Annalisa giggled, and I was certainly more than happy to rub it in Michelle's nose, but it didn't make me enjoy the thought of seeing her. On the other hand, there were a few things I wanted to say to her, face-to-face about L.A.. Still, something nagged me in the back of my mind. "Wait." I pulled Sean's face back to me, so I could look him in the eye. "What do you mean you broke the contract?"
He grimaced a little and quickly pressed his lips to mine before answering me. "The only out I gave Michelle was marriage." As my eyes widened, he put his finger to my lips and shook his head. "I was such a fucking idiot with that contract, love. I wanted revenge."
"Revenge against what?"
"After we wrapped Until Tomorrow, she was supposed to go on a publicity tour with me. Uh—I'm just gonna be honest here, please don't punish me for it later." I glared at him, and he winked. "We'd slept together once, and she got pissed when she thought it meant something. She refused to go on the publicity tour unless I gave up all women aside from her."
"Oh, what a mean and nasty woman." I let the sarcasm drip from my voice, and Stewie chuckled next to us.
Sean nodded. "Yeah, I didn't have a very high opinion of women back then."
"Back then—three months ago?"
"No, this was about a year ago. Things started changing after that. Anyway, I promised her I'd do it, and she did the tour, but she was a bitch the whole time. When the second movie rolled around, I had it put in the contract that she had to play the role of my girlfriend or at least insinuate that we were sleeping together as part of the promotion package. She hated me even more after that, but I was a mean shit when I came up with the idea. My karma came back to bite me in the ass though, that's for sure."
"So are you telling me you just married me to break the contract?" I looked down at my wedding band and touched my bracelet knowing that was nowhere near true. He was a good actor, but not even he could put on a performance of that caliber.
"Yes. That's the only reason," he said patronizingly. "I hate Michelle so much that I thought I would bend over backwards trying to force you to marry me in a romantic and completely personal wedding. You found me out."
He loved me. I knew that. And we'd been through so much. We really were meant to be together. I had no doubts about that. The look in his eyes when we stood at the altar and he knew I was his once and for all told me the broken contract was the farthest thing from his mind. I smiled seductively at him. "So we're going to New York next week?"
"We? Does that mean you'll come with me?" He sounded so happy.
I stared up at him, touching my palm to his face. "Of course, you crazy man, I'll go anywhere with you. And I'd like to say hello to Michelle and have a little chat with her about her behavior in L.A.."
His smile was brilliant, showing off his sexy dimples. "I get to introduce you to everyone as my wife."
I smiled at the almost little boy quality to his voice—it was as if he'd just been given every toy he could ever want in life. If he sounded like that every time he introduced me—well I just couldn't believe Sean Wilder was giddy about introducing me to the world as his wife. I wrapped my arms around him. "I think I'm going to really going to enjoy this too."
He ran his hands down my body and whispered, "Not nearly as much as I'm about to enjoy you for the rest of the night and into the morning."
When his hands started to roam to places completely unsuitable for public, Stewie pulled himself away from Annalisa long enough to smack Sean on the arm again.
"Take your wife to bed, Mr. Wilder," I whispered in Sean's ear.
He grinned. "With pleasure—lots and lots of pleasure."
The DJ announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in saying goodnight to Mr. and Mrs. Wilder." Everyone clapped, and we got a few more hugs in before Sean picked me up and carried me to the elevator.
"Now I'm really not letting go of you, wife."
"I am perfectly happy with that."
Sealing the Vows
The elevator ride up to our room was far too long, but it did give me the opportunity to get Sean's jacket and tie off. He cursed his way through three crystal buttons on the back of my dress. As we made our way to the door, it became a battle between walking and kissing. I had plenty of champagne in my system, but the drunken high I had was entirely Sean's doing.
Finally, we stepped foot in our room, and Sean held me at arm's length away from him. "Look around, love," he said with his deep-dimpled smile.
I dropped my arms in agitation, but then I saw the roses everywhere and small candles on every surface. The whole room glowed warmly and romantically. "It's beautiful," I said quickly and grabbed for him again.
He laughed at me and turned me around slowly. "We have our whole lives, sweetheart, and that's a good thing because it might take me that long just to get these damn buttons undone." Having his hands on me but not on my skin was pure torture. "Do they even think of the poor groom when they dream up these contraptions?"
"I think the designer must have done it on purpose as revenge for you asking her to make this dress at the last minute."
"I'm about to rip the damn thing off you."
"No! You can't do that! It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever worn. I'm saving it forever, so I can show our little girl someday."
He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my shoulder. "Kids," he breathed. He turned me around. "I can't believe I actually got you to marry me. I just can't believe you're really mine."
I started unbuttoning his shirt. "I know. I can't believe I agreed to put up with you," I teased.
He was suddenly serious as he bent his knees so he could look me in the eye. "I thought I lost you. I thought I'd never get you back. I have so much, Morgan. I've been so lucky in life. I will never in a million years be able to figure out what I did to deserve you."
"We deserve each other. Does it have to be more complicated than that? We're two puzzle pieces who were made for each other."
He kissed me slowly then turned me around and resumed work on the buttons. "Damn these crystals are small."
"I think it's fitting that you have to work to get it off me," I said with a laugh. "You have to earn what's underneath."
"It's cruel and unusual punishment to torture the innocent groom with annoying little buttons. I have half a mind to write a strongly worded letter to that designer detailing the necessity for Velcro in her wedding dress designs. Last one!" he said excitedly then his tone changed, filling with concern. "Sweetie, you have a massive red line all the way down your back." His kisses woke my skin up as he followed a somewhat tender line down my back.
I took a few steps away from him. "Well since you're so angry about the buttons, I guess you have no interest in this." I lowered my dress, stepped out of it, and laid it carefully across the chair. Putting my hand on my waist, I stood there in a cream-colored g-string and cream-colored thigh-high stockings supported by a matching lace thong and strapless lace bra.
"Damn, Morgan." I turned around in a slow circle for him, and he shook his head with a look of amazement on his face. "I don't think I can even stand right now, you've got me so turned on."
I ran my hands across his chest, feeling the muscles tighten underneath my fingertips. My fingers went to his waist and worked quickly to finally get his pants to drop to the floor. He smiled as he pulled off his shoes, socks, everything except his sexy boxer briefs. I couldn't hold back any longer and wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He buried his face in my neck and sucked on my skin, making me moan.
Somehow, we wound up on the bed as he stared down at my overheating skin, smirking with that devouring look in his eyes. He pulled away from me and slowly, methodically, pulled the ribbons that held my g-string in place. "You are so fucking beautiful."
"You're pretty sexy yourself."
He pulled off his boxer briefs, and the anticipation of sealing our vows was overwhelming. I squirmed underneath him, but he just chuckled and shook his head. H
e ran his hand up and down my thigh. "Now that I have you where I want you, I have a few vows you need to make first." His words made me laugh and squirm more, feeling him so close, but not close enough. "Do you, Morgan Wilder, promise to let me love, honor, and cherish every sexy inch of your body for all of eternity."
"Only if that eternity starts right now. Sean, please!"
He was too strong and clearly wasn't going to let his control slip, but I really wanted him to. "Say I do, love, and I'll give you what you want." Sweat was breaking out on his forehead—this was getting to him too.
"I do. I do. Please—" He chuckled and moved his hips, but not the way I wanted, and it did nothing to ease my hysteria. "Sean," I scolded.
"One more, love."
"Sean!" I whined loudly.
"Mmm, I love hearing you scream my name." His voice was so deep and seductive. "Do you swear—" He took in a shaky breath. "—to never let anything come between us ever again?" I wasn't prepared for the serious edge to his voice. He'd lost his playfulness and stared down at me with a little fear in his eyes.
The intense need for him was still there, but my heart reached out for him as much as my body. "I'll swear to that if you will too."
"Okay," he said softly.
I smiled and put my hand to his cheek. "I do."
He smiled then and kissed me sweetly. "Nothing, Morgan, nothing will ever come between us. It's just you and me, love—forever." On the word forever, he sealed our verbal and emotional vows with a more physical one, making me cry out for him again and again. It was the perfect beginning for two puzzle pieces destined to be together.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
As I sat on the couch in my sweats with Annalisa and Cerise, I cursed fate. Michelle Stevens was on the TV screen looking amazing in a dark blue strapless gown that sparkled in the sunlight and contrasted nicely with the red carpet. There was a large cutout around her waist, showing off her tone abs that was like salt on my wounds.
"So everyone's talking about how you and your fiancé, Floyd, are back together," the interviewer continued. "And how are the plans for the wedding going?"
Her beaming smile made me throw a piece of popcorn at the screen and wish for the millionth time that things would have been a bit different, but I had to attribute it all to my overemotional state. I was feeling pretty heartbroken for not being able to be with Sean.
"There is really nothing more enjoyable than spending some time planning and anticipating the entire process of the happiest day of your life. I know some people rush off to get married like they have something to hide, but I can't advocate enough for savoring the moment."
"Oh, shut up, bitch!" Cerise yelled at her.
"Well, it's a little flattering," Annalisa said, smiling. Both Cerise and I looked at her like she was nuts. She put her hands up in the air. "It is. I mean, with all she has, Michelle freaking Stevens is still spending her time coming up with snide remarks to make at you. That's a little flattering."
When she put it that way, I supposed it was a little satisfying to know that I got under her skin that much, even if I was completely heartbroken that she was occupying the red carpet at the Academy Awards with Sean instead of me. That thought made the tears flow again. Cerise handed me the box of tissues.
Thankfully, Michelle continued on down the red carpet, and they cut away to Joan and Melissa Rivers, who were talking about how beautiful Michelle's dress was.
"And didn't she look to be in the best shape of her life?" Melissa commented.
"Well it must be from all those late nights with her leading man, if you catch my drift?" Joan raised her eyebrows suggestively, and I rolled my eyes.
"Or it could be from that new film she's working on where she plays that superhero—Freeland. She's been training heavily for that, and it certainly shows in her arms and that flat stomach of hers."
I threw more popcorn at the TV. "Stupid, flat, perfect body." Tears fell down my cheeks again.
"Stop that," Cerise scolded but ruined it by laughing. "It's not her stomach Sean is interested in." Her eyes fell to my incredibly swollen belly, and she gave me a pointed, you're-being-stupid look. "Poor man is on the other side of the country, having been forced to attend the most prestigious award show after being nominated for one of the highest honors someone in his profession can received, and what were his first words to you on the phone an hour ago?"
I smiled at that. He was about to step foot on the red carpet and his thoughts were on me and the baby. "Are my girls okay?" Annalisa nodded sternly at me as if to say, "I told you so." She was right. I was being stupid, but in my defense, I was seriously emotional at thirty-seven weeks pregnant. I let my head fall back against the couch and thought of how amazing Sean looked when he had walked down the red carpet a half hour earlier. He was in a black tuxedo far too similar to the one he wore the day he married me. It made me cry even harder, remembering it, but they were happy tears.
Annalisa handed me my glass of water. "Drink this or you're gonna get dehydrated."
I took several sips through the tears. Watching the awards was so much harder than I had anticipated. I was exhausted again just from crying so much. Finally, the last of the stars got their beautiful butts inside, and the show actually started. I think I made it about twenty minutes in before my poor cried out eyes and general tiredness got the better of me, and I dozed off.
"Morgan?" Cerise gently shook me awake. "His award is coming up. Sit up and watch."
With extreme effort, I pulled myself upright and turned my eyes to the screen. I wanted to be with him so badly, but I patted my belly, knowing our little girl was more important. I watched as Natalie Roberts read off the names of the talented men who were nominated alongside Sean. They showed Sean in his seat next to Stewie and Mel, and I ached to be close to him.
"And the Oscar for Best Actor goes to…" They panned back to show Natalie Roberts in her stunning, full, crimson dress as she opened the large gold envelope. She smiled genuinely, and knowing she had costarred in a movie with Sean a few years earlier and become friends with him told me the smile on her face meant he won. "Sean Wilder for The Road Back to Her."
Sean smiled, gave Stewie a strong hug, kissed Mel on the cheek, and made his way to the stage.
The announcer said, "This is the fourth nomination and second Oscar for Sean Wilder."
Sean's smile was so sincere and warm. I wanted so badly to kiss him, but that just made me cry harder and feel sadder for not being there. I pushed it away and let happiness and pride flow through me instead. I focused on him as he stepped up to the microphone, looking a little flustered.
"I—really, thank you. I wasn't expecting this. I just—well, I have to thank Amy Colfield and Martin Dwyer for writing such an incredible script and Alex Arlington for giving me the direction I needed to take the character of Brian as far as I could. My manager and best friend, Stewart Braiden, without whom I would never have made it this far. Rudy and Nathan Alden, Craig Keller, Troy Barnes, Anthony Ralston, my family, and I know I'm forgetting just so many people who make it possible for me to function on a daily basis, but I really do appreciate all of you."
He looked down at the podium and lost his smile. "And most importantly…" He looked back up with such a serious expression. "I want to thank my wife, who had to stay at home due to our unborn child. Morgan, I—" He shook his head, staring into the camera, and his lower lip quivered, moisture overwhelming his eyes. He took a deep breath though, and seemed to fight through the emotions. "You make everything better and amazing and worthwhile. I don't—I can't—I never knew how desperate I was for you until I found you." He held up the gold Oscar. "This is for you, love." He touched his fingers to his lips and held them toward the screen.
Tears poured down my face, and I cried and cried into my hands as I watched his incredible handsomeness walk off the stage, smiling. They showed pictures of people dabbing their eyes in the crowd and Michelle clapping politely with an obviously f
orced smile on her face. She hated me even more after I'd threatened to beat the crap out of her if she so much as thought about pulling the shit she did in L.A. again. Floyd however, seemed to be smiling genuinely as he sat next to her. I had no idea what made him want to marry her, but I wished him, not her, the best of luck with being happy.
As the commercials started rolling, my cell phone rang. I tried to reach for it, but my massive pregnant belly prevented it. Annalisa smiled and handed it to me.
"Congratulations," I said through tears, knowing it would be Sean.
"I wish you were here with me, love. How are you feeling? Is Vivi giving you trouble?"
We'd found out it was going to be a girl several months earlier. When Sean asked if I wanted to name her after Mom, I was speechless. It didn't really surprise me since he was always that thoughtful, but it took a while to think of the baby as Vivianne without crying from the grief I felt at Mom not being there to meet her. He seemed equally touched when I told him I really wanted her middle name to be Jennifer, after his mom.
"I'm fine, just you know, an emotional wreck. Vivi is kicking the heck out of my ribs. I'm not sure she's finding it all that roomy in my belly anymore."
"Hmm. Well, I'm on a plane the second I leave here tonight. I'm not taking any chances that she might decide to check out of her cushy accommodations early."
Vivi still wasn't due for another three weeks, but I was more than happy to know he was rushing back just in case. "You look amazing, by the way. I'm sure you'll get most handsome man in America again."
"Sweetie, I only care that I'm the most handsome man to you. I love you, you know that?"
"I don't know. This is your second Academy Award. I think that means you can act or something. Maybe this has all been some elaborate act so you could have your way with me."
"Not a man on this planet would blame me for that, sweetheart." The noise in the background got louder. "I have to get back to my seat, love. I'll call you when I leave here."
"Okay. Be safe. I love you, and I'm just so damn proud of you, Sean."
Accidental Texting: Finding Love despite the Spotlight Page 46
