“Why would I change it? To what?”
“Well you won’t be a Sweet anymore, you’ll become a Coxen. I was thinking of something along the lines of Coxen Cakes, with a tagline of ‘Wrap your lips around a Coxen’.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me as we lay together, still wrapped up in a mess of tangled sheets.
“Ah, first of all, no, second of all, we’re not even engaged so my need to change my surname seems kind of a bit presumptuous of you Mr. Coxen.”
“You’re right, Ms. Sweet, let’s do something about that.”
Clutching the sheet to keep myself covered as Oliver climbs from the bed, I sit, watching the glorious view of Oliver’s naked backside as he moved across the room. His muscles flexed as his arms swung slightly, I loved watching this man move, even more so when he had no clothes on hindering the view.
He rifles through the top drawer of the chest, victoriously grinning at me as he stalks back toward the bed, instead of climbing back on, he comes around to kneel at my side.
The creaking of an old black velvet box reveals a shiny ring with sparkling diamonds, I recognised the ring immediately.
“Oh my God, that is my grandmother’s ring. Mum told me she had lost it. I cried because of it.” I could feel the tears welling up again at the ring that had been cleaned and sparkled like it would have when my Grandma was proposed to.
“Your Mum gave it to me a few weeks back. When I had asked your parents for permission to marry you she’d placed the ring in my hand and told me that I had taken long enough. I know it isn’t traditional, Daisy Blossom, and we can get you another ring, one you can choose yourself if you want.”
“No, it’s perfect, beyond perfect. This, us, you and me, this is perfect.”
“So is that a yes, Sweetheart?”
The words are stuck in my throat, I want to tell him, yes but I can’t force the words out. Instead, I vigorously nod my head, shaking the tears loose that had started to well in my eyes before I fling myself at him. Our naked flesh colliding as we fall back on to the floor.
Oliver’s body shakes below mine, immediately I think I’ve hurt him until his laughter rings out through the room.
“You trying to kills me, Sweetheart?”
“No, well not just yet at least. I kind of like having you around.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me now. Forever.” His lips brush mine before they become hotter and more demanding. Growling, he rolls us over so he’s body is pressing down on mine. I can feel his erection as it presses and grows, teasing me and brushing against my own heat.
“I love you, Ollie.”
“I love you too, soon-to-be Mrs. Coxen.” Placing another kiss to my lips before nuzzling my chin, he sits up, sliding the ring onto my finger, where we both take a heartbeat to admire the perfect fit and the sparkling gems that were a symbol of our love, body and souls committing to one another. “Now, get back on the bed before we both end up with carpet burn.”
The devil himself would be jealous of the smile that spread across Oliver’s face.
* * *
THE END
Annie lives in the oldest town in Australia, fact.
She works in logistics during the day and of a night and on weekends, she is a swoon-worthy romance novelist.
She lives with her best friend, soulmate and husband – all one person with their fur children.
She dreams of country living and a library filled with the colours of the rainbow in book art form.
* * *
STALK HER HERE!
Instagram: @anniereynoldsauthor
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THINK AGAIN
ISABEL LUCERO
Copyright © 2020 by Isabel Lucero
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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THINK AGAIN
He thinks I don't know.
He thinks he's getting away with it.
He thinks karma won't come back to get him.
He needs to think again.
* * *
Men think women are vindictive, and maybe they're right. But when we get to the point of being cold, calculating, and vindictive, it's because they pushed us there.
* * *
Not only is my husband unaware that he's pushing me too far, he also doesn't realize that I just met a man who's ready to catch me.
* * *
I think he's just my new co-worker.
I think it's just innocent flirting.
I think I'll be able to keep my morals.
I need to think again.
* * *
*Contains adultery themes.
1
With a curvy body and long, red hair, she’s my complete opposite. I watch from a chair in the lobby as she makes her way to the hotel elevator. The dress she wears hugs her body in all the right places, and I can't help but wonder if I could pull off the same outfit. Unfortunately, probably not. She has a slight smile as the brass doors close, taking her to a room upstairs. Something about the way she holds herself screams confidence, and her little smirk tells me she’s looking forward to going upstairs and having some fun. With a sigh, I begin flipping through an interior design magazine that was left on the table in front of me.
I’ve been sitting here people watching for a little while now. Earlier, I had a drink with my friend, Carmen, who works at the bar in this hotel. Considering she spends most of her time here, I understood when she wanted to leave after one drink. Since I wasn’t ready to go home, I found a secluded place in the lobby to sit and relax, not wanting to sit alone at the bar.
I browse through the magazine for a while before my phone vibrates, alerting me of an email from my boss.
* * *
Aria,
This time next week I need you to pick somebody up from the airport. This is an important person to me, and one who will hopefully be working with us soon. Once I have flight information, I'll pass it on, but clear your schedule for next Friday.
Scott A. Monroe
M.D.
* * *
Great. I get to play chauffeur to the newbie. I don't bother sending a response, choosing to drop my phone in my purse instead. Scott already knows I'll do it, because I don't exactly have a choice since he’s my boss, and honestly, I really like the man. I'm sure he'll confirm with me on Monday, anyway.
Having a new person in the office isn't a bad thing, though. With JoAnn quitting like she did last week, we need help at the receptionist desk of the private practice we work in. I wonder why this person is so special though, and why they're flying in for this job. I’m sure there are plenty people in Anchorage who could work as a receptionist.