Wicked Cowboy (Steel Series Book 4)

by Victoria Pinder

  Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”

  I hugged her and ignored how hard I was at the moment for her when I said, “And one more surprise.”

  She spun back toward me and it was like I won a prize. “You don’t have to say anything else. I’m already overwhelmed.”

  I caressed her back. “I just want you to see you’re beautiful, and honestly, the house is designed to host a pampering party.”

  She went on her tiptoes. “I’ll marry you.”

  I let her go. “Then, let’s go pick up Pop and get home.”

  She laughed and closed her eyes, tugging me toward her.

  Finally! I met her lips and crushed hers with mine.

  I’d never have to live without her ever again.

  Her kiss was magnetic and she was perfect just as she was.

  After she ended the kiss, we went to the kitchen and ate breakfast with Chelsea. She already had the bread Pop asked for wrapped, and I grabbed it, though I wondered how she knew about it. She’d been asleep.

  I didn’t ask. Instead, we headed out to the Lexus that I rarely drove. It had four seats, so it was the better choice. Ridley gave me a thumbs up like she was impressed.

  I’d give her the keys today if she wanted it.

  For now, I drove us as a unit to the hospital and my heart expanded. I now have everyone I loved except one as we headed to pick up my missing pop.

  I’d learned to face my fears and never hurt the woman I loved. I’d been blessed she’d forgiven me.

  She led us through the hospital and stopped at the desk to get the nurses to start the check out forms.

  Once she finished, we headed to the room and Chelsea handed Pop the bread as Ridley said, “Hi, Hudson.”

  His smile widened and, for one minute, he didn’t touch his food as he said, “You’re still here. Good.”

  Chelsea sat on the edge of the bed like they were already best friends.

  I took the breakfast plate and gave him back a knife and some butter. “Pop was the first to call me a fool when I told him what I did to you.”

  Ridley hugged my Pop. “Aww. I’ll let you know if he ever acts out of line first then.”

  He finished his bread like he’d been starved despite the tray of food beside him, but he still gazed at Ridley like she was the best deal he’d made in years. “Happy to help the best daughter-in-law I can ask for.”

  Chelsea let out a sigh. “My mom and dad would’ve liked to be here.”

  Ridley tapped her lightly as she said, “They are here. They brought us all together.”

  We let my Pop eat the bread and the nurse brought in the paperwork that said he was free to go. I signed as his caregiver, but then I asked him as they brought him a wheelchair, “Are you ready to get out of here?”

  “Absolutely,” Pop said and didn’t argue about the wheelchair. The last time I’d taken him home, he’d pitched a fit.

  As we reached the lobby, Sally stopped us and put her hand on her hip. “Now, there is the Rockson family.”

  I held Ridley’s waist. “Sally, Ridley and I are getting married today on the ranch, nothing fancy, no single men, but we’d love for you and your family to come over around six for a small backyard barbeque.”

  I realized my pop practically jumped out of his chair. Guess he knew now.

  Sally hugged Ridley. “We’ll be there.”

  The ride home was smooth. Pop sat in the backseat with Chelsea and no one asked too many questions.

  After we returned to the ranch, Pop and Chelsea went to their rooms.

  I guided Ridley to the backyard where I’d been stupid before. The staff prepped a small wedding arch covered in flowers and were busy setting up the seating and table settings. I took Ridley to the side and she had a shine in her eyes that magnetized me when she said, “I never once thought we’d do any of this, even when I said I’d marry you.”

  Every day for the rest of my days, I would have to remind this wonderful woman I was lucky to have her in my life. “You deserve love and I want to sleep in bed with you tonight.”

  She crossed her arms and her hip went up a little. “Just sleep?”

  I raised my hands like I was caught red-handed. “I want more than sleep.”

  She curled her fingers in mine. “Goodness, I love you, Carter Rockson.”

  I lowered my head and my eyes closed when I said, “I fucking love you, Ridley. Now go and get ready. Chelsea’s coming for you.”

  “Oh, we’ll be back,” She said, but she made no move to leave me. Instead, she curled her arms around me and I kissed her.

  Soon she’d be mine forever, but this preview was exactly what I needed. Life with her was everything I’d ever want.

  Chapter 18

  Ridley

  I glanced out to the backyard where lights were strung on the porch and a wedding arch. A few small tables with white table cloths and flower centerpieces to the side, and white seats facing the arch and the red carpet that served as my aisle.

  Once I saw what Carter and Chelsea had set up in a day, I'd canceled the idea of a big wedding later. This one was more than I'd dreamed.

  Overlooking a vast field that was purple on a pink sunset served as the perfect backdrop to the day. And my dress was gorgeous. Strapless, but high on the chest, so nothing showed, with crystals at my waist that trailed down the front and back like I was some princess.

  I honestly wouldn’t have planned anything nearly so perfect as now.

  And the best part was I’d spend the rest of my life with Carter.

  I glanced at my hand and then to my reflection. This wasn’t me. The person reflected back was beautiful. My eyes misted, but I refused to cry and ruin all the makeup.

  A knock at my door caught my attention. My guest bedroom had turned into bride central. I opened the door. I threw my arms open for a hug. “Sally, I’m glad you’re here.”

  Since I'd arrived, she’d been sweet and kind. Hopefully, we could be friends now. As her hug ended, she said, “Chelsea’s being sweet, helping us all find our seats. She said you wanted to see me.”

  Good girl.

  I nodded. “Yes, I was hoping the invitation to the women’s club is still open. I don’t know anyone here.”

  Her lips curved up and she said, “You’re absolutely invited. I’ll text you the next meeting date.”

  Good. It would be great to have friends in the area. “Thank you for being here.”

  She patted my hands and let herself out. Someone else was at the door. I figured it was the makeup people to check on me as they didn’t knock, but then I took a step back.

  Finally. Three of my five sisters hugged me. The oldest, Georgie said, “Stephanie and Indigo can’t be here.”

  I didn’t move or respond. Indigo was in Venice and Stephanie was in London. I just squeezed tighter the ones that were here. “Georgie, Nicole, Olivia!”

  Our family hug ended and the youngest, Olivia, whistled. “You look amazing.”

  “Thank you.” Inside, it felt, from the heels of my feet to my fingertips, as though a balloon of excitement was growing. I asked my oldest sister about her family, “Where’s Michael and Jeremy?”

  She pointed to the window. “Michael’s grilling your Carter about his intentions.”

  I never thought any man would take the protector role in the family after Dad died and sniffled before I said, “That’s funny.”

  Georgie handed me a tissue. “We’re happy for you.”

  Olivia then asked, “Does he have a brother?”

  One day, my sister would find someone for her. Olivia had the biggest heart in the family, but I said, “No. Sorry.”

  Nicole then took a photo with her phone from my bedroom window. “I am totally creating some videos here for clean living. Your wedding looks like it will be beautiful.”

  The tick in her lips was new. She was always flawless, so I tilted my head and asked, “Nicole, you look distracted.”

  She waved her hands in front of her. “It�
�s nothing. I’m happy to be here. I’m just wondering about my upcoming appointment.”

  She had a devoted following of fans for her blog and lifestyle advice. I asked, “What appointment?”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m heading to Vegas to meet a donor who wants one-on-one guidance.”

  Georgie asked, “In Vegas?”

  She glanced at me like she needed to apologize as she said, “It’s honestly the most amount of money I’ve ever been offered, but it doesn’t matter. I’m here for your wedding.”

  I patted her shoulder. "Do you need help or advice?”

  “No. I’m good and it’s not my day. I was just distracted for a moment.”

  She was a great sister, so I said, “Well, be safe. Vegas is full of crazy people.”

  She saluted me. “I have y’all on speed dial and group chat.”

  Georgie took over as the makeup people came in. She said, “We’ll go take our seats, but we wanted to see you first.”

  I directed my sisters to the door and called out, “I love y’all.”

  “I love you, too.” Georgie, Nicole, and Olivia all called out.

  I couldn’t stop a tear. This was how happiness showed itself.

  As I closed the door, the makeup lady dabbed my face and I stopped crying.

  Soon, I’d be in Carter’s arms again.

  As she gave me the "go" sign, Chelsea slipped in. She took my arm and guided me out. “Thanks. I’m scared this is all a dream,” I said.

  “It’s not, Ridley,” She said.

  At the door, Sally handed us bouquets and pointed for Chelsea to walk as my bridesmaid.

  My family now included her. Forever.

  I refused to cry, hoping her parents blessed us from wherever they were.

  The music changed and Sally acted as a wedding coordinator as she directed me to go. My gaze went to the front.

  Carter was in a black tuxedo and my heart torpedoed me forward. His broad shoulders filled my dreams. Those full lips of his captured my attention and made me ache like I’d been in a desert of kissing. And those muscles that no tuxedo could ever disguise made me warm inside. Our gazes were locked and as soon as I joined him, he took my hand. “You are my angel tonight.”

  I’d never be an angel, but I said fast, “I’m here. Let’s make this official.”

  The minister spoke, but, honestly, I was in a haze of heady excitement and didn’t hear a word. Finally, he stopped. “I was told the couple wrote their own vows.”

  “Yes.” Carter nodded at him. I moved closer and he held my hand up as he said, “Ridley Steel, you make the world brighter by being in it. I’ve never forgotten how you came into the groom's area of the rehearsal dinner and collected us all to walk down the aisle, making us put down our beers and dinner. You even checked my buttons were done right, so I was proper for photos. I’m a lucky man that years later you returned to my life and once again straightened me out. I love you.”

  That bubble in my feet had washed through me now. I wasn’t able to stand. I swayed into his arms, but I spoke from my heart on my turn. “I… I didn’t think I’d ever be the girl who falls in love. I’d always thought I’d go through the motions of life and never have a partner. Then, I came to your ranch to talk and now I know what love feels like, I don’t ever want to leave.”

  “I love you.” He said fast and had a tear in his eyes.

  My heart swelled. I held him tighter and, finally, the minister said, “By the power invested in me by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Carter’s arms around my waist sent trembles through me and my lips tingled. I closed my eyes and his lips met mine.

  Wow. I’d been rocketed out of my heels and to the stars. All I could do was hold his shoulders, but as the kiss ended, I met his brown-eyed gaze and realized one thing… I belonged here. I didn’t want to be anywhere else, ever, not without him.

  Nicole’s voice penetrated my hearing when she screamed out, “Aww, you and your husband are adorable.”

  I turned toward our small group and Carter walked with me down the aisle.

  The others followed to our small, outdoor dining area for a Texas barbeque.

  As people took their seats, Carter squeezed my fingers and directed us inside. “I wanted to show you something.”

  He led me to our bedroom. Goosebumps grew on my body. It was too soon, but he didn’t head to the bed. He grabbed his phone off the nightstand and I asked, “What’s that?”

  He flipped through his pictures and then showed me a picture of me in that mint green bridesmaid dress I’d worn ten years ago as he said, “I was looking through my phone this morning. I snapped your picture at the wedding, too."

  I couldn’t stop my cheeks from blooming, and I ignored the flutter in my soul when I gave it back. “You did?”

  He flipped the screen to the next one. “Here.”

  This one was us holding hands in the dance. We’d seen so intimate then. I hadn’t known he’d snapped a photo or that anybody else had. I’d been lost in his arms. My eyelids fluttered as I handed it back and asked, “Why?”

  He wiped my face that had another tear as he said, “Because I wanted to remember the most beautiful woman I’d ever met.”

  The storm inside me dissipated entirely as I asked, “Seriously?”

  He motioned to the door like we’d go back outside, and he said, “I’d never lie. Honestly, I never thought I’d see you again. Every woman I've met since was judged based on you.”

  We headed out arm-in-arm as I asked, “Really?”

  His head pressed against mine as he said, “Yes, kind brown eyes became my most important marker.”

  We'd only exchanged a dozen words in the two-day wedding and one dance. I hadn’t even dreamed he’d been affected like I’d been. The thump in my heart was real. “I… never met a guy I was half as attracted to as you. I thought of dating as going through the motions.”

  He held the door open for me and our guests clapped for us. So we waited until we took our seats and he then said in a whisper, “If I’d have kissed you or asked more details about you, I could have been persuaded to forget joining the SEALs entirely. It’s why I didn’t talk much.”

  I tilted my knees and body closer to him. “I thought you weren’t interested.”

  He placed his hand on my back as a waiter poured us champagne. Once we were alone, I said, “I didn’t think you’d be available when I came home. I assumed I’d lost out on the best.”

  I cupped his face and the slight stubble only made me wish we were alone right now. “Glad we were both wrong.”

  He kissed my wrist. “And now we are starting a life together, but I wanted you to know even at that wedding, I knew you were the one.”

  I shook my head. “Carter, just kiss me and don’t stop, ever.”

  “With pleasure,” He said and he did.

  I was once told to judge how a man feels from his kiss. If that was true, then I knew we were destined for happiness forever. Carter made my toes curl, every damned time.

  I’d never loved anybody else.

  Thank you so much for reading. Having your attention this long is an honor and I hope you find time to leave your review for this book. Book five of the series is Powerful Prince will be out soon and you can meet the royal prince with a bad boy past who falls head over heels with Modern Life Blog Nicole Steel in a new online world meets the old word opposites attract romance. She’s not sure if she can trust her attraction to the bad boy that could break her heart. Get Powerful Prince now.

  Or if you’re into freebies and reading a completed series, start with Secret Crush as the Morgans always had a special place in my heart and more are coming soon.

  And if you sign up for my newsletter you and I can stay in touch. Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE novella.

  Have an amazing day.

  Chapter 19

  Carter

  One Year Later…

  I’d
never thought I’d ever be happy in life. Then Chelsea and Ridley catapulted into my life, pulling me away from Henry’s training and toward living my own life again.

  Now I was here at Henry’s first race against other horses and I was heading back to my booth. My team has assured me Henry was in top shape. I didn’t care if he ever won a race or became a champion, to be honest, but his training to be here meant the spirit to live outshone the abuse he’d suffered.

  But as I opened the door to my private booth at the field, I realized that, like my horse, I wasn’t alone anymore either. I was happy and in love, and hopefully, my animal was, too.

  As I joined my family, I saw my wife held our infant son and Chelsea sat between her and a boy her age she’d invited to join us.

  I pressed my hand to my heart and scooted beside Ridley. “You didn’t have to come.”

  Ridley rocked our son and I couldn’t tear my gaze away as she said, “Gio wanted to be here when Henry won his race.”

  Our boy was only two months old. I hadn’t expected either of them to come to Henry’s debut on the circuit. I went and scooped the infant out of Ridley’s hand and burped Gio as I asked over Ridley’s shoulders to our other girl, “Chelsea, how was your test?”

  “Got an A,” She said, but then she glanced at Ridley and then back to the boy beside her.

  Gio passed out in my arms and Ridley gently put him in his bassinet. As she finished, she said, “So I made a small bet?”

  Chelsea called back, “And she let me get a ticket, too.”

  I paused. Money was power in the pocket and reckless bets were a waste. Henry returned to our stall for a full life regardless of victory. But then I glanced at the ticket and my shoulders softened when I asked, “You’re both betting a dollar?”

  Ridley squeezed my arm. “We wanted to show you support, but gambling isn’t a good habit.”

  Another reason I loved Ridley. Still, this wasn’t how I’d want my girls to spend money, but I let it go. The race was about to begin and Frank was on the screen as I said, “Fair enough, but my family here means we’ll win.”

  The shot was fired and the horses took off.