“Daniella May Deviche,” he said, looking up into her eyes, “would you do me the great honor of being my valentine?”
A startled laugh erupted from her lips and Dani’s vision blurred behind a torrent of unstoppable tears. She was floored by his unexpected question and, if were even possible, even more taken by him than she was when they first met.
“Don’t you mean your forbidden valentine?”
“I’ll take you any way I can get you.” She only cried harder. “Is that a yes?” Ransom asked cautiously as he rose to his feet and brushed her cheeks dry.
“Yes,” she said as she continued to laugh. “Yes, I’ll be your valentine.”
“Thank God. I ran out of ideas for gifts and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if you said no.” Pulling her to him, he tucked her against his broad chest and held her tight. “I’m never letting you go again,” he said into her hair. “I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth if I have to, but I promise, I’ll never let go again.”
“I know.”
Because a promise made was a promise kept.
EPILOGUE
THE WEDDING TOOK PLACE the following year on Valentine’s Day among the patrons and staff of Ye Old Dirty Dog where they’d first met.
Arguably, it wasn’t the most romantic or conventional venue for a wedding ceremony, but there was plenty of romance as far as Ransom and Dani were concerned. Taking their vows before their friends and family in the very place they’d started their journey was as close to perfection as it would ever get, and if they had it their way, every monumental moment would be made under the same roof.
“By the power vested in me by Chicago ministry dot com, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Rebel declared, grinning widely. “You may kiss my brand new sister-in-law.”
The room erupted in congratulatory cheers as Ransom jerked his wife against his chest, bent her back over his arm, and dropped a too-hot-for-public-consumption kiss on her bow-shaped lips.
“I’m the happiest man alive,” he said for her ears only.
Misty honey-brown eyes found his. “And I’m the happiest woman alive.”
Righting her, Ransom lifted his arm and shouted, “First drink’s on me!” Everyone shouted, music flooded the speakers, and he and Dani found themselves being passed from arm to arm, hug to hug.
There was no better feeling in the world than knowing that, for the rest of his life, he had the love of a good woman to keep him in line.
Lord knew, he needed it.
“Dance with me,” Ransom whispered in her ear when he was finally able to break away from his guests and find his bride.
He didn’t wait for her answer.
Whisking her out onto the floor, he twirled her around, then brought her back in, keeping her close to his heart where she belonged.
Her smile was vibrant and beautiful, just like her, and Ransom couldn’t stop staring. “I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world,” he told her. “You’ve given me everything I ever wanted.”
Her answering smile was shy. Sexy. It made him want to find someplace private and christen their marriage, solidifying their vows.
“Maybe not everything,” she hedged, pulling a frown from him.
“I have you. What more could I possibly want or need?”
“What about kids?”
A grin spread across his face. “Of course I want kids. In fact, as soon as we leave here, the first thing I plan to do is put my baby in you.”
“What if I said you didn’t have to wait?”
His eyebrows shot up into his hairline and his cock punched against his zipper. “You want to do it now, here?” Without a second thought, he threaded his fingers through hers and began pulling her through the crowd toward the back of the building.
“No,” Dani protested, laughing hysterically as she pulled against him. Bringing him to a stop, he turned back, his brows knitted together in question. “I didn’t mean that.” He must have been pouting, because her expression softened and she moved in close, tracing her fingers over his lips. “Ransom, what if I told you that you didn’t have to wait because I’m already pregnant?”
Suddenly, the world seemed to fall away and all Ransom could see and hear was Dani and her sweet voice. “Are you…Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she nodded vigorously.
Grabbing both of her arms, Ransom said, “Say it. I need to hear you say it.”
She grinned. “I’m pregnant.”
His expression flattened and he swallowed thickly. “Marry me.”
“I just did,” she said with a laugh.
“Then tell me you love me.”
“I love you.”
“Again. All of it. Tell me again.”
She frowned, but did it anyway. “Um…I’m pregnant, and I love you?”
“God I love you, woman,” he professed as he yanked her to him and kissed her soundly. Lifting his head, he shouted, “We’re having a baby!” to everyone in the bar, and to another round of celebratory cheers, they kissed again, laughing and crying in their immense joy.
As Ransom held his bride and unborn child in his arms, dancing the night away, he thought about the journey his life had taken. He’d never thought he’d love again, but Dani had slipped into his life during a time when he desperately needed a friend, and she’d proven him wrong in the best ways. Now, with a ring on her finger and a new life on the way, Ransom was looking forward to a bright and happy future.
The end.
Read more books by J.C. VALENTINE
Note from the Author
Thank you for joining me on this journey with Ransom. Originally, I hadn’t planned anything beyond the first three books in the trilogy, but when it was over, it became clear that Ransom was in desperate need of a happy ending just like his brother. And readers agreed.
I ventured into this one blind. As is typical of the Scott brothers, Ransom was a tough cookie to crack. He hid from me for months, refusing to speak much more than a couple lines here and there. I begged and pleaded, ignoring him in return, then tried again and again. It was beyond frustrating and a very slow process, but eventually he did start speaking to me. I’d like to think, like a wild stallion, I finally broke him, but I suspect Dani had much more to do with that than I did. She was a breath of fresh air. Her kooky side had me laughing and smiling at times and I enjoyed seeing how Ransom responded to her.
Who would have thought that he’d find love in someone so completely opposite from his typical venue?
Many of you are probably wondering if there will be more of the Scott brothers in the future, and as much as I’d like to say yes, I’m ending this series on a good note and closing the chapter on these memorable characters so I can move on to new and exciting adventures. Keep your eye on my Facebook page for news on all the new releases coming this year!
As always, thank you for reading!
Much love,
JC
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn't sorry.
J.C. earned her own happily ever after when she married her high school sweetheart. Living in the Northwest, they have three amazing children and far too many pets and spend much of their free time together enjoying movies or the outdoors. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor's in English and when she isn't writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.
Acknowledgements
I usually don’t make many changes to these things because, well, why mess with perfection?
To my usual suspects:
My sister from another mother, Kim- You are the b
est! What has it been now, two years? I never could have imagined that I would be friends with such an amazing woman as you. You read everything I throw at you, you’re my sounding board, and you help keep me sane. It is such a pleasure to have you as my assistant and I am truly blessed to call you my friend. You are the one who gave me the idea of a naughty professor. Brainstorming with you was so much fun and I had a blast writing this story. I hope it’s everything you imagined it would be.
Mitzi- What can I say, except you’re such a wonderful woman who is also an unexpected friend and gift in my life. I’ve said it before, and the same is true now: I love our talks, and I love your passion for books, especially mine *grins*. You rock!
My Valentines! You ladies rock my socks off. I love our little family and as always, I am confident in saying that you’re the best team a girl could ask for. You all pimp so hard! Thank you!
To all the people that take the time to connect with me: Every message, every comment truly means the world to me. I read every one, so keep ‘em coming!
To my readers: You’re the best. You’ve stuck by me from the beginning, when I wasn’t even sure anyone was paying attention. I am continually blown away by your enthusiasm for my stories and your endless support.
I could never forget my darling hubby. You’re my inspiration behind all of these delectable men. You’re my rock, my one true love. I love you!!
Forbidden Valentine
Forbidden Series Standalone
By J.C. Valentine
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyrighted material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without the prior permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
Forbidden Valentine by J.C. Valentine
Copyright © 2015 by J.C. Valentine
Cover design by J.C. Valentine
Edited by Mitzi Carroll.
Forbidden Valentine is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offence to the content, as it is FICTION.
Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders. The author acknowledges the trademark status in this work of fiction. The publications and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Books by J.C. VALENTINE
About this Book
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Epilogue
Note from the Author
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Copyright
Connect with J.C. VALENTINE
Connect with J.C. VALENTINE
AMAZON Author Page
Website | Mailing list | Facebook | Twitter
Forbidden Valentine: A Forbidden Novel Page 18
