Chasing Paradise (Chasing Series #3)

by Pamela Ann

  “Lucy, I adore you, but you’re too thick-headed sometimes. If Toby goes back to her and really try to make this marriage work, you’d be in shambles. Is that what you want?” Blake looked at her, frowning, as if he was in pain too.

  Instead of responding, Lucy cried harder. Hell. I felt helpless as I watch her.

  Out of nowhere, I saw Chad slap Lucy’s cheek. “GET YOUR ASS MOVING AND GET YOUR MAN BACK! GO!”

  Lucy stopped crying, shocked, mouth hanging open, unblinking.

  Chad looked mad as he placed his hands on her hips and lifted to stand on her feet. “GOOOOO!” he screamed into her face, before she finally snapped out of it and marched indoor.

  “You’re going to pay for that!” Lucy threw back, walking ahead.

  “It was my pleasure!” Chad laughed and started to fan himself, before he rolled his eyes. “Bitch needed some good slappin’.” He muttered. When he saw Blake and I didn’t say a word, his eyes bulged out. “WHAT? Come on, the woman deserved it. Those two were a pain.” He dramatically sighed and poured each of us a shot. “Can’t believe Toby banged her punani last night. Totally owned it.”

  I snorted then I started to laugh. “I knew the crazy was going to come out sooner or later.”

  Blake shook his head. “I think I’m more shocked that Lucy didn’t throw her fist and launched herself at you.”

  “She knew she needed it. Women! Can’t live with them can’t live without them!” Chad toasted, sounding too serious. “So, when are you guys going to make me an uncle?”

  Blake laughed, wrapping his arms around my neck, nibbling my ear. “We need to start practicing, cara.”

  “Not again!” I muttered, shoving a truffle in my mouth.

  Chad grinned. “What, why you holding out for our man dude? Bang that shit hard!”

  I was about to respond to him, before Blake growled and scooped me out of my chair and had me over his shoulder. “Blake!”

  “Sorry, but when I heard bang and hard, I was a lost cause. Thanks Chad!” He threw out, almost running towards the house.

  “Horny bastards!” Chad threw back.

  Blake already had me on top of the bed before I even got a word out. “Goodness, Knightly!”

  “I’m not going to have sex until you’re ready, but I needed an excuse to get you alone. I love being with out friends, I want to be with you.” He wrapped his legs with mine, our faces inches apart. “I got a call today. Ivanna confessed everything.” He started, observing me. “She said that Camilla approached her while we were here in Rome, recuperating. Camilla approached Gareth when she heard that he was asking around about who pushed you. Camilla paid off his cousin to shut up, but a little interrogation and sex, she managed to get Gareth open up about his feelings for you. The plan was to let you look like you died, but Gareth was actually going to keep you with him.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I trusted him, babe.” The thought of Gareth made me want to hurl. He betrayed me, to think I thought of him as my friend was disturbing.”

  “I’m happy to be alive wrapped in your arms.” Blake kissed my nose.

  Not a day has passed that I didn’t appreciate the blessings I had. I wasn’t going to take them for granted any longer.

  We took another two hours just talking and kissing, until it was time to get ready for Seraphina’s summer dinner party. She invited family and friends who all wanted to see Blake, not to mention, to introduce me as well.

  Now dressed, I was ready to go and mingle.

  “You look gorgeous.” Blake admired my simple Grecian white dress.

  I lovingly looked at him; thankful for each day I got to spend with him after what happened in the hospital. “Blake, thank you for making me feel alive. From the first moment I met you, whenever you’re around, you always tend to give me a panic attack.”

  Lucy and Toby emerged together, not looking happy, but not fighting either. I suppose that was a start—they were finally speaking to each other.

  The party was held somewhere in the gardens of the palazzo, but it was too far for us to walk, so they provided carts for everyone to be transported.

  Chad grinned, happy and drunk. “Amazing. I’m in wonderland.” He was apparently enjoying the siesta all by himself and got merry.

  “Wow! You’re aunt is quite grand, isn’t she?” Lucy admired the transformed garden. There were several tents erected and arches of roses intertwined with other blooms circled the area.

  Blake nodded, helping me out of the cart. “She is, but I think this is a tad overkill for a summer dinner party with friends and family.”

  “She is Italian. The woman got style. She’s awesome.” I laughed, pulling Blake and Lucy on both my sides, walking towards the party. Everything was fine and dandy, until everyone got to see what truly was inside the tents.

  It was a day for new beginnings.

  A new life, and there was no one else in this world who I wanted to spend this life with, other than the man next to me. Blake made me his world, worshipped everything about me and loved me to the hilt.

  It took me a great deal of time to get to where I was now, but now that I’m here, I never planned to backtrack or even dare hesitate for a second. I knew what I wanted—plain and simple.

  The garden was transformed into a place full of fresh blooms, candles, crystals, beauty, but most of all, it reeked of romance, love.

  A wedding.

  Our wedding.

  Blake was rendered speechless.

  Chad gasped. “Oh shit shizzle!”

  Luciano’s estate was vast, so when Seraphina suggested to place the event further in, close to the riverbank to hide it from everyone, I agreed right away. I wanted it to be a surprise. And it sure looked like I accomplished it.

  I paused, right below the arches where the guests could see us, but far enough that they couldn’t hear us. “Blake. You swept me off my feet. Loved me without stipulations. Became the man that I have always dreamt of. I love you. I’m yours. Now I’m asking if you want to be officially mine. Will you marry me and make me that happiest woman in on earth?”

  When his gaze meshed with mine, I saw reluctance in there, something I didn’t anticipate.

  “I want this—more than anything, Sienna, but you have to make sure that this is what you want.” He searched through me, relaying his sincerity, the complexity of the meaning of his words. “Because once you marry me, I’m never letting you go. Don’t expect a divorce if things get rocky because there won’t be one. Happiness and sorrow we’ll share together, until I’m dead and gone.” He pulled my hand to his lips, brushing it with a gentle kiss. “I love you, but for now, our engagement was enough.”

  As infuriating this man could be, I didn’t doubt for a second his devotion to me. His love knew no bounds; I saw it with my own very eyes. Blake was my own warrior, my partner, my knight. “Thank you. I appreciate how patient you are, but it’s not enough for me anymore. I want to be your wife. I don’t want to wait for another four years until I could claim you as mine.” I paused, wetting my lips. “After what’s happened, things became clear to me. It really isn’t that complicated. We ardently love each other. I’ve come to a point where my love is now unconditional. It’s that simple.”

  “Are you sure about this, cara? I know I nag you a lot, but now that it’s here, I’m quite skeptical.” He looked away, pondering. “I don’t want you to feel obligated because of what happened.”

  Was he serious? “Knightly! For crying out loud, just freaking marry me already!”

  “Yeah, go get them billions, baby love.” Chad chirped on the other side, drunk as a skunk.

  “And there’s always that.” Blake grinned, uncaring.

  I rolled my eyes, ready to smack both men. “Whatever. Let’s just go get drunk.” I started to walk away, towards a disapproving Lucy before Blake caught up with me.

  “Wait—wait! What the hell, you just proposed to me and after two seconds you walk away?” he eyed me like I was crazy. “You can
’t just do that!”

  I lifted my shoulder, nonchalant. “It happens. I guess we’ll wait.”

  “Bloody hell! Come on, wife. Let’s make you officially mine, once and for all.” Blake carried me back, towards everyone.

  Once we reached them, Seraphina spoke to Blake. “You know you have to put her down now, right? The priest can’t marry you two unless she’s on her feet.”

  Things got really serious then as we both looked at each other, nervous, giddy and so out of breath. “Ready to love me forever?”

  “I already do.”

  I smiled at the kind priest, before whispering into his ear. “I know. Imagine what kind of presents you’ll get tonight from your wife, Knightly.”

  Blake took a deep breath, whispering into my ear. “Not the time to tease purple, cara.”

  I bit back a smile at the name reference for his member.

  “Shall we begin?” The priest intervened.

  For almost an hour, we did all the ceremonials. I almost sighed with relief when it was time for our vows.”

  All the anxiety and any qualms about being nervous when this moment came, dwindled away the second we stood face to face, Blake holding my hands, eyes that knew so well, looking at me full of love. Taking a deep breath, I delivered my vow to the man before me.

  Before I met you, I thought love was simple, uncomplicated and straightforward.

  Loving you has never been simple, uncomplicated or straightforward. It has wrung me, strung me upside down, cut me into pieces. You melt my heart to the core—with just a kiss.

  Our love is not simple—it’s an extraordinary experience. It’s a wild ride, with no signs of stopping. It’s ride one I vow not to get off of.

  I was proud that I my tears were silent and I wasn’t crying ugly, but it almost came to that when I saw Blake’s eyes glistened. My man was touched with my words. I gave him an encouraging smile, knowing that he wasn’t prepared for this—for our vows. He immediately gave my hand a tight squeeze, before clearing his throat.

  I will be your eyes when you can’t see. I will be the person to guide you when you’re lost.

  When your hopes are dashed and you need someone to help get your feet on the ground, I am that man, who has an undying love for my wife.

  You proved me wrong. The intensity, the depth and the fathomage of my love for you are out of the ordinary. You bring me incandescent happiness.

  Your kiss gives me guidance. Your love brings limitless strength, but most of all. You give me a reason to live, to be a better man—man who finally learned what the true meaning of ultimate love is. I am humbled to be your servant, forever yours.

  Oh my God… I’m melting…over and over again, I thought, sniffing with tears.

  I didn’t even wait for the priest to give us his blessing, announcing that we’re now married, before I flung myself on Blake and kissed him senseless. I could hear laughter from the crowd, but I didn’t care, I love him and I wasn’t shy to display that. I kissed him until I was out of breath, shaky and drowsy.

  “Can’t wait to be married to me huh?” Blake laughed, wiping my tears with his thumbs.

  “Yeah. Yeah. Make a joke of it.” I knew he wasn’t going to let this down, his teasing, but I deserved it. I kept pushing the idea away for month, and look at me now; I couldn’t just wait to be his wife.

  He was smiling then he got serious. “Sienna—thank you.” He kissed me on the lips, breathy and packed with emotions. “I know you weren’t ready to get married, but I’m overjoyed that you’ve changed your mind. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  I opened my mouth, but Chad appeared in between us. “She loves you too, Blakeypoo. Okay—do you guys notice that no one is around? Yeah? Well, the reception is right over there. See ya!”

  “Ready Mrs. Knightly?” he beamed, loving the question.

  ~ Blake ~

  The reception breezed through me. I was still in shock from Sienna’s surprise.

  I knew she loved me, of course I did. But never once did I think she’d change her mind and marry me this instant. She stood firm with her beliefs and for her to break that to make me happy, truly was a big gesture.

  “Wasn’t that the most romantic thing a woman can ever do to his man?” Toby grinned, handing me my cognac. “With the man’s approval, of course. Shotgun weddings aren’t romantic what so ever.”

  He probably was referring to himself, more like.

  “I’m a married man, Watson. I’m still reeling from the events. Consider me blown away. Sienna sure know how to keep me on my toes.”

  “You two are made for each other—cliché, I admit, but it’s the only way to describe it. You both are such pain in the arse. We’re all married now, all well except for Luce.” His tone became somber, as he mentioned her name.

  Twirling my glass as I studied him, I decided to speak my mind. “You had sex with her. What happens now?”

  “I’m leaving Amelia. I already had my lawyers draft everything the next morning. Waking up with her, being with her just brought everything into perspective. I’m suffering, but I’d rather suffer this way and be a free man, other than suffer and be married because I was forced and threatened by her family and mine.” He paused. “Besides Amelia’s having an affair for the most part since she couldn’t get what she wanted with me.”

  Not new news to me. She was already like that when I met her. “Find another place to get the DNA tests done. This time, you take charge. You need to know whose child she’s carrying. Once and for all, use your bloody fucking brain. Stop dwelling on that damned heartache for a second. She could be after your inheritance. God know she’s all bent up and demented. Clear all of this, keep updating Lucy while you’re at it, but don’t shag her, kiss her until you’ve cleared all this fiasco out of your life.” I was dead serious. He needed to get his shit together. “You’ve messed up, crucially. You can’t take any of that back, but at least trying to chase what you’re after—what your heart is after instead of running the other way like what I did with Sienna. Don’t wait too long, because Lucy surely won’t.”

  “I know.” Toby got up, tapping my back. “Time to be with my love.”

  Chad and Luke were dancing, Sienna was talking to Lucy, but the second she saw Toby striding towards them, she said her goodbyes and headed straight to me.

  She slowed down, blushing as she inched closer, while I watched her with hooded eyes, looking at my beautiful wife, glowing before my very eyes.

  When she finally did, she bit her lip, looking nervous all of a sudden. “Hello—”

  “Hi—”

  “I don’t know why, but I’m really nervous.” She rushed out saying, breathless.

  “Ready to leave?” I said, unhurried, not looking anywhere else but her, before I stood up and held out my hand.

  She paused, frowning. “We’re going somewhere? I haven’t planned our honeymoon yet. Sorry—everything was just last minute, it had slipped my mind.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got it all figured out.” I held her hand, guiding her outside.

  “Wait! Where are we going? Our friends and family need to know, in case they worry.”

  The car was waiting and I didn’t want to tell anyone that we were, because I just wanted to keep it a secret. This was between my wife and I—nothing more. “I’ll text Luke and he can inform the rest of the party, but now, let’s get this marriage started, cara. I’ve waited long enough.”

  It wasn’t until we boarded the plane, Sienna and I were in the bedroom, while I slowly undressed her, lavishing every inch of her. I haven’t had this body for weeks on end, and I wasn’t about to let the first sensations put to waste. I wanted this memory ingrained into my soul.

  “My blushing bride.” I smiled down at her, knowing that this was just a beginning for us.

  Our love was stronger.

  Our bond was immalleable.

  Our trust in each other was profound.

  Making love to her as my girlfriend was
amazing. Making love to her as my fiancé was breathtaking—but making love to her as my wife, was soul shifting, mind-altering effervescent experience.

  Spent and sated, we were locked in each other’s embrace. Sienna was tracing the scar the bullet had left on my skin, still a little pink and hasn’t fully healed. “When do you want to schedule the removal for this?”

  I was waiting for her to say something for weeks. “I don’t want to get one, poppet.”