Wilted (29 page)

“That was what I was waiting for you to see. There’s nothing like it, is there?” he whispers in my ear.

He’s right. I’ll never forget how she looks today, for as long as I live.

I don’t miss the tears in her father’s eyes when he places her hand in mine. The doubt that was once there has now thankfully disappeared. I’d broken his daughter’s heart. Typically, to a Texan man, that means war. Earning his trust back had definitely not been an easy thing. There were many times I’d been sure he’d show up on our doorstep with a shotgun in hand. Recently, our heart to heart talk had been emotional for both of us. I know having his blessing is important to her. What she doesn’t know is that it’s just as important for me. More than anything, I want her father to know how much I love her. I’d made him a promise to take care of his little girl, and, until my dying day, that is exactly what I will do. Bringing her hand up to my lips, I place a tender kiss on her delicate skin and smile. As I look back into Kylie’s twinkling eyes, I’m overwhelmed with the love I feel for her. From this day forward, I will look into the eyes of my wife, and thank my lucky stars above that she is forever mine.

“Oh God! YES!” she screams as I thrust into her one last time before following with my own release.

“I’m pretty sure God and everyone else heard that,” I joke as I kiss her hard.

“I don’t fucking care who heard us, I’m a married woman now.”

“A married woman who just got fucked on an antique table, mind you.”

“So you’re saying you already have regrets in this marriage?” she teases and I pull her in to feel how hard I am right now, looking at her in her corset and thigh highs.

“Sweet Jesus, I’m ripping those off you when we get on the plane.”

“Deal, now zip me up. I told them I had to change for the reception.”

By change, she meant taking off a train attachment from her dress. The whole process takes maybe two seconds, so our twenty-minute absence, along with her screaming orgasm, speaks volumes, I’m sure.

“Hurry up and put your pants on. We haven’t cut the cake yet, and you still have to dance with me,” she says as she wiggles her eyebrows up and down. My sneaky little minx has no idea what I have in store for her when it comes to that.

“Get ready, because you’re about to get some cake up your nose,” I warn as I zip my pants.

“Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Mr. & Mrs. Nikolas Thorne!” the deejay shouts into the microphone as we enter the room full of people we love.

As I whisk her onto the dance floor, I pull her close to me. With every eye on us, I want the world to know this beautiful creature is mine. Forever.

The enchanting voice of Sam Smith singing “Latch” plays as I hold on to her. I don’t ever want to let her go.

“I love you,” she whispers into my ear, dragging her teeth over my lobe.

She knows that drives me fucking wild and yet she pulls that stunt in front of a room full of our friends and family. If the girl thinks I won’t fuck her in front of all these people, she has another thing coming. Well, there is one exception to that… Langston. I wouldn’t want to scar the child for life when I bare my white ass to the room. But the rest of them? Well, they can either watch or go home.

“I love you too, baby. More than you’ll ever know,” I say, stroking her face.

Sweet baby Langston runs onto the dance floor and grabs hold of my leg. Sebastian quickly stands to come get her, but I wave him off. What’s better than dancing with one beautiful girl? Why, dancing with two, of course. Kylie beams as she moves in closer to us. I pull both of them together and we dance.
One day, I hope to be dancing with our own child.
After being passed around a thousand times, I hand off a very sleepy Langston to her daddy and make my way to rescue Kylie from dancing with her Uncle Elton. God help him, the man just doesn’t know when to shut up.

When I get my girl back in my arms, I notice how tired she looks. As a matter of fact, she’s looked tired for several weeks now. I’ve warned her to slow down with the wedding, but arguing against Kylie Reynolds? Yeah, we all know how that turns out. As we say goodbye to everyone, I take her hand, and we run through the line of sparklers to the car. We won’t talk about the amount of condoms my idiot cousin paid some kids to put on my car. Don’t worry, from the looks of things, my black Jaguar F-type, won’t be reproducing anytime soon.

“You know, you’re going to make a wonderful daddy.” Her eyes are so full of love.

Smiling at the thought, I look over to where Sebastian holds a now sleeping Langston in his arms. Honestly, I can’t wait for that to happen for us.

“One day, it will be wonderful,” I say as she turns and tosses her bouquet to the crowd of screaming single women. I swear I will never understand why women will practically commit murder to catch that damn thing.

“Well, yeah. But I think it will be more wonderful in about eight months from now.”

Her words paralyze me. At first, her gorgeous eyes grow worried, but then I look down at her hand on her stomach, and I can’t help but break out into a huge ass, face splitting smile.

“You’re…”

“Pregnant.” She finishes my sentence with a beaming smile.

A baby?
My beautiful girl is carrying my child. Not so long ago, this same scenario had played out very differently, but now, in this moment, I’m so overjoyed that there aren’t enough words to express it. I may not know the perfect thing to say to her right now, but one thing’s for sure, I know damn well the perfect way to show her how I feel. In one giant swoop of my arms, I surprise her by tossing her over my shoulder and waving goodbye to everyone. I don’t want to be rude to those who are seeing us off, but it’s time for us to head to my jet and get it to rocking.

Six Months Later

KYLIE

Do I believe in fairy tales?

You bet your fucking ass I do! My tale had not been easy, but it’s an epic example of how true love can survive anything. All those years, my sweet mom had been right. After all the frogs that had broken my heart, I’ve finally found my Prince Charming. So, I take back everything I said before at the beginning. I, Kylie Reynolds Thorne, believe in fairy tales, love, and rainbows and sunshine. My best friend has taught me that, even through the darkest of days, the sunshine is always there.

Rubbing my large stomach, I grin knowingly at the sweet baby boy growing inside of me. Ryder Chandler Thorne should make his appearance into the world in a couple of months. Each day closer to my due date makes us more excited to meet him. To hold a tiny piece of our love will be incredible.

Fairy tales are different for everyone. Sometimes there are ups and downs, but that’s what makes for the most interesting of stories. And as my gorgeous husband lovingly wraps his arms around me and places his hands on my belly, I know my happily ever after has just begun.

~THE FUCKING END~

(You know I had to get one more “f” word in or it just wouldn’t be my story after all.)

~ Kylie Thorne

A NOTE FROM MIA MICHELLE…

I’m overwhelmed at all the wonderful responses from the Rose of Thorne series. As the series ended, I knew these characters still had stories to tell. Wilted is only the beginning. Lucas is shouting pretty loud to tell you the rest of his. And so… I give you a tiny piece of
Scorned. (Coming Spring 2015).

SCORNED

Three years of my life… gone. Funny how that seems to bother everyone in my life, but me. Honestly, I don’t know what their problem is. I’m still the same Lucas Drake I’ve always been. Or, at least, the one I remember being anyways. If I want something, I let nothing get in my way of getting it. Women have never been able to resist me… well, that is until her.

Melissa Jackson drives me fucking insane. The fact she’d been my nurse for an entire week doesn’t help matters either. At first, I thought she was just rejecting my flirtatious advances to keep things professional, but now that I’m no longer her patient, she’s run out of excuses. It’s not just that she’s gorgeous. There’s something about her that drives me wild. I want her.
God, do I ever want her!

She’d called me an arrogant bastard and she’s right. And this bastard? Well, he’s going to get the girl. There’s just one thing that scares me. It’s the lost haunting look in her eyes. The painful way she looks at me is the same exact way I feel inside. And although I can’t remember how or why, one thing is certain. Melissa Jackson and I both have been scorned.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As any writer will tell you, so much goes into writing a manuscript. Like so many other things, bringing a book to life is never just a one man show. When I entered into the Indie World last year, I was blessed to meet some of the most phenomenal people in the world. Being able to truly call these people my personal friends, is even more of a blessing for me. They encourage me, challenge me, and buy me drinks when I need one. (Thanks Meredith) So with all that said, here are my acknowledgments and I pray I don’t forget someone.

To my husband and family
, I love you all so incredibly much and am so blessed to have you in my life. No matter what, you guys are right there cheering me on and believing in me when I begin doubting myself. You see, my success isn’t measured in the amount of books I sell. Instead it’s measured in the three incredible people I have loving me at home everyday. That tops any bestseller’s list any day!

Meredith Wild- AKA- My Jack Daniels Sister-
Oh my darling, how I adore you! There are so many days that I wanted to pull my hair out, but you were right there smiling and kicking my ass to give it my all. Our time in Ireland together was epic and I will always treasure our friendship. Can’t wait to clink shot glasses again soon. Love ya! P.s. I’m always fucking right.

Chelle Bliss
- You know I love you, hussy! Thanks for lifting my spirits when I was banging my head on my desk in frustration. There’s nothing like laughing at the obnoxious names we call one another! Smooches! P.s. I owe you a drink.

Ella Fox
- Oh how I love you! You just rock my socks, sister. Thanks for all your smutty mindedness and friendship.

P.s. I think I need a patch kit for my travel boyfriend.

Ryan Michele
- Who’s your bitch? Thank you for your encouragement and for making me laugh when I needed it. Remember I’m always willing to kick your ass anytime, cause I love ya that much! P.s. Kiss my ass!

Julie Deaton
-Words can’t express thanks enough for all that you do for me. You helped me wade through this manuscript and make sense of the madness. Thank you for being someone I can always count on to get the job done.

Thorny Bitch Street Team
- Thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart for everything you do to help me! Without your pimping and love, I could never do it! MWAH!

Wilted ARC Team
- Ladies you all are super kick ass! Thank you for taking time to read
Wilted
and giving me feedback when I tossed ideas around. You helped me polish up my baby very well!!

Michelle White-White Design & Photography-
You completely blew me away once again on a phenomenal cover. It’s like you reach in my brain and just make the idea come to life! You always patiently listen to me when I’m about to have a nervous breakdown and talk me down off the ledge. I love you so much!