The Maybe Series

by Ella Miles

  Scarlett bought me some clothes. I asked for sweats and a T-shirt, but instead, she bought me a dress and underwear. It’s a nice, simple black dress. Something like I used to wear all the time but not something that I want to wear on a long flight home from the hospital. I put it on anyway though because it is the only thing I have to wear. I pull a brush through my hair but don’t bother with putting on the makeup that Scarlett brought me.

  A knock sounds at the door, and I perk my head up. Killian still hasn’t come in to see me, so I assume it’s him.

  “Come in!” I shout.

  I look up, and my heart stops as I wait for the door to open. When I see it’s just Scarlett, I sigh.

  “Ready to go?”

  “Yes.”

  She walks over to me. “You look beautiful.” She reaches into the overnight bag she brought me and pulls out the makeup bag.

  “I really don’t think I need makeup to walk out of the hospital.”

  “I want you to feel your best,” Scarlett says. She applies some blush, lipstick, and mascara to my face, despite my protests.

  Another knock sounds, and I perk my head up, but when I see it’s just my nurse, my head drops.

  She pushes a wheelchair into my room. “Your chariot,” my nurse says.

  I sigh and climb in. I’m too tired to protest that I can walk.

  Scarlett gathers my things and then follows us out of the room. The nurse walks slowly down the hospital hallways while I really want her to hurry. I don’t know where Killian is, but I need to find him. I need to see that he is still alive. And I need her to hurry up, so I can do that.

  We finally reach the front door to the hospital when Scarlett says, “I can get her from here.”

  I’m shocked when the nurse nods and lets her push me.

  “Thanks. I don’t think I could stand her to push me at that pace much longer.”

  Scarlett smiles and keeps pushing me. I expect her to push me toward the parking lot, but she doesn’t. Instead, she pushes me around to the side of the hospital.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  My heart flutters at the unknown but not in a good way. I don’t know if I will ever be spontaneous again. Not after what I went through. I never want to have my heart racing that fast again.

  Scarlett suddenly stops the wheelchair. “Do you think you can walk?”

  “Yes. But where to?”

  She shakes her head and holds out her hand to me. I take it, and she helps me stand in the small heels she brought me.

  “Lean on me if you need to,” she says.

  I hold on to her arm as I get used to walking again. It’s not too bad. It just hurts when I breathe.

  We turn the corner of the building when I see him.

  Killian is standing in a beautiful garden with candles everywhere. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a button-down shirt. One arm is in a sling. The beard that started growing is now gone, and his hair is trimmed a little. I don’t care what he looks like though. I’m just happy to see him.

  Killian runs over to me. When he reaches me, he throws his free arm around me, and I wrap my arms around his neck after letting go of Scarlett. His lips sizzle against mine. His tongue finds mine, and then my world stops.

  For the first time in forever, I don’t have to think about anything else. Not family obligations. Not my future. Not my past. Not surviving. Or right or wrong. Or saving him.

  For the first time in forever, I can just get lost in a kiss.

  I don’t know how long the kiss lasts, but when it stops, Killian reaches down to hold my hand. He leads me into the garden that looks so similar to my favorite place at the casino where he proposed earlier.

  He stops when we are in the center of the garden.

  “Princess, I know this isn’t going to be perfect. We are in a fucking hospital garden. We both have a lot of healing to do, but after the last few weeks we have had, I don’t think I can wait for perfect. I don’t know if I will ever get perfect, so I have to do this now.”

  I watch as he kneels in front of me, and tears spring to my eyes.

  “You are everything I ever wanted. I knew it from the first time I saw your picture, from the first time I saw you in person. When I promised your father that I would protect you forever, I knew that you were mine.

  “You are a beautiful princess, but I’ve realized now, after really getting to know you, that you are so much more. You are my warrior princess. My survivor. You have more strength in you than I ever thought possible. You even had the strength to shoot me even though you didn’t want to. You’re everything I ever thought I wanted and more.

  “I know I’m not worthy. I made a terrible FBI agent. I couldn’t even figure out the trafficking and smuggling ring that was right under my nose. I’m unemployed. I don’t have any money. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even have enough money to buy you a proper ring. But I can’t wait until I do to ask you to spend forever with me. I can’t wait because we aren’t promised a tomorrow, and I want to start living tomorrow with you now.

  “Kinsley, will you marry me?”

  Killian opens a box, and in it is a pink plastic ring with a fake diamond on top. Most likely, he got it from a machine in the lobby.

  I smile. “Maybe.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” he says, grinning widely.

  Standing, he puts the cheap ring on my finger. A ring I know he will replace when he gets the chance, but this proposal is perfect, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “Take it as an always.”

  SIX MONTHS LATER

  I hear the front door to our one-bedroom loft in New York open and close.

  Finally, I think.

  I close my computer and meet Kinsley at the door. She quickly kisses me on the lips, but I can tell she’s distracted.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “Huh?” she says as she smiles at me.

  She places her bag on the counter, and I see the shine of her stupid plastic ring reflecting in the light as she does.

  I wanted to replace the ring right away, but after the proposal, we weren’t sure what to do with the money she had, and I had practically no money. We weren’t sure what to do with the Felton Corporation. With our lives.

  It took us a couple of months to realize that we didn’t want to touch any of the tainted money from the Felton Corporation. We didn’t want to run the Felton Corporation. Basically, we wanted a fresh start. So, Kinsley sold the company, and we gave all the money away to charity.

  Now, Kinsley works for an organization that helps battered women rebuild their lives. She’s good at it, and she really seems to love it.

  She didn’t take long to figure out what she wanted to do, but it has taken me longer to decide what I want to do. I’m just not sure how I’m going to take the job.

  “What’s got you so distracted?” I ask, holding on to her waist and kissing her neck.

  She moans softly. “Right now, you.”

  I grin. “Good.” I kiss her neck again. “Seriously though, are you okay?”

  “Yes. I’m just worried about this woman who came in today. I’m not sure she’s ready to start over.”

  I nod. “Be patient with her. It takes time.” I kiss her neck again.

  “I know, but I don’t want to talk about work anymore.”

  “Me neither. I want to fuck you.”

  She groans. “Fucking sounds good.”

  I move my hand under her T-shirt, feeling her smooth stomach. “I want to try something. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course. What do you have in mind?”

  I lift her up and carry her to the bed. I gently put her down, firmly kissing her on the lips. I walk over to the nightstand and pull out the items I bought today. I hold them out to her. She closely looks at the rope and whip.

  “You want me to whip you again?”

  “No. I want to use it on you.”

  Her eyes widen. />
  “I think it’s only fair since you got to use it on me.” I lean down and kiss her earlobe before sucking and pulling on it with my teeth, the way she likes. “I think you will enjoy it, but if I take it too far, I will stop.”

  I’ve been dreaming about doing this to her since she held the whip in her hand in Mexico.

  “Yes, I want it.”

  I smile. I remove her clothes, followed by mine. With her laying on her stomach, I tie her arms to the posts of the bed with rope, but I leave her legs free. I lift her legs onto all fours and then kneel behind her with the whip in my hand.

  “Ready?” I ask, rubbing her ass.

  “Yes,” she breathes.

  I let the whip come down on her ass. She whimpers, and I watch as her ass turns a bright shade of pink.

  “That was—”

  I don’t let her finish. I use the whip again on the other cheek. She squeals, and my cock twitches when I see her body react to me. I hit her again and see hot liquid dripping from her pussy down her leg. I whip her again and again until—

  “Fuck, Killian,” she moans.

  Then, I can’t take it any longer.

  I thrust inside her, and she screams again. I thrust quickly, knowing that is how she likes it. I grab her breasts and hear her moans intensify.

  “I’m going to—”

  Then, she can’t speak, but I feel her clenching around me. It’s the fastest she has ever come, showing me how much being whipped and tied up turns her on. I thrust faster until I’m filling her with my cum.

  After we come together, we both collapse, exhausted and content just to be together. After a few minutes, I feel her wiggling, trying to get out from under me, and I laugh.

  “Hold on,” I say. I untie her hands and roll off her so that we are lying side by side.

  She smiles at me. She looks so beautiful, so content, lying naked in our bed. I don’t think I will ever get used to the sight.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks when she notices I don’t wear the same content smile that she does.

  I take a deep breath before I speak, “I accepted a job today.”

  “Really?” she asks excitedly, sitting up higher in bed.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well…what is it?”

  I take another breath, not sure about how she is going to react. “I accepted an executive job with a hotel chain.”

  Her smile brightens. “Really? That’s awesome. That job always suited you.”

  “You don’t think it’s stupid, doing the same work I did for your family?”

  “No. You were great at it. I don’t care what you do, as long as you are happy.”

  I grab her neck and firmly kiss her, showing my appreciation. “You amaze me.”

  I turn back to my nightstand and find the box that I bought after accepting the job and knowing how much money I will be making.

  “I guess I can give you this then,” I say, opening the box.

  Her mouth drops. “Killian, it’s beautiful!”

  I smile and take the plastic ring off her finger. I replace it with the large princess cut ring. I go to throw the plastic ring away, but she snatches it back.

  “You are not getting rid of that ring—ever,” she says sternly.

  I smile. “Whatever you say, princess.”

  “Does this mean we have enough money to start planning a wedding?”

  “It does.”

  She squeals again. “I need to call Scarlett. We need to get to planning right away if we want a shot at a spring wedding.”

  She hops off the bed and begins walking away, mumbling to herself, but I don’t mind. The view of her naked ass is worth watching her walk away.

  She pauses at the door and looks at me. “Now that we are no longer broke, does this mean, in a couple of months after the wedding, we can start trying for kids?”

  I laugh. “Maybe.”

  She smiles. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Want to read Scarlett’s story?

  Definitely Yes

  Book One in Definitely Series

  Buy Now

  One question from an ex-lover.

  One text message from a complete stranger.

  The same answer to both…Yes.

  Scarlett Bell has found a way to move beyond a dark past that threatened to take her best friend, Kinsley, from her. Now ten years later Scarlett has everything. A multi-billion dollar fashion and beauty empire. A fabulous New York apartment filled with everything a girl could need. And an awesome best friend. What more could she want? Love, marriage, and a baby. Everything her best friend has.

  One ex-boyfriend could give her everything she thinks she wants. Even if he is a little too nice…

  One dark stranger could give her everything she never knew she wanted. But he could destroy her life…

  Two men. Two choices. One answer to both: Definitely Yes.

  Definitely No

  Book Two in Definitely Series

  Coming November

  Definitely Forever

  Book Three in Definitely Series

  Coming December

  Keep reading for a sneak peek of Definitely Yes…

  Why are there no hot men in this bar? I sigh. Why are there no hot men at any bar—ever?

  I take a sip of my gin and tonic as I scour the room, looking for anyone who will do for tonight. This bar used to be the best bar in New York City to pick someone up for a one-night stand. Now, it is just another bar to add to my list of has-beens.

  It’s a shame really. This bar has everything. It’s clean; it has a live band every night, not just on the weekends; and the bartenders here know my drink order without me having to order. It used to be full of life, full of energy, but now, it is nothing more than an overpriced bar with crappy music and no hot men.

  As I glance around the large bar, I don’t count more than six other people in the bar, only two of which are men. One is too old—my best guess, mid-forties—and the other, I doubt he’s eighteen.

  “It just ain’t what it used to be, is it?” Todd says.

  “No, it isn’t. I hate to say this, but I’m going to have to find a new bar,” I say.

  Todd wipes off the counter in front of me. “I hate to say this, but me, too. The tips aren’t what they used to be. And if my favorite tipper leaves me—”

  “Your only tipper and most attractive customer,” I say, smiling.

  Todd flashes me his smile that is missing one front tooth. “Only tipper. I won’t be able to survive on the measly salary this place pays me. I guess it is off to find greener pastures.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” I frown as I finish off the last of my gin and tonic.

  Todd immediately places another glass in front of me, making me smile.

  “Thanks, Todd.”

  “You bet, Scar,” he says.

  I take the full glass and raise it to my lips, sipping the perfect, cold liquid that I find myself needing more and more after a long day of work. I love what I do, but running Beautifully Bell Enterprises, the fashion and beauty company I own, is exhausting by the end of the day. I need something cold to relax me and a hot man in my bed to reenergize me for the next morning.

  As much as I love spending my evening talking with Todd, it’s not enough. I need more. I need thrills and excitement to invigorate me. To make me excited to wake up the next morning. I used to have that every night when I was twenty-five and a model. I always knew the hippest bars to find an attractive man. Half of the time, I didn’t even have to go to a bar to find a man. The male models I worked with that day would more than do.

  Now, at thirty-two, I’ve found that it is harder to find a good man for one night. I don’t model as much anymore. I just don’t have time with my fashion empire. And then men my age are beginning to become more and more interested in more than just one night. They want marriage and babies and the whole package. I’m just not ready for that yet.

  That leaves me with the twenty-something-year-old men who are p
ractically still babies themselves. Men who are excited about the idea of one night only. Men who don’t care that I’m older than them. Men who like being controlled by a more domineering woman.

  My phone buzzes against the table, and I turn it over to see who messaged me.

  Kinsley: Emergency! Can I meet you tomorrow? Have news!

  My heart races when I see the words Kinsley and emergency in the same line.

  My best friend has been through too much in the past. It’s been almost ten years now since she found out her family was money launderers, smugglers, and killers. Ten years since my best friend almost died at the hand of her own grandfather. Now, she’s living her happily ever after here, in New York City.

  But seeing her text message has me worried that something has happened again. It’s after midnight, and my best friend is never awake this late on a Thursday.

  I type frantically.

  Me: Where are you? Do I need to call the police? What’s happening?

  I stare at my phone, gripping it much too hard, as I wait for the message to get sent and read.

  Come on, come on, I think as I frantically bounce my legs up and down, hoping that she will respond quickly. I should have just called her, but what if she is stuck in the back of a trunk somewhere? Then, if I called her, it would let her kidnappers know that she had a phone? What if her mouth is taped shut with duct tape, and she can’t speak? What if—

  Then, I watch as three dots appear on the screen, indicating that she is typing a response. My phone buzzes in my hand as the message comes through.

  Kinsley: LOL. Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. There is nothing wrong. I’m completely fine. Just have some happy news that I can’t wait to tell you tomorrow! We’ve been having trouble with finding time for each other lately, so I just wanted to make sure you knew that I really need you to drop everything and just be my best friend tomorrow.