by Carina Adams
“Why?” She teased. “Are you going to spank me if I do?”
Fucking brat. “I might.”
“Roman,” she giggled, “we don’t have time.” She didn’t push me away, though.
“I know,” I admitted between kisses that made me hard as hell. “But I wanted to give you a preview of what’s coming tonight.”
“We’re staying here?” She looked horrified. “Everyone will hear us.”
I didn’t care. Let them. Then they’d know she was mine, without any doubt.
I changed my mind. I couldn’t wait. I tugged her bouquet from her hands and tossed it toward the bed before stripping off my jacket and dropping it on the floor.
“I need you. Now.”
“Then take me.”
Slowly, careful not to rip the fabric, I scrunched her skirt in my hands and pulled it up her legs.
She watched me, breathing heavy as she chewed her bottom lip and then tugged on my kilt. “Am I supposed to pull yours up as well?” She teased.
“Take the fucking thing off. Please,” I groaned.
It took a moment, but then the sporran fell to the floor behind me and I nudged it out of the way. Her fingers fought with the straps until finally the kilt pooled on the floor around my fee. Her hands on my bare thighs were almost too much to handle. When she closed them around me, and pumped up and down, I swore.
It took what felt like forever, but once her skirt was around her waist, and circled us in a cloud of tulle and organza, I let my fingers roam. I frowned when I didn’t find panties and searched again. Nothing.
She began to giggle. “I’m a member of a clan now. I don’t have to wear anything.”
“Under you kilt, crazy girl. This isn’t a kilt.” I kissed her softly. “God, I love you. I hope you know that.”
“I do.”
I lifted her, settled her legs around my waist, and entered in a single thrust. She cried out, her moans and screams mixed with mine, muffled only by our mouths. Her hands found my hair and tugged. Having her there, in that spot, dressed for our wedding, while the reception went on without us downstairs, was the single most erotic moment of my life.
Everything before Cady dimmed. It didn’t matter anymore. There was only her.
I went as slow as I could, dragging it out, wringing every drop of ecstasy from us both. Then I moved so hard and fast that the walls shook and I was worried the door might come off its hinges.
When we both finished, I carried her to the bed, wedding gown still around her waist. I laid her down, then ran to the bathroom to get a cloth. I washed her gently, knowing that I’d been rougher than I’d intended. Then I crawled onto the bed and held her.
“We should go,” she sighed.
I nuzzled against her, once more, then we sat up together. I glanced around the room that I’d loved so much as a boy. And loved still, because it had brought me Cady.
It had been two years since we’d woken up together in that same bed. I lifted one hand in the air, then the other, and slapped them together. I dropped them to my lap, then did the same thing all over again.
Cady looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “What are you doing?”
“Giving myself mental high-fives. Because that was oddly hot.”
She nodded and sighed. “That’s okay, I’m giving myself an atta-girl because all that,” she pointed at me, “is quite impressive.”
I pinched her chin and stole a kiss. “If I had told you, on that ride home, that we’d end up here, happy, and completely in love, would you have believed me?”
“Never.” She shook her head. “Who knew a brutish, stubborn ass and a shy, crazy klutz could make it work?”
I grinned. “I did.”
Cady
“Did you know what song they’d picked?”
I glanced up, expecting just Reid. Instead, all our friends pulled out chairs and sat around the table. It felt like an intervention. I reached out and grabbed Frankie’s hand.
“Thank you,” I mouthed to them as Roman and his mom took the center of the dance floor for their mother-son dance.
I was trying really hard to keep it together. My mom had had problems, but she was still my mom. The only parent I’d ever get. I loved her. And I wished she could have been there right then.
Not just to see me get married, but to see how Hunter lit up the entire room when he smiled—the boy was a heartbreaker and I didn’t know what I was going to do with him—and how happy Nana looked as she laughed with Grannie. We’d survived her loss. There were days when I’d been sure I wasn’t going to make it, but we’d done it. And we were happy.
Most days, my mom’s absence didn’t bother me. Right then, watching my husband and his mom spin around the dance floor to Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance”, my heart ached for her. And for the dad I’d never know.
Roman had given me an amazing gift. Yes, he’d shown me who my dad was. More than that, though, he’d given the power back to me. I’d locked myself away one afternoon, upended the envelope onto my bed, and gotten to know my father.
He didn’t seem like a bad man. He worked hard to take care of his family. And from all the evidence provided, he appeared to be a good dad to my sisters—one two years older than me, one a few months younger. He’d been married for twenty-six years, which meant my mom had been the other woman.
When I’d read everything there was to know, I packed all the information back in the envelope and tucked it away in my desk. They were happy and I refused to take that away from them. Maybe his wife had known about the affair, maybe she hadn’t. However, I could almost guarantee his daughters didn’t.
Maybe, just maybe, they’d welcome me with open arms. I didn’t need to chance it, though. I had family—a big one, now. I didn’t need another.
I had the answers I needed. That was enough.
Most days, yes. Then, today, I was an emotional mess. I wiped a tear from my eye with my free hand and Frankie immediately squeezed the one she held while Reid moved forward and rubbed my back.
“Does anyone else find it ironic that Rome and his mom are dancing this song, especially since she was so against him taking dance lessons?” Andy asked as he put his arm around Violet and tugged her close. “I mean, come on.”
I laughed. “I think that was the entire point.” Roman beamed as he twirled and spun his mom around, expertly guiding her through the steps. It was beautiful.
As the song wound down, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Then looked around until he found me, and with a smile, started my way. Unfortunately, the DJ took that moment to call me to the floor.
All the blood drained from my face. I looked at Frankie. “We told him there was no father-daughter dance.”
“I know. I don’t understand.”
Reid stood up. “I’ll go talk to him.”
However, the DJ kept calling me.
“You should go out there,” Livie told me, “by the time you get there, Reid will have cleared it all up, and they’ll change it to a you and Roman song.”
“Oh, that’s a great point,” Frankie agreed. “That way, he at least stops asking for you.”
I stood, gathered my skirts, and hurried toward the dance floor. My husband had disappeared, but I’d assumed he’d gone to talk to the DJ, too. As soon as I stepped onto the open wooden floor, though, the lights went low and the spot light came on.
“Cady,” the DJ told me, “we have some young men here who would like to give you a message.” Then, a melody I didn’t recognize started to play.
Hunter stepped out of the shadows.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Dancing with my sister.”
“You don’t know how to dance.”
“I learned. For you.” He pulled me into his arms as “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele began. He didn’t miss a single step. I held it together, until he started singing to me. Then, the tears started to flow.
It ended too soon when Randy cut in. He wiped away
the tears with a knuckle. “There’s only happy tears on your wedding day, Caddy D.” With a kiss on my cheek, he swung me into Reid’s arms.
The tears wouldn’t stop as my dear friend pulled me tight. “This was you, wasn’t it?”
“You may not have a dad here, beautiful, but there are plenty of us that love you. We’ll watch out for you, always.”
“Reid,” I fought to clear my throat.
“I know.” He pressed a kiss to my temple as the song ended and walked me back to the table. “No more tears, okay. Unless they’re happy.”
“Promise.”
“I’m going to go find Rome. See if he can turn that frown upside down.” He practically sprinted away.
I was about to wipe my face on the tartan over my shoulders when Livie smiled and handed me a tissue. “Does Reid seem more obnoxious than normal?”
She scowled, thinking. “Not more than normal, no.” Then she leaned close. “Grannie is calling to you.”
I blew out a long breath and smiled. “I’ll be back.”
I was surprised to find Roman’s grandmother alone at a table on the edge of the dance floor. “Where is everyone?” I asked as I settled in.
She waved her hand. “I’m a boring old lady. No one wants to sit with me.”
I grinned. “Gran, please don’t take this the wrong way, but no one thinks you’re boring.”
She cackled and zeroed in on something over my shoulder. “Oh. That’s my husband’s cousin. I need to go talk to her. Stay put. I’ll be right back.”
I glanced around at the nearby tables, and smiled when I made eye contact, but everyone seemed to be talking. I wondered where my husband was. I twirled the ring on my finger. My husband. That was a term I’d never get sick of saying.
The lights around the room went down again. Then, Randy, Drake, my brother, Andy, Reid and finally Roman strolled out onto the floor. Kilts and wedding attire gone, they were now all dressed alike in blue jeans, white button-ups, and suspenders. Roman wore a cap. They moved around the floor into six different spots and all struck a pose.
“No.” My voice was loud over the quiet room.
Violet, from far away hollered, “Oh, yes.” And people started to laugh.
Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” started and they walked slowly across the floor, singing to me as they did. Then, at the first break, it switched to the chorus of “Party Rock Anthem”. All of them, even Hunter, broke into a dance so fast I wasn’t sure how they didn’t miss steps.
A medley of songs followed. They went from smooth, seductive moves—that were much to risqué for my wedding—to songs with a strong steady beat, like “Sail” and “Pony” to synchronized comedic burlesque routines to songs like “Single Ladies” and “I’m too Sexy”. Some of their dances were designed to get the guests wound up, like “Sexy and I Know It,” and “Uptown Funk”. Then there were the routines that were aimed directly at me, like “All About the Base,” and the last one of the night, “(You Drive Me) Crazy”. For over ten minutes they performed and I laughed until I cried.
There wasn’t a single person in the room who wasn’t clapping when it was done. If the older crowd had been shocked, they’d recovered quickly. The boys even got a standing ovation.
Rome didn’t pay any attention. Instead, hran straight to me and pulled me into his arms.
“That was amazing,” I told him as I held him tight. “That must have taken you months.”
“Seven. But, who’s counting?” He laughed. “I’d do anything for you.”
I palmed his cheek. “I know.”
He grabbed my hands and, shaking his hips and shoulders, pulled me onto the floor. “Come dance with me, crazy girl.”
I would dance with him for the rest of my life as we led each other around the twists and turns of the human heart. Love is a lot like dancing. You listen, find your rhythm, surrender yourself, and have the time of your life.
Want More Ruffles, Roman, & Reid?
To see some of the inspirations behind outfits, location, and characters visit my Pinterest page.
The Ruffles playlist. It’s a fun listen.
Have some you want to share with me? I’d love to see them. Make sure you tag me on FB.
Note For You, My Reader
Dear Reader,
Ruffles and Sparkles walked into my life in 2013. You see, I love ruffles. I’d wear them every day if I could. A co-worker told me that chubby girls shouldn’t wear ruffles. Another overheard it and we decided that chubby girls can wear ruffles. And sparkles. And anything they want to. Because, damn it, it’s your body.
I started writing their story before I wrote Forever Red. It was a very different tale back then; a light-hearted rom-com about two chubby college girls who became strippers to survive. I had three scenes written: The prologue (although it was a bit different), the scene in Perk Up where Rome thinks he’s getting punk’d, and the dance sequence in the epilogue.
However, R&B got pushed to the back burner when Nate Kelly entered my life.
Ruffles came to the forefront once again when she became Lucky’s friend. Her character completely got cut from that book, but it was enough to get me thinking about her and I wanted to know what happened to the girl who could love so freely, yet struggled to like herself.
I started writing Cady again last summer. Over the last year, she has been my only focus. That’s right, it took me a year to write this book. It’s big - the biggest I’ve ever penned, but I also did weeks of research on not only the world of burlesque. Some day, ask me about my experience with an underground private party club that only allowed male guests (and the ‘safe sex’ demonstration I almost wrote in). You can call me Princess Horrora (that part of the book actually happened when I decided I was going to become a burlesque dancer).
At first, it was a dual POV with Cady and Roman. Yet, the story had other ideas. Reid’s voice was strong. I couldn’t get it out. So, one day, I wrote things from his perspective and was blown away by how much he loved Roman. The story just came together.
Pansexual is a very real thing. It means that you could be attracted to anyone regardless of biological sex, gender, or gender identity. While not based on anyone specific, a pansexual man (who is very in love with his best friend) read parts of this for me. The scene in the hotel (when Roman admits he’s known how Reid felt for a very long time) made my new friend cry.
That was the best compliment I’ve gotten in a very long time.
Love is the single most important thing we can offer as human beings. Whether it’s love for your spouse and your children, love for yourself, your friends, or someone that parts of society say you can’t love-I want you to have love in your life. I hope you do.
I didn’t know who Cady would end up with. Because she loved them both so very much, I couldn’t see it. I think the ending is perfect. However, if you disagree, I did leave it open for more interpretation.
There are some questions you didn’t get answered. Why? Because you’re smart. You don’t need everything wrapped up in a pretty little bow.
The University of Central Maine doesn’t exist. However, it is based on the very real Bates College. If you’ve read my books before, you will have probably noticed a few of the Easter Eggs I hide in every book. Like, Molly Ray needing a dance instructor on tour, Mr. Greenwood, the crooked lawyer. And Hooligan’s - the bar at the heart of almost every Carina Adams novel. I find that so symbolic.
I’ve built this little community that my characters reside in. If you live in Maine, or visit, you will recognize it.
In the end, I hope you enjoyed the journey that Roman, Cady, and Reid went on.
Please let me know what you think! And if you could, please take a moment to leave a review. They matter so much for Indie’s like me.
[email protected]
Or, find me on Facebook: Carina Adams
About the Author
An avid reader who loves epic and unconventional romance, Carina has an un
healthy obsession with Jason Statham, loves the sounds of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, is the crazy friend your mom warned you about, and believes one day she will go through the stones to meet Jamie Fraser.
Carina has been writing and creating characters for as long as she can remember, allowing her to fall in love with the next man of her dreams with every new story.
None of which are anything like polite, tattoo-less, boring Prince Charming.
Thankfully, fate stepped in and granted her the ultimate wish - a life full of men. Carina lives in a picturesque New England town with her husband, the man who ruined the thought of all others, and two amazing sons who always keep her on her toes.
Carina is currently working on two novels: The Gloaming, an adult second chance romance that is a virtual love letter for her husband; and an untitled work that makes her swoon while writing.
Forget Prince Charming
www.carinaadams.com
[email protected]
Also by Carina Adams
The Bama Boys Series
Forever Red
Out of the Blue
Blurry
The Bastards MC
Lay It Down Boxed Set
Unfinished Business
Stand Alones
Almost Innocent
Lucky
