Forever My Soldier (Love Conquers Life Book 3) (16 page)

“Baby, you’re killing me.”

“Not trying to. Wanted to show you what you are in for later,” she says, licking her luscious glossed lips. I watch her as I button up my tuxedo shirt, tucking it into my pants. She’s pulling her shoes from her closet when I rub my hand across her beautiful ass cheek and then slap it playfully. She jumps up, gasping.

“Stop being a tease.” She glances down to spot my hard as a rock cock.

She bites her lip and removes the dress from the hanger. “Sorry.”

I step in front of the mirror to ensure my tie is straight and slip on my jacket. When I emerge from the bathroom, she has her dress in place and is slipping on the silver Louboutin shoes her mother bought her. I pull the two boxes from the top of the bureau and walk them over to her.

“I got you a little something special to wear tonight, and I hope you like it.”

“Honey, we only celebrated Christmas a week ago and you bought me this beautiful ring. I really didn’t need more.”

“I think you did.”

She pulls the cover off the top of the box and gasps. “Honey, it’s beautiful.” Her hands shake slightly.

“May I put it on for you?” I ask as I pull her into the bathroom so she can see as I lay the sapphire leaf design across her flawless skin. Once I’ve secured it, I place a gentle kiss on her shoulder. “Of course the necklace isn’t complete without these.” I hand her the box with the earrings in it.

She opens them and smiles as she puts them on. She turns to me. “They’re perfect, but you really didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to. I love you so much and plan on spending the rest of my life spoiling you. I hope you can handle that.”

“As long as you can handle some spoiling in return because I love you too, and to be honest you may change your mind by the time we’re done planning this wedding.”

“Our mothers are already talking and planning. I have a guest list in my email as we speak, and your mother is emailing me one as well.”

He rolls his eyes. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all I care about.” The phone rings, interrupting our conversation. I look at my watch. “Shit, baby, that’s going to be the limo. Are you ready?”

“I am. Let’s get going.”

Chapter 15

Patty

We pull up outside the event, and because it’s freezing out, the media has been allowed in the entryway. We’ve only granted select media access, and the security at the door has a list so the event isn’t bombarded with media trying to sneak in. I had Carter cut anyone who was involved in trying to stalk me about the Ben situation. Neither of us wanted it being brought up tonight.

Our driver lowers the privacy glass and asks, “Are you two ready?”

Carter slips his clear earplugs in place as I tell him that we are. The driver raises the glass, and a minute later he opens our door. Carter climbs out first and then takes my hand, helping me out of the car. Placing his hand on the small of my back, we walk toward the doors. The gentlemen standing there open the doors to reveal the media frenzy on the other side. They’re asking us questions about tonight’s event. I start to speak, but I forgot about the ring on my finger. Because I tend to talk with my hands, one of them spots it.

“Ms. Fitzpatrick! Is that an engagement ring on your finger?”

I look down at my hand and smile, turning to look Carter in the eye. I say, “Yes, it is. Carter proposed on Christmas Eve, and I happily accepted.” Carter is glowing as I reveal the news.

They’re all “awwing” and clapping their hands. “Have you set a date?”

“We haven’t and I’m sorry, but it will be a private event. I will not have the media at my wedding. If you would like, I will release some photos with a small write-up to you after it has taken place, and you can write your stories.” Carter rubs his hand up my back as Derek and Bella walk in. “Now if you’ll excuse us, tonight’s event is very important to us and we want to make sure everything goes smoothly. Thank you all for being here.”

We hang up our coats, and I can hear Bella being bombarded with questions. “Baby, you never fail to amaze me. You handle them so well.”

“Thank you, honey.”

“I’m sorry to leave you, but I need to see if anything is left to be done. Guests will be arriving soon.”

“That’s fine. Here come Derek and Bella,” I tell him as they approach us. We exchange hellos, and I say, “Make sure you’re mine for dinner and the ball drop!”

He gives me a soft kiss. “You better believe it.”

He and Derek stroll off to check on things while Bella and I enjoy a glass of wine. We saunter into the room to see how the decorations came out.

The room looks beautiful. There are huge round tables spread out all around the room, and in one corner is the DJ, who’s all set up and already playing some soft music. The tables have red and blue napkins folded on top of white tablecloths with centerpieces that say 2015 in the center. All the centerpieces are red, white, and blue.

“Bella, look.” I point to the red, white, and blue streamers covering the ceiling. There’s a pole where they’re all gathered, and I know it has to have something to do with my mother’s ball drop.

“Ball drop?” She asks with an excited smile.

I nod. “It has to be. This place looks great.”

The guys walk up behind us. “Our table is over here, ladies.” Carter places his hand at the small of my back, escorting us to our table. “Your mother is here and will be over to see you in a minute. She asked me to let you know.”

He kisses my cheek as he pulls my chair out for me to take my seat, but people are starting to flow in, so I’ll be up networking soon. “Please make sure you two stick together,” Derek says as he watches us scope out who’s coming in.

“We will,” Bella says. “Please try to relax. I promise we will keep an eye on each other.”

“Okay, we have to go greet one of our donors. We’ll be back. You two have fun, but stay safe,” Derek says, looking at both of us.

I can tell he’s concerned. “Wow, he’s a bit freaked out tonight, huh?” I say as my mother, Richard, and my father approach us. Bella and I look at each other, very confused by the woman on my father’s arm.

“Derek has been freaked out all day,” she says as we both stand to hug and kiss my parents. My father takes the seat next to me. He says, “Patricia, Bella, I would like you to meet Claire. She and I have been dating, and we thought tonight would be a nice night for her to meet everyone.”

I hug her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say as Bella follows suit. My mother and Richard sit on the other side of Bella, leaving two more seats for Carter’s parents. I wish Derek’s parents were here for this. They would be so proud of him and the work he does.

“So Daddy, how long have you two been dating?” I give him my signature one eyebrow look with a slight grin.

He chuckles. “For a few months now. I thought about asking you if I could bring her with me to Christmas, but she had plans and I didn’t want to take from your big day.”

“Congratulations, by the way.” Claire offers with a smile.

“Thank you so much,” I say, beaming over my engagement. She seems sweet, but I’m a bit shocked as I had no idea my father was dating. The table suddenly goes quiet, so I turn to my mother. “Mother, this room is amazing. I’m not sure how much of this is your doing, but it looks gorgeous. You did a nice job. Thank you for your help.”

“A lot of it was the boys. I gave the hall a little extra guidance and encouraged them to let me go along with my ball drop idea. I also got them to change the buffet to a family-style dinner with three main meal options and sides. That’s why the tables are so big because they needed room for the platters.”

I give her a proud smile. “Thanks again for your help, Mom. I really appreciate you getting the guys the added bonuses.”

“It was the least I could do, considering my foolish behavior. As far as I’m concerned, I have a lot more making up to do.”

As she finishes her statement, we drop the conversation because Mia and Jackson have joined us at the table. They welcome Claire. I can tell from their greeting that they have already met her. It makes me wonder if they’ve been going on double dates.

A short time later, we’re all sitting at our table enjoying a nice conversation when we realize the room is filling up. My mother excuses herself to go check on the silent auction, and that’s when Bella and I decide to go see what we have up for bid.

As we’re strolling over, I have a few people saying hello, some of which I know and some of which I believe are friends of my mother’s, but I can’t recall their names. I simply nod politely and tell them to have a nice evening.

We approach the auction table to find a beautiful painting from my friend, as promised. She has donated a gorgeous framed fall scene, and it is stunning. I write my name down with a bid of one hundred dollars. Moving to the next item, I notice this bitch I can’t stand talking crap about my friend’s art. I’m getting pissed when Bella turns to her and says, “Hey, Cindy, if you weren’t such trash, you’d see the beauty in that painting.” Her jaw drops, and she storms off like the brat she is.

I try to be mad at Bella for her behavior, but I fail, and we both move on, giggling. We walk along the table to find a weekend getaway for two at a spa resort. There’s also a beautiful wine collection as well as a TV and gaming system. No doubt some of the younger crowd will be bidding on that. As promised, a few of my author friends have sent autographed book sets as well.

“Check it out,” I say to Bella. “There’s a one-year gym membership complete with personal trainer, perfect for the New Year’s Resolutions being set tonight.”

She laughs. “Yeah, well, some of us do not need a gym or personal trainer.” She looks me up and down.

We both start laughing as we move along to look at more of the items. One of the last things I find is a weekend ski package complete with lift tickets and lessons for two. I bid on the spa weekend as well. Bella outbid me. She put in for the spa weekend and the personal trainer although I teased her that I’m sure Derek would be more than happy to keep her active.

We both decide we need another glass of wine. As we’re on our way back to the table, we hear a voice come over the mic. “Good evening, ladies and gentleman. My name is Jake, and I’ll be your DJ for this evening. Dinner will be served shortly, but while you’re waiting, please be sure to check out the silent auction table. There are some great items being auctioned off, and it all goes to this great cause.” He puts the mic down and starts playing some music once again.

Bella and I are about to reach our table when Elizabeth stops me. “Good evening, Patricia,” she says. She looks stunning in a cocktail length black dress that is fun and flirty but formal too.

“Elizabeth, I didn’t know you were attending this evening’s event.”

“Well, I wish you would have told me you were helping your boyfriend with the event I would have gladly bought a ticket. Your mother called and asked for your agent’s support, so here I am as well as my assistant and a couple of the other agents from the office.”

“He’s my fiancé.” I beam with excitement. “We got engaged at Christmas, and I’m sorry I didn’t think to ask, but thanks for joining us.”

“I’m happy to be here, and congratulations.”

“Thank you.” I give her a soft smile. I’m still not sure I trust her, but I’m hoping she’ll gain it as she finishes this contract. Otherwise I have to find a new agent and that can be a pain.

“Listen, while I have you. Have you been having any other problems with you know who?”

“I have no proof, but I think she created a fake account on Facebook and started bashing me. Lucky for me I have some great fans that came to my rescue and defended me. I don’t think she did a ton of damage, but I need to keep an eye out.”

Bella says, “I think the woman is stalking her. She started getting texts from a random number too.”

“I’m so sorry, Patricia,” Elizabeth says, frustrated. “I feel so bad that this woman has gone all crazy on you like this.”

“It’s not your fault. You had no idea the woman was batty. I have to be careful. Bella and I are sticking together tonight, so we won’t have any problems.”

“Well, you two enjoy your evening,” she says. “Please come over and say hi to the rest of the team when you have a chance.”

“I will stop by after dinner. Thanks again for the support and for letting me know you’re here.”

“Looking forward to it,” she says as she walks away. We continue to our table.

“I’m not sure I trust her. What do you think?”

“She seems genuine, but I would be cautious if I were you.”

When Bella and I finally arrive back at the table, Carter and Derek are there as well. No sooner do they start telling us to take our seats because they’re about to serve dinner, the DJ comes over the mic.

“Good evening once again, ladies and gentlemen. If you would please find your seats, dinner is about to be served.”

He thanks the three local contractors for their generous donation. He explains how they have offered to help three local vets who are in need of home repairs or who need a living space more suitable to their needs.

I smile at Carter, so proud of him and the work he’s done. “You’ve done a good thing here tonight,” I tell him proudly.

“The night is young. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.” He smiles and kisses me gently on the cheek.

The wait staff serves our three guests of honor tables first, and then our table, and then the final reserved table. Carter points out the final reserved table and explains that it's his boss's table. He tells me, “I tried to get his table served first since he runs the entire state, but he said he wouldn’t hear of it. He said that I put this event together; therefore, I should be served first.” He shakes his head. “He acts like it was a big deal for us to wait five more minutes to eat.”

“You’ll have to introduce me after dinner.”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry, baby. I forgot you hadn’t met him yet,” he says as they place two large bowls of salad in the center of the table.

“No worries, honey. I would like to meet him and thank him for being so good to you while you were taking your personal time.”

He gives me a warm smile as food starts to be passed around. As everyone is enjoying their salad, conversation of the wedding starts up. I give my mother a look. “Mother, people are going to get bored constantly hearing about the wedding. We do not need to discuss it every minute.”

Mia giggles. “It’s fine. There’s a ton of planning to do, and with your idea of getting married in April, we do not have a lot of time.”

With Mia defending her, my mother starts grilling us about what we want and don’t want for the wedding. “Daddy, tell her there’s plenty of time.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know, is there?”

I roll my eyes in frustration. “Fine. I want a DJ, no band. I will wear a white dress, and I have no idea what color theme I want. I’m thinking turquoise and gray or coral and gray. However, I promised Bella that I wouldn’t pick until she’s tried on a few colors and we see them on her.” I turn to Bella, winking.

“Did you even breathe?” My mother asks, shocked at how I rambled off my response.