Sweet Talk Boxed Set (Ten NEW Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research plus BONUS Novel) (12 page)

“Don’t do this to me. Liam. You’re a better man than this. Or maybe you aren’t.”

“What are you saying? You know very well how much I love you.”

***

Whitney shook her head, trying to clear it, and to deny his words at the same time. He couldn’t love her and feel ashamed of her.

“You…you were talking to your father. You said I was an embarrassment,” she finally said, horrified she had to admit she’d overheard the horrible conversation.

“What are you talking about, Whitney?”

“I heard you speaking with your father earlier about the fundraiser. You both said you didn’t want me there because I was an embarrassment and didn’t know how to behave in proper society.” It was so much humiliation.

“Oh, Whitney, I’m sorry you thought we were talking about you. That was about a different guest, and when you see her, you’ll realize why we said what we did. How could you ever think I was embarrassed by you? We’ve been together long enough for you to know how much you mean to me.” Liam looked deep into her eyes.

She stared at him, barely hoping to believe he really loved her.

He suddenly kneeled down and pulled out a little velvet box. Her entire body started to shake.

“Whitney, you’ve brought joy and hope to my heart. I can’t picture my life without you. Please take away my suffering and marry me. It would do me such honor.”

He was proposing to her on bended knee. She couldn’t speak at all now, so she nodded her head as her tears flowed. Liam jumped up and pulled her into his arms, lifting her high off the ground and locking his lips to hers. She fell into his kiss, thinking her day had gone from the worst of her life to the best.

A long while afterward, he pulled away and took her hand, then slipped the beautiful diamond on her finger. Its sparkle mesmerized her.

“I love you so much, Liam,” she told him.

He once again drew her into his arms and the magic continued as his lips caressed hers. Then he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his awaiting car. She would never again question their love.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“I can’t believe this day has arrived. It both seems to have taken forever and yet gotten here in the blink of an eye,” Liam told Brayden as he helped the boy get his tie on correctly.

“I love my aunt,” Brayden replied. “She’s been almost the only good thing in my life since I lost my mom and dad. I don’t think Ally or I could have made it through everything if she hadn’t been there to take care of us.”

“She’s one of a kind, Brayden. We’ll all be a family and take care of each other now.” Liam stopped fiddling with the tie and placed his hands on his nephew’s shoulders.

It tugged on Liam’s heart to see how much Brayden resembled his father. It made Liam miss his lost brother a great deal, yet it also comforted him to know that Vincent would live on forever through his children.

“We’ve got to get all this sappy stuff over with,” Brayden said, trying to pull himself together. “Today is a happy day. You’re marrying the most amazing woman on the planet.”

“I agree with you on that,” Liam told him. “Just know that if you ever need anything, I will always be here for you. I can’t replace your father, and I wouldn’t want to try, but I can be the best uncle you’ve ever had.”

“You’ve already proved that,” Brayden replied.

They gave each other a long hug before they finished getting ready for the wedding. It wouldn’t be long until Whitney arrived, and she probably wouldn’t be too happy if the groom and best man weren’t in place.

***

Whitney tried to catch her breath as she stared in the mirror. She couldn’t believe it was her wedding day. She never thought she’d feel joy again after losing her sister, but she allowed herself a moment of happiness.

The wedding had taken six months to plan. Nothing moved quickly when it came to a wedding with someone as notable as Liam Felton. She’d been through so many interviews that she felt as if a smile was permanently fixed on her face.

But Liam promised her things would slow down after the wedding. He was going to take her on a month long honeymoon to a private island, away from cameras and reporters. She could hardly wait.

She heard a flurry of activity outside her bedroom door, but none of that mattered for one moment in time. Getting ready for the wedding had taken her two days, and she missed Liam desperately. But knowing he’d be waiting at the end of the long aisle was the thought that would get her through.

There was a knock on the door and she let out the breath she hadn’t even know she’d been holding in. She wasn’t ready yet to face the crowd.

“Your carriage is waiting, Darcy said as she stepped through the door. “You truly are a vision.” The maid walked over and adjusted the already perfect bridal headpiece.

“I’m having trouble breathing,” Whitney admitted.

“It will be soon be over, and then you have the rest of your lives together,” the maid replied.

The once stern woman had become quite soft in the time Whitney had known her. The bride-to-be couldn’t help but throw her arms around the woman and give her a hug of gratitude.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Whitney told her with emotion crackling in her voice.

“Now, now, don’t start getting all emotional and ruining your makeup,” Darcy said, but the tears in her own voice took away any harshness from the words.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Whitney said.

The maid led her from the room, down the long staircase, and out the front doors. Sitting at the curb was a beautiful horse-drawn carriage, with a footman waiting outside.

It took several people to help her inside because of the long train of her wedding gown. She had been intimidated by all the silk and lace when she’d first seen the exquisite dress, but it floated on her, and she could barely feel the yards of fabric draping her body.

The bodice had thousands of sparkling beads, and the gown hugged her tightly down to her hips, but then cascaded down in a full skirt. Before the train had been attached she had twirled in a circle loving the layers of silk arcing out, reminding her of when she was a little girl and dreamed of being Cinderella. The buttons up the back of the dress had taken half an hour to be fastened up. Whitney smiled, thinking Liam would be frustrated when it came time for the gown to come off.

Her long hair was up in a chignon, with sparkling gems throughout. She knew she would glow when Liam took her in his arms on the dance floor.

The carriage started down the road, rounded a corner, and entered the small town square. She’d grown so attached to the beautiful small town, everyone kind and helpful.

After about half an hour’s ride, the carriage arrived at the beautiful old church. It was where Frederick had been married, and where Liam had been baptized. It was where her sister should have married Vincent. No, Whitney wouldn’t go there. No sadness allowed on her wedding day.

The door opened and Mr. Smotter was there to help her from the carriage. She took his hand and stepped onto the red carpet that was rolled out before her.

“You’re look enchanting, Ms. Steele,” Mr. Smotter told her, making her beam again.

“Thank you, Mr. Smotter,” she replied.

Attendants came forward and straightened her train so it was flowing on the carpet behind her.

“Aunt Whitney, you look like a princess,” Ally said as she came barreling through the doors, looking adorable in her matching dress, with her hair almost identical to Whitney’s.

“You’re so beautiful, Ally. I do love you, but you know that,” Whitney said, and she bent down to take her niece in her arms. She ignored the murmurs from the attendants, who were grumbling about having to redo her wedding train. She needed to hold her niece in her arms.

“I have a basket full of roses I’m going to drop on the floor. Uncle Liam says you’re so beautiful you should walk on rose petals every day of your life,” Ally said with a big smile.

“Your Uncle Liam is quite the romantic, isn’t he?” Whitney felt such warmth in her chest.

Ally just looked at her, confused. Whitney hugged her again and then let the attendants get them into position.

“It’s time,” someone said, and Whitney’s nerves spiked. No, no. She could get through this. It was only a couple more hours and then she’d get Liam all to herself. She took a large breath and began walking behind Ally, keeping her eyes forward.

She glided into the historic church, everything a blur, and she didn’t even see the people in the pews, though they were all standing, watching her every move. Once she approached the altar and caught her first site of Liam, it took everything in her not to rush forward into his arms.

Though he turned her legs to jelly and her stomach inside out, she also felt a calming deep down inside. This amazing man would be her husband in just a few moments.

They repeated their vows and lit a candle, unifying them as one. They were pronounced husband and wife.

Liam pulled her close and pressed his lips softly to hers, making her tremble when his tongue slipped out to rub against her bottom lip. It was her first kiss as Liam’s wife, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

They pulled apart when they heard some throats clearing, and Whitney felt her cheeks glow with embarrassment, but the kiss had been well worth it. As their guests called out their congratulations and goodwill, Frederick led them away.

The newlyweds rode back to the mansion. The reception there was an incredible fairy tale, and Whitney hoped it would never end. She laughed as she cut the cake with Liam, and he kissed away the extra frosting. Cameras snapped and reporters asked questions, but she floated along in her own perfect bubble.

When it came time for her first dance as a married woman, she glided into Liam’s arms. There was still too much material separating them, but soon they’d be alone.

Epilogue

Whitney walked toward the laughter coming from the back of the house. She knew Liam had to be up to no good with the kids. That was the only reason they’d be causing so much ruckus. She turned the corner and stepped through the patio doors. She didn’t know whether she should laugh or run for cover.

Brayden was home for the summer. He called home regularly, but loved college, where he was excelling. He’d already brought home a few girlfriends, which made his uncle proud of him but worried Whitney. He was only nineteen, far too young to get too serious.

Ally was thriving in high school. She was so beautiful, it took Whitney’s breath away. The girl reminded her so much of her sister, and Whitney dreaded the time that this child would also leave for college.

“Momma, we’re having a water fight!” Little Vincent came running up to her, soaking wet and with a big smile on his face. The boy seemed to grow a few more inches every day. He’d been conceived during the honeymoon, and the newlyweds both wanted to name their firstborn son after Liam’s brother. Frederick was delighted.

“I see that, Vincent. Are you having fun with your cousins?” she asked. He giggled and dashed away. She spotted Frederick sitting in what she assumed was a safety zone, since he was holding her two-year-old daughter.

“Good morning,” she said, kissing both him and her daughter on the cheek. “I’m surprised you’re not in the middle of all this.”

“Ah, my precious granddaughter wanted to cuddle here with me,” he said in answer.

Whitney wasn’t surprised he’d rather hold Jade. They’d been close since she was born. He’d greatly been looking forward to another granddaughter because he and Ally were so close.

“Has Liam given you the good news yet?” she asked Frederick.

He just stared at her.

“I was just getting around to that when my nephew decided to tag me with a water balloon. Of course, I had to pay him back first,” Liam said as he walked up and kissed her. Even after all these years together, he had the ability to take her breath away.

“Well, don’t keep an old man waiting,” Frederick demanded. He knew well that once those two got distracted, the rest of the world would fade away.

“Sorry, Dad. We’re going to have another baby,” Liam said. He placed his hand against Whitney’s still-flat stomach and beamed with pride.

“Oh, that’s wonderful news, indeed,” Frederick told him. “There is so much joy these days, and it just keeps getting better.” He got up from his seat and hugged them both.

Whitney looked at the patio, filled with her family, and counted her blessings. Dreams really could come true.

About Melody Anne

NYT
and
USA Today
Best Selling Author Melody Anne has written the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, Baby for the Billionaire, and she also has a young adult series: Midnight Fire, Midnight Moon and Midnight Storm – Rise of the Dark Angel.

Originally from the picturesque coastal town of Florence, Oregon, Melody often takes her readers to small town locations, not too unlike the small town she grew up in. As an aspiring author she wrote for years, until publishing in 2011 her first three books, which would later become the wildly successful Billionaire Bachelors series.

Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in business, and having left behind the airline industry with all of its business travelers, she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen and the corporate world.

When Melody isn’t writing, she cultivates strong bonds with her family and relatives and enjoys time spent with them as well as her friends, and beloved pets. Living in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, the Willamette Valley, Melody continues to be a country girl at heart. She loves the small town and strong community she lives in and is involved in many community projects.

Find Melody here:

http://www.melodyanne.com/

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