1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Fourteen

by Kristen Ashley

  I study the perfect ring then lock eyes with him. “Okay.”

  His face splits into a smile. “Okay.” He kisses me deep and hard, possessive.

  My insides turn to liquid. I explore every curve of his rippled stomach, and his muscles flex beneath my touch. My nails dig into his skin and drag down lower, until they’re under the blankets that lie across his hips. He flexes into my touch, showing me what he wants. Me.

  “Oh, one more thing.” He breaks the kiss enough to speak, but his words are said against my lips.

  An embarrassing whimper escapes at the loss of his mouth. “Yeah?” I lean into him.

  He rubs his thumb across my aching lower lip. “Happy birthday, baby.”

  The words are barely out before I’m on him again. Desperation takes over my rational mind and I pull at his gown. Too many clothes.

  A voice clears from the end of the bed, popping the love-driven sex bubble we’d created. I curl into Jonah’s body, hoping to disappear from whoever caught me making out with my injured boyfriend. Fiancé.

  “Well, well, well. Looks like someone’s feeling better,” Blake says from the foot of the bed, motioning to the pile of thin hospital blankets at Jonah’s crotch.

  I say a quick prayer of thanks that it’s Blake and not Katherine. “Hey, Blake.”

  “What’s up?” Jonah acts unaffected as he twirls a strand of my hair.

  “Just came back from the police station. Dominick’s operation is under intense investigation. Thought you two would like to know Vince and Candy are going to be looking at the inside of a jail cell for the foreseeable future.”

  Jonah and I take a collective breath.

  Blake grimaces. “Vinnie should be the most popular guy in his cell block. They couldn’t save his dick so they gave him a pussy. Boys in prison should love that.”

  “Blake!” I attempt to sound offended, my hysterical laughter ruining any chance I have of being taken seriously. Besides, that’s the least he deserves for what he did to Eve, me, and probably loads of other women who weren’t lucky enough to get away.

  “I see you got a decent piece of ice there on your finger, baby girl.”

  I hold up my hand and admire the ring again. “Yeah.” Jonah kisses my head at my breathy reply.

  “Right on. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” He holds up his hand. “Word of caution, the doc is on his way in to check on your shoulder. You might want to keep Mr. Moby on the down-low.” He looks at the bed then back at us. “Looks like it’s too late for down-low, so . . . under wraps.”

  “Dude, you mind keeping your eyes off my dick?”

  He flashes his cocky smile. And even in the arms of the man of my dreams, his smile makes me giggle like a teenage girl. He winks then turns on his heel and heads through the draped dividers.

  “Catch you two later. Got a hot little nurse who’s waiting to give my dick an oral exam.”

  I laugh hard, trying to keep my body from shaking at its intensity. “He’s so funny.”

  “Yes, so you’ve said.” Jonah’s deadpan tone makes me grin.

  “Ooh, are you jealous?” I touch the end of his nose with my fingertip.

  “Hmph. No.”

  I slide my lower lip out in an exaggerated pout. “Oh. That’s too bad. I was going to prove my feelings for you . . . physically.” I kiss the sensitive skin below his ear.

  “Is that right?” I can hear the smile in his voice.

  “Mm-hm. I like you jealous.”

  “Get used to it, baby.” He groans when I pull his earlobe between my teeth. “You know you’re mine now? To have and to hold ’til death do us part.”

  “I do.”

  Epilogue

  Two months, five days, and twenty-two hours later . . .

  Jonah

  “Forty-two million dollars?” Owen’s palm slams on the bar, his jaw slack, eyes wide.

  I pop the bottle cap and place the fresh beer in front of him. “Projected. It’ll take awhile to liquidate all of Dominick’s properties.” We knew Dominick was loaded with dirty money, but finding out about his multiple luxury high-rise condos and commercial properties was a surprise.

  Rex leans in, his pierced eyebrow raised high. “No shit? What’re you guys going to do with all that money?”

  “Y’all should buy one of them private islands. Like Oprah.” Caleb motions one of the caterers over and pops a bacon-wrapped shrimp in his mouth.

  “Forty-two million dollars.” Owen repeats himself, sounding no less shocked. “Fuck the island. Kick some cash to your boys, man.”

  “Dominick Morretti dies and you guys get all his money? Fuck . . .” Rex shakes his head. “I wish my dad was a dead-piece-of-shit pimp.” He throws back the dregs of his beer.

  “Raven was his next of kin. It’s her money. She’s got plans for it.”

  Caleb stands from his barstool. “Between her money and your money, y’all could buy up half of Vegas.”

  “Nah. My title-fight winnings look like pennies in comparison.” I flex against the stifling confinement of my jacket. I can’t wait to get this tux off. Raven is excellent with formal-wear removal. My blood heats and has me searching her out.

  She’s on the dance floor that the party planners put in my backyard. Blake spins her around, her white wedding gown swirling at her feet. The strapless top pushes her breasts up in an enticing way. I absently tug at the collar of my tuxedo. It’s loose, reminding me that I took off my tie and unbuttoned the top button while ravishing my wife in the limo on the way home. I can’t wait to peel that dress off her.

  “So what’s she going to do with all that money?” Owen pulls me from my fantasy.

  I take a swig of beer. “She bought her mom a house. And she started Raven’s Nest.”

  “Yeah, I know that, but what about the other thirty-something million?”

  “She plans to funnel it all into the foundation as it comes in.”

  I look for Milena in the crowd. Since that night at the cabin, she’s been the kind of mom Raven’s always wanted: attentive, loving, hands on. The other day, I walked in to find them flopped on the couch watching Overhaulin’. Their eyes were riveted to the screen while Milena twirled a strand of her daughter’s hair.

  Between Milena, my mom, and Eve, Raven has been able to get Raven’s Nest open and running. The foundation provides rehabilitation, job training, housing, and counseling for prostitutes getting out of the business. The place is already packed with the girls from Dominick’s stable.

  “That’s some cool shit, man.” Rex toys with his lip ring.

  “What’s cool shit?” Her voice draws my attention. No longer the girl who can’t curse, Raven can drop bombs with the best of them. She strolls up with Blake at her side.

  “I believe they were talking about me, baby girl.” Blake grabs a beer. “Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m cool as shit.”

  Caleb stands from his barstool and pushes it toward her, offering her a seat. “We’re talking about Raven’s Nest.”

  Blake plops down on the barstool, earning a glare of Caleb. “Thanks, dude.”

  She steps in beside me, champagne in hand. A slight blush colors her cheeks. “Oh.”

  I wrap my arm around her tiny waist and hug her to me.

  “You’re in the running for sainthood with that move, princess.” Owen shakes his head. “Don’t know if I’d be able to give away that kind of money.”

  Eve slides in between Blake and Rex at the bar. “Raven’s not about money. Hell, she’d give away every last cent if it meant taking care of someone else.” She grabs the open beer I just set down in front of Caleb and takes a swig. “Thanks, Caleb.”

  “Shit, man,” Caleb mumbles in frustration.

  Raven sips her champagne and shrugs. “That money isn’t mine. It belongs to those women. They sold their bodies and he reaped the benefit.” She checks the clock and turns back to the guys at the bar. “I’m just giving it back to them.”

  The guys all grumble t
o themselves, probably still shocked that Raven didn’t keep even a few million for herself.

  Eve shakes her head, a knowing smile on her face. “Anyone up for a twirl on the dance floor?” Her eyes rake across the available dance partners. “Come on, Blake.”

  “Shit, woman. I just got off the dance floor. Give a guy a second to reboot.” Blake kicks back, resting his feet on the bar.

  Eve’s face lights with a wicked smile. “Ah, yes. That’s right. Most guys can’t go all night long. The weak ones lack, ahem, stamina.” She looks at me. “How about you, Jonah? You look like the kind of guy who—”

  “That’s for shit.” Blake jumps to his feet. “I got way more stamina than he does.” He motions to me with a thumb over his shoulder. “Dance floor now, woman.”

  Eve winks at Raven and takes off with Blake.

  I turn Raven to me and pull her in for a hug, chest to chest. The guys redirect their attention to the TV. I run my finger along her bare shoulder and up to her neck, pushing her long hair to her back. “These earrings your mom gave you look amazing. They’re almost the same color as your eyes.” I kiss her neck at my spot.

  She touches the diamond and aquamarine studs. “She told me they were my grandmother’s. I love them. They’re perfect. This whole day has been perfect.” She smiles. “I still can’t believe we got married by Liberace.”

  “Hey, you chose him. We could have had the Asian Elvis, or the Marilyn Monroe drag queen.”

  She laughs and leans into me. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her head.

  “It was the rhinestone suit that got him the job. Every single inch of that thing was covered.”

  “Only in Vegas.”

  “Did you see Guy dancing with my mom? I think he’s got the hots for her.” She scrunches up her nose in an adorable way.

  “It was nice of him to give you away today. He’s a good man. Milena could do worse.”

  Her huge blue-green eyes look up at me. “You don’t think . . .”

  I shrug, my lips twitching. “They’d make a cute couple.”

  “Eww. That’d be like—”

  “Like your mom and your dad hooking up.”

  Now it’s her turn to shrug. “Good point.”

  “Did you save me a dance, Mrs. Slade?” My whispered words in her ear cause her to tremble. I trail a line of kisses down her neck.

  “Um, sure.” She tilts her head, opening up for me. “But it’s five.”

  I pull back and lock eyes on her. “So?”

  She looks to the sixty-inch flat screen hanging on the wall behind me. Her forehead drops a fraction, and she looks up at me from beneath her batting eyelashes.

  “Even on your wedding day?” I cross my arms over my chest. I have every intention of giving this girl anything she wants as long as we both shall live. But I do enjoy watching her squirm.

  “Hey, you’ve been watching ESPN. Same difference.” She finishes with her hand on her sexy hip.

  I lean in and kiss her forehead at my new spot. The slight scar that slashes through her eyebrow does nothing to mar her gorgeous face. “You win.”

  With a flip of the remote, I switch ESPN to her show. She kisses each of my dimples and finishes at my lips.

  “Overhaulin’? Fuck yeah! Coolest wedding reception ever.” Caleb rounds the bar for a better view.

  “Oh wow.” Raven sips the last of her champagne. “It’s a ’66 Ford Fairlane GT.” She doesn’t take her eyes from the screen.

  Overhaulin’ on her wedding day makes her giddy. So easy to please.

  I wrap my hands around her waist and hoist her up to sit on the counter. She kicks her white, Chuck Taylor clad feet back and forth.

  Owen leans in, his head resting on his hand, eyes to the TV. “Who’s this Chip Foose guy?”

  My lips fight a smile as Raven goes into a detailed biography of the automotive designer. I hand her a fresh glass of champagne and a piece of wedding cake the waitstaff passed out earlier.

  “Ooh, yum.” She takes the glass and a bite of wedding cake. “Thanks, honey.”

  I groan at her calling me honey and kiss the frosting from her lips. She started doing that after the night at the cabin. I thought nothing could sound as good as my name from her lips. I was wrong. “You’re welcome, baby.”

  “Uncle Jonah,” Eric and Aiden call in unison from the pool. The six-year-old twin boys jumped in about an hour ago.

  I leave Raven to her show and walk to the pool’s edge. “What’s up, rug rats?”

  “Come swimming with us,” Aiden says before disappearing underwater.

  “Yeah, do that thing where you throw us across the pool to the deep end.” Eric spins in a circle, making speedboat sounds.

  “Boys, your uncle can’t swim tonight. He has guests to entertain,” my sister calls, walking toward me.

  “Your mom’s right, guys. But I promise I’ll swim with you all day tomorrow. Deal?”

  “Deal,” they answer before swimming off to the other side of the pool.

  Beth leans into my side and I throw my arm around her shoulder.

  “I’m really happy for you, big brother. I gotta say I never thought you’d settle down.”

  I laugh and give her a squeeze. “You’re not the only one.”

  “She’s really special, Joey. I’ve only known her for two days and I’m in love with her.”

  “She has that effect on people.” I kiss her head. “I’m glad you guys are here. I know it was short notice.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it for anything.” She sips her drink. “I will say it was a rather short engagement.”

  I nod. “When God hands you a gift, you don’t push it away and tell him ‘later’.”

  She smiles up at me. “Dad would be proud of you. You’ve grown into an amazing man. Just like him.”

  Emotion burns my eyes. I swallow hard, absorbing the weight of her words and let the silence speak for me.

  “I’m going to go find my husband and make him dance with me.” She breaks the silence, and with a quick hug, she walks away.

  I turn back to watching my girl from a distance. She laughs in the center of a bunch of muscle-head fighters, as if she was born to be there. I’d like to think she was.

  My heart swells with pride. There’s just a shadow left of the shy auto mechanic that walked into my house with her head down. This courageous woman confronted her life head-on. Faced her demons. And won.

  And she’s not hoarding that strength, but choosing to share it with others. Giving them a chance to beat back the circumstances of their lives and bend it to their will. I’ve never seen that kind of beauty. Until now. And she’s wearing my ring.

  ~*~

  Raven

  It’s late. I don’t know what time it is. I’m swaying on an empty dance floor with my husband. Our guests are long gone, leaving us alone at last. Jonah’s strong arms and broad chest cradle me to him. Content and relaxed, I replay the day in my head.

  My mom helping me into my dress, wrapping me in her arms, telling me she loves me. It’s as if Dominick’s death cut some invisible tie that held her back, and now she’s able to love freely, without restraint or fear of loss. To love me the way she’s always wanted to. Or possibly to show the love she’s always felt.

  Guy walking me down the aisle. His snort and eye roll when he saw the flamboyant impersonator, only to get tears in his eyes when he gave my hand to Jonah.

  And my Jonah. The intensity of his stare as he said his vows. As if hearing the words weren’t enough, he wanted me to feel them.

  Our first kiss as husband and wife, his hands traveling down my body to cup my bottom in front of everyone. Okay, that was a little embarrassing—hot—but embarrassing. My body didn’t hate it. That was obvious when I had to hold onto Jonah as I waited for my legs to start working again.

  It was perfect. Every single second.

  Jonah’s sister and mom have been staying here with us, but they insisted on getting hotel rooms for the night. We had the op
tion of getting the hotel room, but decided we’d rather spend our first married night at Jonah’s house—our house.

  So here we are, alone beneath the stars, locked in each other’s arms. Jonah’s heart beats against my ear. We stop and kiss then go back to the gentle sway. Time stands still.

  “Baby?”

  “Mm-hmm?” I swallow a yawn.

  “I’m ready to take you to bed now.” He stops moving as if to punctuate his words with a stop-dancing-and-get-your-ass-in-our-bed exclamation point.

  My pulse quickens and excitement wakens my body. I stop swaying and look up at him. His eyelids are dropped low with want. I inwardly smile at my effect on him. I lock my hands behind his neck and push up on my tiptoes while pulling his mouth to mine.

  Electricity hums between us as our lips connect. Sparks explode beneath my skin with every touch. Ever since the cabin, everything between us is more intense, like we’re sucking every second out of life as we feast on each other’s bodies.

  His hand slides up from my waist, over my ribs, and stops just beside my breast. I moan and arch my back in an attempt to get him closer, but his hand stays put.

  With long, deep pulls, I suck his tongue into my mouth. His answering groan tells me he’s at the edge of his restraint.

  He dips down, scooping me into his arms and heads for the house, never breaking the kiss. The spice of his cologne, all masculine and sensual, liquefies my need. My fingers sift and grab at his silky hair, pulling him down.

  Two steps into the house, he stops and lays me on the couch.

  “Can’t wait.” His husky voice vibrates against the tender skin of my neck.

  I toe my shoes off just before he pushes the skirt of my dress up to my waist. A groan rumbles in his chest as he takes in what I’m wearing beneath my wedding gown. I prop up to my elbows, enjoying the view of Jonah on his knees studying my bridal lingerie.

  “Do you want to see the rest?” My voice is deep and dripping with desire.

  He caresses my legs, every swipe of his callused hands sending heat straight between my legs. “There’s more?”