His Ever After (Love Square) (33 page)

I feel my balls tighten, and the burning tingles working their way to my groin. I would love nothing more than to come down her throat, but that’s not how I want this to play out. We haven’t made love in months, and I need to come with her, inside her.

“Kara, baby. You need to stop. I’m going to come,” I warn her. My fingers thread through her hair and gently tug. She looks up at me with my cock in her mouth and for a moment, I second guess stopping her. She slowly slides me out of her mouth and stands in front of me.

Every fiber of my being wants to speed this up. Everything she has done to this point has been slow and deliberate. I’m used to being the one in control with her, but I force myself in check and let her lead me to the bed. I lie back against the pillows and swallow hard when she climbs my body and straddles my legs. She leans over and kisses me, harder than earlier, and I open my mouth to let our tongues tangle with each other.

Her pussy grinds down on my cock, and I can feel the wetness from her on my skin. I grip her hips and grind her down on me harder. She spreads her legs wider so my cock slips into her folds and rubs along her clit with each thrust.

“Take me, Kara. Please,” I beg when she continues to torment me with her grinding.

She pulls her head up from where her mouth was painting my chest with her tongue. She holds eye contact as she shifts her hips and her hot, tight pussy sinks down on my shaft. Her muscles contract around my cock, squeezing it like an iron fist, and I curl my toes with the way it feels. I’m too primed right now. I need her to move. Almost as if she read my mind, she starts to circle her hips, gliding up and down over me. I let her lead as she rises and falls on me, relishing how perfect she feels. When her muscles clench around me again, I lose the tether that was holding on my control.

Before she even knows what I’m doing, I flip her on her back. My hands grip hers over her head and my weight settles on her. I pull out and push back into her silken heat. Over and over, I drive into her. My mouth hovers over hers, not kissing, just barely touching. Her eyes are glazed over and her breath pants against my lips.

When her muscles start to tighten and her body begins to stiffen, I drive into her faster and harder. I need to see her come. I need to feel her come. I can’t get enough of her.

“Yes. Oh, Jacob. It feels so good. You’re going to make me come,” she says with desperation. I know exactly how she feels.

“Give it to me. Come on my cock, baby. Now,” I demand, grinding against her clit with each thrust. Her body stiffens, and my body stills as I begin to pour myself into her. My cock twitches and a long, guttural groan leaves my body. Her pussy convulses around my cock, drawing me in further and milking me dry. My brain is scrambled, and my body is slick with sweat.

“I love you,” I am eventually able to whisper against her lips, kissing her tenderly. I roll us onto our sides, still connected and wrap her up in my arms. “Thank you for coming back to me.”

“Thank you for being so patient. I know I’ve been all over the place, but it means everything to me that you waited so patiently for me to get it together.” Tears fill her eyes as she looks at me adoringly.

“I waited my whole life for you, Sunshine. Now that I’ve had a taste of your light, there is no way I’ll ever go back to the dark.” I slowly slide out of her, instantly missing our connection. I lay on my back while she snuggles into me.

“Now all I have to do is get through testifying at Cory’s trial. Then I can say this whole thing is behind me,” she whispers. My arms close tightly around her, knowing how much seeing him again worries her.

“I’ll be with you every step of the way. We’re in this together,” I reassure her while stroking her back lightly. We lay wrapped in each other’s warmth for a long time, in silence. It’s moments like these that I cherish the most with her.

“You were well worth the wait,” I whisper into her ear after her breathing evens out, and she falls asleep. And I realize that I mean that right down to my bones. Kara is my greatest reward. Having her here with me makes all the hardship, all the sadness, all the loneliness and all the regret worth it in the end. Just like my mom said it would. Guess she was right all along.

Epilogue

Kara

Weddings always make me nervous. And this one is no different. If anything, it is worse. I feel like I’m on stage with a spotlight shining on me. I shake my hands out to the side and silently beg my body to stop sweating so damn much. I shouldn’t be this freaked out. All I’m doing is walking down an aisle with a couple hundred people staring at me. No big deal. Right? Right.

Sophie hands me my bouquet, and I take a deep breath before smiling at her. She looks beautiful with her hair pulled up in an elegant twist with soft curls lining her face. Her satin gown is long and covered in lace. My heart squeezes knowing how happy her and Brad are.

When the music starts I take my place in line watching as Candace and Grace sprinkle flower petals on their way down the aisle. They are both so damn cute in their pale pink dresses, with ribbons in their hair. I love those girls as if they were my own blood. They have wormed their way into my heart for sure. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them.

As each member of the bridal party moves up, I take one step closer as well. And with each step, my trepidation grows. Once I meet the mouth of the church entrance, I force myself to stand up straight and breathe deeply, calming my trembling nerves.
I can do this. I can do this.
They don’t call it cold feet for nothing. In this moment, I can totally get why people panic and run out on their weddings.

When the wedding coordinator taps me on my arm, I put my right foot forward and slowly start my journey down the aisle. My eyes skirt over the crowd of guests and move to the front, where they fixate on the man I love.

A slow, wide smile spreads across his face and I can’t help but respond with one of my own. He grounds me. Walking towards him right now is as natural as breathing. I wouldn’t change anything about our lives together, even if I could. He is it for me. The answer to my prayers. A gift from God. And I plan to spend my days loving, honoring and cherishing him.

Once I arrive at the altar, I turn to my right, once again meeting Jacob’s heated gaze. I knew he’d appreciate my dress once he finally got to see it. The halter style gown pushes my breasts up, showing just the right amount of cleavage before it’s considered indecent. I chose a fitted style gown that hugs my hips and butt, knowing how much Jacob loves that particular part of my body.

When the wedding march starts playing, I pull my gaze from Jacob’s to study Brad. My favorite part about weddings is watching the look on the groom’s face when he sees his bride for the first time. The awe and affection I witness when Brad sees Sophie walking towards him, is nothing short of amazing. I love how much he loves her. It’s a true storybook romance.

As the happy couple exchange vows, I find myself staring into Jacob’s eyes. I would love nothing more than to be standing in front of our friends and families pledging our undying love for him. And in that moment, I know he feels the same way too. We are so in tuned with each other that we don’t need to say the words for the other to know it’s true. And that’s what I love most about him.

Once the minister pronounces Brad and Sophie man and wife, we all cheer and watch as they take their first steps as one. I glance over, anxiously waiting for my turn to meet up with Jacob in front of the altar and walk out with him. I haven’t seen him since first thing this morning, and I’m dying to get my hands on him again. He looks amazing in a tuxedo. It’s as if he was born to wear one.

When we finally do meet, he holds out his arm for me to take. Once I do, his other hand reaches up and wraps around mine on his arm. “I love you, Sunshine,” he whispers in my ear. And my heart bursts with love for this man.

***

“Want to get some fresh air?” Jacob asks softly, his mouth doing delicious things to my neck as we sway to Hunter Hayes’ song, “Wanted.”

“Mmm,” is all I can manage to get out when his tongue grazes my earlobe.

“Was that a yes?” He laughs lightly and straightens out his body to look at my face. “Come on.”

I tangle my fingers with his as he leads me out to the gardens behind the reception hall. It’s a magical world out here. I was checking the gardens out yesterday, when I came with Sophie to make sure everything was set for tonight. I could just imagine getting married back here. Nestle an arbor with flowers twined around it in the back corner, and it would be the most romantic and intimate setting to pledge your love to someone.

Jacob leads me down a path and around a corner. It’s quieter back here. Most of the wedding guests are lingering around the French doors leading out into the gardens. When we round the corner, my steps falter and my breath catches in my throat. The gazebo has been draped with hundreds of white Christmas lights. There are multi-colored flowers twined around the posts along with tulle falling like curtains all around the structure, making it feel like a fairyland.

Jacob pulls on my arm, leading me under the canopy of lights. My hands cover my mouth as I spin around and take it all in. When I look back at Jacob, my heart stops to see him on one knee in front of me. He reaches up and holds my left hand out, and my eyes fill with tears.

“Kara, three years ago I met the woman who would become my best friend… my everything. I miss you when I’m not with you. When I’m not with you, all I can do is think about you. When I think about you, I just want to be with you. And when I’m with you, it is like all of my dreams have come true. On my knees before you, I vow that no one will work harder to make you happy or cherish you more than me. Will you do me the honor of being my happily ever after?”

Oh my God. Tears roll down my cheeks as he lifts the most beautiful ring that I’ve ever seen to my hand. I watch in astonishment as he slips the antique engagement ring onto my finger. It has a raised pedestal and is encrusted with diamonds and milgrain. There is a huge emerald cut diamond in the center with two blue sapphire baguettes set on either side of it. It’s absolutely stunning.

“Yes. Of course, yes!” I cry out and launch myself in his arms.

As I sit in his lap and we kiss, the sounds of “Just Breathe,” by Pearl Jam gently fill the air. I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal. This is a story I look forward to telling our grandkids someday.

“The ring is gorgeous,” I whisper when we break the kiss. I look at the ring as it sparkles in the twinkle of the lights. Jacob reaches out and wipes my bottom lip with his thumb, making my insides curl with desire.

“It was my mothers,” he says with pride in his voice, mixed with a hint of regret. I know how hard it is for him, knowing she is missing all these milestones in his life.

“She’s watching, you know. She’s always with you. Never stop believing that, honey.”

“Thank you, Sunshine.” He smiles his gorgeous smile that makes me full of need for him. “She must be thrilled to know that you agreed to be mine then.” He winks at me before kissing me deeply.

As we sit wrapped up with each other, planning our future, I realize how lucky I am. Some people only get a once upon a time. Jacob is giving me his ever after.

The End

Acknowledgements

I have to start by thanking my biggest support system – my husband. Without you cooking, cleaning and listening to me whine, I’d never be able to do this. Thank you for believing in me and encouraging me to keep going when I so desperately want to give up.

A special thank you to my beta readers: Emily Kidman, Lisa Maurer, Debi Barnes, Elle Wilson, Alicia Clark, and Misty Fuller. I had a blast working with all of you. You made my heart burst with all your notes and comments. Anytime I felt like HEA was horrible, you were right there to slap me around and pick me back up! This book wouldn’t be what it is without you guys!

To all Jacob’s Naughty Girls… you know who you are! I love you guys! I look forward to our tweets and messages. You are the best bunch of girls I could have ever hoped to stalk me!

Emily Kidman – you are my own personal bulldog. You go to bat for me each and every time. You are always in my corner and fight for me at every turn. I consider myself lucky the day you decided to read Love Square. I heart you something fierce girl!

Debi Barnes – you have become one of my bestest girlfriends! Thank goodness you answered Katie’s message that day! I never would have made it without you! Let’s kick some butt on the next one… my little muse!

Elle Wilson – you are Le Fabulous and don’t EVER forget it! I can’t even begin to tell you how many times you had me crying, I was laughing so hard! You and Debi are stuck with me from now on. You’ll never shake me!

Lisa Maurer – you are such a goober! But that’s why I love you! Thank you for toning down Jacob’s douchiness and making me laugh!

Ari Karčić – thank you for letting me harass and stalk you to no end! You are a design genius and I love working with you!

A big thank you to Dom Zultanski for giving me the police lingo and making Jacob a little more real! Cohort 21 forever!

To the bloggers that continue to support me! You guys rock! A special thank you to The SubClub Books, Three Chicks and Their Books, and True Story Book Blog. You guys have worked tirelessly to help me and I am forever thankful.

To Bianca and Stacy – this is just the beginning girls. You are not only my biggest fans, but you have become good friends. Hope you enjoy Jacob as much as I did!

To my Mom and Dad – thank you for loving and supporting me. I am who I am thanks to your hard work and devotion. I love you both dearly!

Dad – hope you don’t mind me sharing Sunshine with Jacob and Kara.

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to the rest of my family, friends and co-workers for always being there to support me! Love you all!