Taken

by Mia Ford

  “Beth, are you ready?” Heather leaned close to my face and dabbed at my cheek with a napkin. “You look beautiful.”

  I grinned. I was standing in the foyer of the magnificent Ashford Estate – one of the biggest historic homes in New Jersey.

  “I feel beautiful,” I said honestly, glancing down at my dress. “I can’t believe I’m finally doing this.”

  Heather nodded. She pulled me into a long hug. “I’m going to miss you as a roomie,” she said. “But I couldn’t be happier for you.” She handed me a small envelope, which I had no choice but to tuck inside my bra.

  “What is this?”

  Heather smiled knowingly. “You’ll like it,” she said. “Trust me. Just open it later, after the ceremony.”

  I blushed. “It doesn’t feel real,” I admitted.

  “It’s real, girl,” Heather said. “And you’re finally getting married.”

  I glanced into the next room. Alessio, clad in an Armani tuxedo, was standing at an altar covered with flowers. The pews were packed – mostly friends and family of the Amorusos – but I had a few guests of my own, including Heather and some of my other friends I’d made over the past year.

  Alessio had asked me to marry him as soon as he’d been declared free. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I’d said yes immediately, then we’d made love in his limo and gone to every jewelry store in a thirty-mile radius to look for rings. Alessio had made me choose a two-karat stone. It was beautiful, if a bit ostentatious. I liked that because it reminded me of my husband-to-be. He was still the kindest and most generous man that I’d ever known….even if that had taken a little while to be revealed.

  The organ began playing the familiar Mendelsohn Wedding March, and I gasped.

  “It’s time,” Heather said. She gave me a little pat on the butt. “Go ahead, Beth. I know you’ll be great.”

  I grinned. I glanced down, admiring my dress one final time before walking into the grand mansion. My ivory gown was fitted to my body, and showed off every curve…especially the small bump that I’d begun to grow in my lower belly.

  I’d found out that I was pregnant three months before the wedding. Not many people knew, but I had a feeling everyone was going to find out at the reception, when the bride would toast with apple cider instead of champagne. I’d never really thought much about being a mother before, not even when I’d still been with Michael. But having Alessio’s baby was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

  It was so crazy to think that I was finally settling down to have a family with the only man I’d ever loved.

  The organ grew louder and I took a deep breath, slowly walking down the aisle and holding my bouquet of peonies in front of me. Alessio kept his eyes on me the whole time, beaming with pride and managing to look only slightly smugger than usual. I couldn’t keep my sweet smile in place for too long. My emotions were all over the place, and soon I was tearing up and grinning broadly.

  The priest took my hand and brought it together with Alessio’s. Alessio gripped my fingers tightly as the priest wrapped a sacred cloth, binding us together.

  “This is forever,” I whispered softly to Alessio.

  Alessio nodded. His eyes flashed with dark intensity. “Forever,” he repeated. “I love you, Beth.”

  I didn’t have time to reply as the priest took his place before us and blessed our hands, then began the long process of our vows. We’d written our own, and while I knew I would cry while reading mine, I couldn’t wait for the chance to tell Alessio how I really felt about him.

  “Alessio,” I began nervously, my voice shaking. “I never thought that I would find happiness, but you have changed my life. You’ve made me think about things in ways that I never imagined before, and I’m so proud to become your wife.” A tear dripped down my cheek. “You’re loving and bold and strong and sweet. I will love you forever.”

  Alessio winked. My heart skipped a beat and a warm thrill came over me. After all this time, Alessio could still turn me on in just a few seconds. I hoped that no matter what happened, that would never change.

  “Beth,” Alessio said heavily. “I never thought of myself as a marrying man. I never thought I would have a family, or fall in love. But meeting you changed everything. We had an intense, passionate, and instant connection that made me unable to stay away from you.” He grinned and I nodded as another tear dripped down my cheek. “I love you, Beth, and I always will. I promise to protect you with my life. I promise to keep your safe, and to give you anything your heart desires. I promise to be the perfect husband.”

  The priest nodded. “Alessio Amoruso, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and hold, to cherish and to love, until death do you part?”

  “I do,” Alessio said quietly.

  The priest turned to me. “Elisabeth Wilson, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and hold, to cherish and to love, until death do you part?”

  “I do.” My heart leapt into my chest with the words.

  “Then by the power invested in me by the state of New Jersey, I now pronounce you man and wife.” The priest turned to Alessio and winked. “You may now kiss the bride.”

  As Alessio pulled me close and kissed me passionately, I knew the best part of my life was yet to come.

  THE END

  Hey,

  Didn’t you like this story? YES, I know you’ve and I’m sure you would also LOVE the bonus stories which I have included in this book. Special inclusion includes my 2 HOT SELLERS - “Torn” & “FAIR PLAY” and surprise Eye Candy!!!

  So, don’t miss them….just look what you want to read next via the Table of Contents (TOC) and make yourself SO SO HORNY!!!

  Menage Romance

  Passion

  Suzie felt so nervous she thought she might be sick. She was not good around large groups of people, especially ones she did not know. But Jared was so gentle and patient with her. It had been three months to the day since they started dating, more than a year since they met and she had put off meeting his family for too long. In any case, it was time to bite the bullet and go to the family cabin. Suzie could not break up with him to get out of it (not that she wanted to), but it would make work awkward for sure. Working in a small office, she was unsure about dating a colleague and had insisted they remain friends. But as time went by, he grew on her and they both wanted to be more than friends. Now they were at the meet the family stage, except she did not have a family and was unsure how to act around one.

  “You ready to go sweetie?” Jared knocked on her bedroom door.

  “Okay,” Suzie replied. “I have never been camping so I did not really know what to pack.”

  “I cannot believe you have never been camping. No worries, it is a big cabin so just like a house in the woods. It gets a bit cold at night but I will keep you warm.” Walking over to her he wrapped his arms around her and she could smell his cologne. She breathed him in, enjoying how safe she felt in his arms.

  “It must be a big cabin if everyone in your family is coming,” Suzie said quietly into his chest.

  “Yeah, it has a bedroom for each of us. Mom and Dad wanted all five of their boys to be able to come whenever they wanted and have their own space. Now Jason and his wife have the main floor bedroom. Jeremy and his wife have the other main floor bedroom. You and I will be in the basement and I think Jeff and his girlfriend will have the other room down there. Then Johnny will be in the bedroom upstairs, closest to Mom and Dad. I know it is a lot for you but they will love you.” Jared turned her to face him and kissed her forehead.

  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his mouth closed. Picking her up he brought her closer to him and she wrapped her legs around him. Jared moaned and bit her lip.

  “We have to go.” He growled his discontent. “Or we will never get there before dark. I just want to stay there with you all weekend.”

  “I am sure we can find a quiet spot to be alone,” Suzie said and win
ked.

  “Oh yeah. No way am I sharing you all weekend,” Jared replied and he started kissing her again.

  On the way to the cabin, Jared went over who everyone was that was going to be there, again. Suzie was terrible with names and with five brothers with “J” names, she constantly forgot. There was Jason the oldest, married with a one-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter. His wife was Melissa. Next came Jeremy who was married to Tracey, she was pregnant with twins. Jared was the middle brother, older than his twin brother Jeff by five minutes. Jeff was also bringing a new girlfriend, though no one knew her name. And the youngest brother was Johnny. Jared’s mom and dad were retired lawyers and lived for their boys, and Jared said there would be plenty of food and beverage.

  “So, this will be the first time everyone meets Jeff’s girlfriend too. Nice to know I am not alone,” Suzie said.

  “You are adorable when you are nervous.” Jared looked over from the driver’s seat, grabbed her hand and pressed it to his lips before returning his gaze to the road. “You will have fun, I promise.”

  “I know I just always feel strange at big family events. I don’t have much practice. A weekend away with you will be nice regardless. Just no talking about work. Deal?”

  “Bad meeting today?” Jared asked and then quickly backtracked. “I mean, look at that sunset.”

  Suzie smiled, leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  When they arrived, it was dark. The lights in the house were on and there were people everywhere. Suzie gave herself a mental pep talk, reminding herself to treat them like a large group of co-workers, or clients. This would be her first weekend with a family of any sort and it was a three-day weekend.

  “Come on,” Jared said after he parked his car. “Let’s go in, I’ll get Johnny to come help me with the stuff once we say hi to everyone.”

  Walking up the path, with forest on either side, the house unfolded in front of them. It was the biggest cabin Suzie has ever seen. Huge log beams supported three stories and a wraparound deck above and below. It was gorgeous. As Suzie stood gaping, Jared pulled her around the side of the house towards the back door. Around back was a deck the size of their entire workplace. It had a spot to BBQ, a spot to eat, a lounge area and a hot tub.

  “Sweet, I didn’t know they put the hot tub in already. Good thing we packed our swimsuits,” Jared said as they reached the door.

  Before they could open the door, Jared’s mom stepped out and grabbed him in a tight hug. She looked even kinder than her picture and with her grey hair, glasses and apron she looked like an illustration of a grandmother; except she had a wine glass in her hand instead of a plate of cookies.

  “Suzie, dear. So nice to meet you. Let me have a good look at you before you get mixed in with the hoard.” She hugged Suzie and held her at arm’s length, smiling. “Jared has told us so much about you. Are you ready to come in and meet everyone?” She hooked one arm around Suzie and pushed Jared into the house.

  Immediately inside the door, a young girl ran up to Jared shrieking, “Uncle Jared, Uncle Jared! Fabien is in bed but I got to stay up to see you.” And she jumped into his arms. Jared threw her up in the air and caught her, then spun her around the room. At the large table in front of them sat three brothers and two wives; thankfully it would be easy to keep them apart as Tracey was very pregnant. The brothers though all looked very similar. Suzie was sure she could tell which was Johnny as he looked younger, wore a black hoodie and earphones. Jeremy and Jason looked like older versions of Jared; they all shared the same sandy hair and deep brooding eyes. Wow, Suzie thought, this was a family of gorgeous boys.

  Jared’s mom, Helen was about to start introductions when the front door opened on the far other side of the open living space on the main floor. At the same time, the basement door opened and Jared’s dad walked into the room.

  “The party’s here!” a voice boomed.

  Looking up, Suzie saw a tall, dark-haired woman enter the room. She wore a short dress, high heels and had bright red lips. Behind her, the other brother, Jeff, stomped in.

  “Everyone is here! Good. Meet Candy. Candy, this is everyone.”

  Helen laughed, hugging Jeff and introducing Candy properly to the rest of the family.

  Jared’s twin was his complete opposite. Instead of smelling of cologne, and neatly dressed, Jeff wore jeans and a worn-out shirt. His eyes were the same dark brown as the rest of his brothers, but his hair was the darkest, almost black. He commanded the attention of the house as he swept in with a witty remark and hug for everyone. Before he hugged Jared, they did some strange gestures with their hands and punched each other in the shoulder. Jeff did not hug Suzie; instead he shook her hand and looked her dead in the eye.

  “Nice job Jared,” Jeff said, his eyes still on Suzie. “This one looks like she keeps you in your place. And a blonde too. Well we know who is going to be having fun this weekend.”

  Jared punched Jeff then leaned in close and said with an eyebrow raised, “Candy? Really?”

  Jeff ignored him and walked away.

  “Hey Dad, did you get the hot tub set up?” Jared asked his dad, who was sitting with his granddaughter nodding off in his lap.

  “Yes, it is almost ready to go. We will fill it tomorrow, if you boys want to try it out.”

  “We are still playing tomorrow right?” Johnny spoke up for the first time since Suzie got there. “You aren’t all going to pussy out because you have your women here?”

  “Johnny! Language,” Helen said sternly. The brothers all laughed and started bad-talking each other and picking teams. Suzie remembered Jared told her that he would be playing paintball with his dad and brothers, three-on-three, on Saturday and that Helen had something planned for the girls. Suzie joked that Jared would owe her but was not really upset. Who was she to break up his family tradition? Must be nice now for Helen to be not so outnumbered. The boys were still arguing about teams and who

  played who the last time. Meanwhile, Melissa tucked her daughter into bed and said goodnight. Tracey had snuck away a short time ago and Candy had not looked up from her phone since saying hello to everyone. Suzie was content to sit quietly beside Jared and listen to him and his brothers get egged on by their dad. Once again, she was stunned by how gorgeous all the Tiefson men were.

  Somewhere along the way, Helen had refilled Suzie’s wine glass and sat down beside her with the bottle. They started chatting as the alcohol warmed Suzie up and loosened her mouth. She was complimenting Helen on the cabin.

  “The artwork in here is beautiful,” she said. “I can see many of the pieces are by the same artist and they are exquisite. Where did you find such wonderful pieces?”

  “Oh, you are a dear,” Helen replied. “I painted them. Would you like a tour of the house? Oh my, I totally forgot to show you girls where you would be staying. Come now, both of you before I drink anymore wine and need to go lay down.”

  Laughing, she gestured for Suzie and Candy to follow her. Then she turned back to the table and spoke loudly. “Boys go get your stuff out of the vehicles before you forget. Johnny, go help them bring in the girls’ bags.”

  Suzie trailed behind as Helen and Candy walked down the hall to the first bathroom. Before taking them downstairs she showed them the upstairs with a curved staircase, master suite and loft library. The master suite was luxurious with a private balcony and view of the back deck and yard. Candy was taking pictures as they went, clicking her teeth at the extravagance. Back down, Helen led them all the way downstairs to another sitting area with a large screen television, pool table and small bar. At the back was a small hallway with two rooms and a large bathroom with a tub and walk in shower.

  “You four will have to share this bathroom and the basement, but the rest of us will leave you alone. There are towels and everything you should need in your rooms. But please ask if I can get you anything else,” Helen said.

  At that they heard thumping on the stairs as the three youngest Tiefson brothers
came downstairs carrying more bags than they had arms. Johnny dropped what he was carrying at the bottom of the stairs and went right back up. Helen followed, leaving the two couples alone to sort out what is what.

  “Finally some alone time,” Jeff growled and leered at Candy. She giggled and ran off to their room. Jeff followed, winking at Jared.

  Jared and Suzie brought their bags to the room, and shut the door behind them.

  “So?” Jared asked, wrapping Suzie in a hug. “Not so bad, was it?”

  “Mmm,” Suzie mumbled into his chest. “Your mom got me drunk.”

  “Yeah and now that you have complimented her paintings, you are her new favorite person,” Jared said.

  “You and your brothers all look alike,” Suzie told him. “It’s crazy.”

  “But I am the sexiest right.” Jared kissed Suzie. “Just kidding. We get mistaken for each other all the time. When we were kids people could not tell us apart. Except for Jeff. We call him our other brother because he is so different from us.”

  “Yeah,” Suzie said. “I still cannot tell the difference between Jason and Jeremy. I thought I had it figured out, then the one I thought was Jason kissed Tracey and now, I am lost again.”

  Jared kissed her neck and whispered in her ear. “As long as you make it into the right bed at night, you can mix us up all you want.”

  Suzie kissed him back, and felt drowsy. Too much wine did that to her. Her knees shook and Jared steadied her, then suggested it was time for bed.

  In the morning, Suzie woke up feeling refreshed. She had fallen asleep immediately last night, slept hard and dreamed. Good dreams if she remembered correctly. Rolling over, she watched Jared sleep. Still aroused from her vague sex dream, she trailed a finger along his naked shoulder, down his chest and across his abs. When she reached the elastic band of his shorts, he groaned. Encouraged, she wiggled closer, the light material of her nightgown pulling tight across her chest as she moved. Suzie kissed Jared’s neck; he rolled over and wrapped his arm around her. Twisting beside him, she continued to kiss his chest, then stomach, abs and lower. Following his treasure trail, she tugged at his shorts, which were now bulging. Jared was now fully awake. Urgently he reached for her, trying to get her to eye level. Not wanting to share morning breath, and feeling like a tease, Suzie pulled his shorts off. Groaning as she grasped him, he bit his lip to quiet himself. Straddling him and leaning forward, the tops of her breasts fell out of her nightgown. Reaching up, Jared touched her chest and tugged at her nightgown. Finally, freeing her breasts, he traced slow circles with his rough fingers. Spiraling inwards, he reached her nipples and gently rubbed them before he moved down her body, caressing her back, sides and hips. Quickly, Suzie pulled up her nightgown and, naked beneath it, rubbed herself up against Jared until he was inside her. Urgently, he rose up to meet her and they embraced, matching each other’s rhythm. Writhing on top of him, Suzie closed her eyes and rocked more quickly. Moaning more loudly, Suzie bit her lip to silence herself as she shuddered in orgasmic relief. Jared, moments later, did the same thing.