Not Yet (40 page)

I squealed and began kissing his lips over and over
again. “Yes, yes, and yes! I love you, Land! Of course I will marry
you.”

He moved me gently next to him and got down on one
knee on the floor. He brought the small, black velvet box out of
his shorts pocket and opened it slowly. “I almost forgot the most
important part.” He smiled beautifully at me as tears rolled down
my face.

Landon had chosen a gorgeous platinum ring with three
round stones in a row. “This first one celebrates our past, the
middle signifies our incredible present, and the last represents
the future ahead of us. I can’t imagine anyone in the world I would
rather share this life with.” Landon spoke gently as he slid the
ring on my finger.

I stood up and walked around the room with my left
hand extended. “Emma Washington. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?”

Landon watched me with amusement until I turned
toward him with a different expression. I watched the change cross
over his face as I slowly unwrapped the tie on my robe and let the
robe fall to the ground.

“It just occurred to me that you are now a fully
certified teacher.” I walked slowly over to the bed where Landon’s
eyes moved carefully over the length of my now very naked body.

“I’m really in need of some tutoring. I’ve fallen
pretty far behind. Can you help me?”

Landon watched as I knelt down and slid off his
shorts and boxers, before climbing onto his lap.

“Oh, I can teach you a few things, Ms. Harris—soon to
be Mrs.—well, really Dr.—Washington.”

“Is that so?” I sucked gently on Landon’s lower lip,
before biting it and pulling it toward me. I opened my mouth, my
tongue hungrily seeking his. He reached between my legs, touching,
stroking me until I was ready to come apart. Then, when he was sure
I was ready for him, he placed his hands on my hips and guided me
down onto him as we moved together.

We didn’t break our kiss as Landon lifted me up and
pressed me down hard over and over until I felt the orgasm wash
over me.

We stared into one another’s eyes, watching the look
of pleasure on each other’s face. He gripped me tightly, releasing
into me with a strong shudder, and we stayed entwined until our
breathing became steady again.

Lying in bed, just like we had after the first night
we made love, Landon and I remained quiet. We kissed softly,
touched gently, and enjoyed the feeling that comes after making
love with the right person. Completion.

Landon taught me so many things over the past five
years. He taught me to be patient, to wait for what is really
important, to trust that he never would leave me, and to believe in
love.

And I did. I believed in love. I saw it in others
around me and I felt it in my heart each day. More importantly, I
believed in us. Landon told people how much he learned from me, but
I don’t think I taught him anything, really. I may have been the
teacher, but I was the one who got the real education.

***

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading
Not Yet
.

If you enjoyed Emma and Landon’s story,
please leave a review!

Reviews mean so much to a new author.

***

WRITING THE FIRST, very rough copy, of a story
that has developed in your imagination is just the very first baby
step on the long journey to publication.

The biggest thanks go to my amazing husband, Joe, who
is my first editor and beta reader. His insight and comments made
this book so much stronger.

Thank you to my mom, my second beta reader, and
supporter of my stories from the time they began in elementary
school. She has always loved everything I’ve written- even the
steamy scenes.

My girlfriends and beta readers- Bekky, Kelly, Jen,
Pam, Payton, Tara and Teri- how can I say thank you enough? Some of
you asked me tough questions and some just gave support, but you
all listened and encouraged me and lifted me up when I needed it.
Thank you!

And to my writing group, Tina, Danielle, and
Christine- thanks for answering questions, reading drafts, and
encouraging me through the ups and downs that go along with writing
a book. A special thank you to Christine Manzari- the best beta
reader ever! The time and care you put into the feedback of my book
still amazes me. You are a truly unselfish artist- you are in it
for the love of books, and I’ll never forget your help. Everyone
needs to read her books- DEVIATION and CONVICTION- you will love
them!

Thanks to Tara from Manuscript Critique Service for
my line edit, Regina Wamba of MaeIDesign.com for the gorgeous book
cover, and Julie from JT Formatting for getting me all ready to
publish. I appreciate all of your work so very much. Also, I’d like
to thank Autumn and Andrea from Wordsmith Publicity for agreeing to
take me on and plan my cover reveal and book tour.

Finally, to anyone reading this right now- you have
made my life-long dream come true. I am a writer, thanks to
you.

***

LAURA WARD LIVES in Maryland with her loud and
very loving three children and husband. She married her college
sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given
her through all their years together, and especially toward her
goal of writing books. When not changing diapers, driving to
lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing
or reading romance novels.

Contact Laura at:

www.facebook.com/LauraWardAuthor

Twitter — @laurarosnerward

Instagram — _Laura_Ward

Email — [email protected]

***