by Sharan Daire
“You’d better not have messed up her fucking lipstick.”
I held on to him for balance as I lifted one foot and then the other for the silver stilettos. Once they’d felt like stilts and my feet had wept after five minutes. Now I was pretty sure I could run in them if I had to, though Chris would probably have a coronary.
“Wong and Blakely!” Someone yelled. “Showtime!”
Derek kissed me again. “Good luck, sugar.”
Kaleb kissed my neck from behind. “Don’t break a leg, though, okay?”
Not to be left out, Everett took my hand and kissed my palm, wrapping my fingers around his kiss to hold it in my hand. “Even if you do, you’re covered.”
The room exploded into frantic activity, models rushing to finish looks, hopping into shoes as they lined up. I lifted my chin, shook my head a little to settle my hair into place. Then I locked gazes with Chris. “How do I look?”
He took my hand. “Like a motherfucking angel. Let’s go.”
My heart thudded heavily, my palm sweaty against Chris’. He walked with me all the way to the head of the line as model after model stepped out onto the stage.
“Don’t be nervous.” I gave him a side-eyed look of wry amusement and he huffed out a laugh. “All you gotta do is walk, babe. The guys will be at the head of the runway, even if they have to toss a few people on their skulls to get there. Focus on them on the way out. I’ll make my way around to the other side of the stage so you can see me on the way back. Just walk back to me. Yeah?”
I nodded, releasing his hand to shake out both hands, cooling off a little. “Yeah. Got it.”
“Remember,” Paolo said. “Slow. Easy. Loose. Sexy.”
“Just be you,” Chris added.
I swallowed, taking another step closer to the stage. I was next. A man with a headset put his hand on my shoulder, holding me a second.
The announcer’s voice roared over me. “Debuting this week, Christopher Blakely’s Red Velvet Angel.”
The man gave me a slight push. “Go.”
I stepped out into chaotic flashes all around me, blinding me to what was surely a sea of faces. Strangers. All looking at me. Waiting for me to stumble and fall.
My heart froze a moment, my chest burning with a burst of anxiety.
Just be you. Chris’ words thundered in my head. Just be you.
Shelby Anderson Harris Blakely. Their motherfucking angel dressed in a killer red dress. Legs for days. Dangerous curves. A strong woman who’d carried and delivered children while working long hours and fending off the wolves at the door alone for years.
This was nothing. Chris was right. All I had to do was fucking walk.
Head up, shoulders back, arms loose at my sides, I strode down the runway. Letting my hips sway as I imagined Chris’ hungry eyes watching me and Kaleb on the bed last night. Remembering the heat of Derek’s palms covering my breasts. The heavy weight of his body on top of me. The elegant dance of Everett’s fingers as he stroked and played my body like a finely tuned instrument.
Against all odds, I found them in the crowd, even blinded by camera flashes and spotlights. Derek’s impressive bulk. Kaleb grinning from ear to ear. Everett whooping and cheering as if I’d intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown, single handedly winning the game.
I turned at the end of the stage, slowly, looking back over my shoulder at my men. A striptease, just for them. Walking back, I locked in on Chris, standing at the exit on my left. Eyes blazing, a muscle ticking in his cheek, his impressive will laser-focused on me.
I slowed my step, watching the heat grow in his eyes. I let my gaze drift down his body, drinking in the intensity he radiated. The coiled threat of danger, the promise of retaliation and retribution if anyone dared lift a finger in my direction. My ears roared, lights flashing and tumbling all around me, but he was my rock. Calm, steady, and unstoppable.
As soon as I stepped off the runway, he locked me against his side, hustling me through the chaotic backstage labyrinth to our station. In seconds, the team stripped the red velvet dress over my head and helped me into the white gown. I had to sit down so we could slip on old-fashioned white stockings that tied around my upper thighs with red ribbons. The ruby-crusted stilettos from last night, plus the earrings and necklace.
Against the white, the rubies gleamed like crimson fire flickering in the light.
Carsen pulled out some of the pins, letting more of my hair fall down around my face and shoulders.
“Fucking hell,” Chris muttered.
Carsen gave him a worried look. “Too much, Mr. Blakely?”
“No. It’s perfect.” He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “You look like Derek and Everett just railed you within an inch of your life.”
My lips parted on a sigh. “If only.”
Chris choked back a laugh and locked his mouth over mine, giving me a crushing, soul-searing kiss that stole my breath. Panting, I stared up at him as he lifted his head, more than a little dazed.
“Her lipstick is smeared,” Carsen said. “Let me—”
“Leave it. We gotta go.”
“Blakely! You’re up!”
He hauled me to my feet, hustling me back to the stage entrance. “This time, bite your lip at them when you see them. Don’t pull that shit on me again, or I may have to cancel the third look so I can drag you into a back room somewhere and rail you myself.”
“Promises, promises,” I said, laughing as I stepped out into the lights. The crowd. The roar and thunder of applause. I had no idea if it was for me or the model exiting the stage. I was too busy trying to come up with what I could do to tease Chris again as I walked back to him.
I paused at the end of the stage once more while the flashes burst all around, blinding me. I knew my men were waiting, watching, focused on me as intensely as Chris watching from his armchair. I couldn’t see them or even hear them over the crowd, but I bit my bottom lip, exactly as Chris had asked. Though I turned my head slightly, looking down and to the side as if suddenly shy. I was sure I heard Derek roar something, but I couldn’t understand what he said.
I headed back to Chris, fighting to keep my walk slow and steady rather than running into his waiting arms. I lifted my hand, stroking my fingers over my lips, puffy and smeared from his kiss. Then I trailed my hand down my throat. Between my breasts. Down over my stomach.
He seized me again at the exit, pulling me in against him so hard that my feet barely touched the ground as he took me back to the station. He dropped me into the chair and the team attacked, dragging off the heels and stockings. The dress whipped over my head. Carsen wiped away the lipstick and reapplied a gold glitter that covered up the remaining red stain.
“Faster,” Chris barked, pacing back and forth.
The shimmering golden dress dropped over my head. Carsen took out the last of the pins, letting my hair fall down my back. Gold stilettos studded with bits of amber-colored stones. The large golden diamond pendant nestled between my breasts. I started to stand, but Chris dropped a heavy hand on my shoulder.
“The goddess of heaven needs a crown.”
Sagarika turned around with a spiked, glittering headpiece that slipped on like a headband. Stunned, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The spikes looked like rays of sunlight shining from my fiery-red hair.
“Blakely!”
Chris lifted me up out of the chair with a hand under each of my arms and swept me to the stage. “One more time, babe. Give ‘em hell.”
The dress seemed tighter than before, especially on my legs. I took smaller steps, moving slower this time out of necessity. The jewels and sparkles on the gown reflected the lights back up at me, making me dizzy. It was louder this time, or maybe I was just getting a headache.
Almost done. I can do it. Just a bit further.
At the end of the runway, I did a slow, careful pivot so the crown didn’t shift off my head. I concentrated on being regal, taking slow, proud steps. In just a few months, I’d be
walking down an aisle to my men. We’d be married. The fairytale was real. Dreams I’d never dared dream had already come true. Even if I never walked as a model in another show, I’d never forget this day. How special and gorgeous I felt wearing Chris’ dresses. How much love burned in his eyes as I neared him.
He grabbed my hand and tucked my arm around his as he stepped out on the stage, rather than taking me back to our station. I was confused a moment, until I saw Alice Wong walking with one of her models, with the rest of her collection marching along behind the leader. A finale, of course.
Chris and I were last. I was his only model.
We walked down the runway one more time to thunderous applause and cheers. Arm in arm, we paused at the end of the runway and Chris nodded and waved to the crowd. Then he stepped aside, turning toward me and clapping his hands.
I’d thought the applause was loud before, but the clamor was deafening. Just as he’d done at home when he first saw me in this dress, he went down on one knee, took my hand in his, and pressed my knuckles to his mouth.
The room exploded with cheers. Evidently, the audience thought he was proposing to me. The joke was on them, though, because he was already mine. We just needed to make it legal.
Epilogue
SHELBY
Allie hopped up and down beside me. “Is it time yet, Mommy?”
Smiling, I bent down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Do you have your basket?”
She swung the basket in her hand so enthusiastically that several rose petals fluttered to the ground. “Yep! I’m ready! Can Wally walk with me?”
“Of course, baby. Go on to Kaleb when you’re done.”
Skipping happily with the dog trotting along beside her, Allie headed down the aisle of chairs, slinging rose petals on the ground. Chris had made her a miniature version of my gown, only pink and purple to suit her personal style. Maybe he’d start designing for kids next, though he’d mutter and glare if he worked on something other than a new piece of clothing for me.
I turned to Liam, who held a red velvet pillow as carefully as if it were a newborn kitten. On top of the pillow, red ribbons held eight rings in place, each as different and special as my men. “Your turn.”
He flashed a smile and started forward, looking so grownup in his brand-new black suit that matched the men’s tuxedos. I scanned the people who’d gathered at the lodge’s new outdoor stage just below Canyon Rock’s waterfall to witness our love.
Granny sat in the front row with her personal nurse. She still insisted on living in her own home in Liberty, but Everett had helped me make sure her nurse was well paid and took excellent care of her every need. She was my only family by blood, but I had so many more people here who loved me.
Sagarika and Isa sat behind Granny with Eleanor. Marlo and Angela sat on the other side of the aisle with Taylen and Renata. Angela was nursing one of the twins, while Marlo burped the other. They were incredibly tiny, still, but healthy and as precious as could be.
“Are you ready, my dear?” Paolo asked, holding out his elbow.
I smiled and tucked my hand around his arm. “Absolutely.”
A string quartet played the wedding march as I walked down the aisle wearing a Christopher Blakely original. He’d taken the white gown I’d worn at New York Fashion Week and modified it into a slightly less scandalous version that didn’t look like a negligee wrapped in sheer lace. I’d kept the old-fashioned stockings. Paired with a barely-there red thong, I felt positively naughty beneath my wedding dress.
My four men stood beneath an arch of cascading red and white roses. They wore the same tuxedoes they’d dressed up in to propose, though I told them they didn’t have to wear a tie. Chris thought I wanted him to be comfortable—but I really just wanted to be able to catch glimpses of sculpted chests and strong, masculine throats bared by their open necked dress shirts.
Chris and Everett waited to the right. Derek and Kaleb stood on the left with my kids, Allie on Kaleb’s hip. The paperwork had been approved by the judge. They were both officially Andersons.
I would be an official Anderson too with a legal name change to Shelby Anderson Harris Blakely, though of course only Chris would be recognized as my legal husband. Stupid laws.
Carsen flashed a smile as I neared. I’d been thrilled to learn he was ordained and could marry us. I didn’t want anyone except family to be here today.
Paolo kissed my knuckles and then offered my hand to Chris.
His dark eyes searched my face, looking for any trace of hesitation. “Ready, babe?”
I nodded, clutching his fingers harder than he was holding mine. “You’re not going to do a quarterback sneak this late in the game to escape. Even if we have to go into overtime.”
Everett rolled his eyes. “I regret ever starting football metaphors.”
“Dearly beloved,” Carsen began the ceremony. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate the union of this family. Liam Anderson, present the rings to the grooms, please.”
Liam went from man to man, waiting patiently while each man retrieved his ring from the pillow. Then he came to stand in front of me, so I could reach my rings to give them when it was time.
“Kaleb Anderson.” Carsen paused until Kaleb stood beside me, shifting Allie to his other hip so he could take my free hand in his. “Do you take this woman to love forevermore?”
“I do.” Then to Allie, he whispered loudly, “Can you put the ring on Mommy’s finger?”
I held my breath as Allie slipped a beautiful sapphire ring on my finger, hoping she didn’t drop it into the grass.
“Shelby, do you take this man to love forevermore?”
Oh jeez. The waterworks were already starting. Stupid hormones. I sniffed and released Chris’ hand to swipe away my tears. I loosened the ribbon on Kaleb’s gold band with a matching sapphire and slipped it onto his finger. “I do.”
“Derek Anderson.” Kaleb stepped back and made room for his brother. “Do you take this woman to love forevermore?”
Derek slipped his antique diamond ring onto my finger and dabbed at my cheeks with a tissue. “I do with my whole heart.”
“Shelby, do you take this man to love forevermore?”
I untied his platinum ring and slipped it onto his finger. “I do.”
“Everett Harris.”
Derek stepped back while Everett moved to my left side. He pressed a kiss to my palm and then slipped his ring onto my index finger before Carsen could say the words. “I promise to love you forevermore.”
I untied his ring, a gold band inset with a row of tiny diamonds that matched his. “I promise to love you forevermore too.”
Carsen shook his head wryly but continued the ceremony. “Christopher Blakely, do you take this woman to love forevermore?”
“I do.” Somehow, he still managed to sound pissed off. “It’s too late to run now, Shel.”
I untied a heavy black onyx ring with the Blakely Four Brothers signet. “What is it you always say?”
“I’m a fucking nightmare?”
Everett groaned, Kaleb snickered, and Derek scowled like he wanted to thump Chris in the back of the head but on second thought, decided he didn’t want to get his suit dirty.
“No, the other thing.” I couldn’t help but laugh as I slipped the ring on his finger. Leaning up on my tiptoes, I locked my arms around his neck. “I guess I believe in miracles after all.”
I pressed my lips to his. Not surprised in the slightest to feel his mouth tremble with emotion against mine.
“Hey, I haven’t said you can do that yet,” Carsen protested. “Is that a yes?”
Chris lifted his head, though he tightened his arms around me, lifting me off my feet against him. “Make it legal, babe.”
“I do.”
“Then I pronounce you man and wife. Congratulations.”
Everyone started clapping and cheering. Wally barked, inviting Allie to chase him around the chairs. Paolo snapped a couple pictures of us. Hope
fully these wouldn’t end up on the front page of the New York Times fashion section like the one from the show with Chris kneeling before me.
He let me slide back down to my feet. “Can we tell everyone now?”
I nodded, suddenly shy despite all the love around us. I’d told the kids last night, and our fashion team already knew, of course, but the Anderson and Harris clans didn’t. I knew they only wanted the best for their sons and brothers, but adding a baby so quickly might be too over the top. Even for this crazy family.
Chris turned me around in front of him, wrapping his arms around me protectively. Everyone quieted, except the kids of course. Allie was still chasing Wally, though Kaleb snagged her as she went racing past, making her squeal.
Everett dropped a hand on Chris’ shoulder. Derek and Kaleb stood on his other side. All four men, united with me, facing their families.
“We’re having a baby.”
“Holy shit.” Angela clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. “Oops. Sorry, Mama.”
Renata rolled her eyes. “As if I’ve never heard you curse before. Congratulations! When’s the happy due date?”
“November twentieth,” I said, blushing. Hopefully no one did the calendar math as quickly as Kaleb and realized exactly how quickly I’d been knocked up.
“Wait, isn’t that a movie?” Marlo asked.
Confused, I glanced over at Derek and Kaleb to see if they knew what he meant. Everett laughed, shaking his head. “No, that was only three men, and it wasn’t theirs.”
“What movie?”
Chris gave me a toss, turning me in midair so he could catch me up against him. “Four Men and a Baby. I guess I’ll have to write the fucking script after all.”
Note from the Author
You may know me by a different pen name, who tells stories of a certain bloody vampire queen and her loyal knights.
The divorce is FINAL.
I didn’t escape unscathed but it is over after a nearly two-year battle.
