“Marry me. Show me you'll be mine forever.”
“What?” she says, pulling completely out of my arms.
“You heard me. Marry me, Kaylee Rose Burton. Make me the happiest man in the world. Be my wife. Be the mother of my children. Be mine. Forever. Please say you'll marry me.”
Her eyes begin to mist over, and her hands begin to shake. I pull the small velvet box from the front pocket of my shorts and drop to one knee on the soft sand.
“Kaylee, do me the honor of being my wife. Let me love you forever, and always.” I flip the lid open, and she falls to her knees directly in front of me as she reaches for the box with her trembling hand.
A perfect four-carat princess cut diamond sits perched on a simple platinum band. I went for classic and understated, yet stunning. Just like Kaylee.
“Yes, oh my God, yes!” she says, her voice breaking. I pull the ring from the box and slide it onto her left ring finger as tears fall from her eyes and slide down her soft cheeks. I hate seeing her cry, but I know these are happy tears. “I can't believe this is happening,” she says under her breath as she wipes her cheeks with the back of her hand.
“From the moment I met you, Kaylee, I knew you were different. You were more than one night to me—you were my future. I knew that I wanted you to be mine forever.”
“Forever,” she whispers.
“Forever,” I respond.
We sit quietly on the beach, Kaylee wrapped in my arms as the puppies rest next to us in the sand. This is what happiness feels like. The woman you love wrapped in your arms, the cast of the setting sun, and sleeping puppies.
“What should we name them?” I ask as Kaylee drags her left hand down the long soft ear of the little guy lying next to her, rolling her new engagement ring between her fingers.
“Clooney and Pitt?” she says with a laugh.
“You want me to show up on set next month and tell George that my fiancée named our dogs after him and Brad?”
She tips her head back and laughs. A deep, resounding laugh. The kind of laugh that tells me she's happy—and I'm so fucking in love with her and that laugh.
“Yes.” She twists in my arms and presses her lips to mine. Soft and supple, warm and inviting. “They’re cute, just like Brad and George.” I shake my head and chuckle.
“Let's go.” I nudge her. “We have to get ready for tonight then I have plans for us.”
I stand up and brush the sand from the back of my shorts. I help Kaylee up, and she does the same.
“Oh, yeah, like what?” She smirks, knowing damn well what I have planned. Devouring her sexy fucking body over and over again until we both pass out.
“If I told you we'll never make it to the Oscars. Now let's get Clooney and Pitt home.” I wink at her, and she smiles back. She knows what she's in for.
I shake my head at the names Kaylee has picked out. Fucking Clooney and Pitt. Only Kaylee could convince me to let her name our dogs after two of Hollywood’s leading men.
As we walk down the beach and toward the path to the Malibu beach home we just purchased, I take one last look at the beach, the setting sun, and at Kaylee. Everything in this moment is beautiful and perfect, and I can't wipe the smile off my face.
I step out of the limo and gently help Kaylee to her feet. Before I even turn around, a young voice is at my side calling my name.
“Mr. Myles, I'm Abigail, your publicist. I'll be getting you through the press line this evening.” She smiles at me, before looking at Kaylee who is adjusting her dress. “Ms. Burton.” She nods at Kaylee, who offers her a hand to shake which she takes.
This is my first big event without Kendall. She was always by my side for premieres, press tours, and award ceremonies, guiding me through the press line and ensuring I was talking to the most influential reporters in Hollywood. I accepted Kendall's resignation after the incident in London, and my agent has been less than enthused that I've yet to hire a new publicist, so he hired one to help me get through this premiere.
“Shall we?” I gesture to the red carpet laid out before us. Abigail raises her hand to stop me, before glancing quickly at her clipboard and back to Kaylee and I. Squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin in a show of confidence, she licks her lips before speaking.
“You two made quite an appearance on the beach today. Puppies and an engagement…” She looks up from her clip board through her long lashes at me. “You're on the front page of every entertainment site and not because you’re expected to win actor in a leading role.” She rubs her eyebrow, looking distressed. “I've given instructions that there are no personal questions, but with today's events, I can't guarantee—”
“What are my odds?” I ask, flashing Abigail a smile. Abigail blinks rapidly, not sure how to answer my question. “What are the odds of me winning? You know, they bet on this shit in Vegas.”
She shakes her head and looks at her clipboard as if it’ll magically have the answer before she starts pounding away on her phone.
“Relax,” I interrupt. The word is meant for both Abigail and Kaylee. Abigail let’s out a breath and looks to Kaylee before they both look at me. “We're not hiding the engagement, but tonight is about the Oscars. That's our focus and those are the questions I'll answer,” I tell Abigail before turning to Kaylee. “And you. Breathe. Smile. You're beautiful. You're my fiancée, we have nothing to hide. Don't hide your hand or that ring, and you do not have to answer any questions you don't want to. This is just another night, nothing is any different from any other red-carpet event.”
Kaylee nods and takes a deep breath and Abigail glances sideways while mumbling, “Just the Oscars.”
I can see how this must be overwhelming to both women so I try to lighten the tone of my voice. “Now let's do this, okay?” I tell both of them.
“One hundred to one,” Abigail says before leading us away from the limo and down the red carpet past the first group of reporters.
Fucking one hundred to one. Those are my odds. I swallow hard and plaster on my best smile. One hundred and one would have pissed me off last year, but this year…I’ve already won. I have the most beautiful woman in the world, and that is all I need.
“Paxton! Is it true you and Kaylee are engaged?”
“Paxton! Kaylee! Over here!”
There are literally a million flashes, so many that it's blinding. Kaylee's laced fingers through mine squeeze my hand so tightly it feels like a vice.
We stop on the red carpet and all the reporters huddle together taking our picture. One after another they shout questions at Kaylee and me.
“Are you engaged?”
“Is it true Kaylee is expecting?”
“Will there be a Hollywood wedding?”
“Are the puppies rescued or from a breeder?”
“Are you excited to work with George Clooney and Brad Pitt?”
“What are your thoughts on the scandals rocking Hollywood?”
Question after question is fired at us, and I don’t give a shit about any of them because the only thing that matters to me right now is smiling up at me. I'm a fucking lucky bastard for living the life I do. Fame, fortune, and a job most would kill for. But honestly, I'm the fucking luckiest guy in the world because who knew that one wild night could turn into forever.
The End
Did you love Paxton and Kaylee’s story?
Read on for samples of A.L. Jackson and Rebecca Shea’s novels!
Part I
Show Me the Way
A.L. Jackson
Prologue
Alabama - Eleven Years Ago
Rain pelted from the angry sky, and heavy gusts of wind howled through the trees, which thrashed in the blackened night. In agony, I ran, sure my heart had to be beating as loud as the thunder that cracked through the heavens above.
I gasped when my foot slipped on the slick, muddy ground, and I stumbled forward, landing hard on my hands and knees. I cried out, unsure where the pain was coming from—my mind or my hea
rt or my torn flesh.
Why would they do this to me?
I wept toward the ground, stricken with grief, with betrayal, before I heaved myself back onto my feet, trying to find traction. I staggered toward the house, which was lit up like warmth and light just off the road. Clutching the wooden railing, I propelled myself forward and then flung open the door and fumbled inside.
I whimpered in misery when I paused to look around the room. Loss hit me as hard as the storm that raged outside.
Why would they do this to me? How could they be so cruel?
It took about all I had, but I forced myself to move, knowing I couldn’t stay. I had to leave. I had to get away. Choking back sobs, I clung to the banister and hauled myself upstairs and to my room. Knees caked in mud and blood, I dropped to the floor and dug out the suitcase from beneath the bed. I staggered to my feet and headed for the closet.
Tears clouding my vision, I tore clothes from their hangers and shoved them into the suitcase I’d tossed onto the bed, my movements becoming more frantic with each piece I ripped from its spot. The urge to escape only intensified when I moved to the dresser. Distraught, I ripped the drawers from their rails and tipped them upside down, dumping what would fit into the suitcase.
The whole time, I struggled to restrain the sobs bound in my throat. To keep them quiet. To pretend it hadn’t happened. To pretend I didn’t have to do this.
With shaking fingers, I tugged at the zipper.
“Rynna, what’s going on?” The sleepy voice filled with concern hit me from behind.
Torment lashed like the crack of a whip. My eyes slammed closed, and the words trembled from my mouth. “I’m so sorry, Gramma, but I’ve got to go.”
The floor creaked with my grandmother’s footsteps. She sucked in a breath when she rounded me, shocked by my battered appearance. “Oh my lord, what happened to you?” Her voice quivered. “Who hurt you? Tell me, Rynna. Who hurt you? I won’t stand for it.”
Vigorously, I shook my head, finding the lie. “No one. I just . . . I can’t stay in this stupid town for a second more. I’m going to find Mama.”
I hated it. The way the mention of my mother contorted my gramma’s face in agony.
“What are you sayin’?”
“I’m saying, I’m leaving.”
A weathered hand reached out to grip my forearm. “But graduation is just next month. You’ve got to do your speech. Walk across the stage in your cap and gown. Never seen anyone so excited about somethin’ in all my life. Now you’re just gonna up and leave? If you can’t trust me, then you can’t trust anyone. Tell me what happened tonight. You left here just as happy as a bug in a rug, and now you aren’t doing anything but runnin’ scared.”
Tears streaking down my dirty cheeks, I forced myself to look at the woman who meant everything to me. “You’re the only person I can trust, Gramma. That’s why I’ve got to go. Let’s leave it at that.”
Anguish creased my grandmother’s aged face. “Rynna, I won’t let you just walk out like this.”
She reached out and brushed a tear from under my eye. Softly, she tilted her head to the side, that same tender smile she had watched me with at least a million times hinting at the corner of her mouth. “Don’t you ever forget, if you aren’t laughing, you’re crying. Now, which would you rather be doin’?” She paused, and I couldn’t bring myself to answer. “Wipe those tears, and let’s figure something out. Just like we always do.”
Sadness swelled like its own being in the tiny room. Loss. Regret. Like an echo of every breath of encouragement my grandmother had ever whispered in my ear. “I can’t stay here, Gramma. Please don’t ask me to.”
With the plea, my grandmother winced. Quickly, I dipped down to place a lingering kiss to her cheek, breathing in the ever-present scent of vanilla and sugar, committing it to memory.
I tugged my suitcase from the bed and started for the door.
Gramma reached for me, fingertips brushing my arm, begging, “Rynna, don’t go. Please, don’t leave me like this. There’s nothing that’s so bad that I won’t understand. That we can’t fix.”
I didn’t slow. Didn’t answer.
I ran.
And I didn’t look back.
Chapter 1
Rynna
Leafy shadows flashed across the windshield, interspersed by the blinding strikes of sunlight that burned from the sky as my car passed beneath the heavy canopy of trees where I traveled the winding two-lane road.
The closer I got, the harder my heart beat within the confines of my chest and the shallower my breaths grew. Cinching down on the steering wheel, I peered out at the worn sign on the side of the road.
Welcome to Gingham Lakes, Alabama, where the grass is actually greener and the people are sweeter.
Anxiety clawed through my nerves.
It’d been eleven years and what felt like a lifetime since I left the small city that could hardly be considered more than a town. I’d promised myself I’d never come back.
And there I was.
I just wished I had broken that promise sooner. Not when it already felt as if it were too late.
“Earth to Ryn.”
I jumped when the voice boomed through the car speakers. I was losing it. It seemed fitting. I’d been questioning my sanity ever since I’d signed on that dotted line.
“Are you there, or have I already lost you to the Deep South?” Macy asked. I could almost see her raising a dark brow at me.
“You really are dead set on breaking my fragile heart, aren’t you?” she continued. “You left me here to fend for myself. Not a soul to go out with on Friday nights and no one to make me miracle hangover breakfasts on Saturday mornings. That’s a travesty. Don’t you dare shred it more by pretending I don’t even exist. BFFs, remember? Don’t forget it, or I’ll show up with the sole purpose of kicking your skinny ass. Oh, and to get back those black jeans I know you stole. I’ve been looking for them for the last two days. I bet you have them hidden at the bottom of one of those boxes.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” I barely managed to tease through the thickness that lined my throat. “Where those jeans probably are is under your bed in that disaster of a room. You’re worse than a twelve-year-old boy.”
I was doing my best to inject a smile into my voice, but there was no disguising the hitch in my words as I rounded the bend and the town came into view in the valley below.
Gingham Lakes.
God, it was beautiful.
The valley was a vast expanse of green. Flush with abundant, flourishing trees. The massive lake tucked at the base of the opposite mountain range appeared little more than a glittering mirage in the far distance, the river so serene and calm where it ran through the middle of the city and segmented it into the two mirrored-halves.
This place was filled with the best and the worst of memories.
With the best of people and the worst of enemies.
There was only one person who ever could have persuaded me to return.
Leave it to Gramma to do it in the sneakiest of ways.
“Tell me you aren’t having second thoughts now that you’ve driven all the way across the country? By yourself, mind you, since you refused to let me come. You act as if I’d be a nuisance instead of a help. I can lift like . . . a thousand pounds. Pretty sure I’m the best mover in all the history of movers.”
“Says the girl who thought it was a good idea to let a box filled with glasses tumble down a flight of stairs rather than carrying it down.”
Macy chuckled. “Don’t be jealous. Just add creative to my list of skills.”
“Creator of disasters, you mean.”
She feigned a gasp. “I take full offense to that. I even made pizza and didn’t catch the apartment on fire.”
“No,” I ribbed.
“Truth.”
Quiet laughter rolled free as that heaviness throbbed. “I’m going to miss you, Mace.”
Right then, San Francisco felt a million mile
s away. An alternate galaxy. Really, it was just a different reality than the one I was headed toward.
Somber silence filled the space, and Macy lowered her voice. “Are you sure this is really what you want? You left the city you love and an incredible apartment downtown. You resigned from a job any one of us would kill to have. Hell, you were halfway up the corporate ladder. Worst, you left me.”
My heart clutched while I fought with the urge to turn around and head back to San Francisco. I wasn’t that broken girl who’d run from Gingham Lakes eleven years ago. I was strong, and I sure as hell wasn’t a quitter. “You know why I have to do this.”
“I do, and I know how hard it has to be for you.”
Grief pressed at my spirit. The perfect complement to the determination that lined me like steel. “It is, but I need to do this for her almost as much as I need to do it for myself.”
“This city won’t be the same without you, Ryn.” In all the years I’d lived with Macy, I’d only seen her cry once. I knew she was trying to hold it back. Still, the soft sounds seeped through the line, touching me from across the miles.
I pressed a hand over my mouth and tried to keep the jumble of emotions that quivered and shook inside me at bay. “You’ll come visit.”
She released a soggy laugh. “Hell no. There are, like, alligators down there. One look at all my lush, curvy deliciousness, and they’ll be inviting their friends over for a feast.”
I wanted to tell her I was plenty lush when I’d run from this place. The alligators were the least of her worries. I bit it back, keeping all those old insecurities buried where they belonged.
“You don’t think I’m worth the risk?” I asked instead.
She sniffled, and I swore I could see her grin. “Yeah, Ryn, you’re totally worth it.”
I cleared the emotion from my throat, wondering how I was going to do this when the road took another sharp curve and the speed limit dropped. “I better go. I’m getting into town.”
One Wild Night Page 13
