by Nicole Hart
“Really?” Moon said, sounding shocked.
“Well, yeah,” I said, as if I wasn’t shocking my own damn self.
“How long would it take you to plan a wedding?” he said, as he hovered over me and tucked my hair behind my ear.
“I don’t think I want a big wedding. I would be just fine going to the justice of the peace.” I said. I had thought a lot about it. I didn’t want a wedding, I wanted a marriage. I didn’t need the fancy dress and the flowers. I needed Moon.
“Are you sure?” he said with a devious smile.
“Yep.” I assured him.
“We could save the wedding money and take a kick ass honeymoon,” he said.
“See, this is why I love you,” I said, and kissed his lips.
“Then let’s do it,” he said.
“Ok,” I said, unable to hide my excitement. “When?”
“Saturday.” he said.
“Like in three days, Saturday?” I asked. Was he serious?
“Hell yeah, in three days,” he said, as he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me on top of him.
“Let’s do it.” I said, and kissed his lips over and over.
“I can’t wait to marry you, darlin,” he said, in between kisses.
“Me neither, but I think we should wait to have sex again though, just until after the wedding,” I said, trying my hardest to keep a straight face.
“What?” Moon said with a shocked expression. He looked devastated. You would think I just took his favorite toy away. And in a way, that was exactly what he thought I was doing.
“I’m just fucking with you,” I giggled, as I reached my hand into his boxers.
“You deserve a spanking for that one,” Moon said, as he rolled me onto my stomach and positioned himself behind me.
“Promises, promises.” I said, as I looked back at him.
“I never break a promise, darlin,” he said, as he squeezed my ass cheek.
He sure didn’t, and I was so thankful for it.
The next morning I was staring out the window, watching the rain pour from the sky. It had been raining all night. Moon walked behind me and put his arms around me, then kissed my neck. I was enjoying these mornings while I could on his days off. I would be going back to work once Moon’s next hitch started. The last few months had been spent focusing on us and getting my shit together. It was necessary, but now it would soon be time to get back to the real world.
“It’s pouring out there.” I said.
“You know what we haven’t done in a while?” Moon said, and I already knew the answer.
“Hell yeah,” I said, as I went to the front door and slid my boots on. I loved going muddin. It was something we did together every chance we got.
When I opened the front door, bracing myself for the cold rain, I saw Moon reach into his pocket and pull out his keys.
“You wanna know how much I love you?” He said with a nervous laugh.
I know my eyes got huge as he put the keys in front of my face.
“Don’t fuck with me, Moon!” I said, with a smile I couldn’t contain. He had never let me drive his truck. Ever.
“I’m proving my eternal love for you,” he said dramatically, as he held the keys to his heart.
I grabbed the keys out of his hand and ran out the door before he changed his mind.
Chapter 29
Moon
I couldn’t help but stare at her every chance I got as we drove to the county court house right outside of town. This was really happening. She was going to be my wife. She looked so beautiful as she checked her makeup in the mirror. Her long blond hair was curled at the ends and fell over those perfect shoulders that I loved to bite. She was wearing a simple white dress with a pair of sexy ass heels. I hadn’t seen her in heels since the night in South Texas. I had to adjust myself as my dick started to harden with that memory. She was perfect. Everything about her took my fucking breath away.
“Are you ready for this darlin?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” she said, as she scooted to the middle seat. I put my hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze.
“When we leave here, I’m gonna need you naked with just those shoes on,” I said, as I ran my hand a little higher up her thigh.
“Why do you think I wore them?” she said with a sexy smile, and then scraped her teeth across her bottom lip.
I had to push the image of Sam naked out of my mind for a while. I didn’t want to walk into the courthouse with a hard on.
When we pulled into a parking space, I looked over at Sam and planted a kiss on her lips.
“Let’s go get married,” I said, and gave her a wink.
“I’m ready when you are,” she said, and kissed my nose.
I hopped out of my truck and held out my hand for her. This little piece of perfection was about to be my wife.
As we walked into the courthouse, I heard a familiar little voice.
“Uncle Moon!” It was Penelope running towards us. I wasn’t expecting anyone to come. We had told them we were getting married, but let them know we weren’t making a big deal out of it.
And there they were. All of them - my parents, Jen and her family. I gave each of them a hug and scooped Penelope into my arms.
I caught a glimpse of Joe and watched Sam jump into his arms.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I wasn’t gonna miss my Angel getting married,” he said with a smile, as Vickie stood next to him, beaming.
“I’m glad you’re here.” she said, and kissed his cheek.
The crowd kept coming. Jase and Lainey walked in our direction, with Emma in tow.
“Thanks for coming, man,” I said to Jase as I shook his hand.
“You think this one was gonna miss it?” he said, as he nodded his head in Lainey’s direction and laughed.
“I should have known better,” I said with a laugh, as I ruffled Lainey’s hair.
My mom walked up to Sam with a gift bag in her hand.
“Now I know y’all didn’t want to make a big production out of this, but every bride needs a bouquet.” she said, as she pulled a bouquet of flowers out of the bag.
“Thank you,” Sam said, as she took it and gave my mom a hug.
“It’s also your something new.” she said.
“And I’ve got your old and borrowed,” Jen said, as she walked up to Sam and handed her my great grandmother’s pearl necklace.
“It’s kind of a tradition in our family, that all the brides wear this, and now you’re part of the family,” she said with a smile, as she handed it to me to put around Sam’s neck.
“Thank you so much,” Sam said, as she ran her fingers across it after I placed it on her.
“And I’ve got your something blue,” Lainey said quietly. “I’m returning the favor, so don’t open it now.” She giggled.
“What is it?” Penelope asked, as she reached for the bag.
“Nothing!” Sam and Lainey said at the same time, as I jerked the bag above her arm’s length. I peeked inside and saw that it was blue and lace.
“Hell yeah,” I said, and winked at Sam. Everyone just laughed.
Just then I noticed Mackenzie speed walking down the hall.
“Oh thank God, I thought I was going to miss it,” she said with a grin, as she hugged Sam.
“I’m so excited for y’all.” she said.
“Thanks.” we said in unison.
I looked at my watch and realized it was almost time for our appointment with the judge.
“It’s about that time, darlin,” I said, as I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her lips one last time before she became my wife.
As everyone was talking amongst themselves I noticed Kash walking down the hall. Sam saw him at the same time and stopped in her tracks. She squeezed my hand before she broke away from me and walked over to him. He ran his hands through his hair.
“I’m glad you’re here, slut,” Sam said, as she hugged him quickly
. I think she had finally realized he wasn’t a bad guy, but she was right, he was definitely a slut.
“Congrats y’all.” he said with a smile.
I couldn’t help but notice Mackenzie staring at him as if he were her last meal. I knew right then that I was right about her car leaving Sam’s that day. Oh well, not my problem. I laughed as I watched Joe slap Kash on the back of the head as we all filed into Room 4. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed the looks those two were passing back and forth.
Chapter 30
Sam
This was it. I couldn’t believe we were finally doing this. I stared at Moon as he squeezed my hands while we waited for the judge to get started.
The judge went through our vows quickly, but that was just fine with me. I knew what I needed to say, and it wasn’t what he wanted me to repeat. Once we slipped the rings on each other’s finger, I knew it was time to speak up.
“I just have something to say real quick,” I said quietly, and Moon smiled at me.
“Moon, I never knew I could love someone the way I love you. And I didn’t think it was possible for someone to love me with the fierceness that you do. You loved me when I didn’t love myself. You never gave up on me. You held my hand in the darkness and pulled me back in the light. Thank you for never giving up on me.” Moon winked at me and gave me that smile that melted me.
“My turn,” he said, and ran his fingers across my cheek.
“I have loved you for as long as I can remember. You changed me. You changed me from a stupid and wild kid into a man that was determined to be worthy of you and your love. You are the reason that I breathe, and the only one that’s able to take my fucking breath away. I know that life will never be perfect, but no matter what gets thrown at us I have no doubt that we can conquer it together. Thank you for making me the happiest fucking man on earth.”
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, I slammed my lips against his.
“Well, I guess you may kiss your bride,” the judge said with a laugh. Everyone started to cheer, and I couldn’t keep the tears from forming. I was so fucking happy.
“Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Rob…”
“Moon!” we both interrupted him at the same time.
“Mr. and Mrs. Moon Jacobs,” he said, and patted Moon on the back.
“This is fucking heaven,” I said, as I soaked up the warmth of the sun from my beach chair.
“Hell yeah,” Moon said, as he relaxed next to me.
Hawaii was the perfect place for a honeymoon. An amazing warm front had come in, it wasn’t very crowded, and I had Moon beside me. I listened to the waves crashing around us as I sipped on my Mai Tai. I set my eyes on Moon and just admired the view. He was so beautiful sprawled out, wearing his board shorts and aviators. He looked so peaceful sitting there. He must have felt my eyes on him.
“What?” he said with a smile, as he lifted his sunglasses up so I could see those icy blue eyes of his.
I reached my hand out for him to hold, which of course he did.
“I just fucking love you,” I said, and squeezed his hand.
“I fucking love you too, darlin,” he said, and held my hand up to his lips and kissed my fingers, one by one.
Like I said, fucking heaven.
Epilogue
6 years later
I walked into the waiting room and glanced over at the two little girls coloring on the floor.
“Has she been behaving?” I asked Lainey, as I nodded at the precious little blonde.
“Of course,” she said, as she rocked Baby Abbi. “They’re having a contest to see who can keep from coloring outside the lines.” she grinned.
Maggie and Emma had become best friends immediately, which was no surprise. We adopted Maggie four years ago, when she was only two years old. Sam was having lunch with Sheila at the hospital when she spotted a little blonde girl sitting at the table next to them that she was instantly drawn to. Sheila used her connections and found out that she was with a social worker that day. Maggie had been abandoned by her own mother, and left at the safe haven at the hospital. Sam fought tooth and nail past all the red tape and overcame every obstacle they tried to put in her way. Six months later, Maggie came to live with us, and she was ours. Sam’s determination was fucking mind blowing.
It amazed me how much she actually looked and even acted like Sam. If you didn’t know any better, you would never think she was adopted. And that was the way we wanted it.
Maggie heard my voice and threw her crayon down as she jumped up.
“Daddy!” she squealed.
“There’s my cutie pie,” I said, as she jumped in my arms, and I kissed her on top of the head.
“Where’s Jase?” I asked Lainey, as I looked around the room.
“He took Luke to the bathroom. Potty training boys is tough.” she laughed.
“I bet.” I said.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” she said, as she rocked the baby when she started to fuss.
“Is it time yet?” Maggie asked, as she grabbed my cheeks with her little hands.
“It sure is,” I said, as I kissed her nose.
When Sam told me she wanted to have a baby, I was shocked. I thought Maggie would be an only child. It was fine with me, but I knew how important it was to have siblings. Sam told me she realized that the love you have for your child outweighs the fear. I loved that woman, she never ceased to amaze me and make me proud of who she was.
I set Maggie on her feet, grabbed her by the hand and headed to Sam’s recovery room. She had to have an emergency C-section because the baby was breach and wasn’t budging. Stubborn, just like momma. Right before I opened the door, Maggie stopped in her tracks and started biting her nails.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned about my little girl.
“Will you and mommy love me as much as the new baby?” she asked.
“Oh honey, you will always be our princess. We will always love you to the moon and back, just as much as the new baby,” I reassured her.
“Ok, good,” she said with a grin. “But will he stink? Emma said boys smell like ass sometimes.” I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“We don’t say those words, remember?” I scolded gently. It was becoming more obvious every day that Maggie and Emma were a younger version of Sam and Lainey. We were all in trouble.
“Sorry, daddy,” she said, with that little grin that would have me wrapped around her finger for the rest of my life.
“But yes, boys are stinky. I want you to remember that when you’re a teenager, got it?” I said, as I ruffled her hair.
“Got it,” she said, and gave me a thumbs up.
“Now, are you ready to go meet your little brother?” I asked her.
“Let’s do this,” she said, and grabbed me by the hand.
I walked in that hospital room and realized everything I had ever wanted was within these four walls. I was a lucky mother fucker.
The End
Kash Bennett…
The Bad Boy.
Coming Soon.
They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered.
-F. Scott Fitzgerald
Acknowledgements
I have so many people to thank! Here it goes!
My husband-My reason behind this series. You are a combination of all of these roughneck characters. Thank for supporting me and encouraging me. Thank you for letting me pick your ear constantly, so I got the oilfield slang right. I love you more than you will ever know! My blue collar boy!
My kiddos- I’m so thankful that my kids are on board with this whole journey. They get so excited when I hit a milestone. They support me and tell everyone their mom is an author, even though they aren’t allowed to read a word of my books. I love my little miracles and maybe when they’re 18, I might let them read my work. Maybe.
My BFF- My beta, the one who listens to me talk about these characters in
my head and doesn’t consider me a nutcase. I love that you get just as excited as I do when I have new ideas! I couldn’t have done this without you!
My Editor-My Stacey! I love you to the moon and back! I appreciate all your help and the fact that you can remind me to put a comma after a naughty word or an exclamation point during a sex scene without thinking twice. You rock!
My girls-Y’all know who you are! Thank you for supporting me, being my book pushers and for all of the constant encouragement! Love!!!
My Instagram girls-Y’all are truly amazing! Thank you for promoting, making teasers/videos and showing me constant love! When I first started this journey, I couldn’t even imagine this kind of support. I appreciate y’all B’s more than you know!
My readers-Thank you for taking the chance on a new author! Thank you for the support and sweet words! Y’all really are the best!
And finally, this one might sound crazy because he will probably never read this. But thank you Frank Foster, for your music. It has truly inspired me. Every one of my characters have their own FF song. Why do y’all think his name is Jase Foster?
