Unbridled (Unlikely Lovers)

by Brooks, Cheryl

  “Baby oil?”

  A seductive grin banished his irritation. “I told you I had plans for the evening.” He blew out a pent up breath and pointed to a small gift box at the bottom of the bag. “You might want to open that. I got it for you.”

  She eyed him with suspicion. “Okay, this isn’t my birthday, and it certainly isn’t Christmas.” Her heart plummeted. Maybe it was his birthday. No—he wouldn’t have gotten her a present for that. “Is it some holiday I’ve forgotten about? Should I have gotten something for you?”

  “No, you shouldn’t have gotten anything for me. Right now, this is just another day.”

  Although Miranda seldom wore jewelry, she recognized the name on the box, having heard countless radio ads for that particular store. Gifts for non-occasions didn’t come in packages like that. She lifted the lid, gasping as the diamond inside sparkled back at her.

  “And yes, you can wear it to the barn,” he said. “It’s guaranteed for life.”

  Guaranteed for life. So many things weren’t—husbands included. She swallowed around the tight lump in her throat. “I hope it’s got a strong, tight setting. Otherwise it’ll be gone in a week.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” he said. “The stone might disappear, but I won’t. You’re stuck with me now, Miranda—I’m not going anywhere—not after today.” His voice took on a softer, deeper timbre. “Think you could put that on? I want to see it on your hand.”

  She slipped the ring on her finger, marveling at the perfect fit. “How on earth did you know what size ring I wore?”

  He held up another ring—the one Kris had given her. “I used this.”

  “I can’t believe you found that,” she exclaimed as he dropped it onto her outstretched palm. “I mean, I didn’t exactly hide it, but…”

  “Are you kidding me? Did you really think Mr. Observant wouldn’t spot it in there with the flag?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course he did. I suppose he snuck it out of there for you too.”

  Travis nodded. “He’s quite the co-conspirator. Never said a word to you, did he?”

  “Not about the ring, but he seemed to think our engagement was a done deal.”

  Dropping his chin, Travis gazed at her with an expression in his deep blue eyes that would’ve melted the heart of a much stronger woman than Miranda. “So, is it a done deal?”

  “That depends. Levi pretty much told me to marry you, but you haven’t actually asked me. I think I need to hear it from you.”

  “Ah, but you did hear it from me. I distinctly remember telling Levi that you should marry me for making brownies. However, I have no problem with repeating myself.” Eyes twinkling, he got down on one knee. Taking her hand, he closed her fingers around Kris’s ring. “I love you with all my heart, Miranda. Will you marry me?”

  As she gazed at Travis, the memory of Kris’s proposal flashed through her mind. Diamond rings were a luxury he couldn’t afford, and they’d been sharing a sundae when he asked her to be his wife. She’d said yes in an instant, but her feelings now seemed so much deeper than they’d been back then. Having spent so many years without a man made her realize that what he offered was the most precious thing imaginable—far more valuable than any diamond and every bit as unlikely as lightning striking twice in the same place. And yet, there he was, the embodiment of love, kneeling right in front of her with an expression that touched not only her heart, but the depths of her soul.

  Tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, yeah. If I had my choice of any man in the world, I would choose you. I love you so much.”

  He was on his feet in an instant, pulling her into an embrace that left her breathless. “I promise you won’t regret it, Miranda. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”

  “And I’ll do the same for you.” From Miranda’s perspective, Travis was more likely to be the one to have regrets, but as his lips melted into hers, every fear—real or imagined—dissolved into nothingness.

  Travis meant every word of that declaration, but it took two to make a marriage work. If nothing else, his first marriage had taught him that. A woman didn’t stray from her husband if he’d done all he could to keep her unless she’d never really loved him to start with. Miranda loved him. He was sure of that now.

  What he had to remember was that love was an action as well as a state of being. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Miranda he’d never been a fun kind of lover in the past. He’d been too passive, too stagnant, and not nearly adventurous enough.

  He might never know what it was about Miranda that changed him, but he understood the outcome. She’d set him free of constraints imposed by his family and upbringing and allowed him to fall in love for the first time in his life. She’d given him license to use his imagination, opening a whole new world of romance and passion. He couldn’t imagine doing some of the things he’d done with Miranda with any other woman.

  And he certainly wouldn’t have brought home a bottle of baby oil.

  Alan would be proud.

  Chapter 33

  Meeting a friend for lunch to tell her that her ex-boyfriend was getting married was tough enough. Topping it off with the report of your own impending nuptials was like rubbing salt into an open wound. Even so, Miranda wasn’t sure she could get through the meal without spilling the beans.

  “I guess that’s that,” Christina said with an air of resignation. “At least one of us is happy.” She paused, scrutinizing Miranda through narrowed eyes. “And you are happy, aren’t you? You look like you’re about to burst.”

  Miranda blew out a pent-up breath. “Travis asked me to marry him.”

  “And I suppose you said yes.”

  “Are you kidding? Of course I did.”

  “Sure he won’t bore you to tears?”

  “Not a chance.” Miranda saw no point in trying to convince Christina that Travis was possibly the least boring man in the world. As far as she was concerned, Christina could go right on thinking that. “By the way, I’m shopping around for a maid of honor. I’d ask Tracy, but she’s a little iffy on the whole marriage idea right now. Even though she’ll be at the wedding, she’s got some bizarre superstition about maids of honor being the next in line. I always thought it was the one who caught the bouquet, but what do I know?”

  Christina’s transformation from radiant to bleak happened so fast it was almost comical. “Mark won’t be there, will he?”

  “No. Just our families and a few close friends.”

  “I’m very happy for you,” Christina said with a wistful smile. “But Tracy isn’t the only one down on love. I…I’m not sure I can do it. Besides, it might be a little awkward since Travis and I dated a few times.”

  Christina was obviously grasping at straws, but Miranda wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “I doubt it, unless someone decides to slap you silly for passing up such a great guy.” Not that Miranda would do any such thing. In fact, she felt like getting down on her knees and thanking her friend for being such an idiot. “And yes, there are several others I could ask, but right now, I’m asking you.”

  Christina opened a package of creamer and stirred it into her coffee, a thoughtful expression on her face. “You really love him, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do, and I think it would be good for you—and Tracy—to see that there really is such a thing as a happy couple.” Miranda paused, drawing in a shaky breath. “I don’t want to see either of you waste as many years as I did—although, I have to admit, I’m glad I waited.”

  Christina’s laugh was a bit weak, but at least she laughed. “Not sure you gained much with that argument.”

  “This isn’t a legal debate,” Miranda said. “This is a friend asking a friend to stand up with her at her wedding.”

  Teeth tugging at her lip, Christina nodded. “You’re right. Just don’t spring Mark and his new wife on me. I couldn’t take that.”

  “No worries. He won’t be there.” Miranda chose not to mention that he’d be halfway across the
country on his honeymoon at the time.

  “You won’t try to fix me up with any of the guests, will you?”

  “Absolutely not,” Miranda replied, throwing up her hands in protest. “I haven’t met any of Travis’s friends yet myself—or any of his family. We’re having dinner with his parents in a few days, but I probably won’t meet anyone else until the wedding. It’s not like we’ve planned this for months, and you of all people know how hard it is to work around everyone’s schedule.”

  Christina heaved a sigh. “Tell me about it. One more stipulation. Please promise me you won’t toss your bouquet anywhere near my direction.”

  Although she couldn’t vouch for Travis’s side of the family, anyone Miranda had invited would probably rather catch pneumonia than a bouquet. “I promise. In fact, I may not toss it at all.”

  “Okay, I’ll do it.”

  Miranda might’ve gotten the answer she wanted, but she hadn’t forgotten who she was dealing with. “Could I have that in writing?”

  * * * *

  When the day finally arrived, Miranda rode with Christina, Levi, and Tabitha to a small chapel where a friend of Travis’s was waiting to perform the wedding ceremony. Even Christina giggled when Miranda started humming “Chapel of Love,” eventually bursting into song.

  After the first chorus, Levi spoke up, as Miranda had known he would. “Uh, Mom. Could you please be quiet?”

  “Nope,” Miranda replied. “When you and Tabitha get married—if you get married—you’ll probably be singing too.”

  Levi shook his head. “Not that song.”

  “Yeah, well, I think it’s perfect.”

  The redbud trees were just past their peak and the white dogwoods were in full bloom as they drove to the ivy-covered chapel nestled in the woods.

  As Levi escorted Miranda down the aisle, she saw the familiar faces of her friends and family and those belonging to a number of strangers, but it wasn’t until she reached the altar that her eyes fell on the man standing beside her future husband.

  Stuart was about a head taller than Travis, with a broad-shouldered, muscular build, curly black hair, and ice-blue eyes. A square-jawed he-man type, he had the kind of beard that was still visible even when he’d shaved close enough to take off the top layer of skin. Miranda suspected that Christina had already spotted him, which might account for her slight stumble as she preceded Miranda down the aisle. Nevertheless, when Stuart handed the ring to Travis, there was no mistaking Christina’s softly uttered ohhh… as she got her first close-up view of him.

  “You see what I mean?” Travis murmured as he took Miranda’s hand. “I can’t figure out why he thinks women don’t like him.”

  “Probably because the sight of him stuns them speechless,” Miranda whispered back. “And I never would’ve guessed you two were brothers. He doesn’t look anything like you.”

  “Different mothers,” Travis said. “His mother’s family tends to be taller.”

  Miranda would’ve bet that wasn’t the only difference, but there wasn’t time for further discussion, because Joel, the Justice of the Peace, had already begun the ceremony. As she promised to love, honor, and cherish her darling Travis, she realized how different this marriage would be from her first, and not only because she was marrying a different man. She’d spent most of her married life going it alone for months at a time. Travis would be with her day in and day out, and she could hardly wait for the rest of her life to begin.

  She would sleep with Travis on her nights off and dream about him when she slept during the daytime. And on the weekends when she had to work, she would come home and wake him with a kiss as sweet as the first one they shared as husband and wife.

  Oh, yeah. Life is good.

  * * * *

  Travis placed her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze as they walked back down the aisle. “Happy?”

  Miranda leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder. “You have no idea.”

  “Somehow, I think I might.”

  He certainly understood the contrast between the way he felt now and how he could’ve felt if things had turned out differently. As he’d stood waiting for his bride, for one horrific moment, he realized how close they’d come to dismissing each other as potential lovers. One chance phone call from Levi had turned the tables, just as one slip on the ice could have ended everything.

  But she was here beside him, alive and well, and if she couldn’t remember that pivotal moment in their lives, he’d do his best to help her relive it every time they made love. He was already well on his way to loving Levi like a son. He’d get to know her friends and become part of her life. Hell, he might even have a beer with that crazy x-ray tech, Rodney.

  When he introduced her to Alan, he realized something else—he was proud of her. She was beautiful, intelligent, and sexy as hell. His only hope was that she was as proud to be his wife as he was to be her husband.

  “You’re a lucky man, Travis York.” Alan’s words reflected Travis’s own thoughts as they shook hands. He nodded toward Stuart. “Get a load of that.”

  A glance at Stuart had Travis following his brother’s starry-eyed gaze to where it rested on an obviously smitten Christina. He gave Miranda a nudge. “Check it out.”

  A quiet giggle escaped her. “They remind me of that old hair color commercial. You know, the closer he gets, the better you look?”

  Travis shrugged. “Must’ve been before my time.”

  “Oh, you are in so much trouble,” Miranda said with a menacing glare. “Just wait until I get you home…”

  “Will my punishment involve leather and whips?” Travis asked, waggling his brows.

  Alan grimaced, clutching a hand to his chest. “You two are killing me.”

  “Hang in there, Alan,” Travis said with a wink. “Your time will come.”

  * * * *

  “Okay, Miranda,” Nigel shouted. “I’m ready to be impressed. Go for it!”

  Miranda approached the crossover point of the figure eight and straightened Kira before changing the bend, sliding her new outside leg back and shifting her weight to that side. Giving a slight squeeze with her other leg, she felt the mare strike off on the new lead.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” Nigel screamed, jumping to his feet to dance a jig. “I can’t stand it! That was bleeding perfect!”

  With a huge grin, she cantered Kira around the circle.

  “Now, do that again,” he called out.

  Dammit! There’s always a catch.

  Leaning over the gate, Travis gave her a firm thumbs up. “Come on, Miranda! You can do it! Like he said, that was perfect!”

  Perfect? How many perfect things could one woman possibly do in a lifetime? On top of marrying Travis, she’d gotten Nigel to buy Arwen so she could breed Jadzia to an Andalusian. Levi and Tabitha were still dating and falling more in love with each passing week—although she really couldn’t take credit for that. And then there was the whole Stuart and Christina romance…

  Nope, can’t take credit for that one, either. Still, after achieving so many seemingly impossible goals, what was one more flying lead change?

  “Yes, yes, yes!” Nigel screamed again when Kira gave a nonchalant bounce onto the opposite lead. “One more time!”

  Miranda shouted with laughter as Kira gave a snort. “Sure, Nigel. No problem. It’s a piece of cake!”

  About the Author

  A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Cheryl Brooks is a former critical care nurse who resides in rural Indiana with her husband, two sons, two horses, four cats, and one dog. Her Cat Star Chronicles series was first published by Sourcebooks Casablanca in 2008, and includes Slave, Warrior, Rogue, Outcast, Fugitive, Hero, Virgin, Stud, and Wildcat. Look for Rascal in 2014. She has one self-published e-book, Sex, Love, and a Purple Bikini, and one erotic short story, Midnight in Reno. She has also published If You Could Read My Mind writing as Samantha R. Michaels. As a member of The Sextet, she has written several erotic novellas published by Siren/Books
trand. Unbridled is the first book in her Unlikely Lovers series, with Uninhibited and Undeniable coming soon. Her other interests include cooking, gardening, singing, and guitar playing. Cheryl is a member of RWA and IRWA. You can visit her online at www.cherylbrooksonline.com or email her at cheryl.brooks52@yahoo.com.

  Cheryl Brooks Amazon Kindle Links

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Wildcat

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Stud

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Virgin

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Hero

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Fugitive

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Outcast

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Rogue

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Warrior

  The Cat Star Chronicles: Slave

  The Cat Star Chronicles Bundle: Slave, Warrior & Rogue

  Sex, Love, and a Purple Bikini

  Sharing (Sextet Anthology)

  Entanglements (Sextet Anthology)

  Occupational Hazards (Sextet Anthology)

  Mistletoe & Ménage (Sextet Anthology)

  Dirty Dancing (Sextet Anthology)

  Small, Medium, & Large (Sextet Presents)

  The Lady Takes a Pair (Sextet Presents)

  A Tale of Two Knights (Sextet Presents)

  Midnight in Reno

  If You Could Read My Mind (writing as Samantha R. Michaels)