by LK Farlow
Tears fill my eyes as he releases my hands and fishes a ring box from his pocket. He flips open the lid, revealing an incredibly stunning cushion cut sapphire surrounded by two halos of diamonds.
“Is this real—”
“Shh, be a good girl and let me finish?”
I give him a sniffly nod.
“I know this probably seems rushed, but, GG, I can’t go another day without putting my ring on your finger. Please tell me you want this, too, that you’ll marry me—that you’ll be my wife?”
Before his words truly have time to soak in, I tackle-hug him to the ground, peppering kisses all over his face while murmuring my agreement again and again.
The sound of clapping and congratulatory hoots fills the air, almost muffling the sound of the fireworks finale, and Nate and I break apart. Alden and Natalie rush over to help us both up; I should be embarrassed that I literally just mauled my…fiancé…to the ground in public, but I’m too elated to care. I mean, holy shit, the man of my dreams just asked me to marry him!
Once we’re both upright, Nate slides the ring onto my finger and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Move and let me hug my sister,” Natalie demands, wriggling between the two of us. She wraps me in her arms, and I’m suddenly hit with a realization.
“You knew!”
She steps back and winks. “I did and I’m so freaking excited!” She moves on to hug her brother.
Alden is next in line to hug me, with Tatum in tow. He murmurs his congratulations in my ear before Tatum flings herself into my arms. “Does this mean I gets to call you Aunt Jenny? Will you live with Uncle Nate? You should! Then we can have spend-the-nights and you can help when I give him makeovers and all kinds of fun!”
Her excitement is downright adorable, and I hug her close promising we can do all of those things in the future.
When Alden eventually swoops her out of my arms and over toward Nate, Melanie and Luke approach. She folds me into a tight, motherly hug that makes me wish my family was here.
“Oh, pumpkin.” I hear my mom’s voice say and I snap my gaze up, searching, wondering if I’m losing my mind. In all of the excitement, I completely missed the fact that Luke has his tablet in hand with the screen facing outward.
Sure enough, my parents, grandparents, and Jamie are all crowded together watching through video chat. It’s not the same as having them here in person, but holy crap, the fact that Nate thought to include them means the world to me.
Luke gives me a quick side hug before passing his tablet to me. I slink off to the outskirts of the bluff. “How?” I ask, not knowing what else to say.
“That handsome man of yours got in touch with Jamie somehow and while I wasn’t too keen on him when he first called, he won me over.”
I laugh, because damn if that doesn’t sound exactly like Nate. “He is charming, that’s for sure.”
My family and I chat a little longer before we end the call with promises of Nate and I coming up to see them in person soon.
Later that night, we’re in his bed wrapped in nothing but each other and the sheets after our little private celebration. He’s holding me close, trailing his calloused fingers over the notches in my spine, while his proposal replays in my head. I’m in the middle of dissecting every moment, every word, every syllable when something hits me. “Oh my God! Nate Reynolds!” I screech, bolting upright. “Good girl! Does GG stand for good girl?”
Nate nods and grabs my wrist, tugging so my chest crushes into his. “It does. I’ve always thought of you as too good for me and that morphed in you being a typical good girl and then to you being my good girl.”
I can’t help the cheesy grin that splits my cheeks. “You’re something else, cutie.”
Nate pretends to grumble, and my grin transforms into a full-blown smile. Nate beams right back, pulling me closer. “Love you so much.”
“You made tonight the best night of my life. I love you, too—more than you’ll ever know.”
He kisses my temple. “Wanna know what would make it better?”
My brows dip…what could possibly make this night any better? Maybe another round of celebratory sex? “What’s that?”
“You moving in. Just think, we could do this every night. And have lazy Sundays. And—”
I silence him with a kiss, moaning when I feel him harden against my belly. “You don’t have to convince me. Where you are is where I want to be.”
He captures my lips again and before I know it, round two is in session as he grips my hips and helps seat me on his length. We set a slow, sensuous pace. We’re not in a hurry as we seek our pleasure—after all, this is only the beginning of a lifetime together.
epilogue
NATE
If someone would have asked me a year and a half ago how I saw my future playing out, I would have given them some bullshit, half-assed answer—something shallow and meaningless, because that’s exactly what my life was before Jenny.
My good girl changed everything for me. Jenny showed me just how fucking amazing life could be; she showed me, through her love, that there’s more to living than simply going through motions.
While there’s not a single day with her that I take for granted, today is especially sweet—because in exactly forty-three minutes, she’ll become my wife.
“You ready?” Alden asks, echoing my question to him on the day he married my little sister.
“So ready it’s not even funny. I feel like I’m about to come out of my skin watching the clock.”
“Then don’t watch it,” Duke adds helpfully. Smartass.
“Can’t help it, brother. With every rotation of the second hand, I’m a minute closer to kissing my bride.” I grin, all too eager to see Jenny—to claim her in front of God and man, to officially and truly make her mine.
“Eager much?” Jamie asks, smirking like the little punk-ass shit he is.
“Like you couldn’t believe.”
Jamie nods, pleased with my reply. For as rocky as mine and his relationship started off, he’s been one of the biggest supporters of our relationship—dude would do just about anything to see his cousin happy and that makes him all right by me.
I check the clock again: forty minutes. Swear to God, time has never moved so slowly.
Unlike Alden and Natalie’s wedding, Jenny and I opted to keep things low-key. We’re exchanging vows under the same tree where I begged for her forgiveness, right at the edge of where the sand meets the grass.
Our ceremony is small and intimate—immediate family and close friends only. Neither of us wanted some big to-do; we just wanted to say I do.
Funnily enough, Jenny would have been cool with a Justice-of-the-Peace-courthouse-drive-by, but I convinced her—via multiple orgasms—to have an actual wedding. As sappy as it sounds, I want to be able to tell our future kids about the day their Mama took my name; I want to have pictures of her decked out in white for me; I want to eat freezer burnt cake on our first anniversary.
The guys and I continue to shoot the shit until finally, after what feels like two eternities, it’s time to head to the ceremony site. We pile into Alden’s car and make the quick drive down to the pier.
We didn’t do much in the way of decorating the space; between the soaring pine trees, moss covered oaks, vibrant green grass that gives way to sugary sand, and the bay water lapping at the shore it’s safe to say Mother Nature got it right all on her own.
We meet the officiant beneath the shade of our tree and take our positions. Since our wedding parties are uneven, Jenny thought it made the most sense for the girls to walk alone.
Guests trickle in and music starts to play through the Bluetooth speakers Alden set up this morning, but I hardly notice any of it. I’m too busy watching the parking lot for my girl.
Finally, an SUV pulls up, idling at the edge of the grass. My mom and Tatum are the first out and my best friend beams as his daughter walks toward us. Straight up, I’m beaming too, because as I watc
h my niece, I can’t help but imagining a sweet little girl with my dark hair and Jenny’s striking green eyes.
Natalie’s next, and objectively, she looks beautiful, but I barely spare my sister a glance. I’m too busy anxiously awaiting the appearance of my bride.
And merciful Jesus, when she steps out of that car, with her parents right behind her everything else on the planet fades away. As she walks toward me, her cream-colored dress hugging her curves and swishing around her ankles, she looks like an angel—a fucking goddess—meant only for me.
Once my good girl makes it to me, the music cuts off and the officiant begins. I probably should be paying attention as he works his way through the opening and expression of intent, but I’m too damn infatuated with my bride. Her face is fresh and dewy and her eyes are overflowing with love—truly, she’s never looked more beautiful.
“Today, the bride and groom have prepared their own vows, which they will exchange now.”
Jenny and I both go to speak, our voices overlapping, but I urge her to continue. “Ladies first, GG.”
She smiles widely, reaching for my hands. “Nate, I’d write my love for you in the sand, but the tide would wash it away, and my love for you is unending. There’s not a day that passes where I don’t find myself falling for you a little bit more. I know things between us won’t always be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. I know things between us won’t be perfect, but nothing real is and cutie, we’re as real as it gets.”
Unable to help myself, I yank her forward and press a chaste kiss to her lips. “Jenny, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re everything good in this world and somehow, I’m lucky enough to call you mine—and I’m even luckier because you call me yours. There’s no way to know what the future holds, but I swear right here and now, that I will be by your side through every up and down life can throw at us.” I pause for a moment, so fucking taken with Jenny. This woman, she was made for me. “I love you GG, damn I love you.”
“And now,” the officiant resumes his part, “do you Jenny take Nate to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him forevermore?”
My girl nods, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Yeah. Yes…I mean, I do.”
“And Nate, do you take Jenny to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her forevermore?”
Without even a lick of hesitation, I practically shout, “Hell yes, I do!”
We exchange rings and the officiant spouts off some more words about happiness and forgiveness and love, but all I can think about is kissing my bride.
“Now by the power vested in me by God, man, and the great state of Alabama, I now declare you married; you may now seal this declaration with a kiss.”
I hook an arm around Jenny’s narrow waist and pull her body flush against mine before sealing my lips to hers. My intention was to keep our kiss G-rated, but something comes over me, knowing that she’s officially my wife and I can’t help but to nip at her bottom lip and lick into her mouth. Pouring my love into our kiss, I show Jenny—and everyone else here—exactly how I feel about her.
Day turns to night in a blur of champagne and dancing, but all I can think is how glad I am that my girl was stubborn enough to fight for us—for me—when I was too blinded by my past to do it myself. Even though I tried my hardest to stay away from her, to fight the magnetic pull between us, she showed me that while I had the best of intentions, we’re just so much better together.
The End.
what’s next from lk farlow
Best Of Me (Release Date To Be Announced)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the dark to my sister’s light—the awkward loner to her social butterfly. Growing up, she had it all: our parent’s unyielding approval, perfect grades, a permanent spot at the popular table, and the attention of the hottest guy ever—Duke Kincaid.
After eighteen years of living in her shadow, I couldn’t wait to escape—to finally be my own person. Yet here I am, I’m back in my hometown, once again in Valorie’s shadow. Only now, it’s eternal.
I had life all planned out: join the force, marry Valorie Parsons, and start a family of our own. I have the job, but the girl and all my dreams died before my very eyes.
Finally ready to move on, I agree to a blind date. Imagine my shock when I arrive and find, Valorie’s twin sister, waiting across the table from me. Mallory should be a reminder of all that I’ve lost, but instead she feels like my redemption . . . like maybe life’s giving me a second chance.
But, how can I be enough for her when I’ve already given her sister the best of me?
ADD TO YOUR TBR: http://bit.ly/bestofmelkf
excerpt of best laid plans
Prologue
Natalie
Alden Warner. My brother’s best friend. The boy I’ve loved for as long as I can remember.
I’ve been watching him all night. Which is nothing new—my eyes are drawn to him anytime he’s near.
From the very first time my brother invited him over after school, I was hooked. Even with our almost four-year age gap, he didn’t look at me the way Nate and all of his other friends did—with annoyance and frustration.
No, he always looked at me kindness and patience. Even when I was being annoying and clingy. Hell, even when I tattled on them, he never lost his cool with me.
But tonight, I’m not the only one looking. Nope. He’s looking at me too—and good Lord, there’s fire in his eyes.
At first when Mom said Nate would be chaperoning my party for me, I was upset. But then, Nate invited a few friends, and seemingly forgot he was supposed to be in charge.
Currently, I’m in the middle of the living room dancing with my friend Alyssa. He’s posted up against the wall in the corner of the room, his eyes freely roaming my body, transfixed as I roll my hips to beat of the music.
There’s something in the air that feels charged. The kind of energy that says anything could happen. The song changes and I close my eyes, hoping like hell I’m not misreading him. Blinking them back open, I scan the room for my brother. He’s nowhere in sight—good.
I set off toward Alden, hips still swaying, and he notices. Oh, he notices. When I get close, he takes two steps, bringing us toe-to-toe. “Small Fry,” he murmurs, his voice a little slurred.
Feeling bold, I run the tip of my index finger down his chest. “Dance with me?”
He too scans the room before spinning me and pulling me into him. With my ass nestled against him—oh, God…he’s hard—he grips my hips and we move together; every roll, every dip completely in sync.
I startle when his lips come down on my neck. “When did you get so fucking hot?”
My stomach—and things lower—clench. This could be it! He’s finally noticing you! The boy you’ve always loved is noticing you! my brain shouts at me.
I grind back into him and turn my face up to his. “It’s not my fault it took you so long to notice.”
His lips descend on mine, capturing them in a kiss that turns my legs to jelly. I fall back into him, using the hard planes of his body as support. He nips at my lip before pulling back.
He smirks down at me, licking my kiss from his lips as he steps away. I instantly mourn the loss of his heat. But then he takes my hand, and sets off for the stairs. Before I know it, we’re in the guest room he always stays in when he spends the night. He sits down on the edge of the bed and loops his index fingers into my belt loops, tugging me forward.
He flicks open the button of my jeans and I gasp, shocked and turned on by his boldness. A boy my age would never dare. When he begins pulling them down my legs, my breathing accelerates. Just as quickly, he strips me of my shirt, leaving me in nothing more than my matching bra and panty set—though the bra doesn’t last long.
I think I shock both of us when I say, “What about you?”
He drags his hands around to my ass, squeezing it, before trailing up ove
r my sides and to my breast. “What about me, Small Fry?”
“Are you gonna take your clothes off too?”
He leans forward and takes one of my breasts into his mouth. I moan at the foreign sensation. I’ve heard Alyssa talk about how good it feels, but this…this is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. “Do you want me to?”
“Y-yes.” I can hardly get the word out due to the sensations rioting through my body.
He quickly shucks off his clothes and strips me of my thong. He kisses my right hip, and then lower, before rolling us so that he is poised above me. I’m not sure which has me feeling more drunk—the two beers and shot I took earlier, or Alden’s touch. “You sure, Small Fry?”
“More than ever,” I murmur, meaning it with my entire being.
https://amzn.to/2UsHIvJ
(FREE WITH KINDLE UNLIMITED)
excerpt of coming up roses
Chapter One
Cash
Tonight’s the night. I’ve got everything planned to a T. I made sure to take off early from work so that I could get to the house before she did to set everything up. I’ve got her favorite Italian food from Luigi’s riding shotgun. I have candles and her favorite flowers, lilies, to place all around the dining room table—and the bed.
But more important than any of that is the black velvet box—you know, the ring-holding kind—that’s tucked into my front pocket.
I park my truck down the street so that if she happens to come home early, she won’t know I’m here. Gathering everything up, I head toward the house, my arms full and a spring in my step.
