I blinked several times before my eyes adjusted to the light and when I realized what I was seeing, my knees went weak. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his strong body so that I wouldn’t fall. Happy tears fell freely from my eyes as I glanced around the finished nursery.
It hadn’t even been touched when I’d left that morning. I’d been procrastinating on setting everything up and had only picked out the paint I’d wanted for the baby’s room the week before. Now the walls were all painted along with the rock-n-roll bears in their leather jackets, guitars, and drumsticks border that I’d fallen in love with perfectly in place. A beautiful crib had been set up along with a changing table already fully equipped with everything we would need. A rocker sat by the crib and, in the corner, a toy chest already brimming with toys that were suitable for either a boy or a girl.
Wiping at my tears with the back of my hand, I turned my wet eyes on Liam. “How?”
He grinned down at me. “There was very little music-writing getting done in this house today, baby. Our friends helped me. Do you like it?”
I nodded my head joyfully. “Yes. I love it. It’s perfect. Thank you. This is what I was dreaming of for the baby. You did good, Daddy.”
As they always did when I called him that, Liam’s eyes brightened suspiciously and he swallowed hard a few times before speaking. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“You definitely did that.”
His grin returned and he released my waist, taking the hem of my shirt with him as he lifted his hands. In one smooth move, my shirt was over my head, leaving me standing there in my black maternity leggings and one of the new bras I’d had to buy recently because my breasts were already a cup-size bigger.
Liquid heat flooded my pussy at the look in Liam’s blue eyes as he stared down at me. One large, calloused hand cupped my breast through the material of my cotton bra. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever set eyes on. How did I get so fucking lucky?”
I gasped as he rubbed his thumb over my already diamond-hard nipple. “You deserve this,” I assured him before moaning in pure pleasure as he pinched my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. My nipples had gotten so sensitive during this pregnancy that I knew he could make me come just by continuing what he was doing. He tugged on the nipple, making me pant with need. “I love you, Liam. We deserve this.”
He dropped to his knees in front of me. For a split second I worried about him aggravating his leg, but that was quickly thrown from my mind when he pressed his lips just under my belly button. “I love you, little Brie. More than anything in the world. You are my everything. Forever will never be long enough to be with you. I would walk through hell and back just to keep you beside me for eternity.”
I combed my fingers through his hair as tears once again poured from my eyes. “Stop making me cry,” I whispered.
His jaw tightened. “I swear to you that happy tears are all that you’ll ever cry again.”
A small smile teased at my lips. “You can’t promise that, Liam. There are going to be times when I get sad or lost and I’m going to cry. There will be times when I ugly-cry all over the place. And that’s okay, because I know you’ll always be right here to hold me and make it all better for me.”
“Damn straight I will be.”
I laughed at the stern expression on his face. “Dio, I love you.”
“I love you more,” he murmured.
“Not possible,” I teased, knowing exactly how he would react.
“Wanna bet?” He tugged me down onto the floor. “Let’s see, yeah?”
And like he knew I would, I let him try to prove he loved me more.
PLAYLIST
“The Ever” by Red
“Flashlight” by Jesse J
“Life is Beautiful” by Sixx A. M.
“Drunk Enough” by Angels Fall
“Girl With Gold Eyes” by Sixx A.M.
“The Past” by Sevendust (ft. Chris Daughtry)
“Love Me Til It Hurts” by Papa Roach
“Part That’s Holding On” by Red
“Bad Girls World” by Halestorm
“Let Your Tears Fall” by Kelly Clarkson
“My Heart Is Broken” by Evanescence
“Always” by Killswitch Engage
“The Last Goodbye” by David Cook
“The Humble River” by Puscifer
“Hit The Ground” by Hinder
Acknowledgements
From the beginning I’ve had a handful of people who wanted to know more about Gabriella Moreitti. They saw the good in her long before I ever could. They begged and pleaded for her story and after several books, she finally spoke to me. It wasn’t easy getting inside of her head so this book was definitely a difficult one for me to write. Still, I want to thank all of the fans who championed for Gabriella’s happily ever after. It took me a while, but I finally saw the light.
Special thanks to everyone who helped make this book beautiful for you: Shawna Kruse and her amazing talent behind a camera. Lance Jones and Jurnee Lane for gracing the cover. Rachel Mizer for her lovely touch to the cover itself. And especially to Lorelei Logsdon who makes sense of my ramblings and cleans it all up so you have an actual book to read.
As always I want to take a moment to thank my husband, Mike Browning, and our three demon spawn for putting up with me throughout the creation of all these books. Thank you for putting up with all my mood swings and craziness. I love you all to the moon and back. Always.
MORE BY TERRI ANNE BROWNING
THE ROCKER SERIES
Book 1: The Rocker Who Holds Me
Book 2: The Rocker Who Savors Me
Book 3: The Rocker Who Needs Me
Book 4: The Rocker Who Loves Me
Book 5: The Rocker Who Holds Her
Book 6: The Rockers' Babies
Book 7: The Rocker Who Wants Me
Book 8: The Rocker Who Cherishes Me
Book 9: The Rocker Who Shatters Me
Book 10: The Rocker Who Hates Me
THE ANGELS SERIES
Book 1: Angel's Halo
Book 2: Entangled
Book 3: Guardian Angel
THE LUCY AND HARRIS SERIES
Book 1: Catching Lucy
Reckless With Their Hearts
Reese: A Safe Haven Novella
Follow Terri Anne Browning
www.facebook.com/writerchic27
www.terriannebrowning.com
[email protected] Turn the page for a sneak peek into Protect Me by Kathy-Jo Reinhart.
Available now.
PROTECT ME
(Oakville Series: Book Three)
By:
Kathy-Jo Reinhart
PROLOGUE
~Paul~
“Well, which one do you guys think she’ll like?” I question Becky and Kyle. We are all gazing down at a jewelry tray full of engagement rings. It took a lot of begging on my part, but I was able to convince my best friend and one of Holly’s best friends to come with me today. I understand Becky’s hesitation in coming along. She hasn’t known Holly for very long and wasn’t sure she’d be the best choice to help me choose her engagement ring. Kyle, however, has no excuse. We’ve been friends for too long. He tried to pull the I-just-had-a-baby card with me. That shit didn’t work. Amber just had a baby, not him.
Somehow, I was finally able to convince them both. I need this ring today. Amber and Cody are coming home from the hospital later this afternoon and Holly being Holly is throwing a little welcome home party at their house. All of the people we love will be there. Most people would propose in a quiet and romantic setting, but I know my girl. After being alone for such a long time, Holly and I never imagined we’d find each other, let alone a group of friends who are more like a family. So, asking her to be my wife in front of all the special people in our lives will be her idea of perfect. I have to admit, I kinda think it’s perfect, too. That’s not to say I’m not nervous as hell, though.
Looking down at the shiny diamond rings, my throat goes dry and my heart beats rampantly in my chest. Why? I don’t know. I’m positive she’ll say yes, so why am I still so fucking nervous?
“Hello? Earth to Paul. You asked us a question then zoned out on us, dumbass. Did you even hear what Becky said?” Kyle teases. He knows I’ve wanted to do this since the second my eyes landed on Holly. I never believed in that whole “love at first sight” bullshit until I saw her. Although, maybe it was more lust at first sight and love at first sound. Holly is a knockout, there’s no doubt about it, but I think it was her take-no-shit attitude that made me fall for her. She is definitely one spunky ass redhead. Give her any shit and she will light your ass up. Though, I need to snap out of it and pay attention. This is important. My doll-face deserves the perfect ring.
“Sorry, Becky. I’m a little nervous,” I admit. They both gawk at me like I’ve lost my mind, but who wouldn’t be a little nervous in this situation? Hopefully they don’t see just how nervous I really am. It has taken a long time for me to feel like I deserve to be happy at all, let alone loved by such an amazing woman. For a while, before I met Kyle, I was so fucked up in the head, I didn’t care whether I lived or died. I think I would’ve actually preferred death.
“I remember when I was doing this and a certain someone was teasing the shit out of me for being nervous. What was it you said? Oh, yeah...‘being nervous is for pussies, of course she’s gonna say yes’,” Kyle playfully says between chuckles. Even Becky joins in and giggles. “At least now you get it.” I’m so glad they’re finding this all so amusing.
“Yes, I get it assnugget. Now, can you stop busting my balls and help me?” I joke and add a brotherly slap to the back of his head. Kyle winces in pain and steps out of slapping range. Okay, maybe it was a little harder than a brotherly slap. Becky looks between the both of us, the corners of her mouth threatening a smile.
“Wow.” She shakes her head. “I have no idea why the two of you would be nervous about asking two beautiful, smart, and very mature women to marry you,” Becky states sarcastically. She turns so she’s facing us both with her hands resting on her hips. In this moment, I can see Holly has turned this sweet and quiet girl into her little sarcastic sidekick. The world is not prepared for two of them. “Can you two stop acting like ten year olds long enough to do what we came to do? I have a party to help with.” She smiles at the both of us and goes back to examining the rings in front of her.
This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Holly isn’t really a girly girl. Buying her some big, flashy diamond won’t impress her in the least. I need to find something special. Everyone has a diamond engagement ring, she would have something different. Something original.
“Do you have any amethyst engagement rings?” I question the eager salesgirl. Ever since she began helping us, she’s hung on every word, overacting like she really gives a damn about helping me and not just the huge commission at the end of the sale. The minute my question registers with her, all that changes. Her face tenses. The free, easy smile she wore minutes ago is gone, replaced with a hard, forced one.
“We do have amethyst rings, but traditional engagement rings are diamond. Amethyst is a much cheaper stone,” she states a little too prissy for my taste. Oh, I see, she’s one of those types. The total opposite of Holly. She’s the girl who has to have a ring that costs more than a house. “If it’s cheap you’re looking for, maybe you’re in the wrong place.” This time, her voice has a bite to it. Her eyes scan me from head to toe, trying to determine whether I even have the means to be in this expensive store. She starts to put the tray of rings back into the display case. My body begins to tense up as sweat builds on my forehead. Her tone and the fact that she’s insinuating I should go somewhere else because I don’t want a diamond engagement ring pisses me off.
I glance to my right and find a massive grin on Kyle’s face. He’s trying his damnedest not to laugh, which fuels my anger. Seeing my expression, he raises his chin in Becky’s direction. Before I can fully turn to my left to see what he’s laughing at, I hear it. Becky is pissed off. I think she’s more pissed at this bitch than I am. I’ve only seen her mad once, when Leena drugged Kyle and made everyone think she and Kyle slept together. The way she’s acting right now, you’d think this girl just insulted her and not me. Her voice is calm, but you can feel the anger radiating off her. When I finally get a glimpse of her face, even I’m a little scared. Her nostrils are flaring and there’s a vein raised on the side of her forehead. She just plain looks badass. I need to remember not to get on this girl’s bad side — ever.
“This may come as a shock to you, but not every woman wants or even likes the traditional diamond engagement rings. The girl this ring is for isn’t some superficial, prissy, materialistic Barbie Doll.” She pauses, taking a deep breath, most likely trying to calm herself down. She clenches her hands so tightly at her sides, the knuckles are turning white. “Another little known fact: just because someone doesn’t buy the most expensive thing in the store doesn’t mean they can’t afford to.” The salesgirl just stands there with her mouth hanging open and eyes wide. Becky searches the store. Something catches her eye and a sinister smirk sprouts on her lips. “You get paid on commission, correct?” The stunned salesgirl nods. “That gentleman over there in the black suit, is he your boss?” Becky points to the well-dressed man sitting behind the counter at a desk. Now the salesgirl looks nervous as she nods her head slowly. Her bottom lip is trembling, like she’s going to burst into tears at any second. “Well, then, this is really going to suck for you, sweetheart. Maybe next time you’ll think before you open your mouth,” Becky warns as she struts toward the man in the suite.
Kyle bursts out laughing. He’s doubled over, almost as if he were in pain. When he straightens up, there are tears running down his cheeks. Still standing frozen, with her mouth gaping open in disbelief, the salesgirl watches Becky introduce herself to the manager of the store. Holy shit! I don’t know whether to be scared or impressed by this side of Becky we’ve never seen before. I never imagined she could be such a bitch. Not that this girl doesn’t deserve whatever is about to happen to her — she most definitely does.
We all stand quiet and still, watching Becky and the manager talk. She points to me and the manager looks over, nods, and smiles. As soon as the conversation gets to the good part, you can see it. He glances at the now trembling girl behind the counter. They both begin to walk over to us. I glance over at the salesgirl, who now resembles a frightened caged animal. The manager stands in front of the girl while Becky eagerly watches, awaiting the girl’s fate.
“We’ll discuss this later, Natasha. For now, the bathrooms and break room need a good cleaning,” he instructs. Natasha’s expression is priceless. I don’t even know how I would describe it. Shock. Horror. Anger. All of them seem to cross her face. It’s quite amusing. Finally, she turns on her heels and stomps off toward the back of the store. I notice the very pleased grin plastered on Becky’s face while Kyle tries to control his laughter.
“My name is Charles. Please excuse my sister. She can be a real snob sometimes,” he apologizes. “How may I help you?” I explain what I’m looking for and he leads us to another counter with nothing but amethyst rings. This is more like it, more like my Holly — beautiful and unique. It doesn’t take long to find the perfect ring. A large pear shaped amethyst stone sits atop a thick platinum band with diamonds in the shape of angel wings resting on each side. It’s the most unique and beautiful ring I’ve ever seen and it just screams Holly.
As we drive back to Kyle’s, I can’t help but think back on my life. Never did I think I‘d live past twenty-five, not with the way I went through booze, drugs, and women. One of them was sure to be the death of me at some point. The fact that I actually allowed myself to fall in love amazes me the most. That’s most definitely the one thing I swore I would never let happen. I was too broken. Too lost. Too guilty. Nothing good could come from me being in l
ove, or so I thought.
~Holly~
Where the hell is Becky? She promised she’d be here to help me get this little “Welcome Home” party together for Amber and the baby. Though…I mainly want her here so she and Clark are around one another. There are some serious sparks between those two, but neither of them seem to want to do anything about it. So, I’m taking it upon myself to give them a little push.
“Holly, where do you want me to layout all of the food?” Clark questions, walking out of the kitchen. When he sees me struggling to blow up the extra-large blue balloons, he laughs. Filling the house with a hundred or so baby blue balloons seemed like a great idea when I was at the party store yesterday. Today, not so much. I’m dizzy and out of breath and I’ve only managed to completely inflate five. This sucks. Plopping down on the couch, I release the half-filled balloon from my fingers and watch it fly through the living room.
“This is useless. I’ll never get these blown up before everyone gets here.” Clark sits beside me as he tries to contain his laughter.
“I have one of those disposable helium tanks at the house. It was left over from Skylar’s last birthday party. Would you like me to run home and grab it?” He hasn’t left yet? I give him a ‘what the fuck are you waiting for?’ look. Quickly, he’s on his feet and heading for the door. I don’t fail to notice his laughter has returned. This is what it must feel like to have annoying little brothers. These boys just love to push my buttons. But I love them anyway. They’re the only family I have.