“Cupcake.”
“Yes?”
“What are you saying?” She opened her mouth to speak and I stopped her. “Oh, wait. This is for you.”
“Another envelope. It doesn’t say April Fool’s does it?”
I arched a brow at her. “Is it April Fool’s Day?”
She snatched the envelope and pulled out the receipt for the gift certificate while I held my breath. “Three weeks ago? You bought this three weeks ago?”
“Yep. At first I didn’t even know why but then I did. And you know what, Cupcake, it felt damn good.” She did that little sideways smile and her knee bent just a little. My woman.
“But, that’s before…be-,” she stopped again, blue eyes welling with tears that just about tore apart from the inside out.
“Yeah. Before I found out that you were pregnant.”
“M-M-Might be pregnant,” she corrected. “You’re right, I’m a coward.”
“I know but that’s okay because if I realized I was falling in love with me, it might scare me too.”
She laughed just as I hoped she would. “That might be part of it but I see you, Mason. You might be able to land the role of bad boy in Hollywood but you’re not that guy. You are considerate,”
“But in a manly way.”
Her smile softened. “Totally manly. You’re also sweet and thoughtful, in a manly way.” The love I saw in her eyes humbled me. Brought me to my knees at her side. “You listen when I talk instead of just talking to my boobs.”
“Who says a man can’t do both?”
“Well I love you for listening and I can’t wait to put that baking equipment and the chocolate to use.”
“I’m surprised you showed up at all after getting your hands on that chocolate.”
Trish licked her lips. Slowly and it was like the tip was connected to my cock, slowly waking him up. “Who says I didn’t?”
“Does that mean we have something to celebrate? Like you saying that you’ll be my bride?”
Blue eyes sparkled up at me like I was…hell, I don’t know, something special. “Impatient?”
“Hell yes.”
She laughed again. “I love you, Mason.”
I slid closer and wrapped my arms around her waist, mindful that it was very likely my child was growing inside her right now. “I love you too, Cupcake. So much.”
She relaxed against me, laying her head on my shoulder. “That’s good to hear because I’m kind of excited to marry you.”
“We’re already married.” But if she wanted another ceremony, well I’d give it to her.
“Yeah but we have to give the town a satisfying ending they worked so hard for. A big celebration.”
“Or-,”
“A big celebration that takes place when you want it to.”
That was easy. Too easy. “What’s the catch?”
She blinked, innocently. “There’s no catch. But I want to remember our next wedding and our next wedding night. So,”
I didn’t like where that long pause was heading.
“I think we shouldn’t have sex until our wedding night.”
Dammit. “Does next week work for you?”
She nodded, laughing her cute little ass off as I nibbled her throat. “It does,” she told me and claimed my mouth in a hot raunchy kiss, grinding against me while she made love to my mouth with hers. “And you know what’s even better?”
Could anything be better than hearing my girl tell me she loves me? While she’s rubbing that irresistible body up against me? “What?”
“I’ve decided where I want my tattoo.”
I pulled back as she tore off her shirt. And her bra, lifting her left breast slightly she pointed to the spot just under it. “Right there. I do. And I want you to do it.”
Her smile bloomed beautifully and I stole another kiss that was quickly getting out of hand. “Can we uh…do this now?”
She laughed but her face sobered. “What if I’m not pregnant?”
That’s what she was worried about? I pressed our bodies together, pulling her down on the floor on top of me. “Then I guess we should start working on it, just to be sure.”
She wore a mock serious look. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint my husband.”
“Cupcake you could never disappoint me, now come closer so I can whisper naughty things in your ear.”
She laughed. “I love it when you talk dirty to me, Mason.”
I knew she did. Because I fell in love with a good girl who was bad to the bone.
The End
If you’ve enjoyed Trish & Mason’s story Dear Reader, then check out Magenta’s Romance in Accidentally Wifed!
Accidentally Wifed
Davis
Welcome to Belle Musique.
That was it. No frills, but not without the famed southern hospitality I’ve been hearing all about since taking the job with the Belle Musique Fire Department, officially formed six months ago. It wasn’t where I thought I’d be when I imagined turning thirty, then again that milestone was still a couple months away and anything could happen.
Moving was something I’d grown used to over the past half decade since I became a smokejumper. I went where I was needed, no questions asked and no excuses. Upstate New York, up and down California, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, all had fires that needed the expertise of smokejumpers to keep the land, the people and the property safe. So yeah, moving was a cinch for me.
Moving with no immediate plans to move on though, was something I’d never done. Ever. But Belle Musique was my fresh start. My chance at a normal life where I made friends outside of work, dated a woman for more than a weekend, and maybe even put down some roots. At least that’s what I told myself as I dragged a trailer full of stuff behind my blue pickup truck through main street.
This tiny Louisiana town was an unlikely choice for an experienced firefighter like me, but the town, and the woman who’d told me about it had left an impression. After my buddy Stryker got hurt during a fire up in Oregon, I started rethinking my future. I was at that age where a man ought to start thinking about things like settling down with a pretty woman, maybe having a few kids. But I knew I couldn’t even think of that as a jumper, not with such an erratic schedule and so much traveling. There was barely time to meet anyone, never mind form a connection and explore it. So, I handed in my notice and began looking.
And looking.
Then a few months ago a listing appeared for experienced firefighters to help start a small town’s fire department, and suddenly I was interested. When I saw what town it was, I was intrigued and by the time I met with the Chief and the Mayor, I was excited about my new start.
Now though, all I felt was nervous. It had been a long time since I had to start over. All of my adult life I’d been part of a small family, first in the Air Force, and then my fellow firefighters, so the need to branch out and meet new people had never mattered before. Even growing up it was mostly just me and mom. Now I was in a new town on my own which meant it was all up to me.
Not a scary thought at all.
Though looking around the small, postcard town, there was nothing to be afraid off as I drove up the main street. There was a cute little mysticism shop that boasted candles, spells and voodoo ceremonies that sat right beside a souvenir shop. On the other side of the road was one of those greasy spoon diners where the décor and service sucked, but the food was so good that people forgave a lot, a women’s clothing boutique with the cutesy High St. Fashions swirled in elaborate cursive on a feminine awning a few doors down. A bakery and coffee shop that wasn’t a national chain surprised me, as did the huge restaurant and pub near the end of town. I didn’t get close enough to see all of it, but it looked like a place firefighters would go to unwind. It was…nice.
As I followed the handwritten instructions to the house where I was renting a room, I thought about the woman I’d met in Las Vegas, the one who told me all about this little place, and how it had captured her brother�
�s attention. I wondered where she was and what she was doing. Was she still in town or had she already left for some place more exotic like Prague or Tokyo?
I couldn’t even guess where her nomadic life had taken her, but I liked to imagine, a lot more over the past few months as I got used to the idea of being settled. Settled, it sounded so final, so resigned, but I keep telling myself that’s just morning after regrets. Once I got into a routine between the firehouse and building a personal life, I would feel more relaxed. Not settled. Relaxed. I looked up and spotted the street that held my new temporary home.
I just hoped the fire gods were still looking out for me, because I had a feeling that this small town might end up being more than I bargained for during that last burn over in Oregon.
“You think he plans to set up house right in the pickup?”
“Nope. He’s gathering his courage.” Two women were talking, about me. As if I wasn’t here, but loud enough for me to hear.
“Ah, see he’s not stroking out on us, Maddie.”
They laughed, and I turned to see three women, all gorgeous, smiling at me. They waved. “Come on out, we won’t bite. We’re all taken.”
That was both too bad, and a relief. “Congratulations?”
“Thanks,” the redhead said with a shrug. “We snagged us some great guys. You’re the new firefighter.”
“Yep, Davis.”
“Oh man you are absolutely perfect. You’re my new hero.” The redhead looked at me a little too closely for a little too long, pulled out her phone and began typing as she walked away.
“Don’t mind Vivi, she’s a romance writer and you’re well,” she motioned at me from head to toe, “all of this. It was inevitable. I’m Trish, your next door neighbor. Welcome to Belle Musique.”
“Thanks. Nice to meet you Trish, and you too,”
“Maddie.” The tiny blond held her out hand and offered up a friendly smile. “Welcome.”
“Uh, thanks. I guess I’ll see you ladies around.”
So far so good. I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs.
Magenta
“What in the hell do you mean you’re renting out a room here? Have you forgotten that I live here?” My brother Mason, I love him dearly, but he was angling for a kick in the nuts. And with that ‘I’m getting laid on a regular basis’ smug grin, he was really asking for it. “Explain. Now.”
Wisely, Mason took a step back putting his body squarely out of my reach. “Take it easy, killer. I don’t want to sell the house because it’s a good investment, at least it would be if I rented out another room.”
“Is that what this is about you dummy? Money? I’ll pay more.” Not like I was rich or anything, but I didn’t get bogged down by a ton of material things. I traveled light when I moved, and I made tons of extra cash by competing in tattoo competitions and exhibitions. “Tell this new tenant to get lost, it’s taken care of.” That was incredibly rude I knew that, but I liked having my own space dammit.
“Can’t do that.” Comfortable now, Mason shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the fridge with his head tilted back so he could look down his nose at me, the way he’d always done when I got in trouble as a kid. “He’s a new resident in town, and Aunt Mae expects us to make him feel welcome. Both of us.”
Yeah, this town. It was small as heck and nosy as hell. But I’ve never met a nicer group of people, so ready and willing to jump in and help simply because we shared a zip code. It was as annoying as it was endearing. Then his words registered.
“He? You rented out a room in the same building where I sleep to a serial killer? I guess it’ll be a better investment when it’s a tourist attraction.” Okay maybe that was taking things a little far, but seriously?
His lips twitched, and my gaze narrowed to razor slits. “I’ve done my due diligence Mags, and he’s clean. Even the Chief of Police said he checks out. If anyone should be worried, it’s him.”
This was not good. I didn’t do well with strangers in my space. No matter where I lived, it was either with Mason or on my own, and even though I loved my brother, I enjoyed the past few weeks of quiet bliss in this big house.
“Right, because I’m such a threat.”
“Have you seen you when you’re pissed off? It’s pretty damn scary.”
“Funny.” My tone told him he wasn’t. “When does this paragon of virtue arrive?” I had time to make a few small tweaks to this place, make it unwelcoming to this newcomer. Loosen a few screws, expose a few springs on the mattress in the only other furnished bedroom.
“Today.”
I sucked in a breath that was all fire and rage. “Today? He’s coming today and you’re just telling me now, what the hell Mase?” This was so unlike him and I couldn’t help the icy hand that slid up my spine and tried to break through my ribcage. “At least you could’ve given me time to find another place to stay! I can’t believe you did this. Why did you do this?”
“I didn’t do anything, Mags. I rented out a room which I have every right to do.”
Damn him. “Yeah, I got it, this is your place, and you allow me to stay here. Heard it all loud and clear.” I sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly, letting the anger leave my body like the shrink I saw once tried to get me to do. “You are the absolute worst!”
“Don’t make this difficult Mags.”
Difficult Magenta. Story of my life. Heard it from our parents, my teachers, a few boyfriends even. “Don’t worry, I’m not making it anything.” Because I wouldn’t make anyone’s life difficult ever again. If people couldn’t handle me just as I was, then I was happy for them to see my ass as I exited their life. “See you around, brother.” I promised myself when I left home at seventeen that I would never be anyone’s burden or obligation again. Most of all, Mason’s.
“Mags you don’t have to go!”
Yeah, I didn’t have to, but it was clear I was cramping my brother’s style otherwise he would’ve given me a heads up about my new roommate. It sort of made sense I guess, since he was starting on a new phase of his life with a wife and a baby on the way. Mason didn’t have time for his troublemaker sister, and he didn’t have the heart to tell me to my face.
“That’s right, I don’t. And I don’t have to stay either.”
I marched back to the downstairs room I’d claimed as my own and packed my two bags. Toiletries and clothes in one bag, tattoo gear in the other. Like I said, I travel light. There was a B&B in town, and a motel on the freeway, one of them would have a free room. It wasn’t a big deal, I just needed a few days to regroup and then figure out where I was heading next.
“Dammit, Mags why do you always have to take things this far?”
I grunted as I picked up my bags, brushing past my brother as I made my way to the door. “I’m sorry I’m not reacting to this the way you thought I should, and I’m sorry you thought so little of me that you waited until the last minute to let me know I was without a place to stay.” I yanked the door open and froze as all the blood in my body turned to ice at the sight of the one man I thought I would never see again. “Davis, what are you doing here?”
He still looked as good as I remember. Well over six feet, probably six four or five, with thick and wavy blond hair that always looked like he just came from a salon, and he had big blue eyes, a sharp nose and full lips. Broad shoulders blocked out the sun and his narrow waist emphasized the way his jeans hung low on his hips.
“Magenta, what are you doing here?”
Good question. “I’m not here. I’m gone.” I tried to push past Davis, but he was immoveable.
“Your hair isn’t purple anymore.” It was as inane a statement as the moment called for, and I struggled not to laugh. The last time I’d seen Davis, my hair had been a deep purple color that was my favorite so far.
“Nope.” I smiled at his stunned look. “Went “normal” a few weeks ago. For kicks. So, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to meet a guy named Mason, he�
��s renting me a room.”
Because of course he was.
“That would be my brother, and he’s right over there.” I tossed a thumb behind me, and when he leaned forward to look around me, I slipped out.
“Mags you don’t have to move out.”
“Apparently I never really lived here anyway, so no big deal, right Mase? Enjoy your new tenant!” Maybe this was a sign that it was time for me to move on. When I’d met Davis over a year ago, I was enjoying my nomadic existence, spending a few months here and there, before attending a weekend tattoo conference, somewhere new, and then moving on. Now I was holed up in a small town for no discernible reason.
I thought I’d stuck around because of Mason, because we’d grown closer in adulthood than we’d been as kids. But that was just my own twisted perspective. He had his life here, and he didn’t need me. That was fine. I would just move on. I’d done it before, and there was no problem with me doing it again.
It really was too bad. This little town had started to grow on me.
Oh well, there would be other little towns. There always were.
Davis
Magenta was in Belle Musique.
Unbelievable. What were the odds? I was stunned by her brief appearance, so brief I wondered if I’d imagined it after spending more than twenty four hours straight on the road.
“Don’t mind Mags, she’s bent out of shape because I didn’t tell her I rented out one of the rooms. She’ll calm down and get over it soon.” Somehow I doubted that. I hadn’t seen her in too long, but I knew what a pissed off Magenta looked like, and that was the image she’d left me with. Green eyes blazing with fury, pale skin luminescent, nostrils flaring as two blooms of red appeared on her cheeks. Yeah, she was pissed off.
“You’re Mason. The brother.”
His dark brows dipped in confusion. “We know each other, Davis?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Nope. Met Magenta more than a year ago now in Vegas. She tattooed my smokejumper crew.” A lot more than that happened that weekend, but her brother didn’t need to know. It was a long lost weekend, one I put way, way in the back of my mind. “She talked about her brother Mason who’d lost his mind and moved to some backwoods town a cartwheel from New Orleans. I didn’t connect the two in my mind.”
Accidentally On Purpose: An Accidental Marriage Boxset Page 48
