by Kimi Flores
“Are you sure you aren't just caught up in Abby and Caleb’s happy bubble? You know how I feel about marriage. It's forever for me.” I was a bit insecure that he might be moving too fast and back out later.
He held our bodies together, looking down at me. “No, I’m caught up in our bubble. You have no idea how excited I am to make you my wife.”
Finally, I grinned. “Well, I'm enjoying the beautiful dance studio my fiancé made for me. This room is gorgeous. How did you know what to add?”
He flashed his devious smile. “I pay attention. I know what you like.” He pointed toward the wall. “Oh and that empty lot next door should be big enough for that community garden you wanted.”
I jerked my head back. “Are you kidding me? You bought land for a garden, too?”
He kissed the top of my head. “Yes, I told you nothing is too much for you. I want to be the one who makes your dreams come true.”
I settled into his chest. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
Shaking his head, he reminded me, “Don’t ever forget that I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you.”
That was one of those things we could go round and round about, so I decided to drop it.
Walking toward the corner, I pointed. “Um, what is the couch for?”
“I've changed a lot, gorgeous.” He winked. “But at my center, I’m still a selfish bastard.” He nodded at the couch. “That's for me to sit comfortably while I watch you dance.”
My eyes rounded in surprise. “You know I don't do that kind of dancing, right?”
He threw his head back, laughing. “Doesn't matter. I enjoy watching you move, and—we could always add some specialty equipment in here, if you wanted.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I giggled.
“Is this what being married to you will be like?”
“Probably,” he laughed again.
I pulled him close. “Then I look forward to it.”
He breathed me in. “I can’t wait to make you my wife. We might break the record for shortest engagement.”
I giggled at his mischievous smirk, until he said, “That wasn’t a joke.”
Epilogue
Leah
The afternoon sun shined down on the old Spanish-style building in Harmony, California, bringing all the vibrant colors of the surrounding spring flowers to life.
Balancing myself as I stepped onto the uneven bricks outside of the chapel, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. There was no way I’d be able to hide my anxiousness in this tight dress.
This. Is. Happening. I breathed out and in again.
“Are you okay, mija?” The look of concern on my step-father, Sal’s, face was evident. “Having second thoughts?”
I opened my eyes, exhaling through my mouth as I smoothed my hand down the side of my fitted mermaid-style satin gown. Fortunately, I’d been able to purchase and pick up this dress in a very short amount of time. After searching through hundreds of gowns, the tulle train that gathered between the shoulder blades and ran all the way down the back of the dress was what had sold me on this one.
I shook my head. “Absolutely not. I’m just overwhelmed.”
He lowered his head and looked up at me. “Is it your papi? I’m sure you wish he was here.”
I gave a small nod. “Of course I do, but I’m also grateful you’re here. You’ve been like a father to me for quite some time.” I patted Sal’s arm. “Thanks for giving your blessing.”
I still couldn’t believe that Stefen had actually asked my mom and Sal for their approval before he proposed. I could kick myself for all of the time I’d wasted, thinking his sneaky phone conversations and sudden trip to L.A. had anything to do with another woman. I was now done with those insecurities.
Sal’s eyes were compassionate. “My pleasure, but if we don’t get in there soon, your groom is going to think you swapped those red heels for a pair of jogging shoes.”
Sal chuckled as I took another deep breath.
Pulling the hem of my dress to the side, I lifted my foot to take another look at the heels that Stefen had my sister deliver to the bridal chamber, just a few hours ago. The red leather stilettos had a small ankle strap and were probably the most beautiful pair of shoes I now owned.
With Stefen’s love of woman’s footwear, I was certain they wouldn’t be the last pair he’d surprise me with.
Always the smartass, he’d recently taken to sending me roses, knowing what I thought of them. They were cliché. I preferred something original like proteas.
I never used roses in my floral displays, unless a client asked for them. To my surprise, once I was dressed for our special day, Stefen had arranged for Abby to hand me the bridal bouquet he had asked if he could have made for me.
He, of course, chose roses. But I had to admit they did look beautiful bunched together with mini white orchids. Something was tucked between a few of the flowers. I pulled the flower-pressed slip of paper out, noticing it was the same one that had been pinned to my bucket list. The one that read, Fall in Love, and I’d later amended to include, *with someone who will love me back. Tears streamed down my cheeks, realizing my wish had come true.
Dani popped her head out of the hand-carved wine cask entrance that opened to the small church. “It’s time. Are you ready?”
Giving a quick nod, I held my breath. The music began, and Dani and Bri opened the doors for me and Sal to enter.
The crowd was small—only thirty guests. Though every eye was on me, I couldn’t tear my eyes off my groom. He’d always looked handsome. But standing twenty feet away, in his classic, tailor-made black suit and looking at me like I was the only woman alive, I was dreaming up all sorts of naughty thoughts. I could see the fire in his eyes from where I stood.
I was ready to get through the wedding and on to the honeymoon. As if reading my thoughts, his eyes roamed down my body, slightly widening when they took in the red peep-toe heels peeking out from under my long white dress.
I cocked my head, grinning wider than I thought possible.
Soon, mi amor. Soon.
Bonus Chapter
The Storage Room
Leah
We’d just come back from our honeymoon in Spain, and I was taking some time to enjoy the dance studio I now owned with my husband.
A few months back, I’d relinquished control, allowing Stefen to hire some professionals to come in and help get the flower shop up and running. Deciding not to let my previous experiences define who I would and wouldn’t trust in the future, I employed an entirely new crew, who were well trained and able to run the store when I wasn’t around.
Spanish music blasted on the surround sound as I infused the moves of Latin, hip-hop, and belly dancing. Nobody danced that style better than Shakira, but I enjoyed imitating her as best as I could.
Gliding and gyrating my hips through this large space was a dream come true. I still couldn’t believe Stefen had proposed to me in this exact room. Now three months later, we were married.
Entranced by the music, I rolled my body downward, flicking my hips from one side to the other.
The next song began to play, encouraging me. A Latin melody filled the room as I shifted my hips seductively back and forth. Swaying my arms, I closed my eyes, getting completely lost in the music.
Strong hands gripped my hips, startling me out of my trance and moving me into his fantasies. “Like this,” Stefen whispered suggestively. He swirled our attached hips in synchrony.
Caught in the moment, I reached back, cupped his behind, and drew his body even closer, letting him know that I was his.
He growled, then pulled back, taking me by the hand toward the office. “As much as I’d love to take you right here, I have another plan.”
Batting my eyelashes, I tiptoed behind him, pouting my lips. “Mr. Hunter, are we going to enjoy some private time on your desk again?”
He groaned, opening the door attached to the side of the office space. “As appealing as that sounds, t
his is even better.”
I scrunched my nose. “The storage room? Well, that’s not as sexy as I thought.”
There was a wicked gleam in his eye as he pulled me by the fingertips, encouraging me to take a look inside. “It’s not the storage room anymore.”
My eyes slowly adjusted to the low lighting as I stood in the open doorway. A huge couch filled the majority of the room. Candle-lit sconces covered the back wall, and soft, sensual music was playing.
“I’ve changed a lot, Leah. But I’m still a greedy bastard, and I want to be the only one who gets to see you dance like that.”
Leading me deeper into the room, he brought my attention to the pole attached from the ceiling to the floor. I was filled with both excitement and surprise as I leaned into him and breathed out. “I thought you were kidding about that.”
He placed soft kisses below my ear. “Oh, Mrs. Hunter, I take loving you very seriously.”
I beamed. “Well, hot damn.”
The End
Tangled Paths
Book 3 – Josh & Bri’s story
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
Sneak Peek of Grafted Vines
Prologue
Bri
Letting my nerves get the best of me, I carefully walked up the few stairs that led to the VIP section of the dance club. I hoped the black strappy heels I was sporting tonight didn’t catch on anything. The last thing I needed was to eat it in front of all the other club goers. Once I reached the top, I tugged on the constricting elastic band at the bottom of my dress. It was so snug against my thighs, making it difficult to walk.
What was I thinking wearing this outfit?
The black, one-shoulder mini-dress was embellished with silver sequins along the top of the bust. Given a choice, I would’ve never picked something like this, but my roommate, Alison, teased me, saying my normal jeans, tank top, and Chucks would not do for this evening.
Glancing around, I could see where Alison was coming from. Half-dressed club goers filled the dance floor, leaving nothing to the imagination as they gyrated against each other to the beat of the thumping music.
As I followed closely behind Alison, I couldn’t help but think about my overprotective brother and cousin.
Stefen and Caleb would kill me if they saw me now.
The moment our summer vacation began, Alison and I started hanging out with a group of guys her boyfriend knew. So far we’d only hit bars, but tonight we ended up in an exclusive dance club. This was the first time I’d ever been in a place like this. And even though I wasn’t old enough to be here, the fake I.D. in my purse said I was.
The booming music pounded in my chest. Alison stopped abruptly in front of me, looking down at her cell phone. Whirling around, her long blonde hair twirled in the air after her. She leaned forward, yelling in my ear. “Paul just texted me. He’s at the front door. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” I attempted to shout over the music but was sure Alison couldn’t hear me.
Biting my lip, I interlaced my fingers and let my arms fall in front of me. A group of girls passed by, wiggling their barely covered asses to the beat of the music, sneering as they checked me out from head to toe. I stood alone, shifting insecurely back and forth, causing one of my heels to wobble as I tried to ignore the skanky girls and focus on the prodigious scene.
A red leather booth lined the entire wall of the VIP area, while a symmetrical pattern of small triangular tables sat in front of the bench. There was just enough room to comfortably step between the tables once you found a spot to sit. And seated right smack dab in the center of the couch was the tall, blue-eyed, light-brown haired guy who was responsible for my nervous disposition. He was the real reason I let my roommate talk me into going out so much lately. When our eyes met, there was no mistaking the heated hunger I saw in his.
Josh Tucker was one of Hollywood’s hottest young actors. Over the last few years, he’d starred on the popular T.V. show, The BW, a weekly fictional production about high schoolers who lived in Brentwood, California. After the news broke six months ago that one of the other leading male actors had gotten wasted and driven off the side of a cliff, the show was cancelled.
The show was pretty cheesy with all of its ridiculous drama, but I had an unmistakable crush on its main star. Subconsciously, my hands made their way down my second-skin dress as I wondered once more why I bothered getting dressed up tonight. According to my mother, I wasn’t the best looking girl around, so I didn’t dare hope that Josh would find me even remotely attractive.
A few nights prior to tonight, we’d sat in a private booth at a bar talking for hours. I’d been so surprised when he opened up about the guilt he carried because of his best friend and fellow actor’s death. When I asked why he felt responsible, he admitted he was the one who had introduced Kai to the drug dealer the night he died.
The night at the bar, huddled up in our own little bubble in the corner of the bar, I’d let myself believe we’d made a deeper connection. He proved me wrong when he left with another girl he hadn’t even talked to.
I’ll never be anything more than his buddy.
Tilting my head to the side, I was sure he was just patronizing me with his ravenous stare. I diverted my gaze up to the mesmerizing acrylic fixtures dangling from the ceiling. The way the light bounced through them created the illusion of falling raindrops.
“Do you see who’s gawking at you?” Alison shrieked in my ear. My roommate was well aware of my infatuation with the gorgeous blue-eyed, six-foot tall actor. I glanced in Josh’s direction again. Yep. He was still eyeing me like he was trying to decide something. He sat confidently in his dark jeans and a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. His long, muscular legs were stretched past either side of the table in front of him, and he pursed his lips, eyes raking up and down my body.
My pulse picked up speed and my palms began to sweat as Alison was dragged away by her boyfriend to one of the few open seats.
Damn, he’s never looked at me like that before. It’s gotta be this outfit. Thank you, Alison.
Lifting his arm, he motioned with his index and middle fingers for me to come over.
I scrunched my eyebrows. Well, that’s pretty cocky.
The large platinum designer watch he wore slipped back in place when he lowered his arm, keeping a watchful eye on me.
I spun around, propping a stubborn hand on my hip as I took in the surrounding dancers once more. Who did this guy think he was? Well, he was hot. That was for damn sure. Still, he just expected me to bounce over to him?
Not gonna happen.
I bit down apprehensively on my lower lip. Then again, this was the first summer I was on my own. My brother, Stefen, and cousin, Caleb, had been my protectors my entire life, never once letting me out of their sight long enough to have any real fun.
As much as I loved and appreciated them, I was thankful when Caleb graduated from college a few years ago and moved to Santa Barbara with his new wife. My domineering brother finally graduated last month and moved back to our hometown of Chicago to intern at our father and uncle’s firm while he finished law school.
They still felt the need to keep tabs on me, calling at least once a day, but that was a lot easier to deal with than having
them tower over me, scaring off every guy who even gave me a sideways glance.
Between them and my belittling mother, there were so many things I’d missed out on during my teenage years. Now that I was entering my third year of college, I was free to do whatever I wanted. And I plan on making up for lost time.
I contemplated once more what to do about Josh.
Who am I kidding? I sighed with nervous defeat. Trying not to make it obvious, I casually glanced over my shoulder. Since I’d recently cut and colored my normally long dark hair, I wasn’t able to hide behind it.
Didn’t matter, anyway. His seat was empty now.
Disappointed, I creased my mouth to the side. I’d lost my chance tonight. Damn it.
Suddenly, a warm body pressed against my back. “So you want me to come get you instead, huh?”
His voice was slow and sultry, and my hazel eyes widened. Taking a deep breath, I turned to find Josh standing a few inches away with hooded eyes.
“Excuse me?” I pretended like I had no idea what he was talking about.
Studying me, he ran his thumb across my cheek, then forward along my jawline until he was touching my lips. “You heard me.” The smell of whiskey tickled my nose as he continued, “I don’t normally have to go after what I want, but I’ll make an exception for you.” He took a step back, blatantly checking out my scantily clad body.
I felt heat travel up my neck to my face. Thank God it’s dark in here. Clearing my throat, I yelled back, “How much have you had to drink?”
He stepped closer, raising an eyebrow. “Enough, but not too much.” Grinning, he hooked his arm around my shoulders and led me back to where he’d been sitting. A waitress appeared as we sat down, and Josh leaned into me, tickling my ear and neck with his breath. “What sounds good to you?”
You do. Ignoring the waitress’ stink eye, I answered, “I’ll just have a soda.”
Josh jerked his head back. “A soda? That’s all?” Disappointed, he pressed his lips together, then turned to the waitress who gave him a flirty smile. “I’ll have another whiskey.” He smirked back at me. “Actually make it a double.”
