He was right about what he said. In the last month we’d gone through hell and back. We’d had the crap scared out of us on TV, dealt with a minor pregnancy scare, been threatened with a gigantic lawsuit if we tried to leave the show, and then we’d dealt with a psychotic murderer who very nearly stabbed me and threw me over a cliff.
Yeah, that was a lot.
But I’d learned so much from the awful experiences. Gained so much. I’d stopped keeping myself so closed off; stopped pushing people away when they tried to care for me. I’d allowed my guard down for once in my life, and I didn’t regret it.
I’d changed. We both had. And what we had as a result of that was love.
True love.
There was nothing better.
Chapter Forty-Five
Blake
1.5 years later
“This place is incredible. You have the best coffee. I’m going to tell all my friends to come here!”
A new customer at Indi’s café-slash-bookstore fawned over Indi at the counter as she paid for her morning coffee. I watched Indi graciously thank her, pride swelling in my heart. Her shop really was incredible, and she did it all without needing to cripple herself in debt.
After the I Do Or Die scandal a year and a half ago, the TV network had been forced to pay out a large amount of compensation money to all the participating contestants due to the events that had occurred. It was either that or face a huge lawsuit, given that some of the contestants were still suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress after everything they’d been put through. Apparently it worked out cheaper and easier for the network to simply settle with the contestants for the compensation rather than let it go to court, even though it was a pretty substantial figure that ended up being divided between us.
Indi refused to take my share, as I knew she would even when I offered. But I already had enough money of my own, so we eventually reached a compromise upon my insistence—I would put the money in an investment account, and the dividends would pay for a small ongoing advertising campaign for her revamped store. After all, as her future husband, I wanted to help her out in some way, even if it was just something small due to her strong-willed nature and stubborn independence.
I loved that about her, but I also loved that she allowed me to help once in a while now that her barriers were down. She’d finally let me in, just like I always wanted her to.
She used her own share of the network money to make all the changes in her store that she’d dreamed of for so long, instead of taking out a massive bank loan to pay for it. Part of the store had been renovated into a coffee shop with white furniture and adorable décor which made it look like it came straight from a Pinterest page. The far side had been set up with a line of tablets where people could browse through online bookstores, along with a few aisles of print books, and the middle had been set up as an event area where authors and other people in the book industry could hold book signings, readings, and other similar events.
Interest from authors had been drummed up by a massive online social media campaign, and before the grand reopening seven months ago, Indi already had over a hundred authors booked for events over the following year.
It wasn’t just authors, either. Quite a few other people involved in the e-book industry practically begged her for advertising or exposure. For example, one particular woman created pretty handmade e-reader covers that protected the devices from scratches but also looked awesome. She was paying Indi a small amount per month to feature the covers in her store, right near the main counter.
I was so proud of Indi. She’d taken a few ideas and applied them to what was essentially a dying industry, and she’d turned her entire career around. If I didn’t watch out, she’d be coming after my job next…
There was a line outside the café now, buzzing in anticipation of a release party that a famous indie romance author—Elly Beaumont—had booked for the day.
Indi peeked out from behind the counter, looking as gorgeous as ever in tight black jeans and a purple sweater. “I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to put Elly down for this date,” she said anxiously. “I’m not sure the staff can handle it all without me here.”
Technically she wasn’t supposed to be here at all today. She’d booked herself the day off (and the next two weeks as well), and the four staff members she’d hired were meant to be taking care of things. She wanted to come in this morning anyway, just to make sure everything was running smoothly before we left on a road trip to Lakewater, but she didn’t look convinced.
I grinned. “You worry too much. Everything’s fine. Your girls can handle it. I should know; I helped cherry-pick them from the pile of résumés you got before you reopened the place.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You’re right. They’ll handle it. I’m just worried about everything at the moment. You know why,” she said with a sheepish smile.
“Because of what day it is?”
She nodded. “It’s a huge day, isn’t it?”
I stepped closer to her, sliding my arms around her. “Everything will go perfectly. Dawson and Cinta have it all worked out. I promise. They’ve been sending me photos for the last three days straight.”
Indi nodded and let out a deep sigh of relief. “You always know how to calm me down and make me feel better.”
“I have other ways,” I said, spinning her around and giving her an impish smile and wink.
She lifted her brows. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Want me to show you?”
Her eyes crinkled with amusement. “Let me guess…your ‘way’ involves us sneaking into the back storeroom for a quickie?”
“I’m shocked and appalled that you would think that of me,” I declared. Then I leaned closer and murmured in her ear. “But yes, that’s correct.”
She checked her watch. “Probably bad luck to say this or even do it… but I think I could squeeze you in for a few minutes.”
“Hopefully more than just a few minutes.”
She smiled. “Don’t push your luck,” she said teasingly, before glancing around. “Okay, let’s go.”
We hurried to the back storeroom and locked the door behind us.
“Kiss me,” Indi murmured.
I leaned down and did as she said. Her lips were warm, and her tongue traced my mouth. I met it with my own, deepening our kiss until we were worked up into a dizzy, frenetic embrace. Our hands tore at each other’s clothes, tugging until we were in our underwear.
I pulled back and reached one hand behind Indi, fiddling with the clasp of her bra. She shrugged off the lacy cups, and I groaned at the sight before me. Her rosy nipples were crinkled into stiff peaks, and she smiled at me devilishly as she reached for my boxers, which were already tented.
“Go on,” she said, cupping my cock through my pants. “Make me feel better.”
“Gladly,” I growled. I picked her up, and she gasped as I set her down on a stack of boxes, supporting her body with my left arm as my right hand tore at her panties. My cock was throbbing, thick and heavy with need.
Indi’s hands raked over my chest as I positioned myself at her entrance. I slipped inside her with a groan, my cock swallowed up in warm heavenly pleasure. Her eyes widened, and she let out a gasp which turned into a long and happy sigh. “Oh, god…Blake…”
I leaned forward, still holding her in my arms on the stack as I thrust harder and deeper. Her lips sought out mine as she bucked her body back and forth against my movements, and I brought one hand around to her front again, finding her left nipple and squeezing it as we kissed, my cock sliding in and out, both of us gasping.
The world became sensations and flashes of light, my mind practically melting from all the pleasure. Indi threw her head back as I pushed deeper and harder, her hair falling over her shoulders as she gave in to the torrent of passion flooding the both of us.
“Indi? Are you in there? If you are, can you bring me the spare mic just in case the one Elly has doe
sn’t work properly?”
A knock at the door from one of the store staff members startled us, but we didn’t stop. I covered Indi’s muffled cries of ecstasy with one hand, but she shook her head and made me drop it.
“Yes,” she finally called out. “I’m coming!”
And she was. Her muscles were clenching down on my cock like a vise as her climax crashed over her, and soon my own orgasm was building within me. I reached up and grabbed Indi’s breasts again as she gasped, her eyes hooded in a haze of pleasure and joy. “Fuck,” I groaned. “I’m gonna come.”
“Yes, do it,” she whispered, squeezing my cock even more in rapid, pulsating clenches.
An explosion ripped through me, and I buried myself inside her one last time before letting out a deep groan, finally finding my release.
We quickly cleaned ourselves off and got dressed, sweaty and smiling stupidly at each other. When all the clothes were back on, Indi wrapped her small arms around me and rested her head on my chest. “You were right,” she said in a serene voice. “I’m a lot calmer now.”
I grinned and ruffled her hair. “Good,” I said, checking my wristwatch. “Because it’s ten past ten, and we need to go. We’ve got a wedding to get to…”
Chapter Forty-Six
Indi
The minister smiled and looked around at all the guests. “Welcome. Today, we are here to celebrate a very special union—the marriage of Indi Marlowe and Blake Marsden.”
He started his spiel, and I zoned out for a few seconds, staring out at our beautiful surroundings and feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. The wedding that Cinta and Dawson had helped plan and set up for Blake and me was exactly like the one I’d once described to Donna and Amy, so long ago.
The guests sat on white vintage-style chairs. Large candles were lit at the back, lending extra light to the late afternoon ceremony. A simple white runner through the middle led to an ornate arch, and flowers and fairy lights were strung up between the seats and over the arch. It was breathtaking. Simple, sweet, and elegant. Best of all, it was in my parents’ backyard in Lakewater. My special hometown—the town where I’d first met the man I was about to marry.
Blake.
The only man I’d ever loved.
It felt symbolic that we do this here, where we first met, even though we weren’t exactly best friends back in the day. Lakewater was still our birthplace, our little corner of the universe, and we’d both been shaped by the town and its gorgeous mountain surroundings.
Blake’s parents had carved out a simple life here many years ago, one that left Blake with a profound appreciation for nature and outdoor activities. He might very well be the boss of a huge company in a big city now, but he still loved to camp and get back to his roots, and we made time for that as often as we could between our busy work schedules.
My own parents had made their life here too, and they raised me and my brother to be strong and independent people. Granted, I was a little stubborn and hardheaded on occasion as a result, but that was the wonderful thing about having a partner who was perfect for me—Blake balanced me out. He showed me that it was okay to ask for help sometimes; showed me that sometimes things can’t be done alone. Some things needed to be done together, and that was fine. In fact, it was better than fine. It was wonderful.
It was love. Two people joined as one.
Blake squeezed my hand, bringing my attention back to the minister’s speech.
“I thought these two were already married!” someone called out in a joking tone.
I giggled, my sides shaking with mirth, and Blake chuckled too. We looked out over all the guests, who were all laughing now as well. Everyone we cared about was here today. Even Donna and Keenan had flown in for the occasion, along with Dean, who’d since moved on from the now-imprisoned Amy and recently found himself a new partner, who was also present. I was glad that he’d finally managed to find happiness again after all that happened a year and a half ago. He was a nice guy, and he deserved it.
“Blake, it’s time for you to recite your vows,” the minister said, unperturbed by the interruption.
I held my breath, giddy with anticipation. I’d been waiting so long for this moment.
Even though we both wanted to get married right away after returning from Fremantle Island so long ago, we mutually decided that it was better to stay engaged for a while first. We knew how much we loved each other, but we also knew that rushing into things wasn’t the right idea. We’d already rushed so much, so we wanted to sort out other aspects of our lives first before tying the knot.
I’d sorted out my business, which was going like gangbusters now, and Blake had focused hard on his company. We’d also moved in with each other into a gorgeous penthouse suite in the city, and we’d spent a lot of time making the apartment feel like our home. Now we were finally ready to take that amazing final step—we were ready to get married, and this time there was nothing fake about it.
Who would’ve thought a crappy reality show from an even crappier network would’ve been the catalyst for all this?
“Indi, you’re not just my fiancée. You’re my best friend. My ally in conflict. My partner in adventure. My accomplice in mischief… especially if that mischief involves sneaking onto a TV show…”
He paused, and I laughed, tears springing to my eyes.
“You’re my family, Indi. Here today, I feel closer to you than ever. Your friends and family have become mine too, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. I vow to faithfully protect you, help you, and support you. Most of all, I vow to love you for all the days of my life as your husband. Your real husband.”
He winked, and I laughed again, wiping the tears of joy from my cheeks. I loved what he said about us being family. It was true. We were, and we had been for a long time, even if we weren’t legally married yet.
I was especially glad that my parents and brother had welcomed Blake with open arms, just like they had many years ago when he and Dawson were best friends as teenagers. He didn’t have his own biological relatives anymore due to their tragic passing, and while I knew nothing would ever replace them, giving him the warmth and comfort of a family again was still an important thing to do.
“Indi, it’s your turn,” the minister said, turning to me.
I smiled and looked up at Blake, staring into those gorgeous baby blues of his. “Blake, you have been my best friend, my mentor, my playmate, and my confidant since you returned to my life nearly two years ago. But most importantly, you are the love of my life. You have made me a better person, and I am blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today officially becomes our life together.”
Blake smiled widely as the minister began to talk about what the upcoming exchanging of rings meant, and what the rings symbolized. I didn’t need to listen. I knew the rings were unbroken circles which represented eternal love.
I knew that already because eternal love was what we had.
The minister cleared his throat. “Blake and Indi, may you live happily ever after. May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. By the power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
The guests cheered as Blake leaned down to kiss me. It was exactly the same as our first kiss at that faux wedding shoot Cinta set up for us so long ago. Hot, passionate, pure magic.
And the best part? There was nothing fake about it now.
It was all real.
****
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Daddy’s Fake Bride
A Fake Marriage Romance
Prologue
Olivia
I peeked my head out from behind the arch and stared hesitantly down the aisle, taking in my future husband’s appearance. He looked different in a tuxedo; more sophisticated. It suited him, but it didn’t make me want him or like him any better.
An asshole in a designer suit was still an asshole.
But I couldn’t back out now. I already committed to this. I signed the contracts and I said I’d go through with whatever they threw at me. That meant taking whatever he threw at me too.
“Are you ready, Liv?”
My mom looked at me expectantly as she waited for my response. For a second, I thought she might hitch her arm in mine and offer to walk me down the aisle, seeing as Dad couldn’t be here, but that thought quickly faded. Of course she wasn’t going to. No one else knew who I really was, and we couldn’t give the game away by letting her do that.
I finally gave her a small nod. “Yes,” I said. “I’m ready.”
“Go on, then.” She jerked her thumb in the direction of the aisle, then gave me a thin smile. “I’ll be here, don’t worry. It’s not every day I get to see my little girl get married.”
I almost scoffed at her sarcastic words, but I held it in. I couldn’t risk letting anyone see me do something like that. Everyone here needed to believe that I wanted this. They needed to believe that this wedding was real. But really, they should’ve known better. It was all fake; a stupid game that I’d let myself get roped into with the promise of a better future.
Husband For Hire Page 25
