Edge (25 page)

Kyler and I were putting the finishing touches on the breakfast tray we were bringing Dell, who was still asleep. She and I had started with separate rooms here, but Kyler had climbed into bed with us in the middle of the night once and thought nothing of me being in her room.

I’d been at the beach with him one afternoon when we’d first arrived here and he’d confided in me that he thought I should kiss his mom. He said no one had ever kissed her the way people kissed in movies.

And I’d done it in a theatrical way when Dell joined us at the beach, sweeping her into my arms and giving her a movie-worthy kiss, her hair blowing in the breeze behind her. She’d been surprised, but had smiled when she heard Kyler clapping.

“She likes pink flowers,” he said, dropping a tropical bloom into a thin vase.

“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “And the cream and sugar are there for the coffee?”

“Yep.” He grinned and nodded eagerly. In a short time, this kid had become my new sidekick. I was crazy about him.

How to wake Dell up wasn’t an issue, because Kyler bounded into bed with her, demanding a hug. She’d been up earlier, but after a late night of lovemaking, had brushed her teeth, combed through her hair and then crawled right back into bed. I would’ve done the same if I wasn’t so excited about this breakfast.

“Oh.” She saw the breakfast tray and sat up, smiling. “Thanks, you guys. This looks amazing.”

“Do you want coffee?” Kyler asked.

“Always.”

I set the tray down next to her, kissed the top of her head and sat down on the bed with them.

Dell picked up the mug of coffee and sipped. “Mmm. What are we doing today, boys?”

“Don’t you want sugar in it?” Kyler prodded. “You always put sugar in it.”

“That sounds good.” She set the mug down and opened the tiny sugar bowl we’d made for the tray. When she went to dip a spoon in it, she dropped the utensil instead, her eyes flying up to meet mine.

She’d seen the diamond ring sparkling on top of the sugar bowl. Tears pooled in her beautiful green eyes.

“Luke …”

Kyler was bouncing with excitement. He looked back and forth between us.

“Adella Price,” I said softly, “And Kyler Price. I love you guys so much. I can’t imagine my world without you, and I want us to be a family. So will you guys marry me?”

“Yes!” Kyler cried. “I will!”

Dell and I both laughed and her tears spilled over. “I will, too.” She threw her arms around my neck and I hugged her close, happiness swelling inside of me. “Luke … I love you.”

Kyler joined in the hug, still bouncing with happiness.

“Does this mean you’re my dad now?” he asked. Dell hadn’t heard from John since that night in the locker room, and she didn’t even know where he was these days.

“You can call me whatever you want, Ky. I love you no matter what that is.”

“Can we go see Melody now?” He bounded down from the bed. “I want to tell her you’re enraged.”

“
Engaged
, sweets,” Dell said, laughing. I slipped the ring on her finger and she beamed at me.

Ryke had rented a beach house about 20 minutes from ours, and we got together with them most days. He was considering buying a place here, too.

“Do they know?” Dell asked me, smiling and admiring the large round solitaire on her finger.

“Nope. Only me and Kyler knew.” I ran a hand through my hair and grinned. “Well, and your dad.”

“You told my dad? You brave, brave man.”

“I asked him for permission to propose.”

Within a couple seconds, she was crying again. “Oh, Luke. I don’t even know what to say. That must’ve meant so much to him.”

“We had a good talk. He’s really happy for us.”

“When should we get married?” she asked, sliding her arms around my waist and looking up at me happily.

“I was thinking this afternoon.”

She laughed, making her eyes shine. “We may need a little longer than that.”

“Whenever you want, as long as it’s soon,” I said, leaning down to kiss her. “I’m ready.”

Since the day I met her, I’d never been the same. Dell had helped me do so much more than get my game back. I’d found a life and a purpose I never would’ve had without her. And I couldn’t wait to make this new life official.

Thanks so much for reading Edge. If you’re here, you’ve probably been with me through the entire Fire on Ice series so far, and I’m so grateful for your support. I truly couldn’t do this without my amazing readers and book bloggers who spread the word. If you enjoyed the book, I’d really appreciate a review at the retailer you purchased the book from.

I think there’s one more book to come in this series, and it’ll be Niko’s story. I’m waiting to see if readers are interested, and if they are, I will write it. I work for my readers, so you guys make the decisions on what I should write next.

If you don’t already, friend me/like me on FB! Let’s chat about books and hot hockey players.

I loved writing this book, mostly because of my cheering section of readers who were waiting for it. Nothing feels better than writing a book I know my readers want. But I couldn’t have done it without the help of a few people.

Dense Milano Sprung – thank you. You know for what, and I’m so incredibly grateful. You’re one of the kindest, funniest, most generous, and perfectly candid people I’ve had the good fortune of knowing. Keith’s light truly shines through you.

Beta readers Carrie Jones, Pam Million, Michelle Tan and Brenda Wright shaped this book into a much better finished story. I’m deeply grateful for every one of you ladies, who generously give me fast, thorough, spot-on feedback when I need it. Thank you so much for reading a story that needed a little polishing so the rest of my readers could get the most sparkly version I can tell.

Editor Gayle Evers helped me plot and outline this book in a way that had me excited before I even started writing. Gayle, thank you for your patience and guidance, and for dragging me kicking and screaming into the world of outliners.

My friends Jane Koscielak, Katrina Kirkpatrick and Karla Sorensen gave me the encouragement that only fellow authors can. During late nights and long weeks, you were there, cheering me on and believing in me. Mad love, ladies. Your friendship means so much.

My friends at Random Moon Books also gave me support, advice and encouragement that got me to the finish line. I’m so grateful for every one of these women, and for the way they share their gifts with me so generously.

The women of Rothert’s Readers remind me on a daily basis why I do this – because I have the best readers in the world. Each one of you is so special to me. Thank you for believing in my work. With the number of books you have to choose from, the fact that you choose mine means a great deal.

I always include my cover designer Steven Novak on my copyright page, but I want to take this chance to say that he’s an integral part of what I do. Steven is such a professional. Because he is so amazing at what he does, I can focus my energy on writing. I can’t recommend him highly enough.

As always, the greatest thanks go to my husband Mark and our three boys. To write the ups and downs of love, you have to experience them, and our family is one amazing up for me. I love you all to the moon and back.

Want to read Layla’s story?

Once again, 26-year-old Layla Carson has the attention of a man eager to satisfy her. Ben Montrose, the hot, confident cop who gets off on frustrating her, is eager to show her just how arresting he can be. But as a reforming sexaholic, Layla’s sworn off casual hookups, and doesn’t miss the days of her early 20s –much.

Ben’s caught off-guard when the sexy, outspoken attorney turns him on and then turns him down. But the confident former Marine knows he can handle the simple seduction of a beautiful woman. He finds Layla’s weak spot – competition, which he happens to share – and challenges her to a game that could make them, or destroy them.

As they compete to crown the master of seduction, Ben and Layla discover there’s more to their game than power and foreplay. But as the stakes go up, they realize the game has changed, and they both stand to lose more than they bargained for.

Check out
Now and Again
at Amazon.com.

And Coming March 2014
- Now and Forever

Now that Emma and Layla Carson have landed the men of their dreams, it’s time for happily ever after. Or is it?

Emma’s with childhood crush Cole Marlowe, and Layla finally found Mr. Right in alpha cop Ben Montrose. But both couples face unexpected obstacles that will test their relationships. Layla and Emma find solace in each other as battle lines are drawn, and they rediscover the close friendship they lost over Cole.

It’s all on the line as the sisters struggle to find the answer to the most difficult question they’ve ever faced: is the love they have now meant to last forever?

Jocale
- (Dystopian New Adult Romance)
Cora Horton was born to serve Eden. She’s one of hundreds of women created for just that purpose. And after four years of grueling training as one of the elite Jocale soldiers, she intends to serve Eden well when she joins the military of the parent community of Meridian. But a new assignment near the end of her training changes everything for Cora. She shifts from a warrior gifted with empathic abilities to the promised wife of a Meridian general overnight, robbing her of all she has worked for.

Silas Abernathy is the Commissioner of the Alliance Community of Spero, and the leader of the hunting party that rescues Cora after she makes a daring escape from Meridian. He is strong, commanding and committed to his responsibilities, which include raising his siblings after the deaths of his parents. But Silas can’t deny his attraction to Cora for long. She’s tough, independent and determined, all qualities that jointly frustrate and arouse him.

Jocale is a romance in a dystopian/post-apocalyptic setting that blends sword fighting, steamy lovemaking, the search for identity and the discovery of what’s really important. Cora plots to take the skills embedded in her as a soldier and turn them against those who made her. Both she and Silas learn that their clashes to prove themselves stronger than the other have all been in vain, because in the end, they’re strongest together.