by Teagan Kade
The box I hold in my hands is slim-line. I don’t know why I’ve been carrying it around for a week everywhere I go, but now seems like the moment—the perfect time.
Harper freezes, looking around anxiously, but it’s only us. “My god, is that what I think it is?”
“A small white box. Just what you’ve always wanted,” I tease.
“Colt…”
I open it to reveal the simple engagement ring inside. It has a single diamond at its center—no fancy cuts or frilly trim. It’s timeless and elegant, no fuss. It’s Harper.
Her hands go to her mouth, a sharp intake of breath following.
I extend my hand and she reaches out for it. I take the ring, pinching it between my fingers. “I’m not perfect, baby. Hell, like Coach just said, I’m trouble, but I want to be your trouble, your pain in the ass.”
She laughs, tears of joy streaming down her face. “You’re an idiot.”
“I don’t deny it, but I promise you no one will work harder to make you as happy or cherish you more than me. Harper Dunham, will you marry me?”
She nods, unable to speak, one hand still over her mouth as I slide the ring into place. It’s a perfect fit, all that sneaking around with a tape measure while she was sleeping having paid off.
I stand and pull her into me, her warmth and joy.
And this is love—once a concept as alien to me as Mars. I feel it, blooming in my chest, knowing this is right.
Knowing this is happiness.
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
HARPER
“Stay in the shallows, Mykayla,” I shout, a hand on my belly that right about now feels like the Hindenburg, like I’m about to float away into the clouds in this two-piece.
Colton stands beside me in a pair of Quicksilver board shorts as ripped and perfect as ever. I don’t think any of the Beckett brothers age. “She’s fine, Harper.” He points. “See? Evie and Levi have it all under control.”
I look past Colton to his brother Cayden, also looking like something that popped free of a fitness magazine.
Cayden elbows Colt in the ribs, a Corona in his hand. “Your little girl’s wearing how many inflatable devices down there? She’s going to get mistaken for a pool lounge soon.”
“Hey,” Colton shrugs, turning to wink at me, “she’s precious cargo. All my girls are.” He looks at his beer. “Fuck, man. I could really go for a Moosehead right now.”
Cayden looks at him curiously. “That some kind of weird Canuck sex act, because I do not want to know what kinky Canadian shit you two get up to behind closed doors.”
“Who said anything about keeping the door closed?” Colton trills, prompting a solid elbow digging from Yours Truly.
“Seriously,” continues Colton, “everything’s better in Canada.”
Cayden laughs. “This from someone who told me they ‘fucking hated it’ up there, with its ‘cold and cheese curds and crappy beer.’ What’s happened to you, bro?”
Colton runs his hand over my belly, over the small life growing inside. “I’ve been seduced by its hidden charms. What can I say?”
Indy, Cayden’s wife, joins us, also in a two-piece, also heavily pregnant. We’re ‘bump buddies,’ as the boys so eloquently put it.
I look to the cloudless blue above. It’s strange being here in the sun and sand of Cabo, but a mass Beckett gathering like this happens but once in a blue moon. Attendance was mandatory. Even Beckett Senior decided to show, groveling his way back to redemption and putting on the full Poppy routine for the grandkids. Colton assures me he’s a changed man after his time inside, but it’s not my place to judge. His sons did manage to drink him under the table last night, the four of them bouncing back easily this morning, though Hunter had to catch a flight back to LA, something about a case he’s working on.
I take it all in. I liked the US, of course. I thought we’d be there for good after our move, but when Colton was injured on the field, told he’d be unable to play going forward, it was actually his idea to move back to Canada. We’re not in Branton, but Vancouver. Call it a compromise. We’ve got a great place by the water and jobs we love—Colt with his lacrosse coaching and me with my tenured position at the University of British Columbia. They were especially accommodating when I had Mykayla and now again with our next child—another girl Colt can toss in the air and blow raspberries on.
Nothing warms my heart more than to see the way he interacts with Mickey, as we call her. I don’t think he’s ever aged much past eighteen, a genuine kid at heart always seeking out fun and adventure, slipping Mickey into a backpack so we can hike Dog Mountain or kayak to Bowen Island. He’s keeping us fit, if nothing else, and that’s excluding the regular workout I get between the sheets. The calorie burning from our quickie sessions alone… It brings new meaning to the term ‘sexercise.’
We went back to Branton once, to see Mindy, who herself found a partner—a real mountain man complete with flannel shirt and bushy beard. As for James, word has it he skipped town when it was uncovered he’d been taking bribes from students to fix grades, blackmailing them in some instances for sex. It’s all speculation, of course, but I wouldn’t put that kind of shadiness past him.
“Off you go.’”
The eldest Beckett brother, Mason, claps his daughter, Addison, on her tiny behind, sending her skipping towards the other kids at the edge of the water.
“Can you believe it?” he says, shaking his head. His wife, Jeanie, is under the shade with a Malibu and Coke. She knows how to do this.
Colton places his beer down. “That we’ve all been pussy whipped? No, I can’t.”
I slap him on the ass. “Careful now. This might be Cabo, but it’s not Spring Break.”
He pinches me on my left butt cheek in return. “When you’re with a Beckett, my love, it’s always Spring Break.”
*
Mykayla safely tucked away for the night, the other Becketts having retired to their own rooms, I collapse onto the bed fresh from a shower, shifting from cheek to cheek. “And now I’m starting to remember why I don’t like this sand stuff so much.”
Colton, completely naked, flops down next to me, his head resting on his hands. He reaches over to undo my towel. “You did look super fucking hot in that swimsuit.”
I roll my eyes. “I look like a human bowling ball.”
The towel falls open, his fingertips gliding over my belly. “Nonsense. I mean, look…”
He directs my attention down to his crotch, his cock completely hard. “And that’s not from staring at Cay’s cute ass all day.”
I laugh, letting my legs spread ever so slightly as his hand dips downwards. “I’m going to tell him you said that.”
“And I might let slip how we did it on his dining room table last fall.”
I smile at the memory. “That was quite the visit.”
Colton’s fingers brush over my mons, a sole finger gliding into my wetness. I don’t know what it is about being pregnant, but I’m horny like all. The. Freaking. Time. I’m sure the other Beckett brothers are getting their own, but as far as Colt and I are concerned, it’s on like freakin’ Donkey Kong, day or night.
I close my eyes and sigh, the pad of his thumb applying light pressure to my clit, feathering it until I can’t help but rock my hips skyward.
“Let’s not forget our wedding night either.”
How could I? We married at the same restaurant-slash-hotel Colt took me to in the mountains, had it by the lake with close friends and family. I found someone local to make me the dress I’d clipped out of Cosmo when I was a kid—princess, V-neckline bodice with shimmering lace appliques, chiffon sheath skirt and a beaded belt, double spaghetti straps... I felt beautiful, but then I always do when I’m with Colton.
I don’t think it’s fair to say I tamed the bad boy given what we get up to, but it’s hard to resist a bad boy who’s a good man.
I roll sideways and take his mouth, let my hand reach down and give
his cock a single squeeze, to signal I’m ready.
He helps me on top, never breaking the kiss, hungry for it as always, to be with me, even when I look like this.
His mouth closes around a nipple at the same time he sinks inside me, the breath leaving my mouth cut short when he grips my ass, a renegade finger running between my cheeks.
He knows precisely how to please me. He always has.
But it’s more than the incredible sex.
It’s the way he holds our daughter at night, cooing bad karaoke into her ear.
It’s the way he looks at me when I dress for work.
The way he’s fiercely protective of our family, the life we have built.
The way he pours his heart and soul into everything he does, even if it doesn’t always pan out.
Because if you love life, life will love you back.
Because you don’t need millions of dollars or a fleet of Ferraris to be happy.
You only need a few good people.
I place my hands on his chest, rocking back and forward towards release. He smiles up at me with that same look of awe and wonder as the first time we met.
“You’re nothing short of my everything,” he told me once, and it’s true. Mickey and I, we are his world, his everything.
I was the teacher once, but being with Colton has taught me more than any textbook.
He’s taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe, to risk and run wild, that there are sweeter things in life than a box of Puccini Bomboni bonbons.
I fell for a bad boy, a student, but learning to love him has been the greatest lesson of my life.
Note From Harper:
Thanks for reading our story, guys. Teagan informs me she’ll have Hunter’s story ready real soon. In the meantime, she’s included Cold As Ice, a hockey-themed novella, as well as Winter Miracle (to keep the chilly theme going) and Blaze (to warm you up). Happy reading!
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About Teagan Kade:
Teagan Kade thinks talking about yourself in the third person is silly, just like her collection of snow globes and rare manga. When she’s not being silly, she’s hanging out with her own Brock and two children in the south of Australia, dreaming of new characters and torturous ways they can get themselves into trouble. Teagan loves hearing from her readers, all of whom are as dear to her heart as salted caramel cookies. Shoot her an email at: [email protected]. She doesn’t bite.
www.teagankade.com
Also by Teagan Kade:
Adagio: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance
One dirty Russian, coming right up.
I’m a billionaire virtuoso.
My hands are magical on and off the stage.
That’s to say nothing of the finely tuned instrument between my legs.
Life’s easy when you’ve got more money than God.
A new girl every day of the week.
Endless, panty-dropping charm.
Until Little Miss Innocent walked through my office door.
She’s my new personal assistant, untouched and unconquered.
I want to be her first, her everything.
To make her sing.
There’s just one problem...
She’s not who she says she is
And the truth’s going to break more than her heart.
Brute: A Bad Boy Small Town Romance
I’m gonna be her first and her last.
I’m bringing more than a big wallet to this small town.
I bought the local auto shop—lube jobs are on the house.
Until the heavenly slice of country pie that is Jeanie.
With her wide eyes and sugar sweet body, she’s a picture of innocence.
She says she needs my help with a ‘personal project’.
And I’m more than happy to oblige.
Provided I can keep her as*hole ex-boyfriend at arm’s length.
He wants to be first to pop her cherry.
But I don’t do second place.
Never have.
Never will.
It’s going to be perfect.
Just as long as she doesn't find out what I'm running from…
Loaded: A Bad Boy Sports Romance
He’s got the biggest bat on campus… and he knows how to use it.
Asher Slade, AKA ‘Slugger’. Hellcats captain, shameless womanizer, and grade A as*hole.
I can’t stand his kind, so imagine my joy when I’m tasked with babysitting Sir C*ck-A-Lot during his college-imposed community service. He thinks I’m easy, that I’m going to fall to my knees the same way his opponents do.
But he’s wrong.
I have dreams. I’m going places. The last thing I need is a walking hard-on getting in my way. Problem is, I’m already picturing him… between my sheets, my legs, his dirty mouth doing dirty things.
I should be running a mile, so why can’t I stop thinking about those coral eyes and cut body?
I’m not going to fall for him.
Promise.
So why does it feel like my bases are already loaded?
Striker: A Bad Boy Sports Romance
She’s the perfect score. I’m a dirty player. It’s complicated.
JENSEN
Scarlet's always been a stunner. There was a time we could have been together, but then came the soccer, the fans, the fame... I lost her to my twin brother, Josh.
But Josh is a cheating bastard. I can't stand by and watch Scarlet suffer, not when she should’ve been mine all along.
SCARLET
I've been dating Josh for years. I've tried to steer clear of his twin brother, Jensen, but I’ve always felt a pull towards him, a pull I have to resist.
But when Josh betrays me, Jensen’s arms are suddenly wide open. It would be so easy…
My heart’s torn—I just don’t know in which direction.
Slammed: A Bad Boy Sports Romance (FREE!)
My purity ring was perfectly fine until Nate ‘King’ Compton showed up.
The star recruit of the Panthers, inked up and out of control—He’s the campus troublemaker I know I should avoid, but I can’t. Problem is, I’ve been given the ‘privilege’ of improving his GPA… provided I can find a brain in all that muscle.
I don’t do bad boys. I do order and control, and he’s chaos. He’s the antithesis of my perfect princess world in every way. Still, there’s something deeper under those Caribbean eyes and cut body, a darkness we both share. I’m going to get to the bottom of it if it kills me, and given the way my heart hammers out of my chest every time he’s around, it just might.
Game on.
Throttle: A Bad Boy Sports Romance
I only know one position—on top.
ANDY
I do whatever it takes to win. That’s why I’m a Formula One champion. And I’m going for the prize again this year, no matter what my team says. But I’ll play their game—so long as it benefits me.
Now there’s a beautiful woman traveling with me to make sure I wear the team sponsor’s outfits and smile at all the right moments. I’m going to make Sara smile, all right. But not about what I’m wearing.
In fact, clothes won’t be involved at all.
SARA
Working PR for a fashion house and traveling the world? I’m not complaining. Even if it means putting up with a womanizer like Andy.
Yes, he’s sexy as hell. But I’m nothing to him—just another score, someone to warm his sheets for a night and then be forgotten. He’s going to learn I’m not that easy.
At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
Cold As Ice
Teagan Kad
e
* * * * *
Published by Teagan Kade
Edited by Sennah Tate
Copyright © 2018 by Teagan Kade
COPYRIGHT
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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DEDICATION
For Ms. T. You’re still badass in my books.
CHAPTER ONE
LIAM
“Welcome to paradise, man.”
My buddy Paul has me in a headlock. I stare out into the nightclub with its lasers, futuristic fashion sense and lollipop music. “Do you mean hell?” I suggest.
Paul sweeps his hand out over the scene. “It’s the unofficial meet-and-greet of the Winter Olympics, brother. Every nation is represented. It’s like an international pussy smorgasbord. Dig the fuck in.”
We stand out like dog’s balls in our bold red, white, and blue Team USA jackets, though the Nigerian bobsled team in the corner seems to be giving us a run for our money.
