by Frankie Love
I run my hand over my jaw, wondering how much I ought to say.
“Dad, do you have to do this?” Justine pulls at her dad’s arm. “Ryder has been nothing but a gentleman. And Ryder,” she says, looking at me as if wanting to save me from a disaster, “you do not have to answer him.”
“But what if I want to answer him?” I ask, giving her a half smile.
She twists her lips, trying to hide her own grin. Maybe she’s picturing the way she went down on my hard cock, sucking me until I came in her mouth. Until she swallowed my come like a fucking champ. Or maybe she’s remembering the way my milky release coated her perfect tits. Maybe she’s imagining her legs spread wide, her back arched, and my beard tickling her cunt just like she deserves. Lapping up all her cream like it was the frosting on a goddamn cake.
It doesn’t matter. I have fucking boundaries. Her dad’s asking if what we shared was something real, something that was going to last. And while I don’t know everything about her family, at least she has a mom and a dad that are worried about their little girl.
“You want to know if I have any intentions with your daughter?” I ask, cocking my eyebrow.
Jim nods and Justine bites her lip. I can’t tell what Vicky is thinking but she’s looking me up and down, and I’m guessing she’s deciding whether or not to trust me.
“I intend on loving her for the rest of my life if that’s what you’re asking.”
Justine’s eyes go wide, she covers her mouth out of shock.
“Don’t look so surprised,” I tell her, stepping closer, and taking her hand in mine. “You know I love you. I fell for you in a way most folks would call reckless, would call crazy. But I don’t care about most folks. Right now, baby, I only have eyes for you. And I intend on keeping it that way forever.”
Tears spring to her eyes, and she gasps as if my words are the last thing she expected. For a second, I wonder if I got it all wrong. If the way our bodies connected had nothing to do with our hearts.
But then she’s wrapping her arms around me, kissing me on the mouth, her lips parting as I lift her up, her legs wrapping around me. She’s just a tiny thing in my arms and I could hold her like this forever. Thing is, she’s only half dressed and her parents are watching.
I set her down, my hands holding her ass cheeks a second too long.
“I mean it, Justine. I love you. Now and forever.” I get down on one knee, and I take my mother’s ring from my pocket. “I need to make you my wife.”
Chapter 24
Justine
People may say there’s no such thing as love at first sight.
But those people have never met Ryder. And certainly never seen me with him. And the truth is, a few days ago, I wouldn’t have believed it either.
But now I look down at this man, a man twice my size, his heart so fucking big, I realize just how little I knew before the auction. Certainly nothing about love.
And now I know.
Now I know that the way I feel about Ryder, it’s more than infatuation or lust. And maybe that’s unbelievable to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, but it’s not my job to prove to anyone else that you can fall in love over the course of the day.
But you can.
Because I have.
I looked down at Ryder. A man holding out a diamond ring, kneeling before me in the green grass, and I know he loves me too.
Some people thought the auction was the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but I already know what they’re going to say about this. That it isn’t real. That it won’t last.
But that means they don’t know me very well.
I don’t do anything halfway.
And I certainly don’t set my mind to something I don’t intend to follow through on.
“Of course, I will be your wife.” I lean closer, holding his face with my hands and kiss his mouth again, breathing in the strong man, this man who will be my husband.
“Justine,” my mom says, already shaking her head, doubting me. Assuming I’m doing another reckless thing. As Ryder holds me in his arms, I look over at my mother.
She keeps speaking, and her words, surprise me. “You’ve always known what you wanted,” she says, reaching for my father and clasping his hands. “And I’m sorry for ever doubting you, but I promise I won’t doubt you again.”
“It’s okay, Mom. You were worried about me. I’m glad that people care. That my family cares.”
“We do, baby,” Jim says. “We care so much. And by the looks of it, there are more people in our family to care about now.” He looks at Ryder, tears filling both their eyes, and I can’t believe I’m seeing these strong men cry.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve all this,” Ryder says slipping the ring onto my finger. “And maybe I’ll never know, but I’m going to hold on tight. I swear I’ll never let go.”
The ring fits perfectly, and I feel honored to be wearing it when he tells me it was his mother’s.
“This is crazy,” I say with a grin. “Ryder, we are totally crazy.”
“You know that magazine Exposé is going to have a field day with us, don’t you?” Vicky says.
“They can say what they like, Mom. In fact, I’ll give them an interview.” I wrap my arms around Ryder, kissing him again.
“Crazy, maybe, but there are worse things to be,” Ryder says. When he speaks, his eyes pierce mine, slaying me with emotion. “Like alone.”
“You’re right,” I say, smiling at the truth. We did find each other. And we don’t have to be alone.”
“Are you going to leave California and move to Alaska, or should I pack up my cabin and head south?” he asks.
“You would move to California for me?” I shake my head at his words. “I can’t picture you living in Los Angeles. Like, at all.”
“I’d do anything to be with you, Justine. I mean that.”
“Justine’s been talking about Alaska since she was a little girl,” my dad says.
It’s true. I’ve always been drawn to this state and have been up here a handful of times for various projects. It’s a place I would love to call home.
“If you want to stay, I won’t fight you,” Ryder says. “I was thinking I could be more involved in HAHA. My mom would have liked that.”
“That’d be wonderful,” I say.
Ryder looks at me, his hand cradling my face. “And Justine, you should be on the board too. I’m guessing Luther’s spot is going to be free.”
I lean into Ryder, unable to believe what has happened between us. That our love has blossomed and grown into something strong, so quickly.
My parents’ phones begin to ring. “It’s Eileen,” Mom says.
Dad flashes me his phone. “The police want you both at the station.”
Ryder exhales and lifts me to stand. “I’ll get your clothes from upstairs, okay? I don’t want you to go back up there.”
“Can you give us a second?” I ask my Mom and Dad. They nod, and head to the car to wait for us.
“Everything okay?” Ryder asks, holding my hand tight. “You’re not overwhelmed?
I smile. “What would I be overwhelmed about?”
Ryder grins, running a hand through his hair. God, he looks so good when his arms flex and when the hem of his tee-shirt is lifted. And this man is mine. Forever.
It’s kind of insane.
I press a hand to his rock hard chest. “Are you talking about the fact that we told my parents about our sex life or how we fell in love in less than twenty-four hours? I mean, it could always be because I have a freaking ring on my finger and I just learned your last name this morning.”
Ryder smiles, his arms instantly around my waist, his hands cupping my ass. “Too fast?”
I shake my head. “Not too fast for me. For me, it is perfect.”
“You think your parents are freaked out?”
I laugh. “My parents are used to me digging in my heels once I’ve made up my mind. They know better than to doubt me.”
/> “I love you, Shortbread.”
“And I love you, Ryder.”
Epilogue: EXPOSÉ
The Gossip Column You Can Sink Your Teeth Into
MOUNTAIN MAN MARRIES HIS VIRGIN! By Trista Piper
In an exclusive, tell-all, heiress Justine Van De Shire—now Justine Ottenbagh, married to Ryder Ottenbagh—shares how she fell madly in love with the man who kidnapped her.
We caught up with the newlyweds at their recently renovated, wooded oasis, two hours north of Anchorage. The same place Ryder took Justine the night he kidnapped her from her history-making auction.
On an outdoor patio, with the afternoon sun shining through the tree branches, I sat down with this extraordinary couple and asked everything our readers are dying to know!
EXPOSÉ: How did you know he was the one?
Justine: Well, it wasn’t love at first sight. I mean, he drove me to a secluded cabin in the woods late at night. (Laughs)
EXPOSÉ: Right. So after the kidnapping, when did you know?
Justine: Well, after we got in his cabin things heated up pretty quickly…(She pulls her hair back, revealing a bare neck, and Ryder practically licks his lips in desire. #MountainManYum.) It was after that first night together. I woke up in his bed and it felt like home. Of course, I didn’t admit it to myself until later.
EXPOSÉ: And by later you mean later that afternoon?
Justine: Right. (Justine laces her fingers through her husband’s, their wedding rings glinting in the sun.) It was a whirlwind. But we couldn’t be happier.
Ryder: (He looks as ruggedly handsome as ever in a flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong forearms. #HeCanCarryMe) We had a few bumps in the road, but once they were ironed out, we both knew there was no reason to delay the inevitable.
EXPOSÉ: The inevitable being your proposal and wedding?
Ryder: (His hand on his wife’s knee, looking at her adoringly. Sigh. #Jealous) Our lives we entwined from the get-go. Without her knowing, my mother was the founder of HAHA and Justine was giving an essential part of herself for that cause. It made sense that we fell for one another. I’m just lucky as hell to be the man she chose to spend her life with.
EXPOSÉ: And you had a private wedding ceremony the week after you got engaged. Which was two months ago, why rush things?
Justine: (Smiling, her dark eyes full of hope. #WifeyForLifey) When you know, you know.
EXPOSÉ: Luther Morris has ties to both of you. He won the auction, but he is also your stepfather, Ryder.
Ryder: (his eyes narrow, smoldering blue, melting more than ice-caps.) Ex-stepfather.
EXPOSÉ: Apologies. Ex-stepfather. Now that he’s awaiting his court hearing, how do you feel, Justine? Is this the justice you seek?
Justine: (crosses arms, no-nonsense—exactly why we love this woman!) I don’t want to talk about Luther Morris. He isn’t worth my breath.
EXPOSÉ: I love your passion, Justine. It’s something our readers have commented on quite a bit since the news of your auction first broke. Did you intend to inspire other women?
Justine: I hope everyone can be inspired to be their most authentic selves. Whether that’s sexually, emotionally, or physically. If I can encourage even one person then I’m proud of myself. But the real goal with the auction was to raise money for preserving the Alaskan wildlife.
Ryder: (He pulls his wife close, kisses the top of her head. #MountainManofTheYear) When news sources, friends, and family began asking about what wedding gifts we’d like, we directed them to donate to HAHA using the hashtag #Jatinder. Since that announcement, we have raised seven million dollars.
EXPOSÉ: More than Luther’s winning bid.
Justine: For the record, we refunded that check.
EXPOSÉ: Our readers are dying for a juicy bit of information they can’t find anywhere else. Tell us something delicious, that we can really sink our teeth into.
Justine: (Giggling in a way that tells me she’s thinking naughty thoughts.) Ryder calls me Shortbread.
EXPOSÉ: And how did that nickname come about?
Justine: (biting her lip, holding back a smile) Oh, it came about pretty quickly. (And yes, the inflection was intentional.)
EXPOSÉ: (fanning myself)
Ryder: (He adjusts himself, and I can’t help but look down. The rumors are true, just saying. #TwelveInches) Let’s just say I intend on eating that cookie every damn day of my life.
You’ve heard it here first folks. You want to rope the hottest man in America? Then you need to leave the lower 48 behind and come to Alaska!
I’m signing off until next time!
Right now, I’m gonna go find myself a mountain man!
For the women who have forgotten how utterly wonderful they are.
I think you're the bee’s knees. And more.
You, my dear, are the freaking Queen of your own honey pot. ;)
xo, frankie
Courtney’s Story
Chapter One
Sipping my hot toddy, I nestled deeper into the plush cushions of the oversized chair in the lodge. Wearing my Uggs, leggings, and a comfy sweater, I was more than ready for a getaway with my two best friends. There was nothing on our agenda besides drinking and relaxing. Callie was already busy booking a massage, and Willow had gone off in search of our room key.
I appreciated having a few minutes apart from them. We’d been traveling together all morning, and I needed some breathing room. They were my best friends, but I swear Callie had spent the entire car ride lecturing Willow on career options and my ear buds hadn’t canceled out the conversation. I needed some quiet.
My day-to-day life was loud enough, and with my internship wrapping up I was finally on the downswing of an intense schedule. Not that the magazine industry is ever slow, but I’d worked my ass off for months, and it had paid off.
I had a full-time job starting next week with the city’s Arts & Entertainment magazine. This was my one weekend off before my first grown-up job, and I was going to enjoy it.
Sinking deeper into the cushion, I set my phone aside. There was no reception here, which was exactly what I needed: a weekend off the grid. My chest felt warm from the steamy whiskey, and it felt decadent not to be checking my phone every five minutes.
Looking around the lodge, I thought back to the website for this resort. Willow had insisted we come to this place, Eagle Cove—so when Callie’s boyfriend unexpectedly broke things off with her, and Willow realized she didn’t have any shifts scheduled, we went for it.
Eagle Cove was a bit more rustic than the website had depicted, but I didn’t care. The views were spectacular. Water views peeked out for every cabin and a giant eagle’s nest was nestled high in the trees. We had taken a private ferry to get here, and we were in the middle of nowhere, an evergreen-covered island oasis in the Pacific Northwest. Some of Willow’s friends had been here for a kayaking trip, and she’d been dying to visit for months.
She was mostly interested in the hiking, but for me, the soaking tubs were where I wanted to go. The website had shown pictures of three soaking tubs—all different temperatures—and a dry sauna. I was ready to get to our room, put on my swimsuit, and head over to them. I could already imagine closing my eyes as the steam covered me.
“Wow, Court, you finished your drink already?” Callie’s voice was intense, and it made me wish her long-time boyfriend hadn’t broken up with her right before this getaway. It was only making her come off as more severe.
“Yeah, what’s it to you?” I said, laughing, refusing to let her get to me.
“It’s not even dark out.”
“I didn’t know there were rules about when I could drink.” Callie and I went way back—we had been college roommates—and because of that I usually put up with her bossy attitude.
Sometimes, though, it was just too much. Today I was in no mood to deal with her bitchiness. “You seriously need to chill out, Callie. You didn’t give Willow a break the whole way here. It’s a l
ittle exhausting. This weekend is supposed to be fun.”
Callie ran her fingers through her blond hair and nodded. “I’ll try.”
“I know things are hard with the break up and all—”
“No, you don’t, Courtney. You’ve never had a serious relationship. You don’t know what this is like.”
“Okay, harsh much?” I rolled my eyes, which I know is totally obnoxious, but I did not spend five hours in the car to get here just to have her negativity. She was right: I hardly dated, much less had a boyfriend, and although I blamed it on my internship, the truth was I’d never had the guts to put myself out there. “Do you know what’s taking Willow so long?”
“Who knows. I swear she’s trying to drive me nuts by insisting health insurance is for grown-ups. We are grown-ups.” Callie was right, we were grown-ups, but just barely. We had graduated college and were still just trying to figure out our lives. I had my magazine job, and Callie was working at an advertising agency, but Willow was a barista and for some reason that wasn’t good enough for Callie.
“I just don’t think it’s any of your business Callie,” I pushed. “She likes her job, and does the best latte art ever—just give her a break.”
“It’s just that she graduated with honors. She could do anything.”
Not wanting to talk behind Willow’s back I picked up my mug and walked it back to the bar. By the time I came back, Willow was walking towards us, her bohemian skirt fluttering as she moved through the lobby.
“What took you so long?” Callie asked.
“There was the hottest guy in front of me and I couldn’t help flirting.”
“How hot?” I asked. Even though I hadn’t had a boyfriend in ages, I still wouldn’t pass up details on a hottie.
“Like hotter-than-Kyle-at-work hot,” she said, knowing my sweet spot. I’d been crushing on Kyle, a food editor, for months, but never had the guts to talk to him. My friends insisted that I was cute; my problem wasn’t my looks. I was just never in the right situation to make a move.
