One Love for Liv

by Marianne Arkins

  Her life was full of choices, and each one she’d made in the past—good and bad—had taken her to this place. She thought of the broken heart Mike had nursed her through, of hearing what she believed was evidence of Geoff’s unfaithfulness.

  Was every step she’d taken in the past leading her to Mike? Or to Geoff? She lifted her head to look at the men, a study in contrasts, and knew that whichever decision she made, her life would never be the same.

  A knock sounded at the door. “Time to go, Lee Lee.” Her father stepped inside and looked around at the scene taking place. “What the hell is going on in here? Why are you half-naked? Shame on you.” He quickly stripped off his jacket and wrapped it around Liv’s shoulders.

  Mike crossed to her father and stuck out a hand. “You must be Livvy’s father. I’m Mike, and I’ve just asked her to marry me.”

  Stewart stared at Mike’s outstretched hand, ignoring it. “I don’t think I heard you clearly. Who are you, and how can you propose to my daughter when she’s getting married in a matter of minutes?”

  “I love her, sir.”

  Stewart brushed off Mike’s words and looked at Liv. “Why aren’t you dressed? Where’s Marissa?”

  Liv pulled herself out of Geoff’s embrace and moved to stand in front of her father. “Marissa stepped out for a minute to let me talk to Mike.”

  “Who’s Mike?”

  Liv gestured toward Mike, not meeting his searching gaze. “My friend, Mike.” She burst into tears.

  “Lee Lee?” Stewart pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. “Darling, what’s going on?”

  “I think I love him, Daddy.”

  “Well of course you do, sweetheart, you’re marrying him.”

  She shook her head against his chest. “Not Geoff. Mike.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Liv tipped her head back and looked at her father, wondering if he’d ever forgive her for embarrassing him like this. “I love Mike, Daddy. I’m sorry, but I can’t marry Geoff.” She looked at her stunned fiancé. “I’m sorry.”

  Stewart stepped away from her and stared. She could almost see the wheels turning in his brain. Then he turned to Mike. “Were you serious when you proposed to my daughter?”

  “As a heart attack. Sir.”

  “Geoff.” He beckoned to the other man in the triangle. “Take off your clothes.”

  “What?” Geoff’s hands grabbed the lapels of his jacket in defense against being ordered to strip.

  “There’s going to be a wedding today, one way or another.”

  “Of course there is. I’m marrying your daughter.”

  “No, you’re not.” Stewart smiled and hugged his daughter before pointing at Mike. “He is.”

  Liv gaped at her father. “What? No…Daddy, you’re not doing this.” She wasn’t going to have a shotgun wedding. This was ridiculous.

  Stewart swung around to face Mike. “Do you want to marry my daughter?”

  Mike’s face was a bit pale, but he straightened his shoulders and said, “Yes. I do.”

  Liv hurried to her father’s side. “Daddy, we don’t have a license or a ring. Mike’s friends and family aren’t here. You’re not forcing him to marry me today.”

  Mike touched her arm, drawing her attention. “He’s not forcing me.” He pulled her close, rubbing his chin on the top of her head. “And we’ll get a ring and call my friends.”

  Liv tipped her head back. “Mike, you’ve known me less than a month. How can you know you want to marry me?”

  “I could say the same for you.”

  “You’re the kindest, funniest, sexiest man I’ve ever known. How could I not want to marry you?” She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close.

  “Sir?” Mike addressed her father but didn’t release his hold on Liv.

  “Call me Stewart. After all, you’re practically a member of the family.”

  “Stewart, sir, can you postpone things for an hour or so?”

  “Absolutely.” Liv’s father clapped Mike on the back. “I’m glad to see you’re willing to step up to the plate.”

  “Excuse me?” Geoff broke in. “Don’t I have some say in what’s going on here? I love you, Lee Lee.”

  Liv lowered her eyes, shamed she hadn’t thought of Geoff in all this uproar. He’d done so much for her, been patient with her, bought her the house of her dreams, forgiven her even though he’d found her in another man’s bed.

  He didn’t deserve this. But neither did he deserve a loveless marriage.

  She put her hand on Mike’s arm and squeezed. “Give me time with him, please. You and Daddy can get acquainted.”

  Mike opened his mouth to protest and then kissed her instead. “Fine. We’ll start reorganizing things.”

  “Thank you.”

  The moment Liv and Geoff were alone in the room, she took his hands and gave him a small, tight smile. “You’re a good man.”

  “Not good enough, apparently.” He sounded a bit like a toddler who’d been denied a candy bar. Not that she could blame him for his petulance.

  “Better than I deserve.” She pressed cool fingers to his lips when he would have argued. “You have been strong and faithful, thoughtful, patient and kind. I’m a fool for not marrying you. But, Geoff, I can’t do it.”

  “Why?” His voice was soft and hoarse, and Liv could see his heart breaking in his eyes.

  “I don’t love you. I wouldn’t have known that if I hadn’t met Mike. But now…” She sighed. “Now I really know what love feels like. We’d be miserable in no time.”

  “Speak for yourself.”

  “Geoff, darling, there’s a perfect woman out there for you somewhere. Someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.”

  He dropped her hands and clenched both fists. “I don’t want anyone else. But I’ll let you go. I love you that much.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m still not giving him my tux.”

  Liv laughed, loud and uncontrolled. When she regained her composure she grinned at her ex-fiancé. “I’m sure we can figure something out.”

  Geoff yanked open the door and nearly ran Mike down on his way out of the church.

  “Huh.” Mike muttered. “Guess I need to get a tux.”

  Liv laughed and pressed her cheek against his chest.

  Seventy-five minutes later, it was all arranged. Stewart had called in some favors from a golfing buddy who was also a judge and finagled a new wedding license with the correct names. Larry—who’d hit it off with her father the moment they met—made a stop at a formal shop and rented a tux for Mike, and then at a jewelry store to pick up a pair of simple gold bands.

  Frank stood proudly beside Mike at the altar, wearing an ill-fitting suit, his beard neatly braided. He wiggled nervously, but had a grin on his face. Zoe sat next to Larry in the front row with Spike at her feet and gave Frank a thumbs-up and a wink, making his smile grow even larger.

  Mike stood beside his best man, eyes facing forward. His gaze never left Liv’s and she wondered if the guests could see a line of love stretching between them. It felt tangible to her.

  Liv stood at the top of the long aisle, arm in arm with her father, holding a bouquet of cantaloupe-colored roses—the same color as the flowers on the tiny plant Mike had given to her. That made her wonder if she’d been thinking of him even then.

  She waited impatiently for Marissa to finish her walk toward the altar, more than ready to hurry to Mike’s side. The music changed, swelled with the strains of Pachelbel’s Sonata in G minor, and Liv took the first step forward into her new life.

  *

  Mike slipped the card key into the slot and pushed the door open. “Welcome to the honeymoon suite, Mrs. Peck.”

  Liv’s stomach took a tumble at the thought of sharing the room with her new husband. “Thank you, Mr. Peck.”

  He grinned and scooped her up, carrying her across the threshold with ease. “You sure are a bitty thing, Livvy. We need to fatten you u
p.” He tossed her on the enormous round bed, where she bounced. Twice.

  The man with their bags followed them in and set the bags near the dresser. “Will there be anything else?”

  Liv’s stomach fluttered as Mike kept his gaze on her and answered, “Not from you.” He held out a folded bill in the general direction of the man, who quickly took the tip and left the room.

  “Mike…” Liv was breathless from the desire that smoldered in his eyes. She touched her tongue to her lower lip nervously and pressed a hand to her middle, hoping to calm the butterflies flitting about inside.

  “I would, however, like something else from you.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.

  When he turned from her and walked away, she collapsed on the bed. Arms outstretched, she took a deep breath to keep from screaming in irritation. Why was it he was always able to leave her when she was being her most seductive? What was she doing wrong?

  “Mike.” The word was a low growl full of frustration. “Hello. I’m over here and you’re not.” She rolled to her side and saw him digging through the luggage. “This is not an auspicious beginning to our honeymoon or our marriage.”

  “Patience, Mrs. Peck.” He dug around a bit more and then gave a low shout of victory. Whatever it was he found in his suitcase was promptly stashed behind his back. He stood and crossed to the bed. “I have a small favor to ask of you.”

  “Anything.” She only hoped it involved his hands on her body.

  He held out a green mass of satin and lace. “Wear this for me. Tonight.”

  She sat up and took it from him. Dear heavens, it was the teddy she’d left behind at his place on that disastrous day not so long ago. “Didn’t I throw this away?”

  “Yes.” He shrugged and reached a hand out to stroke it. “I pulled it out of the wastebasket.”

  “Why?” Liv hugged the teddy to her chest. “I thought you hated me after that horrible fiasco. You certainly had every right to.”

  Mike sat beside her on the bed and pulled her into his arms. “I’m pretty sure I never hated you, not from the moment I knocked you senseless with my car door.” He rubbed the top of her head with his chin. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  “Why?”

  “I fell in love with you from the first moment I saw you.” He held her away from him and cupped her face in his precious, callused hands. “You haunted my thoughts, my dreams. I couldn’t think of anything but you. If you hadn’t agreed to take care of my place, I don’t know how I would have survived.”

  “Oh.” Liv hadn’t thought it possible, had figured her heart was already filled to the brim with her love for her new husband, but his words stretched her heart until she was sure it would explode.

  “This bit of clothing was all I had to remind me of you when you left that day. I was angry at your lies, but still couldn’t erase you from my heart or my mind.” He lowered his eyes, obviously embarrassed. “I slept with it, Livvy, even though I felt like a fool. It smelled of you and was the next best thing to lying next to you. Will you wear it for me?”

  How could she ever say no? “Give me a few moments.”

  She brushed his cheek with a hand and hurried into the bathroom. She gave the shower a look. What was the protocol for a honeymoon? Should she clean up quickly? She decided to wait for a shower and put on the lingerie instead.

  She stripped off her white suit and underclothes and stood naked in front of the mirror. She’d lost so much weight over the past few days. Would Mike think her bony and unattractive? Would he even want her when he saw the body under the clothes? Would he think she was too skinny? Repulsive?

  Her nerves jangled at the horrible thought that her husband wouldn’t find her the least bit attractive. Mike was a kind man and surely wouldn’t say anything, but that didn’t make it better.

  Nothing she could do about it now. She folded her suit and set it on the counter. Next, she smoothed peach-scented lotion over her body and slithered into the lingerie. It was a bit too big and gaped in a few places. Her shoulders slumped. She wanted to look her best for Mike, but if this was her best it was a terrible effort.

  “Liv?” Mike’s voice floated into the room. “Is everything all right?”

  She swallowed hard and gave herself a quick pep talk. “Fine. I’ll be right out.”

  With any luck, he’d have the lights off. She crossed the fingers on one hand and opened the door. It was bright as noontime out there. She pasted a nervous smile on her face and gave what she hoped was a sexy pose in the doorway before dragging her feet to the bed.

  He was still fully dressed, and she felt awkward at the contrast. “Don’t you have something sexy you can put on?”

  He smiled and reached a hand out to caress her satin-covered belly. “All I have is my birthday suit. Will that do?”

  “Best idea you’ve had all day, except that one where you married me.”

  He pulled her down onto the bed and straddled her. His voice was hoarse with desire when he leaned in close, one hand on either side of her head, and whispered, “You’re so incredibly gorgeous. I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  She smiled at the honesty in his words. He thought she was beautiful. Liv tugged his tie off and began unbuttoning his shirt, her hips moving frantically beneath him. “Who’s stopping you?”

  He laughed and kissed her, tearing off his clothes and touching her with a desperation that she couldn’t keep up with. She held on as best she could and enjoyed the ride. Just when she was breathless and nearly blind with passion he stopped moving. Had she done something wrong?

  “Mike? What—?”

  He held her face gently in his hands, thumbs brushing her cheeks. The tenderness she saw in his gaze made her nearly weep with joy.

  “Olivia Leslie Peck, I love you more than I ever thought possible. You are my heart and my life and the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Before she could say a word, he closed the distance between then and kissed her, the promise of forever in his touch.

  About the Author

  Marianne is originally from California but currently living in much colder New Hampshire with her husband, daughter, dog and cat, as well as a few hundred wild birds, chipmunks and a backyard bear that keeps trying to grab the feeders. She can’t imagine a world without romance or not having stories rattling around in her brain, and she uses comedy to get her through the obscenely long winter.

  To learn more about Marianne Arkins, please visit www.mariannearkins.com or her blog: www.reading-writing.blogspot.com, or you may send an email to marianne@mariannearkins.com.

  Carrie Sinclair thought she knew exactly what she wanted from life until she came face-to-face with the prettiest blue eyes in Texas.

  The Things You Think You Want

  © 2007 Mary Eason

  Caterer Carrie Sinclair thinks she has the perfect life and doesn’t need a man to complete it. Her pudgy kitty, Max, is the man in her life, and that’s enough for her. Until she meets Tyler Bennedict. He’s perfect boyfriend material: Charming, sweet, rich and incredibly sexy. No matter that he’s made it clear he’s not looking for a serious relationship. One night in his arms, and all her usual warning bells about men go silent.

  She should have listened to those bells, and to Aunt Mable. Enter Tyler’s real estate tycoon father, Richard. He makes it relentlessly clear that she’s not the woman for his son, but will Carrie heed his wishes? Or will she decide to finally listen to the bells she’s been ignoring for so long.

  When it comes to men, Aunt Mabel always said, there are good ones, there are bad ones and then there are the worst possible kind. The kind that steal your heart and leave you wondering what happened—the kind you can’t change.

  Through the years, I’d certainly seen my fair share of these worst possible kinds. In fact, I often wondered if there wasn’t some sort of hidden sign written across my forehead announcing, “Come on in! Open for business! Give it your best shot!”

  I gu
ess I never fully appreciated the wisdom of my aunt’s advice until I met David Martinez, the man who broke my heart and destroyed most of my self-esteem. It took a year of intense therapy just for me to regain some of my confidence back. Forget men—I wasn’t anywhere close to being ready for men again.

  Or so I thought until I looked into the prettiest blue eyes in Texas.

  It happened the night I was catering my first major event for a woman who’d fired some of the biggest names in the business. This was my chance to prove myself.

  I believed I could handle anything that came my way as I stood hopeful before the world, dressed in my perfect little caterer’s outfit—starched white shirt, black skirt and sensible shoes. I was ready for any challenge.

  After all, I’d certainly spent enough years preparing for this moment. I’d attended all the best culinary schools in Paris, New York and Texas, put in endless hours, worked multiple jobs in preparation for the time when my small pride and joy, my baby, Carrie’s Creative Catering, would finally become a success.

  For someone on the brink of thirty-five, single and living in Austin, one of the most exciting cities in Texas, success was all around me. So far, it had remained just out of my reach—until tonight.

  “Carrie?” The sound of my name coming from the most gorgeous lips around made me weak in the knees. His voice sounded like pure romance. The Cary Grant kind of romance. Unfortunately, the voice addressing me now came attached to one of those worst possible kinds.

  Turn around. Walk away. Before it’s too late, my mind virtually screamed. While my heart seemed to have a will of its own. It kept me standing there, foolishly smiling back at what had to be undeniably the sexiest man alive.

  “Are you okay?”

  “How did you know my name?” Too late, I remembered the nametag pinned to my crisp white shirt. It announced to the world that my name was Carrie Sinclair in bold, black lettering. Everyone at this party knew my name by now. Especially once Martina Hilbert, the woman hosting this little get-together for a few hundred of her closest friends, informed me I lacked any real talent whatsoever as far as crab puffs were concerned. My skills in any other area were still questionable.