by Bella Andre
She bumped his nose with hers. "I know you will. And don't you see?"
He saw only her, the sweet center of her, so full of heart and goodness.
"Your Road Warrior of old would have smashed them all so that he didn't have to feel guilty anymore. But you took responsibility. Then you figured out a way to fix it." She dropped her voice to a note that vibrated inside him. "That's what you've been doing for years without even giving yourself credit. You made the right choice. You always make the right choice."
She truly believed in him. And Will suddenly felt lighter than he had...ever.
That's what Harper did for him. This gorgeous, generous woman made him recognize that he had control over who he was. He didn't have to be a Road Warrior. He didn't even have to be his father's son.
Once upon a time, he'd done a hell of a lot to change his life for the better. But he'd never taken the final step toward real happiness. Never believed he was worthy. Never thought he could write himself a happily ever after.
Not until Harper made him realize that he could believe in himself--and true love that would last forever--because she already did.
She was right. Together, the three of them already had all the makings of real love. And the family he'd been longing for his whole life. They just needed to have enough faith in themselves, and in each other, to grab hold of it...and never let it go.
"I love you." He hauled her against him as he kissed her passionately, lovingly.
His heart kicked into overdrive when she wrapped her legs around his waist and held on tight. Taking a couple of steps, he set her down on the workbench and she quickly unbuttoned his shirt, shoving it down his arms. Then she kissed the tattoo he'd always kept hidden.
From everyone but her.
"I love my sexy road warrior." She smiled up at him, sweet emotion shining in her eyes. "Always."
*
They were sated, at least for now. But Will knew he would never get enough of Harper.
Cell phone to her ear, she told Jeremy, "We'll be home in about forty-five minutes with Chinese. Yes," she added with a big smile after Jeremy said something to her, "Will is coming, too." Will heard the kid's Yay! all the way over on his side of the car. "And you should go to school and work tomorrow as well, don't you think?" She laughed at whatever Jeremy said. "Nope, vacation is over. Okay, we'll see you in a little bit."
She ended the call with her thumb on the button and smiled. A radiant smile. "He's doing just fine."
Four hours. The house hadn't burned down. The cops hadn't been summoned. And Harper had only called her brother twice.
The last knot of tension around Will's heart untied itself as he pulled her close to him on the bench seat of the '57 Chevy, which he'd chosen precisely so that he could put his arm around her as he steered down his long driveway. He'd have Benny drive her car over later. They'd already called in their takeout order, and he would make sure they got back to Jeremy before their forty-five minutes was up, but he needed to take one quick detour first.
Pulling into the spot outside the fountain's fence where they'd once parked, he turned off the ignition and drew her onto his lap. Her sudden burst of laughter had him laughing too, even as he said, "Will you marry me?"
Her eyes widened. "Will?" She searched his face, as if she couldn't believe what he'd just said.
"There's nothing I want more in the world than for you to be my wife and for Jeremy to be my little brother, too. Wherever we go, I want to do it together. As a family."
Tears filled her eyes, but even as they began to spill over, she was saying, "YesYesYesYes," sounding just like her brother did whenever he was really happy and excited.
He didn't ever want to let her go, but there was food to pick up, homework Jeremy might need help with, and, he was all but certain, dishes waiting in Harper's sink.
With a grin on his face as they headed back down the road, with Harper's hand on his leg and the wind flying free and wild over them, Will decided nothing had ever sounded better.
EPILOGUE
The Fourth of July party at Susan and Bob's in Chicago was a family affair, and everyone always cleared their schedules for it. They were missing only Lyssa, who was taking a two-month trip across Europe before she started her new job in September. Susan loved holidays and family gatherings, and this year was extra special because Jeremy and Harper were there--and Will was clearly a changed man.
Jeremy was currently crawling around the lawn on all fours with Noah clinging to his back. Sebastian Montgomery wasn't sure whether Jeremy was supposed to be a horse or an elephant, but from the way he'd stuffed a snorkel tube in his mouth and bobbed his head, Sebastian was voting for an elephant.
"Now that's one happy kid." Bob was slow-drinking a beer and idly rubbing the top of his bald head.
It was damned hot out in the sun, so Sebastian and Bob were seated in two of the recently acquired patio chairs on the new deck, a fan blowing over them, as they surveyed the lawn and the adults braving the heat and humidity. Matt stayed alongside Jeremy making sure Noah didn't tumble off. Harper was snapping pictures, with Will standing close behind her murmuring in her ear the shots he thought she should take.
Then again, Sebastian figured Will could be saying something entirely different, if one considered the blush on Harper's cheeks.
"Yep," Sebastian agreed, "that's a whole lot of happy out there."
"Susan's got stars in her eyes, planning the wedding and grandchildren." Bob smiled fondly. He adored Susan, always had, always would. During the years he'd lived with them, Sebastian hadn't witnessed the usual skirmishes, battles, or wars of most married couples. That just wasn't Susan and Bob.
Sebastian was truly happy for Will and Harper. He believed in love...but he also knew it didn't necessarily matter. Not when love could sometimes be the worst thing for you.
Hell, look at Evan. The guy was miserable with his wife--thank God Whitney had opted out of this year's party--even if he never admitted it. On the other hand, Harper and Will looked pretty damn good together.
The screen door opened and Susan called, "Who's going to be my cook today?"
Evan and Daniel followed, carrying platters of hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, and fixings.
Bob rose from his chair. "I'll do it, dear."
At fifty-five, Susan's hair was a rich silver. "Did you put on your sun screen, Bob?"
"I did."
Sebastian chimed in. "I watched him."
"Good boy. Both of you."
Her eyes crinkled at the corners with her smile. She had laugh lines, not age lines. Her figure was still trim, and she was a fast walker. She used to help Bob shovel the snow off the driveway until Daniel insisted they accept a new snow blower.
Daniel laid the platter of meat next to the barbecue against the deck railing. "Mom, I seriously wouldn't let Dad barbecue. He burns the burgers."
"I do not," Bob said indignantly.
A chorus of "Yes, you do," sprang up from the lawn and the deck.
Susan smiled sweetly. "You can cook mine. I love them overdone. Jeremy, honey," she called. "Would you like a hamburger or a hot dog?"
Jeremy yanked the snorkel out of his mouth. "Both." Catching Harper's raised eyebrows, he added a quick, "Please." Then he went down on his elbows so Noah could dismount his trusty steed, be it a horse or an elephant.
The little kid raced to the first stair, where Matt scooped him up, climbing the steps with him. "Hot dog, hot dog," Noah chanted.
Susan chucked him under the chin and gave him a kiss on his nose. "A hot dog it is."
"Can we see fireworks tonight?" Jeremy clambered up the stairs behind Matt and Noah. "I've never seen real ones. We only watch them on TV."
Harper followed him onto the deck. "It's just all the traffic and everything trying to get back home after the show," she explained, her cheeks turning red, as if they'd all think she'd neglected something vital in Jeremy's life.
Susan put her arm around Jeremy's shoulder. "I feel h
onored to be able to show you your first fireworks display." She smiled at Harper. "We'll take deck chairs and hot chocolate. And it will be the best fireworks we've ever seen, all because you're both here with us."
"That sounds wonderful." Harper touched Susan's arm in gratitude, and Sebastian could see the emotion in her eyes. In Will's, too.
"Dad, it's settled. I'm cooking." Daniel had already fired up the grill, and the two were bantering back and forth about the state of Bob's barbecuing skills.
Still seated, Sebastian was the only who noticed Will pull Harper close. She sighed as he whispered in her ear. She was obviously still embarrassed about the fireworks, and as Will nuzzled her hair, she leaned in, kissed his throat, then tipped her head back to look at him.
Love simmered between them, in the softness of Will's gaze, the sweetness of Harper's lips. They could make it. They would make it.
But that didn't mean everyone should give love a try. With his luck, Sebastian knew he'd likely end up falling for someone like Whitney--a woman who would strip all his secrets bare, then kick him when he was down.
Love didn't always make you a better man. Or a better woman. He'd seen how bad two people could be for each other, how they could bring out the worst in each other instead of the best. So no, he wasn't going there. No matter how good Harper and Will looked together.
"Hamburger, please," he replied when Susan called to him. He was just about to get out of his chair and offer to carry stuff from the kitchen when his cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing down at the screen.
Xander Smith. An art broker he used in San Francisco.
"What's up, Xander?" Sebastian wandered to the far end of the deck, away from the chatter.
"The dragon in Chinatown?" Xander spoke fast, his voice high with excitement. He obviously smelled a finder's fee. "I found the artist."
Will had discovered the metal dragon outside a Chinatown church. It had been formed from an odd assortment of parts that blended into a fierce sculpture of brute strength, with circular saw blades as scales, the tines of a pitchfork for its tail, a barbecue fork as its tongue, its coils spray-painted red, and yellow and orange flaming out of its mouth. The individual components had probably come straight out of a scrapyard, but when welded together, its lines achieved a flowing symmetry and sinuous beauty. It epitomized the metamorphosis of an ugly duckling into a magnificent creature.
"Is the artist local?"
"Yes," Xander said. "A local. I can set up a meeting." He wasn't about to hand over the contact information.
Not that Sebastian would go around him. Xander had an eye, and he appreciated a great deal.
"I'll be back on Tuesday. Set it up for three and send me the address. What's his name?"
"Her. Charlie Ballard."
Her? Sebastian was intrigued. Now, more than ever, he wanted to meet the woman who had created something so fierce. So brilliant. And yet, so beautiful. All at the same time.
"Just make sure the meeting is at her studio. I want to see what else she has."
"Will do."
If her other work was anything like the dragon, Sebastian intended to showcase her talent in the lobby fountain of his new San Francisco high-rise.
Charlie Ballard, you're about to become famous.
THE END
RECKLESS IN LOVE, the second book in our Maverick Billionaires series, is Sebastian's story. It will be released November 11, 2015!
For news on Bella Andre's upcoming books, click https://bellaandre.link/NewsletterSignup to sign up for Bella Andre's New Release Newsletter.
For news on Jennifer Skully's upcoming books, click https://bit.ly/SkullyNews to sign up for Jennifer Skully's New Release Newsletter.
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BOOKS BY BELLA ANDRE
The Sullivan Family Series
The Look of Love From This Moment On Can't Help Falling In Love
I Only Have Eyes For You If You Were Mine Let Me Be The One
Come A Little Bit Closer Always On My Mind One Perfect Night
Kissing Under The Mistletoe The Way You Look Tonight It Must Be Your Love
Just To Be With You I Love How You Love Me All I Ever Need Is You
The Morrison Family Series
Kiss Me Like This Tempt Me Like This
The Maverick Billionaires
Breathless in Love Reckless in Love Fearless in Love
Love on Rockwell Island
Cape Cod Kisses Cape Cod Promises Cape Cod Dreams
Game For Love Series
Game For Love
Take Me Series
Love Me Take Me
Stand-alone Novels
Candy Store Ecstasy Red Hot Reunion
Tempt Me, Taste Me, Touch Me
Hotshot Firefighter Series
Wild Heat Hot As Sin Never Too Hot
Bad Boys of Football Series
Game For Anything Game For Seduction
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BOOKS BY JENNIFER SKULLY
Cottonmouth Series
She's Gotta Be Mine Fool's Gold Can't Forget You
Stand Alone Novels
Baby, I'll Find You Twisted by Love Drop Dead Gorgeous Sheer Dynamite
It Must Be Magic Be My Other Valentine
BOOKS BY JENNIFER SKULLY WRITING AS JASMINE HAYNES
Max Starr Series
Dead to the Max Evil to the Max Desperate to the Max
Power to the Max Vengeance to the Max
The Jackson Brothers
Somebody's Lover Somebody's Ex Somebody's Wife
Jackson Brothers: 3-Book Bundle
Open Invitation
Invitation to Seduction Invitation to Pleasure Invitation to Passion
Open Invitation: 3-Book Bundle
West Coast Series
Revenge Submitting to the Boss The Boss's Daughter
The Other Man Pleasing Mr. Sutton
Prescott Twins
Double the Pleasure Skin Deep
Let's Misbehave
The Naughty Corner Teach Me a Lesson
DeKnight Trilogy
Past Midnight What Happens After Dark The Principal's Office
Courtesans Tales
Yours for the Night Hers for the Evening Mine Until Morning
Fortune Hunter Trilogy
The Fortune Hunter Show and Tell Fair Game
Anthologies
Unlaced Laced With Desire Anthology: Beauty or the Bitch & Free Fall
Stand Alone Stories
Take Your Pleasure Take Your Pick More Than a Night
Not in the Game Wives & Neighbors: The Complete Story
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Having sold more than 4 million books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Bella Andre's novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world. Known for "sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance" (Publishers Weekly), her books have been Cosmopolitan magazine "Red Hot Reads" twice and have been translated into ten languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post has called her "One of the top digital writers in America" and she has been featured by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and, most recently, in Time magazine. She has given keynote speeches at publishing conferences from Copenhagen to Berlin to San Francisco, including a standing-room-only keynote at Book Expo America, on her publishing success.
Visit Bella's website at: www.BellaAndre.com
Follow Bella on twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/bellaandre
Join Bella on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bellaandrefans
Sign up for Bella's newsletter at: https://bellaandre.link/NewsletterSignup
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Skully is a lover of contemporary romance, bringing you poignant tales peopled with hilarious characters that will make you laugh and make you cry. Writing as Jasmine Haynes, she's authored over 35 classy, sensual romance tales about real issues like growing older, facing divorce, starting over. Her books have passion and heart
and humor and happy endings, even if they aren't always traditional. She also writes gritty, paranormal mysteries in the Max Starr series. Having penned stories since the moment she learned to write, she now lives in the Redwoods of Northern California with her husband and their adorable nuisance of a cat who totally runs the household.
Newsletter signup: https://bit.ly/SkullyNews
Jennifer's Website: www.jenniferskully.com
Blog: www.jasminehaynes.blogspot.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasminehaynes1
