Committed (Book 2) (30 Days) (14 page)

Our evening at the hotel is spent ordering room service, making love and laying in each other’s arms talking about all the things we want the future to hold. Tears fall freely at the overwhelming satisfaction I feel throughout the night and each time Colin sweetly kisses them away. The world holds endless surprises but knowing Colin is mine makes the thought of them, good or bad, manageable.

After waking and texting Jenna the good news Colin and spend the rest of our trip in blissful happiness experiencing gorgeous sites, foods and cultures together. The trip is absolutely the highlight of my life and it’s all because of the amazing man who wants to spend forever with me. Every time my ring sparkles and catches my eye my heart swells with love and contentment.

When we finally arrive back on United States soil we have quite the welcoming committee waiting for us at the airport. Jenna, Ben, John and Sarah stand at the baggage claim grinning like fools as we walk towards them. Of course Jenna is the first to barrel towards me, enveloping me in a hug that cuts off all oxygen and squealing like a maniac. Prying myself out of her arms I laugh and think how lucky I am to have her in my life.

“We have
so
much to plan!” She shrieks with excitement.

THREE YEAR’S LATER

I place the framed photo booth pictures back on the mantle with the others and smile. Everything’s dusted and orderly now. The mantle is crowded with pictures from the last three years but my favorites are from the wedding. Colin stole my breath away in his tuxedo as his hazel eyes devoured mine during my decent down the aisle to him. Colin’s dad had given me away and I was happy he was willing to do it. The wedding had been intimate, a small crowd of close friends and Colin’s family. I couldn’t have planned it better, Jenna did an amazing job. It was at sunset on the beach. Everything twinkled in the evening light. It was one of the most romantic nights of my life. Everything was dazzling.

We’ve settled happily into our beach house. The shop is sustaining itself and starting to turn a good profit now and the gym has picked up business with the help of Jenna’s marketing efforts-not that she works out there. I dust off my favorite picture of Jenny and carefully set it back in its place. Mick Tyson was found in a ditch, dead, two weeks after our return from Europe. Not having any way to find the answers surrounding Jenny’s death had been hard for me to move past but I’d managed over time. Her gorgeous face beams at me from the frame and I can’t help but smile. She’d be so proud of my life.

The movement catches my eye and I instantly spread my palm across my ever growing belly. “Colin! She’s kicking!” I call. Dimple bared, he comes trotting into the living room. Wrapping his arms around my midsection I guide his hands to wear our baby girl kicked and wait.

“Was that her?!” He asks excitedly.

“Mmmhmm.” I rest my head back on his shoulder and he kisses my temple.

“That’s so cool. I can’t wait to meet her.” He grins.

“Me either. Not too much longer now.”

“Three months feels like forever mama.” He walks us backwards to the couch and sits me in his lap. I love it when he calls me mama.

“She better stay true to her due date because I am not willing to miss Jenna and Ben’s wedding.” I tease as he rubs my belly.

“Don’t listen to her, she’s willing to do whatever for you little girl.” He speaks into my popped bellybutton. I chuckle and our baby girl kicks again making my belly undulate. Colin stares in awe. He can’t get enough of all the changes I’m going through.

“Papa! I cann reach!” Jenny pouts and storms into the living room.

“Settle down baby, I’ll be right there. Do you want to feel your little sister kick?” He asks our beautiful two year old. Jenny has my green eyes and his brown hair and it’s a stunning combination.

“I don car bout baby.” She complains. Laughing I scoop her up and set her on my limited lap.

“You will.” I tell her.

“What the hell guys?! Where is everyone? Let’s get this party started!” Ben hollers through the house as the door slams behind him. As he rounds the corner entering the living room he stops and shouts over his shoulder. “Awww Jenna they’re having another
family
moment.”

Colin laughs loud and hard making me bounce slightly and sending Jenny flying off my lap. She lands on her butt, looks up at us wide eyed and starts giggling. “ Do it again mama!” Colin starts laughing harder as Ben and I join in. Pulling herself up she trots over to Jenna. “Did ya see me fly Aunie?”

“I sure did baby girl.” Jenna chuckles and scoops her up into a big hug.

The door slams again signaling John and Sarah’s entrance. I scoot off Colin’s lap to stand but before I’m able Colin crashes his lips to mine in a feverish kiss. I can’t help but melt into it. He still makes my stomach flutter. He still makes me feel beautiful every day. He is an amazing husband, attentive, loving, tender, encouraging and more and the same kind of father. Breaking the kiss his eyes are cloudy and he looks lost in his own world. I snicker and turn to face our friends.

“Who’s ready for Thursday night game night?” I clap my hands together. Four heads nod and head to the kitchen to secure drinks and to bring the appetizer’s out.

Colin snags my hand as we head to Jenny’s room to put her to bed and brushes his thumb tenderly across my knuckles. “I’m still falling in love with you Mrs. Wilder.” He kisses my temple and scoops Jenny up into his arms making her squeal with delight. I give her a kiss and hug before retreating to the door way of her room.

There is no greater sight than watching my husband reading to our daughter. He’s forever committed to me, to us, and I couldn’t possibly be any luckier. With an ear to ear grin I turn and head down stairs for a fabulous night with the most important people in my life. Oh who am I kidding, there’s a baking sheet in the oven with Colin-made Danishes waiting for me.

The End.

About the K. Larsen:

I have a weird addiction to goat cheese and chocolate martinis, not together though.
I adore my dog. He is the most awesome snuggledoo in the history of dogs. Seriously.
I hate dirty dishes.
I like sarcasm and funny people.
I should probably be running right now... because of the goat cheese....and stuff.

I am an avid reader, coffee drinker, and chocolate eater who loves writing.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6871141.K_Larsen/blog

Find her on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6871141.K_Larsen
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https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KLarsen

On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/K.LarsenAuthor/info

Read on for an excerpt from Tug of War.

Excerpt from Tug of War

Bars & Barf

Eventually I’ll get to the bar, hopefully before last call but at this rate my chances are looking slim. I should have done what Marg did and ordered two drinks knowing how busy the club would be on a Friday night but I didn't. I’m sweaty from dancing with my girls in the throng of people crowding the dance floor. Without warning my hair is swept off my back and over my left shoulder. Hanging to my shoulder blades, it’s hot and heavy, the movement creates a breeze on my neck that feels good but who the hell just touched me so intimately? I stiffen as warm breath blows over my shoulder.
“Could I interest you in a drink?” Comes a deep rough voice in my ear. I swing around shooting steel daggers and find myself eye level with a broad chest. Tilting my head back I look up to an extremely handsome, tan chiseled face.
“Excuse me?” I snap. He smirks. My snarky inner bitch already hates him.
“I’d like to buy you a drink.” His deep vibrato sends chills down my spine which surprises me.
“Oh?” I quirk a well groomed eyebrow at him.
“Yes, what would you like?” I want to smack the smug look off his face. I hate arrogance and entitlement and this dude oozes it.
“I’d like to not be manhandled by a stranger.” I snark.
“My apologies, but I’ve been watching you and I couldn't resist.” He steps closer to me.
“Creepy.” I quip taking a step back. Mystery man reaches out grabbing me at the elbow.
“Let me get you a drink.” He pleads a little more sternly.
“Why?”
“Why not?” He questions looking amused.
“Persistent aren’t we?” My voice is laced with disdain.
“Yes. I’ve been called that.” He grins. His eyes lighten slightly with his smile. He really is attractive.
“Give me one good reason.” I offer sarcastically. The corners of his mouth drop and his brows furrow.
“You intrigue me.” He says finally.
“That’s hardly a
good
reason Mr...” I snort and wait. His lips twitch.
“Mr. Napoli and I’d like to get to know you Ms...” He counters.
“Lord. Ms. Lord. You don’t know me but I can assure you I’m stunningly average in all areas of life.” I inform him.
“I beg to differ.” He argues. Man this guy is relentless and totally hot for himself. Anyone who
thinks
so much of themselves must be a catch, I snicker to myself sarcastically. Stepping in close to him I place my hand on his hard chest and smooth his tie with my hand. Who wears a suit to a club anyways? His grins at the contact and his eyes go dark as if I’m his prey. I fist the tie and tug gently until his tall firm frame bends to my five foot four level and bring my mouth to his ear. “You can differ all you like but only I know the truth.” I say seductively. Releasing his tie I turn on my boot heel and stalk back to my girls fuming about that stupidly hot, I’m so full of myself I could get any girl and I will jerk. I plop down in my chair.
“Remind me why they don’t offer clubs that only let women in?” I ask sarcastically. Two dolled up ladies stare at me wide eyed. “Uh...what?” I ask noticing their faces.
“Do you have any idea who you were talking too?! What did he want?!” Marg screeches.
“He wanted to buy me a drink and who the hell is he?” I bark back.
“Clara... do you live under a rock? That’s
Dominic Napoli
, real estate mogul, one of Boston’s ten most successful businessmen under forty. Didn’t you read the article I emailed you?” Amanda looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I did read it, but I read it because she wrote it, I didn’t really absorb or pay attention to the photos or why those guys were worth reading about. She knows I could give a crap about rich men.
“I guess I skipped his bio?” I shrug still not sure why it’s
that
awesome that I met him. Sure he’s successful but I don’t care about money and prestige. I’m not that into appearances and mingling with the
right
people. Been there, done that.
“Ladies. Mr. Napoli sends his regards. Please enjoy the wine.” The bartender interrupts us placing a very expensive bottle of white wine on the table with three glasses.
“Man what a jerk!” I cry in frustration.
“Shut up Clara.” Amanda hisses horrified. Marg ignores me and dives into the wine.
“I told him I didn't want a drink from him and what does he do? He does it anyways. This,” I gesture to the wine, “is sneaky and backhanded. Now it doesn't matter if I said no, he’s made it look all good natured. Pompous ass.” I ramble my irritation.
“Shut up and drink.” Marg laughs.
“Fine, but it’s consumption under protest.” I state and relax a little. What I really want to do is strut over to that cocky jerk and hand him his bottle of wine back while giving him a piece of my mind. What part of, no means no, is so hard to understand? Icona Pop’s
I Love It
starts. This is my jam. I flat out love this song and I immediately jump up, snag the bottle of wine, leaving both girls screeching and hit the dance floor. Shrugging at each other Amanda and Marg follow and the three of us jump around shouting the words to the song and shaking our hips.
Taking a pull directly from the wine bottle I notice Mr. Napoli watching from the VIP section. He’s really quite handsome, it’s a shame really. If he’d been that handsome and an average Joe maybe he would have gotten lucky tonight but my pure hatred of wealth and all that comes with it makes him off limits. I toss my head back and take another pull before passing the bottle to Marg as
Wild Ones
starts and I lose myself in the music. Three songs later Amanda tugs on my arm wanting my attention.
“What’s up?” I shout above the music.
“Marg and I want to hit up The Harp.”
“‘K, let’s go.” I shout back and follow them to our table to collect our things. The wine bottle passes between the three of us again polishing it off. I have a serious buzz at this point which was my entire goal for tonight and tomorrow night. I’m only in town for the weekend and wanted a wild girl’s weekend with my two favorite ladies. I haven’t seen them in forever but work brought me back to Beantown finally so I’d emailed them both seeing if they were up for a couple nights on the town with me.
“How’s Alliecat and Sawyer?” Marg asks.
“Allie’s amazing per usual and Sawyer,” I sigh. “Sawyer is the only reason I was able to come. I don't know what I’d do without him.” Amanda and Marg shoot loving looks at me before we head into The Harp.
“God! I missed this place.” I squeal. “Is
The Zoo
playing tonight?” Marg and Amanda both double over laughing at me. “What?”
“Do you really think eight years later they’re still playing here?” Amanda chuckles.
“Oh. Right. Guess it’s been a while.”
“Yeah, awhile is an understatement Clara.” Marg quips at me.
“I know, I know, but you guys know why I had to leave.” I throw my hands up in defense.
“Yes, we do and we understand. We’re just happy to have you for the weekend babe!” I get double teamed by my girls in a giant hug and can't help but giggle with them. It really has been too long. I’ve missed out on a lot in their lives. We email, text and call but it’s not the same really and lord knows they’ve missed out on my life. It is was it is though and I did what I had to do and never looked back and I’m happy with my life now.
Cramming into a table for two we order three beers and wait for the band to come on. “So how was the exhibition today?” Marg asks.
“It went really well. I mingled with some other people in the Virginia area too. Hopefully it will drum up some new business.”
“Is the shop turning a profit that you can live on now?” Amanda inquires.
“Yeah, it has been for a while. We’re really starting to get busy. Sawyer and I might need to bring in a third artist. That was the other part of coming to the show today, I wanted to scope out some talent.”
“Well it sounds like things have really come together for you. I’m happy.” Marg smiles approvingly. It’s nice to know they support me. Eight years ago, hell five years ago if you’d asked me if I would be running my own shop and making money doing it I would have laughed in your face.
“Thanks.” I smile.
“Any of you ladies care to dance?” A stocky guy with a bad teenage mustache asks. I snort and shake my head no while Marg looks like she wants to hide under the table and never look at his face again and Amanda, oh boy, she looks like she’s ready to give the guy hell. “You have balls I’ll give you that. What are you? Eighteen? Twenty? How’d you get in here? The street lights are on its past your bedtime.” She flicks her wrist shooing him away as I burst into laughter. “What? We’re cougars but we still have standards.” She giggles.
“Cougars? Seriously since when does thirty two put you in cougar territory?” I chortle.
“When the
boys
hitting on you are a decade or more younger than you. That’s when.” Marg finally lifts her eyes. “Is creepy mustache gone?” We all double over with laughter as we sip our beers.
As the band steps onto the stage and starts to play their nineties cover songs I think back to when this was the norm in my life. College had been a blast and these two girls had been my partners in crime for four years and change. I really did miss them and having time to just be crazy and wild and free. Marg tugs me to my feet and stumbles a little. I’m really glad I wore my cowboy boots instead of heels. Sure I probably stick out like a sore thumb but I’m comfortable, can dance and will still be able to walk home without my feet feeling like they are bleeding.
Hey Jealousy
ends and
Laid
starts and I can’t help but be swept away in the moment. I feel carefree and eighteen again.
Mid song I’m singing my heart out jumping around wildly having the best time ever when two large hands grip my waist. His fingers splay wide holding me firmly. I feel a tingle course through my body at the contact. My hormones go into overdrive at the long forgotten feeling of being held by a man like this. I stiffen and stand stalk still enjoying the sensation before realizing that I have no male counterpart with me.
Don’t Stop Believing
starts just as I whip around to face my grabby fan. “We meet again Ms. Lord.” Dominic says coyly. His hands are scorching my sides as I stare up into his dark eyes. He’s so attractive. His black hair is perfectly coiffed and his suit looks like it was tailor made just for him. I’m sure I’m staring like an idiot but the beer has officially sent me one sheet past three to the wind and I can’t form a witty retort. Instead I stare dreamily, like a reject, at the chiseled face before me. I can’t be sure but I think I even sigh. He smiles widely at me and I blink.
Gathering myself I pull out of his grip and in my drunken stupor stumble backwards landing on the stage. The lead singer takes this as an invitation and hauls me to my feet. Figuring what the hell I rip the mic from his hands and start belting out the song. “
Working hard to get my fill, everybody wants a thrill. Payin' anything to roll the dice, just one more time. Some will win, some will lose. Some were born to sing the blues. Oh, the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on...”
The mic is stolen away as the chorus begins and he holds the mic out to the crowd. Amanda and Marg yank me down from the stage barely containing their laughter at my show.
“What the hell Clara?!” Amanda can barely contain her laughter.
“Yeah
Clara
, I had no idea you were a rock star.” A booming deep voice calls out. Marg and Amanda spin around and eye Mr. Dominic Napoli as he reaches out, snags my hand and pulls me to him. I’m stupefied. He’s warm and hard and he smells so flippin’ good. Instead of moving away I stand molded to him.
“Mr. Napppppoli.” I slur and silently will myself to shut up. “What a pleasuuure.” Amanda kicks my shin hearing my tone but I ignore her. I know she’s trying to save me from the verbal diarrhea attack that’s about to happen. “Although you are apparently the perfect male specimen.” I drag my eyes from his face down to his crotch and back up lewdly. “I really would appreciate it if you could keep your hands to yourself. Perv.” I can’t help it. I know it’s not the right time but I am really freaking hilarious and I bust out laughing at myself.
He cocks his head to the side and openly stares at me with curiosity. There’s something about him that makes my skin crawl and tingle simultaneously. A war starts between my brain and my hormones. The rational side of me says run away, you hate his kind, but my libido screams, it’s been
months
, he wants you, have a wild night-take him.
“Ladies, could I convince you to let me give you all a ride home?” He looks back and forth between Marg and Amanda who stand there stunned stupid looking like enamored school girls. I grunt and give this Dominic character a little shove out of my personal space. “We’re not leaving now.” I growl. I hate being told what to do. It’s a problem.
“I think you’ve had enough.” He clips.
“Excuse me? What are you, my father?” I bite out.
“I think you’ll have a terrible hangover if you don’t quit now.” His arrogance is really, really irritating me.
“Marg, Manda. We’re leaving. I hate him.” I spout, poke him in the chest and yank my bag from Amanda’s hand while making a beeline for the door. The cool night air hits me like a brick in the face and suddenly instead of feeling refreshed, I feel tired and sick. I lean against the building and hang my head trying to get the spinning to stop.
“Hey, you alright?” Marg asks rubbing my arm softly.
“I don’t feel well.” I moan pathetically.
“NO puking in the taxi.” Amanda laughs. She’s teasing, I never puke. Well not never but it’s a rare occurrence and I usually can hold it together until there’s a clean bathroom insight.
“Hey! I’m no PJ, there will be no puke and throw from this gal.” I point at myself and attempt to laugh.
“Oh my god! Do you remember that?” Amanda doubles over with laughter at the memory. Our friend PJ was disgustingly wasted, interestingly enough at the bar we just left, and he threw up in his hand, cupped it, then threw it behind him. He repeated the act until he was finished throwing up. Seriously. Amanda and I had caught him in the act as he stood in the corner discreetly covering his mouth then whipping it behind him into the corner. “That was the most disgusting yet hilarious thing I’ve ever witnessed.” I chuckle. A wave of nausea rolls over me stopping my laugh. I groan and turn away from my friends while I try to fight the impending doom lurking in my stomach.
“Ew. Are you going to be ok?” Marg asks.
“Mmhmm... why don’t you head home. I'll text you tomorrow for brunch.” I mutter between deep breaths.