Men In Control (Smith Brothers Complete Series)

by Brenda Ford

  “Of course I will!” she eventually gasps out. “Of course I will marry you.”

  I take a moment to slide the sapphire ring on to her finger, which I have to admit looks as incredible as I thought it would, and I rise to my feet to kiss her. When my lips connect with Amelia’s, people clap and cheer all around us which makes me want to laugh. Once upon a time, people were doing everything that they could to tear us apart, and now they’re happy. It’s wild but just what I always wanted.

  “Oh my God,” Amelia pants as we break apart. “We’re engaged. What the hell? How did that happen?” She giggles. “Did you plan this? Did you know that you were going to propose here?”

  “Yes, I planned it. Believe it or not, I actually planned what I was going to say as well. It didn’t exactly come out as planned. But I hope it was okay.” I’m still burning hot, but much less from embarrassment now.

  “It was beautiful, Nelson. You did an amazing job. I absolutely love it.”

  We stand with one another hands linked together and look out at the view of Paris, the set of our engagement, in silence. People call out congratulations to us, but we’re so locked in our own little bubble, just me and her.

  “Does anyone know?” she asks me quietly. “Have you told anyone about this?”

  “About the proposal? No. I didn’t tell my brothers because I know they can’t keep their mouths shut and I was worried that you might say no. I didn’t want to extend the humiliation further.”

  She tosses her head back and laughs. “There wasn’t a chance in hell that I would say no. Now, I think we should go back to the hotel and video call them. I want them all to know.”

  “Sounds good to me.” I grin massively. “Whatever you want to do.”

  We walk down the Eifel Tower and towards the hotel, talking our time to enjoy Paris as we go. My heart races I feel like I’m flying as we go. This is honestly, the best time of my life. By the time we get in to our room, I’m buzzing to tell the rest of them. I can’t believe I have kept it from them for this long. They might kill me. Especially Wesley. He’s been through so much with me.

  “Maybe we should wait until we get back before we tell everyone…” I start, but it’s too late. Amelia has her laptop open and she’s already video calling Rosie. “Never mind. I’m sure it will be fine.”

  “Hey!” Rosie answers quickly. “How’s your trip going, Mom?”

  “Where are you?” Amelia leans in closer to the screen. “Are you at the Smith’s house?”

  “I am actually. We’re just having a bit of a get together.” She winks at the screen which leaves me wondering if maybe she knows. I wouldn’t put it passed anyone to have found out somehow. “Shall I get them?”

  Amelia nods and we wait for a few moments until all of their faces crush together on the screen. I want to laugh at how silly they all look, but I’m too enthralled by the knowing look on their faces. They have definitely discovered the engagement ring somehow. This is the issue with five brothers. I guess I shouldn’t have hidden the ring in my old bedroom away from Amelia. That was just asking for trouble.

  “Okay, so what’s going on?” Rosie demands. “How are things?”

  Amelia flashes her ring, and everyone cheers. My brothers jump around scream like they are watching their favorite sports team score a goal. It’s ridiculous. At least they aren’t pissed off at me.

  “So, when is the wedding?” Brad demands. “Is this going to be a long engagement or not?”

  “Hopefully not,” I reply while rubbing Amelia’s back gently. “Since it’s taken us such a long time to get here, I don’t think I can wait much longer until Amelia is mine forever more. I would marry her tomorrow if I could.”

  “You can marry me tomorrow if you want.”

  “No way!” Rosie jumps in. “I don’t care if it’s a big white wedding or not. I know that you might not want that, Mom, since you have already been through that before and it didn’t exactly go to plan, but you at least need to be here. I want to be there at your wedding. Don’t make me miss it by marrying in France.”

  Amelia giggles and agrees. “Okay, okay. We will wait until we get back then. Just for you.”

  “For the rest of us as well!” Wesley joins in. “We all went to be there to see it happen.”

  “Fine, fine.” I roll my eyes and agree. “We’ll revolve our lives around you guys.”

  I’m happy with that as well because Rosie was once dead against us, so it’s nice that she wants to be around us. It wouldn’t be much of a wedding without our family around anyway. Especially when they have been so instrumental in making us happen. If it wasn’t for them, maybe we wouldn’t be here now.

  As I wrap my arm around the woman that I adore, glee exploding through me, I know that I would do whatever it takes to make sure we have the best wedding ever for us, and for everyone else as well.

  As long as I get my happy ever after, I don’t mind how it comes about.

  Epilogue

  Amelia

  One Year Later…

  I hold the book between my fingers, my heart swelling with joy as I do. Faster Love by Nelson Smith. The proof of his first novel, which I’m sure is going to be a best seller. Maybe I’m biased because this is the man that I love, but I’m sure it’s brilliant. Poignant, witty, and meaningful in the very best way.

  I absolutely can’t wait until Nelson gets home and I can show him this. He’s going to be so thrilled. I know that he’s been waiting for this, and for it to come today is just amazing.

  I glance at the picture on the wall of where me and Nelson were this time last year. Our wedding day, in a registry office with all of our family around us. It was as soon as we got back from Paris, the exact same day, and it was wonderful. I purchased a dress in France to wear. A sleek white number. Not a poofy white wedding style dress, something much more elegant than that. Simpler, beautiful. Something that pleased Nelson a lot. He wore a wonderful suit that his brothers had sorted for him. They were all matching, showing their support, it was great.

  I cried so much on that day. Especially when Nelson did his own vows. The words of love he spoke to me were beautiful and really swept me away. I knew for sure then that this time the love was real, the marriage was everything and I’d finally made the right choice. That’s something which has been proven every single day. Nelson is nothing like my first husband, he really treats me like a princess every single day.

  Did it cause a bit of drama when we got married? Yes, a little. There were some reports about the ‘teacher’ which I’m not anymore, marrying her ‘student’, which he hasn’t been for a long time either. There were some negative opinions about it from people, but we survived it easily. We’ve been through worse. Now, no one bothers us. At last, we’re allowed to just be which is all we have ever wanted.

  “Stop looking at the book,” I remind myself. “He will be back soon. Everything needs to be perfect.”

  I glance around the kitchen which I have spent all day working on. The perfect anniversary meal, the lovely decorated kitchen with the roses and the candle light, the perfect gift. I have tickets for me and him to go somewhere that neither of us have ever been before. A late honeymoon since we didn’t go anywhere as we’d just got back from Paris. An Indonesia vacation which promises to be absolutely amazing.

  “Time to get dressed,” I murmur. “I don’t want him to come back here and see me like this.”

  I race up the stairs, two at a time, until I reach the bedroom. There I grab my baby blue just passed the knee length dress and smile to myself. I purchased this last week for tonight and I’m so exciting to have it on. I go to the shower first to wash myself down, then get myself all dolled up for my man. I have just enough time to style my hair and get my make up on, before I hear the key in the door. Nelson is home from work.

  “Honey, I’m home!” he calls out in a sing song voice, just like he does every night when I’m back first.

  “Hey, Nelson. I’m coming…” I bound dow
n the stairs and fling my arms around him, hugging him tight. I kiss him hard, feeling the fission of excitement that I always get when I’m near him. Even after all this time, even though there isn’t any drama between us anymore, but the passion hasn’t died. It actually seems to get stronger every single day. I don’t think it will ever go away now. “Hmm, you look very good today. You smell good too.”

  He kisses me for a while, just taking the time to stroke my cheek and drift his hand down to cup my butt. “You look absolutely gorgeous as well. I would like to make a joke asking you what the big occasion is, but I’m afraid that you might kick my ass, so instead I will just say happy anniversary to you, my beautiful wife.”

  “Good choice.” I shoot him a wink. “Because you’re right. I might have to murder you after all the effort I have put in to make this evening special. Starting with…” I drag him in to the kitchen where I show him the book.

  “Oh my God.” All the color drains from his face. “Oh my God, is this for real?”

  “Take a look at it. That’s all you! You should be so proud of yourself.”

  He falls into a seat and flickers through the pages. I can practically see his self-confidence growing and swelling as he sees every page. I’m glad, because I know this has been a vulnerable process for him. I’m sure it’s the same for all writers when it comes to their first book, but Nelson seemed extra nervous to me.

  “It actually looks good, don’t you think?” He looks at me expectantly. “Better than I thought.”

  “The publisher has done an amazing job of it, yes.” I nod. “You need to thank your agent. She did you good.”

  “I thought that I would be freaked out about the idea of it, but I actually can’t wait to show the others.” His eyes drift over to the next door house. “I might go over there and see who is in…”

  “Dinner is almost ready, so it might be best for you to go a bit later.”

  I’m telling the truth, but I also do want him to myself for just a little bit. Much as it’s wonderful living next door to his childhood home where he can always connect with his brothers, it’s our anniversary and I need him.

  “It smells delicious as well.” He beams happily, immediately agreeing with me. “I’m utterly starving.”

  He takes his seat at the table while I dish up for him, my heart beating faster by the moment. Nelson might think that’s my gift for him, but he has no idea. Any minute now, I’m going to pull out the tickets for the trip and absolutely blow him away. I can’t wait to see his face when he realizes.

  “Just before we eat,” Nelson suddenly says in a serious tone of voice. “There’s something I want to give you.”

  “Oh!” My eyes light up in surprise. “You have a gift for me?” I don’t know why but in all of my planning of tonight with him, I never thought that Nelson would have anything for me. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “Of course I did!” He rolls his eyes and laugh. “You know I want any opportunity to spoil you.”

  He pulls out a little box which reminds me of the engagement ring box he handed me all that time ago at the top of the Eifel Tower. It won’t be another ring, there isn’t any other reason for a ring, but I can only assume that it’s jewelry. I don’t mind being spoiled to a bit of bling. Especially on our anniversary.

  “Ooh, lovely.” He hands it to me, and I pop it open quickly. “A key?”

  I cock my head to one side curiously and look at him. What the hell can this be? We already live together so there isn’t any more than can happen in that department. So, what is it? Smiling, Nelson gives me a card.

  “What is this now? You are acting so strange,” I laugh. “Did you forget it was our anniversary for real?”

  But that concept falls apart as I open the card and a piece of paper falls out. A paper linked to one of my favorite cottages at the shore, which I still consider our place. This can’t be a joke…

  “I know that we have a lot of our lives here at the moment, so we need to keep this place as well, but now our dream has come true and we have a home at the beach as well. I know how much you love that cottage so as soon as it came up for sale, I jumped on the opportunity. I hope you don’t mind?”

  “Mind?” Oh my God, I already have tears streaming down my face. “I love it! This is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. I’m just in shock. I don’t even know what to think about it.”

  “Well, we can go there whenever we want now, spend as much time as we want there. Then one day we can move in for good. I need to make that dream come true since it’s something we discussed so early on. Of course, it became a memory with all sorts of hard ship attached to it, but I will always see it as a good day.”

  “Oh, Nelson.” I throw my arms around him and kiss him hard. “I love you so much. I don’t even have the words to express how much I love you. You are just absolutely perfect for me.”

  “I love you too.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “I promised on our wedding day, this time last year, that I would do what I can to make sure that you are happy always. I hope I’m achieving that.”

  “Oh, you are. So much. I don’t know what I would do without you now.”

  “You never ever have to find out.”

  How did I manage to get so lucky? After having nothing but bad luck with men, my prince charming finally came along in an unexpected way, bringing our happy ever after with him. I’m glad I went all out for him. I don’t mind what we had to get through to be here anymore. All of it was worth it and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

  Head Over Heels

  Blurb

  A shattered heart, and a damaged spirit…what do the two have in common?

  An explosive chemistry, secrets, danger…

  Falling in love with the girl next door who’s just turned an adult was never the plan!

  But she’s tempting, alluring, exciting and I can’t stop myself from being drawn in to her dangerous world.

  The deeper I sink, the harder it will be to get out,

  Yet, I can’t stop myself from falling.

  Head over heels in love with her.

  Ellie will create an explosion in my life,

  I just know it.

  But love makes you do some pretty crazy things, right?

  And I’m going to win her back.

  No matter what it takes!

  Chapter One

  Oliver

  “I don’t know what your obsession with independent films is!” Rosie laughs loudly. “I get that sometimes they offer something a bit different to mainstream, but they are mostly just pretentious.”

  “Oh, come on.” I shove her playfully. “It’s better than watching a typical Hollywood script that you have already seen a million times before. You can’t predict the plot of an indie film. I like it.”

  “Well, you’re just lucky that I like you.” She crunches the popcorn loudly. “Otherwise I would kick your ass and put on a chick flick that I can actually enjoy.” She rolls her eyes. “You better hope this gets better.”

  I lean back on the couch and pretend that I’m still watching the film too, but it’s hard for me to focus on the plot when I’m with Rosie. It always has been challenging to focus on anything but her. She’s always a distraction, no matter whatever is going on in my life that I always find myself looking at her, thinking about her…

  The funny thing is we did just started off as friends. She moved in next door and we just started chatting and we clicked. It was cool to have someone around the same age as me who I could connect with. Who I have something in common with. I might have five brothers who I adore and am very close to, especially since our parents were killed in a car accident when we were just kids, but I don’t have too much in common with them. Brad is much older than all of us, thirteen years older than me so he’s in his mid-thirties and I’m just twenty three years old, with very different priorities. He’s great and I can always talk to him, but I don’t know if he always gets me. Then there ar
e the twins – Alex the rock star and Angelo the cheeky chap – who are only a year younger than me, but closer to one another. Then there is Wesley, the hyper intelligent one of us who I secretly think might change the world, and Nelson who has just left high school. I have always felt a bit in the middle, a bit of an outcast because I’m quieter and a lot more serious than the others… at least I am when I’m not around Rosie.

  But Rosie brings out the more fun side of me, she always has done that. I barely even noticed that my feelings for her were shifting from pure friendship to something deeper. I never acted on it because she has been with Tristan forever, but my feelings for her have always been there, haunting me like a torture. It’s that very reason why my friendship has only ever been with Rosie. I don’t know Tristan at all, and I don’t want to. It would kill me to see them together.

  Last year, it all got worse because I thought that she might feel the same way as well. She invited me to an event with her because she and Tristan had broken up again and she wanted me to help make him jealous, and it was wonderful. We danced, we spent time together, it was all very romantic… and then we kissed. I really assumed that it was the moment that she noticed her feelings for me as well. I held on to the fantasy that everything was going to change, and it would finally be the start of the rest of our lives together… until Tristan grabbed her and basically begged her to get back with him, which she did. Clearly, she didn’t feel the same way about the kiss that I did, which was devastating. It whipped the foundation of my life out from underneath me and I wasn’t sure if I could ever recover again. I didn’t think that I would be able to be back here with Rosie again.

  But I am, and it’s okay. I still think that there might be a little bit of tension between us, it isn’t exactly as it was but it’s okay. I don’t even really know how I feel about her anymore. If I examine it too closely, I don’t think I’m still into her in the same way. Over the last twelve months I have accepted that it isn’t ever going to happen. We had our shot and it vanished into nothingness. It didn’t come to anything. I don’t think I want her like that anymore, I just feel strange and a little bit numb. Of course, I still don’t like thinking that much about her and Tristan, but I’m sure that’s more because it’s awkward than anything else.