hands with them, we approach the door, but Kingston stops suddenly in front of it and lets go of my hand. I look over at him with a puckered brow. He smiles down at me and scoops me up off my feet. With a shake of his head at Layla and Oliver, who throw open the door, he crosses the threshold with me in his arms
“Surprise,” greets us as we enter
and the many faces of our family and friends smile at us.
I smile back, feeling more love than I have my entire life.
Having them here with us now, it truly is the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Epilogue
Missy
One Month Later
“Rafe?” I open the front door, both happy and shocked to see him standing in front of me. My heart skips a beat, because while I’m happy to see him, I know him being here isn’t a good thing. Rafferty Kimball is the leader of my brother, Tennessee’s, squad. “What are you doing here?”
“Missy,” he begins, hanging his head immediately and hiding his eyes. My stomach drops and my knees weaken. I grip the door, desperate to remain upright.
“Don’t tell me he’s...” I trail off, praying Rafe isn’t about to tell me my brother’s is dead.
“No, he’s not dead.” He lifts his eyes to me, letting me see the truth in his words. I drag in a deep breath, but still, I know something is wrong.
“Is he hurt?” I ask quietly.
“Yes, but nothing serious.”
“Where is he?”
“That’s why I’m here. He’s gone AWOL. I was hoping he found his way back here.” I shake my head again. Dread seeps into my body, making my limbs heavy and difficult to control.
“No, he isn’t here. Rafe, what happened?”
“Can I come in?” I nod, realizing how rude I’ve been keeping him standing outside. I move aside, inviting him in. He walks past me, his large frame towering over me. “Is King home? He’s going to want to hear this, too.”
THE END
What’s in the Works
Lost to Her
The Lost Series Book Three
This book will feature Damien “Dizzy” Reynolds and his love, Penelope.
Heart Song
A contemporary, second-chance romance.
About the Author
Tracie loves to read and write all things romance. Born, raised, and living in southern California, when she isn’t writing, she loves to crochet (or yarning, as her six-year-old calls it.) She enjoys the simple things in life and a good book. She juggles her time between her husband, two children, grandchildren, two dogs, and one really fat cat.
Acknowledgements
It’s been a long road this time around. Much longer than I expected. Many things have happened along the way, and many days were spent contemplating throwing out every single word. I persevered but not without the help of those closest to me.
To my husband, without whom I’d never know the meaning of true love. Thank you for being the man you are and for standing behind me and supporting me the most when I wanted to give up. Thank you for being the parent you are to our children and keeping me sane when I was losing my mind.
To my children, thank you for always believing in me and always testing my sanity and keeping me grounded. Thank you for the cuddles and the laughter. Most of all, thank you for understanding what Mommy does and how much it means to her. I hope and pray one day you will be able to do the things you love. I love you dearly.
To my sister, Christie, my whip cracker, thank you for being my biggest fan. For always believing “I got this” and for never letting me give up. Thank you for reading my stuff over and over, even when you want to bash me over the head with your Kindle. You’re my voice of reason and the one I can always count on to be brutally honest. I love you, Lala.
To my mom, you know what you mean to me. You know how grateful I am. You inspired me as a young girl to write, and I’ll never forget it. Thank you for standing with me during this journey.
To Aunt Tina, thank you for teaching me unconditional love and for giving me the gifts in life you did. I will never forget you and will always carry you in my heart.
To my bestie, Mayra Statham. You’ve listened to me bitch and complain, whine and cry, even rage over this one, and I don’t know how you did it. You’re a freaking saint and I love you for it! Thank you for understanding the struggle of the second book. Thank you for pushing me, supporting me, and outright throwing a party for me when I finally got to type those two little words at the end of it all. Most of all, thank you for your unending belief in me. Birdie and Bunny forever.
To my editor, Julia Goda, and my formatter, CP Smith, who I am beyond blessed to call my friends. Thank you, ladies, for making my words shine. Thank you for all your encouragement, your excitement, and inspiration. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
To my betas this go-around, Trina Galarza, Katrina Miller, and Darlene Tallman, I don’t know what I would have done without you girls. Thank you for reading what you did and for the amazing feedback and encouragement. I don’t think I could have finished without you.
To my author friends I’ve made on this journey, Annabelle Johnson, Darlene Tallman, Cree Nations, Liberty Parker, Annelise Reynolds, and K.L. Donn (I know I’m forgetting someone, but know if that is you, this message is for you too!) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve made me proud to be a part of this indie community. Each one of you has inspired me in so many ways, and for that, I will always be grateful.
Finally, to you, the reader, THANK YOU! If you’ve read me before or if this is the first time, your support means a lot to me. I’m blessed to share my passion with you, and I hope you like what I have written.
Until next time....
Tracie
Other Work by This Author
Lost in Silence
The Lost Series Book One
ALICE IS LOST
Lost from her family, friends and the life she once lived. Alice Michaelson is held captive in the dark silence that had become a nightmare. Until one night when the door to her prison is left unlocked and she flees.
HUDSON FINDS HER
Living job to job, haunted by his own set of demons, Hudson Rivers finds himself disarmed by a single glance and he vows to protect the shell of a woman hiding in his closet. But protecting her means keeping her close and that threatens the emotionless life he’s been careful to create for himself.
They both fight their growing connection...
Will they find themselves lost into a world of silence, afraid to let one another in?
Or will they submit to the power of fate and all that it throws at them?
http://amzn.to/2le55qC
Lost Without You (The Lost Series Book 2) Page 25
