“I know chocolate is your favorite and bringing chocolate ice cream on the beach was not an option.” I smile.
“What are you up to, Mr. Austin?” She steps to me, gazing into my eyes.
“Nothing, doll. I’m just spending a beautiful day at the beach with you and sharing this delicious cupcake.”
“Okay.” She chuckles as she looks down at the cupcake between us, crinkling her brow. “There’s something in the frosting,” she whispers as she takes the cupcake from my hand.
“What?” I feign ignorance. My heart is thumping in my chest as I watch the setting sun gently caress her face.
“It looks like a shell or something,” she says as she dips her finger into the frosting and pulls out the emerald cut diamond ring surrounded by rubies from the frosting. She holds her hand over her mouth for a moment and gasps when she sees my surprise. Tears begin filling her eyes.
“That shell looks more like a ring to me, doll,” I muse, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Reed...I,” she chokes. I kiss her and take the ring from her trembling hand and clean the frosting from it. I kneel down on the blanket in front of her and gaze up at her beautiful face. Her hazel eyes are glistening, and I catch the one tear that slips from her eye with my thumb. I am about to do what I’ve fucking dreamt about for months. Our eyes meet, and I take a deep, calming breath before I begin to bare my heart and soul to her.
“Doll, finding you was like finding a long lost treasure. From the second I laid eyes on you, touched you and looked into your expressive, passionate eyes, I knew that you were the one. I thought I knew love before you, but now I know it wasn’t love. Love is with you. I will spend an eternity showing you how much I love you and what you mean to me. You are my life. My other half. My soul mate.” I hold back my own tears as I look into her eyes and finally say the words that have been running through my head all day long. “Doll, will you be my forever? Will you marry me?” I ask as I take her shaking left hand in mine as we gaze deeply into each other’s eyes.
“Yes,” she whispers as I slip the ring onto her delicate finger. Tears are falling from her eyes now as she cups my face into her gentle hands. I rise to my feet and take her into my arms, lifting her off her feet. I feel her heart thumping against my chest as she whispers, “I love you,” over and over again into my ear before we kiss passionately. A kiss that can only be shared by two people who’ve found real love.”Doll, you just made me the happiest man on Earth,” I rasp. Her eyes are amazingly beautiful, sparkling and content, and it makes my heart swell, knowing that I made her this happy. There is no fucking better feeling than this, but there has been one thing I’ve wanted to do with her, on this beach, her favorite place. I’ve been fantasizing about this for quite a while. Since we’ve gotten back together, she has shown me that she is open to doing things that she wouldn’t have done before. Now that we’ve proven our love for each other, there is nothing that we wouldn’t do for each other.
I lift her chin with my finger and outline the line of her jaw as she squints her eyes at me guardedly. “I know that look, baby,” she says, throwing her arms around my neck. “Tell me,” she begs, kissing my jaw. “I will do anything for my fiancé. You know that, right?”
Fuck. Great minds think alike.
“Anything?” I growl. My dick responds to her body moving sensually against me. Things are definitely going my way.
“Try me,” she says seductively, trailing her soft hands down my chest. “It can’t be as risky as the Mile High Club that we joined a year ago.”
“True.” I chuckle, clutching her body close to me.
“So, what is it?” she teases with her sweet voice, wrapping her hair around her finger as I inhale her intoxicating scent.
“I don’t suppose that given you are the soon-to-be Mrs. Reed Austin there’s any chance of getting some sex on the beach is there?” I quirk an eyebrow, scraping my teeth across my bottom lip as I glance across the darkened, empty beach and back to her, imagining her warm, tight little body underneath me.
“Hmm...that has been a fantasy of mine,” she whispers, ghosting her lips across mine. The air is crackling with sexual tension, and my heart is pounding so damn hard.
“Does that mean yes?”
She nods, gazing at me with her stormy hazel eyes.
“Perfect,” I rasp. I lay her down on the blanket, grab her wrists in one hand and hold them above her head. I gently slide my hand up her dress, stroking her thighs and moving up to her stomach before I gently pull off her dress, leaving her in her bikini.
She reaches for me, trailing kisses down my neck and up to bite on my ear. Her hot breath against my skin isn’t helping the desire I have surging throughout my body. Looking down at her deviously, I slip off her bikini and lie beside her, licking down her delicate neck while I sketch a slow path with my fingertip down her chest to her taut stomach. She is so responsive to my touch.
Gently, I ease my hand back up and cup her perfect breast into my hand and begin squeezing it as I gradually work my way toward her sensitive nipple. I take the other breast into my mouth and gently suck on her swollen bud, flicking my tongue as I slide my fingers into her wet folds. She whimpers loudly, pushing her pelvis into my hand, wanting more. I feel her muscles tighten around my fingers as fire runs through my veins. I stimulate her nub with my thumb, pressing my fingers in and out of her, rubbing and teasing and urging her higher.
“Doll, you’re so beautiful and so ready for me,” I grit as I begin to crawl over her, kissing her on the lips. Her heart is pounding against my chest. “I need every part of you,” I whisper against her silky skin as she stares up at me with wild lust. I want to savor this moment.
“Take me,” she speaks ardently. I take her mouth, and our tongues hungrily taste one another. Her delicious kiss is hypnotizing, and her luscious body is calling every part of me. With one swift movement, I slip off my trunks and position myself between her legs and gently slide into her. She gasps when she takes all of me, tugging my hair to urge me on. Each time I slide in and out of her body, I feel myself giving her more of me. This it’s how it’s supposed to be. I can’t get close enough or get enough of her.
I catch the last of the sunlight dance off her warm hazel eyes while her body begins shuddering with intense gratification. I feel it building, and it is nothing like I’ve ever experienced. I watch her beautiful body rise up and arch with her building climax, and then I feel her soft walls grip my cock. I crush my lips over hers to muffle our cries as we both savor our release together. I fall on top of her, pressing my face into the curve of her neck. I found her. She is the one who taught me and showed me what true love is.
We wrap a blanket around each other as we lie watching the sun set in the horizon and listening to the waves lap against the shore. I feel the warm embrace of his lips on my skin when the tension leaves his body. I lean back on his shoulder and look at him, his profile chiseled and gorgeous, bathed golden in the late afternoon sun. I reach up and touch his cheek and brush a wayward strand of hair from his forehead as a smile lights up his face. A calming warmth radiates through my body, and the world seems to stand still as Reed works his hands down my neck and along my shoulders. I could lie here in his protective arms until the end of time. I am in paradise with him. I cannot ask for a more perfect day.
I gaze at the sparkling ring on my finger, and I’m unable to contain the smile that crosses my face as he kisses me on my neck, sending chills the length of my body. I can’t wait to tell my family. I would have called them, but Reed insisted that we not bring our cell phones on the beach. I wonder if Jace already knows about this since my little brother and Reed have grown rather chummy over the last month.
“Are you happy?” I whisper, tracing the sun tattooed on his bicep, thinking about how far we’ve come and the prospect of spending the rest of my life with this thoughtful man. I can honestly say for the first time in my twenty-two years that what I feel is love. After all we have been thro
ugh over the past year, I know without a doubt it was all worth it to finally be here with him.
“I’ve never been happier,” he says, grabbing my hand and threading his fingers through mine. “I remember the first time we came here and how badly I wanted to be with you. It was a year ago and nothing has changed, only that my love for you is unbreakable and undeniable.” He pulls me in close to him, cupping my face and gently kissing the side of my mouth. “You are the best gift I have ever been given.” The kisses are so much sweeter now and seem to go on forever. I’m lost in this moment with him as we lapse into an easy silence, enjoying each other. I pull back and smile at him, raising my hand to toy languidly with his thick brown hair. We gaze at each other for a moment. All that we need to say is reflected in our eyes. He grins back, leaning in to brush his lips in a brief, tender kiss.
“Baby, do you think we should be heading back now. It’s getting dark, and there’s no one here.” I sigh against his lips.
“Hmm… I don’t know, doll. It’s perfect,” he answers as his eyes turn dark and lustful.
“I can’t wait to become your wife,” I whisper as he pulls me closer.
“Me either, doll. Mrs. Austin, it’s music to my ears,” he breathes with a twinkle in his eyes.
The next day is beautiful, a typical early August morning in Boston with the scent of magnolia trees wafting through the open window of our apartment. The Red Sox are playing a home game at Fenway Park against the Yankees, runners have hit the streets, couples are walking their dogs, and families are packing up their cars to head to the beach. We’re heading to my parents’ house to share the news about our engagement. I also texted Tyler and asked him to be there too. I couldn’t imagine not having him there to share this news.
Even though I told Reed my parents didn’t care what he looked like, he insisted on dressing up a little since this was a major announcement. I have to say he looks rather handsome in his black trousers and white polo shirt that hugs his toned biceps and fits perfectly against his broad chest.
He rushes to open the door for me, and I catch his eyes. I feel my body radiate with desire at the way he is looking at me in my black strapless dress. He lifts me up into the Hummer, kisses me on the lips, closes my door, and hesitates for a moment before walking back around to the driver’s side. Reed fidgets in the driver’s seat as silence fills the car for the entire drive to my parents’ house. No matter how many times I tried to reassure him, he’s still nervous about not asking my dad beforehand for his permission to ask for my hand in marriage. Holding his hand does nothing to calm his nerves either, so I turn on the radio and Savage Garden’s “I Knew I Loved You” fills the small space of his truck. After a minute, I feel the tension in Reed’s hand gradually disappear, but return as we turn down my mom’s street.
“We’re almost there,” I whisper, rubbing his forearm. “It’ll be fine. My family loves you.”
“I just want to do this right, doll. I want it to be perfect.” He smiles as we pull up in front of my mom’s house where Tyler’s motorcycle is parked along with my dad’s car. Reed swallows loudly before he turns to me and cups my cheek into his hand. “This is the one and only time I’m doing this. There is no one else I see myself with. I want you and your family to know that you are my life now.”
“I know, baby. And you are mine,” I whisper, resting my hand over his heart.
His expression softens, and he drops his eyes to mine and his chest rises sharply under my hands.
“I love you,” he says.
My heart flutters. I sense strength, promise and truth in his words as tears start to prickle my eyes. “I love you so much.”
He pulls me to his chest, circling his arms tightly around me for several minutes before he speaks, “I’m ready now,” he breathes into my hair.
We walk up the sidewalk, ready to share one of the biggest announcements of our lives. At the same time, I’m leaving all my memories behind only to make new ones with my fiancé. Tears spring to my eyes as I place my hand onto the door knob of my childhood home. I feel overcome with emotion. I’m unable to move, frozen in place on the porch.
“Doll.” Reed stops, sensing the tension in my body. He turns to face me, tilting my chin up with his hand. His eyes are sincere and kind. “This has to be hard for you, but you know that we can always come back here, whenever you want. I know how much your family and Tyler mean to you. We’re not leaving them; we’re just making our own way together.”
“Yesterday was the best day of my life with you,” I whisper, glancing up at him tenderly as my heart hammers in my chest. “You make me so happy.”
“Baby,” he says affectionately, pulling me into his strong arms. “You are number one to me. You will always come first.” He pulls back and steadies his gaze on me. “I will never deny you anything.”
My body relaxes at the sound of his words. “Last night at the beach was just the beginning.” I stare into his steely blue eyes as I fist his shirt and pull him closer to me.
“There is no end to us, doll.” He curls his lip and winks. “Now, it’s just convincing your family and Tyler that I’m the man for the job.”
“Oh, you’re more than good enough,” I say in a reassuring voice as I open the door. “I have the final say, anyways,” I whisper, clutching his hand.
As we step inside, we can overhear Jace complaining about the Red Sox pitching staff with Tyler and my dad. I swear if playing professional sports doesn’t pan out for him, he should totally get a job with ESPN. The New York Yankees signed Tyler to a minor league contract in the June draft. Go figure. I am one happy Yankee fan and very happy for Tyler knowing that he has been working toward this since he was a boy. Travis and Karlie are getting married next weekend, right before we move to Texas, which could have not worked out more perfectly. Attending her wedding is more exciting for me now since I will be planning my own wedding soon.
“Damn, I hope they go easy on me.” He takes a deep, shaky breath and runs his hand through his hair, peeking down the hallway and back down at me. “I’ve got this,” he mumbles under his breath.
“You do,” I whisper as I lace my hand in his. My heart beats wildly in my chest. “Are you ready?” I glance up at my future husband, the love of my life, the one I almost let go, but who fought his way back to me.
“Like I said, baby, I’ll do anything for you.” He rests his forehead against mine and gazes into my eyes. “Anything,” he emphasizes, gently placing a kiss onto my lips.
“I love you, Mr. Austin.”
“I love you, the future Mrs. Reed Austin.”
It has been a crazy few months writing Wanting Reed under a very tight deadline, that of course, I placed upon myself. I never, ever, ever, ever imagined I’d write one book, let alone a second, but I did, so now it is time to thank all the wonderful people who helped me along the way, who kept me on track, who kicked my ass, and who called me to cheer me up when I was ready to give up. I love you all for your encouraging words and your friendship. Here we go! If I missed you, it’s only on paper and not in my heart! Thank you! Thank you!
I have to give a special thank you to all the girls and author groups I belong to, especially the Indie Authors, Indie Gals, and ANGTFT. Thank you for listening and sharing your experiences and your knowledge. Without these groups, I wouldn’t know half of the stuff I know about the Indie World. You amazing ladies have changed my life for the better with your support, excitement, humor, and friendship. I sincerely cannot thank you enough! I love you all for being there for me and making my journey enjoyable and fun!
Jennifer Benson – You are a beta extraordinaire, friend, writer and just a super, super sweet chick with the most contagious laugh. Thanks for your genius, talent and love and sticking with me through my second book! I love you tons!
Chelle C. Craze (AKA my Pickle) - With the sweetest little voice and the weirdest sleep schedule, we always seemed to find each other online at the perfect time when I needed someone to talk to. I lo
ve you so much!
Mia Michelle - What can I say? I cannot say how thankful I am to have crossed paths with you recently! We clicked immediately! It is hard to find a fellow writer that you can trust and who shares the same ideals and dreams. You’re a gift and came at just the right time, and you’re an amazingly talented and inspiring writer! I love you for telling me how it is and believing in my writing!! I love you, woman!
Thank you, ladies, for reminding me why I love my fellow Indie Authors. I feel lucky to be experiencing this brave new world with you! I would be lost without each one of you. You all brought something special to the table that has helped me through this process. I appreciate your support! Words are not enough to express my gratitude to all of you.
To all my betas, my clean reader Malinda Boyd Burchett, and all the ladies in my street team!! You all know who you are. Thank you for your time and feedback. You helped mold my story and were not afraid to tear it apart, which only made it better! I don’t know what I would have done without you for all these months! I am forever indebted to you! You ladies rock!
To Angela Page - You are a freaking ass-kicker extraordinaire and a rock star! Thank you for all your little catches and pointing out some obvious things I’d forgotten! And for all the nights you stayed up late and made yourself available when I was stuck and needed words of encouragement, and of course, the photos that you sent to help inspire me! I could always count on you since you were always up reading a book until 2am! You helped me make the book better, and I appreciate it so much! <3 I cannot thank you enough, damnit!
Jennifer Diaz - You are a super duper beta. Thank you for your help, opinions and suggestions, your passion for reading, your friendship and sticking with me. I appreciate your support!
Thank you to my editor, Paige Maroney Smith, who took my awesome story and cleaned it up and made it sparkle! And for all the times you talked me off the ledge during the home stretch and believing in my story and feeling the characters when I was completely losing my mind!
Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 Page 45
