by Lucy Score
“Quiet down. They might hear you,” Donovan warned her.
The families were in the house arguing about brunch.
“They probably think we’re in here having sex.”
“What do we do if we’re pregnant?”
“Well, we’re already married. I guess we go buy a crib and get a dog.”
“I mean, do we tell them?”
“Baby, eventually they’re going to notice when you balloon up and then when we’re lugging a small human being around with us.”
She poked him in the leg with her foot. “I mean, do we tell them today?”
“What do you want to do?”
“We already stepped on Emma and Niko’s news with this ‘I see your baby and raise you a spontaneous wedding.’ I’d kind of like to keep this to ourselves for a few weeks. If that’s okay with you?”
“Damn. You make it really easy to keep secrets when you say it’s for someone else’s good,” he teased.
“Easily justifiable.” She blew out a breath. “How much time do we have left? I am so nervous right now. I don’t know if I’m more nervous about maybe being pregnant or maybe not being pregnant.”
He ran a hand up her thigh, pushing the hem of her dress higher. “I can distract you in our remaining minutes of not knowing.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “Are you suggesting the first time we have sex as a married couple it’s a bathroom quickie?”
He nuzzled her neck, nipping at the flesh just above her collar bone. “I’m saying we’ve done everything else ass-backwards.” He slid his hand higher, finding the edge of her underwear.
She gave a sexy little gasp that had him stone hard in half a second. “You drive me crazy.” She spread her legs a little wider, encouraging him. He hooked his finger under the silky material and felt her heat. The alarm on her phone buzzed, and they froze.
“Should we look?” He breathed the question against her lips, his mouth moving over hers.
Eyes wide and glassy, Eva grabbed his other hand and guided it into the deep v of her dress. “I think I can wait a little longer.”
--------
“Worth the wait,” Eva muttered against his chest. Her dress was wadded up around her middle, her bra draped over the sink. Donovan’s pants were around his ankles, his shoes still on.
“We’re napping for four hours today, and then I’m giving you candlelight and flowers and clean sheets and the best sex married people have ever had,” he promised.
“How about we find out if we’re going to be parents first?” she suggested. “Then you can shower me with seduction.”
“Deal,” he said, sitting up. He reached blindly over his head for the test on the counter. “Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath, and intertwined her fingers through his. “I’m ready if you are.”
He held up the test.
“Oh, my God.”
“Now you really owe me a first date.”
“I’m so happy and so terrified,” Eva squealed.
Donovan cupped her face in his hands. “I think we should name him or her Uranus.”
Their laughter, bordering on hysteria, was interrupted by a pounding on the bathroom door. The knob jiggled, and Eva tossed the test in the vanity cabinet.
“Hey boss, we got a report of a fire over at the winery. Looks like a stink bombing went wrong.”
Eva stiffened. “Oh, shit.”
“Eva, what do you know about a stink bombing at the winery?” Donovan growled, pulling his pants back on.
“Well, you see. I signed this non-disclosure agreement—”
“Fucking Beautification Committee,” Donovan sighed.
“Boss. Layla and I are going to take this seeing as it’s your wedding day and all,” Colby said through the closed door.
Donovan paused, his fingers on his zipper. Eva bit her lip.
“That’d be great Colby. If you need any backup… call Hazel or Minnie.”
Eva grinned and shoved her husband’s pants back down his hips.
EPILOGUE
“I can’t believe we’re finally doing this,” Eva breathed, her hand, sporting her brand new wedding band squeezed Donovan’s.
“Right this way.” The maître d’, a stuffy little man in a starched shirt and slicked back hair, led them into the dining room. It was a glitzy room with its circular shape and decadent finishes. There were actual candlesticks on every white linen wrapped table top. The wallpaper was a ruby red with gold birds and twisting vines. Half a dozen sets of glass doors led out onto a stone terrace. The room smelled like steak and fresh bread.
Donovan’s hand rested warmly, solidly at the small of her back. Since they’d been married—all of ten hours ago—Eva didn’t think they’d physically separated from each other.
They sat at a cozy corner table on velvet cushioned chairs and Eva eyed Donovan while the maître d’ made a show of spreading the snow-white napkin in her lap.
“Is that a rack of lamb?” Eva asked in a whisper, pointing at a diner’s platter.
“Why are you whispering?” Donovan whispered back.
“I feel like we’re in a library or a museum.”
He grinned and Eva sighed resting her chin on her hand. “You are so good looking. It should be illegal.”
“And I’m all yours.”
What insane twist of fate did she have to thank for that? Eva wondered. “Pregnant, married, and finally going on our first date,” she said.
Donovan drew her knuckles to his lips. “Yeah, that sounds about right where you and I are concerned. I know it feels fast. But Eva, I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this.”
“Are we insane? I mean literally insane,” Eva asked. “We’ve done everything backwards and I’m worried you’re going to come to your senses.”
He rubbed a thumb over her palm, a reassuring pressure. “When are you going to get it through your thick head that I’m here to stay?”
“Maybe by our twentieth anniversary?”
Eva picked up her menu and sneaked a peek at the tables around them. “Is this really where you would have taken me on our first date?”
Her husband gave her a dry look. “Hell no. Do I look like the gold filigree swan type? This is the only place I can guarantee we won’t run into a single Mooner. It’s twenty miles out of town and there isn’t a vegan option on the menu.”
“No interruptions.” Eva smiled sweetly.
“No interruptions. Just me and my wife on our first official date.”
Eva felt the blood drain from her head as reality punched her in the face. “Oh my god. We’re married. And I’m having your baby. And I barely know you. Donovan! What were we thinking?”
Donovan leaned in concerned. “Is this hormones?”
“I don’t know! Maybe? I’ve never accidentally gotten pregnant before. Maybe it’s just regular, run of the mill insanity? We don’t even live together! How did all this happen?” She felt dizzy.
“Here. Drink.” Donovan thrust her water glass at her and fanned her with his napkin.
Eva gulped down half of the glass.
“What if I’m terrible at being a wife? What if I’m the worst mother in the history of mothers?”
“Now, listen to me, wife of mine. You are an incredible woman and it’s about fucking time you started realizing it. Just by being you, you’re going to be great at the whole wife and mother thing. Sure, we’re both going to fuck up and repeatedly. But we’ll learn together.”
“Together.” She nodded like a bobble head.
“There is no point panicking over this. We’re married. We’re having a baby. As we speak, Jax and Carter are moving your things into our house. I love you and we’re going to live happily ever after.”
Eva took a deep breath. She reached for his hand and ran her fingers over the plain gold band on his finger. “Okay.” She nodded. “Okay. I can do this. We can do this. I love the hell out
of you. I’m sure I’m going to love our baby. You have an amazing kitchen. Yeah. Okay. We can do this.”
“I was thinking about turning the loft into your office… if you’d like to work there. I can make you a desk, a big one. And bookshelves. You can put up a big white board on the wall so you can map out your books.”
Eva stared at him, wide-eyed and woozy.
“You’ll write and cook. We’ll raise our daughter or son. Get a dog. It’s going to be a good, solid life, Eva. I promise you that.”
“I love your faith in us,” she whispered.
“I love your worry. It means you care.”
“I do, Donovan. More than anything. I just can’t believe that this is my life. I don’t want screw it up.”
“Baby. We’re a team. We’ll keep each other from screwing up and if a mistake still slips in, we’ll clean it up together.”
An invisible weight lifted and Eva gave him a damp-eyed smile. She was one hell of a lucky woman. “Whew. Okay. I’m chalking that one up to hormones. No more freak outs tonight,” she promised.
“No freak outs. No interruptions.” He raised his water glass to hers.
“To the beginning of a beautiful, quiet life together,” Eva toasted.
“Excuse me?” A woman in a sequined black cocktail dress approached, a napkin and pen clutched in one hand and reading glasses in the other.
She was staring at Eva with unusual intensity. Eva shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Can we help you?” Donovan asked.
“Oh!” The woman leaned in and screeched six inches from Eva’s face. “It is you! Herbert! This is Ava Franklin.” The dining room chatter came to a screeching halt around them.
“Ava what?” Herbert, in a tan suit, harrumphed through his white moustache. He looked like the type of man who’d have a monocle.
“Franklin! You know.” The woman fluttered her ringed hands like a hummingbird. “The one whose book you found so instructive.”
Eva choked on her ice water and Donovan coughed into his napkin.
“Oh, I can’t tell you how much I love your books! Do you live around here? Are we neighbors?” She slapped her husband in the chest. “Herbert, get my phone. I need a picture. This is the famous author Ava Franklin,” the woman announced to the room.
Donovan slumped a little in his seat as women—and a few curious men—started forming a line. His shoulders shook with silent laughter.
Eva held up her menu in front of their faces. “I’m so sorry! I swear after this, no more interruptions. Just hang in there a little longer.”
Donovan grinned, that quick, panty-melting smile. “Baby, you’re worth the wait.”
Author’s Note to the Reader
Dear Reader,
Only in Blue Moon, am I right? I mean seriously, where else would an astrological apocalypse happen? I couldn’t even tell you where the idea came from. It was just there and so insane I had to write it. And thus, Uranus happened.
You know I love writing a really, good guy hero. But you may not know that I’m also a sucker for John Wayne movies, especially the non-Westerns. That’s where Donovan got his name. Donovan’s Reef is one of my favorite movies and it only seemed right to name a John Wayne-worthy hero after the character.
What can I tell you about Eva? She and I share a few characteristics, being short, romance novelists incapable of opening a cabinet door without whacking body parts. It happens almost weekly for me. On her own, Eva is one bad decision away from making a mess of everything, but with Donovan in her corner she has someone who believes in her and that makes her stronger.
I hope you enjoyed Holding on to Chaos. If you did, leave a review or drop me a line. Tell me if you want more Blue Moon! I’d love to hear from you. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. If you subscribe, you get the Blue Moon prequel, Where It All Began, FREE!
I really, really, really appreciate your readership. Thanks for picking up Holding on to Chaos! May your To Be Read list never end and your reading chair get even comfier.
Xoxo,
Lucy
About the Author
Lucy Score is the author of the Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestseller Pretend You’re Mine. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism. She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she and Mr. Lucy share with their obnoxious cat, Cleo. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym. She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, or oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.
Lucy’s Titles
The Blue Moon Small Town Romance Series
Where It All Began
It’s 1985 and John Pierce’s grad student guest is ruining his nice, quiet life. She was supposed to be a he, not an opinionated, smart-mouthed woman who questions his every move.
No More Secrets
Carter Pierce is a gorgeous veteran who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty tending the family farm, but he’s not in the mood to be shadowed by a big city journalist.
Fall into Temptation
Beckett Pierce is the charming mayor of Blue Moon with a soft spot for women who are trouble, especially when they live in his guesthouse.
The Last Second Chance
Jackson Pierce is the returning prodigal son. With a successful career as a Hollywood screenwriter, he has everything. Everything but the girl he left behind.
Not Part of the Plan
Emma’s got her whole life planned out. And that plan doesn’t include a detour with hunky fashion photographer and notorious ladies’ man, Nikolai Vulkov.
Holding on to Chaos
Sheriff Donovan Cardona has his hands full when his town loses its collective mind, not to mention the red-headed disaster who’s keeping secrets and accidentally flashing him every five seconds.
Romantic Suspense Titles
Pretend You’re Mine
Harper starts her life over again with a fake relationship with real-life hero Luke. But fake and real and hidden truths soon turn into one unforgettable love story.
Sinner & Saint: Crossing the Line
It’s hate at first sight when Xavier, a by-the-book bodyguard, meets starlet Waverly who is desperate to leave the sparkle and danger of Hollywood behind her.
Sinner & Saint: Breaking the Rules
A dangerous game brings Xavier back into Waverly’s life. He’s the only one who can get her out alive, but will she ever trust him again?
Undercover Love
Ashley is given the keys to revenge on her cheating fiancé when she teams up with billionaire Jason Baine to bring him and his mistress down.
Other Titles
Mr. Fixer Upper
Gannon King’s on-set clashes with his field producer Paige drag them both further into the spotlight. And as the network pushes for more drama, things heat up behind closed doors.
Heart of Hope: Hope Falls (Kindle Worlds)
Single mom Bristol begins to fight through her grief with the help of sexy stranger Beau. But Beau has a secret that will affect her entire family.
Acknowledgements
Dirty martinis for making me infinitely more creative.
My ARC team for being some of my biggest cheerleaders.
Torchbearer Sauces for Oh My Garlic.
My editing team (Dawn, Amanda, and Mr. Lucy) for being really good at stuff that I’m really bad at.
Jaycee at Sweet ’N Spicy Designs for Donovan Cardona’s cover.
Mr. Lucy for always cleaning up after I cook.
Public libraries for supporting the reading community.
Bacon.
Dan for doing that research thing that I needed that time.
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