Unraveling (48 page)

It wasn’t something that happened over night.

It took time.

A long time.

All I know, is eventually
, I stopped living because of my past, and started living for my future.

“Are you ready, Katy?” Karlie bounced into the room.

I took a deep breath.

Was I ready?

I was most definitely ready; there wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in my body as I strode forward.

I nodded and met her at the door.

“You look beautiful,” I smiled, fingering the purple fabric of her dress.

“Not as beautiful as you. You’re a stunning bride, Katy,” she led me out of the room and down the hallway.

Rollo met us halfway. “Ready, baby cakes?” he asked.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in all my life,” I answered without hesitation
.

“I can’t believe you asked me to give you away,” Rollo said, tearing up.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else to do it,” I kissed his cheek.

We stepped outside
, into the windy beach air.

Jared and I had both agreed that it was the perfect place for us to get married.

I could see the wedding party straight ahead of us, the aisle a sheet of white sand. Even at this distance, I could make out Jared, standing underneath an arch of flowers.

Karlie was my maid of honor, and Holden was Jared’s best man, so she gripped his elbow as they prepared to walk ahead of Rollo and me.

“Don’t forget to breathe,” she said, over her shoulder.

The music played and they started walking. Left, right, left right… or was it right, left, right left?

Oh, crap.

“Stop freaking out, baby cakes,” Rollo took my hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “This is your day. Remember it.”

Rollo and I started forward, stepping onto the aisle.

I
took in the faces of our guests staring back at me.

Dan and Patsy smiled proudly, tears shimmering in both of their eyes.
They were two of the greatest people I had ever had the pleasure to know. I was happy to finally become a member of their family.

I met
Piper’s eyes. She winked, giving me a thumb’s up.

Eva and Jason
were both smiling widely at me.

Kane grinned, proudly holding his daughter in his arms, while Lacey scolded him about something.

Jay was smiling, but adjusting his suit, clearly uncomfortable.

It was unconventional, but this was our family.

My gaze flicked away from the guests and met Jared’s. The smile on his face mirrored my own.

I couldn’t believe this was happening.

We stopped in front of Jared and the pastor.

“Who gives this woman
to this man?” The pastor asked.

“I do,” Rollo said, kissing my cheek and placing my hand in Jared’s. “And I couldn’t be giving her to a better man.”

Jared smiled at Rollo and took both of my hands in his.

I barely knew what the pastor was saying, my focus riveted on Jared.

My heart raced as the pastor spoke the vows.

This was really happening.

I was getting married.

This was it.

I would forever belong to Jared and him to me.

I took a deep breath to steady myself as I spoke those two simple words. “I do.”

“I do,” Jared said, love reflected in his eyes, and we slid our wedding bands over each other’s ring fingers.

I didn’t hear the pastor saying anything about kissing the bride, but he must have, because suddenly Jared’s hands were cupping my cheeks as his mouth consumed mine.

He pulled away, kissing my nose.

“You’re stuck with me now,” he grinned.

“I’m not stuck,” I beamed at him, “I’m right where I want to be.”

The End

Coming Summer 2013

Undeniable

Karlie and Holden’s story

Continue for a sneak peek of

Undeniable

And

One by Mari Arden

Acknowledgements

I don’t know where to begin… this book has been a roller coaster of emotions for me and has been my favorite, to date, to write. I have been so touched by Katy and Jared’s story and I hope ya’ll feel the same. I’ve wanted to write their story for almost a year now, and I’m so happy to finally have the chance.

To anyone who has experienced something similar to Katy or Jared, please, talk about it. Tell someone, don’t keep it bottled inside. It’s not your fault. You are
not
in the wrong. Let it go and find your Jared (or Katy), because you are worthy of everything.

To my family, thank you for being the most supportive family anyone could ask for. Ya’ll have supported my dreams and backed me the whole way. I know a lot of writer’s don’t have to familial support that I do, and know that I’m extremely thankful to each and every one of you. Not only do I want to thank you for your support, but I also want to thank you for putting up with me in “angry bear in a cave/
gotta finish this book” mode. I love you, guys!

This is totally irrelevant, but I’m thankful to finally have a REAL office!!!! And not a desk that sits in the family room! So, thank you my
MawMaw for giving up a guest bedroom so that I could have my cave… er, I meant office.

Thank you to my
bestest-est-est friend, Shelby for putting up with my frantic emails at all hours of the day and night. You’ve talked me down off the ledge more than once and managed to make me laugh and smile in the process! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to help me edit (and keep me sane)! I can never express in person, or in words, how much it truly means to me. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll just have to shower you in gifts of swag and signed books!

Thank you, Regina
Wamba, for being the best cover designer out there! I stalk my email waiting for emails from you, because I know they’re going to contain something flippin’ Ah-Mazing! You are so incredible at what you do and an amazing person! You always create the most gorgeous covers and I’m always looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

Thank you to Emily for being the best fan/friend a person could ask for. You’re the best!!!! I swear, one of these days we
will
meet in person!

Lastly, thank you to
all of my fans. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I have no idea what I would do without you guys! Thanks to you, I get to live my dream and that’s not something many people can do! I love getting emails and messages from you, they always put a smile on my face! I can’t express my love and gratitude enough!

Xoxo,

Micalea

NOTE
: THE SNEAK PEEK THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ FROM UNDENIABLE IS UNEDITED AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FINAL PRODUCT.

Prologue

Karlie

I watched from a darkened corner as Jared
and Katy danced on the beach. The sun had set, the stars twinkling above.

They were so happy, neither of them could stop smiling or playing with their wedding bands.

I smiled as I watched them, even though a part of me was dying inside.

Deep down, I knew I would never have the kind of love they did.

No man would look at me the way Jared looked at Katy.

I kicked my foot, dusting sand up around me.

I hated that I was pouting on my brother’s wedding day. The only emotion I should be feeling is happy. I shouldn’t be sulking.

Jared grinned and leaned down to whisper something in Katy’s ear. I saw her cheeks flame before she buried her face in his shoulder.

I took a deep breath.

I needed to get away from the cuteness.

I walked down the beach, the breeze ruffling the dress around my calves.

I found a spot far enough away from the wedding reception, that I didn’t hear the hoopla, but close enough that I could still see the lights and people moving.

I sat down, watching the water climb up the beach before receding away.

Goosebumps broke out across my skin from the cool wind blowing off the water.

I knew I needed to go back. If Jared noticed I was gone, he’d come looking for me, and he needed to spend tonight with his wife, not hunting me down.

With a sigh, I stood, wiping sand from dress, and started back.

I didn’t make it far when a dark figure came bumbling towards me.

I moved out of the man’s way so that he wouldn’t crash into me, but before I could make it past him, he fell.

“Oh my God! Are you okay?” I asked, dropping to my knees.

I got my first good look at the man’s face and gasped, “Holden? Are you okay?”

He groaned, squishing his eyes closed. “Goddammit, even when I’m asleep, I can’t fucking escape you.”

I flinched like he’d slapped me.

Before I could say something, he was speaking again.

“You’re all I fucking think about, Karlie. It’s so wrong, but I can’t stop. I want you.”

I sat there, stunned. I knew he was wasted, that much was obvious, but I never expected any of that.

“Jesus, Holden, even when you’re drunk you’re still full of shit,” I rolled my eyes.

He turned, throwing up in the sand.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the smell.

He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand before meeting my gaze with his glassy blue eyes.

“Fuck,” he scrubbed a hand over his face. “Normally when I’m dreaming you’re naked and actually like me,” he smirked.

My jaw dropped open.

“You’re so pretty,” he continued. “But I can’t have you,” he reached out and grabbed a piece of my long hair between his thumb and index finger. “Jared would fucking kill me,” he chuckled. His eyes dropped to my lips. “Do you have any idea how much I want to fuck you, right here on the beach?”

I swallowed, scooting back.

“What the fuck is wrong with me?” he fell onto his back, staring up at the sky. “You’re seventeen, damn it, and I’m twenty-fucking-five. I can’t be having these thoughts about you, but I want you so fucking bad. I guess I really am just as fucked up as my father. He’d be proud if he knew,” Holden chuckled, and then started to dry heave.

I sat there a moment longer, long enough to see that he’d passed out, and wouldn’t be saying any more.

I stood and looked down at him.

Someone sensible would be completely turned off by the fact that he was passed out drunk and by the things he had said.

But I wasn
’t sensible.

I looked down at the man, wishing I could crawl inside him and chase away his demons. I wanted to make him understand that he was a good person and worthy of every good thing in life.

But Holden was Holden.

He was stubborn, hot-tempered, and moody.

No one would ever be able to change him, or make him understand that there was goodness inside of him.

Of that, I was sure.

Coming Soon

Mari Arden

ONE

Jules Hendricks has had a string of bad "firsts."

Horrible first kiss. Painful first date. Terrifying first sexual experience. Worst first boyfriend.

It's taken her years but she's finally able to leave her controlling, possessive boyfriend for a new life and a fresh start as a freshmen at UW- Madison. For Jules this chance to be independent and rebuild her life is an opportunity she won't ever let anyone take from her again. She's determined to make something of herself
without
a man by her side, in front, behind or anywhere near her.

Reid "
Pax" Paxton is the star quarterback for the UW Badgers. His brush with death makes him understand how precious life is, and how important it is to take life by the horns, unafraid.

Jules knows he's dangerous for her. Dark hair. Smoldering eyes. Killer smile. That dimple. That body. Those arms.
Pax is everything she's trying to run away from, but she can't help coming back for more. Slowly he begins to show a life together can be more than just a dream.