One Last Shot (Pub Fiction #3)
Page 20
I, Claire Knox-Bishop, am a warrior—a survivor.
Oh, yeah. Did I mention that Matty proposed just over a year ago? And how we were married under our willow tree, the very one where he proposed to me? Well, he did, and it was perfect.
It was an intimate affair, under stars and candlelight, a romantic celebration where Matty became mine, and I his, forever. It was the best day of my life.
I knew my parents were there looking out for me and probably smiling that I’d finally got my head out of my ass to see what was right in front of me all along, that I took one last shot at taking a risk for love and finally left the shackles of my grief in the dust. I like to think that the soft wind which caused the beautiful hanging branches and twinkle lights to dance and sway during the sharing of our vows was my parents nodding their approval. A part of me also thinks it was most likely my mom nodding ferociously at times, in her excitement over Matty and I having found our very own willow tree. I feel they knew all along that Matt Bishop was the man for me.
As for wedding gifts, we’d requested books. We asked our family and friends to each gift us with a copy of their favourites. We’d asked for these perfect treasures from the people we loved most so they could share in our new adventure. We love these books and are reading every single one, starting with Kat’s gift: L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. On weekends, we choose a day, pack a picnic and head up to our spot where we lazily read aloud to each other under the willow, carrying on the tradition I’d started but never got to finish with my mom; it’s one we look forward to and love. The best part is the feeling of excitement as, with each new book, we’re sent on an adventure together, an adventure someone we loved decided to share with us, one that they had enjoyed.
“You were perfect, Sugarshack. You did it,” Matty says to me after my speech, breaking me from my reverie. He drops a sweet kiss on my cheek before turning me around to face the others as they start coming up to congratulate me. His hand rests on my stomach, and a loving smile passes between us as I glance back at him.
I guess in the end I was right.
Time doesn’t heal all wounds.
But love from the right people does.
The End
Acknowledgements
Once again, I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be surrounded by such supportive and incredible people cheering me on and encouraging me. There is no way I could do this without any of you.
Alissa—My little book twin, I love you so hard. I appreciate all your help, support and friendship. I’m truly blessed to have you in my life. I’m glad to have you in my corner, and know I’m always in yours. You are stuck with me for life! Lots of love. x
Amanda—Lobby, I love you. It’s hard to describe how important you are in my world. I value your opinion so much. Thank you for always supporting me and giving me your honest feedback. You push me to be better, and call me out without hesitation. I could not do this without you!
Cassia—Thank you for being you. I’m so very lucky to call you a friend. I cannot express how amazing you are, and know I couldn’t do this without you. You are my partner in crime! Thank you for allowing me to screen shot you my crazy and for being final eyes on Matty and Claire. I love you! xox
Dad—You’re simply awesome. Thank you for always being so proud and supportive of me, your daughter who writes smut. Just remember you CANNOT read these books.
Deanna—Once again, you support, encourage and are willing to read and reread my stuff over and over again. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.
Doris—Thank you for reading over my stories. Your keen eye is so very appreciated.
Jen (ESM)—Here we sit editing book #3, and I’m in awe of you. The way you push, challenge and encourage me is fantastic! I don’t know how you pull it off, but you do. You get me to rethink, reword and even delete. Thank you for taking my words and helping to make them better. Again, I have loved taking this journey with you and I love seeing your little editorial notes when you get a “Feeling” or a laugh is elicited by my various Pandas. I can’t wait to keep moving along the path of this partnership. I love you. xox
Jeneane—JJ! I cannot express how thankful I am for your friendship, support and willingness to keep taking a chance on my stories and me. I love your notes, comments and feedback.
Jenny—Thank you for being so supportive and such an amazing friend. I love that you wanted to read this early on. You are truly an amazing friend to have in my corner. xox
Karl—Wow, again I sit here trying to figure out the right words to tell you how truly incredible you are. Thank you for being you, thank you for loving my crazy and for always encouraging me to chase this dream. I hope you know that you are my Dorothy, my absolute favourite person, even when I ignore you when I’m writing! Max and you are my world. Never forget that.
Kymmie—Once again you played such a big role with this one. Thank you for reading it early on, being straight with me and yanking me off the ledge. You are truly beautiful and I’m grateful for our friendship. You always bring me up when I’m down, and for that I am forever grateful. Love you. HARD! xox
Mom—Mommy, we did it again. I swear I couldn’t do this without you; you’re my biggest supporter and best friend. These books are yours as much as they are mine. Thank you for caring about these characters and being willing to read each book a million times over.
Laurie—Thank you for taking this journey with me, for being excited and always wanting to hear about, read about, and fall in love with my characters. Your constant support and encouragement is appreciated.
Lia—Thank you once again for being an amazing beta reader and friend. I’m so thankful for your support and feedback. xox
Radha—My Brownie, see what you started? Thank you for the push, I’ll always be grateful.
Paige—You are a wonder. I could not have written this book without you. Please know how thankful I am for our newfound friendship. I value your opinion, feedback and respect you so damn hard as a reader. I have loved taking this journey with you, and Matty is yours!
River—Words are hard to find to describe how much I love and respect you. Thank you for always being there to help, support and make me laugh. I cannot imagine doing this without you. I look forward to many more years of friendship and our families getting together. xox
Toni—Thank you for being the amazing friend you are. Your willingness to let me bounce ideas off you means more than I think you’ll ever know. You made this book better. Thank you for telling me there is never too much oral! xox
Gilly’s Gems—Honestly, how truly lucky I am to have you ladies in my life. I adore each of you and love hanging out with you in our little group. I cannot thank you enough for all the love and support you have given me over the past year. I love chatting with you all and getting to know you, your friendship means the world. Please know I am eternally grateful, and I hope to meet you all in person one day. Xox
Ashley at Book Cover by Ashbee Designs: Thank you for being so amazing to work with. You always know exactly what I will love. I appreciate the time and patience you have with me. I look forward to many more covers together.
Thank you to all the amazing bloggers for all you do. I could not do this without your support; I appreciate you taking a chance on me. If ever I can help you in return, please contact me. Once again, you continue to make this adventure even better.
Recipes
I held a contest on my author page on Facebook, for the best Pomtini recipe. The winner who earned the most likes would have their recipe featured in One Last Shot.
Congratulations to our winner, Jeneane Johnson. Her recipe for a Squirt Tini is perfect for Matty and Claire. But I couldn’t resist sharing the other recipes, too. They all sounded so good and are way too much fun not to share.
I hope you enjoy them!
Squirt Tini
by Jeneane Johnson (Winning Recipe)
Ingredients
1 cup fresh pomegranate juice (or bottled)
½ cup vodka
½ cup triple sec
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Fresh pomegranate seeds and lime slices for garnish, optional
Directions
1. Fill martini shaker or 3 cup covered container half full with ice. Add all ingredients except pomegranate seeds and lime slices; cover and shake.
2. Pour into a martini or other tall glass. Pour through a strainer to keep the ice out of the glass.
3. Garnish with lime slice, sugar rim, or even fresh pomegranate seeds in the drink!
** Slowly pour it over your boobs and nether regions having your sexy man sip, lick and slurp you clean. Guaranteed to make you squirt!
Red Orgasm
by Lorena Tuchlocke
Ingredients
1 oz Pom juice
1½ oz vodka
1 oz grapefruit juice
½ tsp lime juice
½ tsp simple sugar
Orange twist to garnish
Directions
Fill shaker with ice.
Add ingredients.
Shake.
Pour.
** In sexy moments you can: Drink, pour, rub, lick and slurp from your lover (neck, abs, belly button, etc.)
Clit licker
by Tracy Supple
Ingredients
1/2 oz whisky (whiskey, bourbon…)
1/2 oz coconut rum (Malibu)
1/2 oz peach liqueur
1/2 oz banana liqueur (Pisang Ambon)
1 splash pomegranate juice
1 splash apple juice
1 splash orange juice
Directions
Mix in tall glass with ice.
** Pour on your pussy, and have your man to lick and suck it off and while he’s going down on you. He won’t be able to resist giving you a serious tongue fucking that will guarantee to have you seeing stars!
Tie Me to the BEDPOST
by Jessica Coody Kennedy
Ingredients
1.5 shots each of:
Southern Comfort
Malibu coconut rum
Peach schnapps
Vodka
Amaretto
Pineapple juice
A splash of Pom juice
Grenadine
Directions
Add all into a 16oz glass
Pour over ice and shake well, serve as a drink or shots.
** It’s super sweet but strong enough that you’ll wake up tied to a bedpost!
Blushing Vixen
by Tanya Galloway Cole
Ingredients
1 bottle of dry white wine
3/4 cup pomegranate arils (seeds)
1/4 cup simple syrup
Juice of 1 lemon (suck, squeeze until lemon has nothing left)
Juice of 1 orange (milk all of the juice out. Show your talents, ladies!)
1/3 cup triple sec
Directions
Mixed in large pitcher, refrigerate for a few and serve over ice.
** Better served on a hot body…where you will become a blushing sexy Vixen!
Lick It Tini
by Amanda Burleson
Ingredients
1.5 ounces Grey Goose vodka
0.5 ounce of pomegranate juice
A splash of lime juice
Directions
Shake, strain
Garnish with a mini lemon Popsicle
** Stir Popsicle into the drink and lick it off the Popsicle!
The Leg Spreader
by Jamie Guellar
Ingredients
1.5 oz Absolut Citron
.75 oz Cointreau
.5 oz white cranberry juice
.5 oz pomegranate syrup
Directions
Muddle with two limes.
Add dry ice to garnish, a cube the size of a grape
About The Author
I’m a wife, mother, and a crazy Canadian, living in Ontario with the loves of my life-my amazing hubby and sweetest little boy. I’m Admittedly addicted to…my friends, red wine, and laughter. A lover of alpha males, hot sex, all coupled with the perfect side of angst topped off with the epic happily ever after.
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Books By Gillian Jones
My Mind’s Eye (Pub Fiction Book 1)
On The Rocks (Pub Fiction Book 2)
Coming Fall 2016
Call Me