Epilogue
EPILOGUE
E pilogue - Hanna
Hanna pulled the hot curling iron out of a curl she'd meticulously wound around the hot iron and watched it fall. Taking another chunk of hair, she did it again, only this time, she watched the sparkles shoot off her engagement ring in the mirror. Her lips turned up in a smile so big the skin on her face stretched. She loved looking at her ring.
Quinn stepped into the bathroom and leaned against the door jamb. "You're going to outshine the bride."
Laughing, she pulled the curling iron out of this curl and turned to him. "Doubtful. Grace is gorgeous. She'll no doubt be especially gorgeous today."
Pushing off the doorjamb with his shoulder, he came to stand behind her. His hands slid around her waist and pulled her body back into his. She set the hot iron on the counter and lay her hands over his, enjoying the sparkler on her left hand. His lips dipped near her ear. "I love seeing you wear my ring. "
She chuckled. "I was just thinking how much I love looking at it and wearing it.
He kissed her ear and squeezed her before stepping back. "How much longer before you're ready?"
"Give me five minutes. I want to pull my hair up so it isn't so hot. Then I'll step into my dress."
"I can help with that."
"No, you can't." She laughed. "You can help me out of it tonight, though."
"I'm all over that."
She stared at him a moment. "You look great in white pants and the tropical print shirt. That was clever of Grace and Sid to think of them."
He turned with his arms out so she could see the full effect. "It's cooler too."
"I'll bet."
He winked and left the room. She wrapped two more locks of hair around the hot iron, then swept her hair back and twisted it into a French twist, but let the long ends spring from the top. She pinned her twist into place, then let the long curls drape over it. Spraying her bangs in place, she swiped on her lip gloss and stepped back.
She slipped on a purple sundress that matched the purple in Quinn’s tropical print shirt. That was Grace's idea. She appreciated being accepted by Grace and Sid, and that Grace made sure she felt included. They'd become good friends to her.
She left the bathroom, flicking off the light on her way past the switch, and found Quinn sitting on the sofa, chatting on the phone. He didn't look relaxed. In fact, he was leaning forward and looked about ready to jump.
He turned his head and saw her watching him. Inhaling a deep breath, he pulled the phone away from his ear and handed it to her. "Tisha called to see if I minded that she speak with you. I told her I didn't mind, exactly like I told her before. However, here we are. Do you want to speak with her?"
Hanna took a deep breath and reached for the phone. Their fingers brushed when she took the phone, and she made sure to stay right where she was so he could hear.
Tapping the speaker icon, she stared at Quinn while she spoke to Tisha.
"Hi, Tisha. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner, but I wanted to give you time to heal."
"I'm healed. Thank you for the time, though."
"I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for following you from your parents’ home. It was wrong and I don't want you to feel like I'd ever cause you harm. And congratulations on your engagement. Quinn is a lucky man. I truly mean that."
She looked into Quinn's eyes as he listened to his ex-wife on the phone. Responding to Tisha, she smiled at Quinn. "Actually, I think I'm the lucky one. But thank you. From both of us."
"Okay. Well, I know you're getting ready for Sid and Grace's wedding, so I won't keep you."
"Thank you for understanding Tisha. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
Tisha hesitated slightly. “No, not at all.”
“When you told me a few weeks ago that you felt like someone was following you, were you being honest with me?”
Tisha sighed heavily and cleared her throat. “No. I had followed you that day, and it was my feeble attempt to make you feel paranoid. I should never have done that. I guess I was jealous. I apologize for doing that. Please forgive me.”
Quinn’s brows shot up. Hanna swallowed and took a breath. She tamped down the irritation that rose up. Because what would it serve to snap at Tisha now? She’d called to apologize, and she’d admitted what she did. “I forgive you. But, as we move forward, I ask two things of you. One, you never do anything like that again. And two, the kids are never to be put in the middle of anything between the three of us. The three of us meaning, Quinn, yourself, and me.”
“I give my word that I’ll never do that again or anything similar to harm you in any way and I won’t put the kids in a situation where they are the go-betweens or in the middle of anything that pertains to us.”
“Thank you, Tisha. I’d like us to get along and be friends even. It makes things so much easier as our family grows. Once the kids marry and have babies, we’ll be seeing each other, and it should be comfortable for everyone.”
“I agree. Thank you for being so mature about all of this, Hanna. I do admire you and think of you as a friend. I’d also like to let you know that I started working for my father last week. It’s only an office position, but since I need a job, I’m happy for it.”
Quinn grinned and winked at her and Hanna’s tummy filled with flutters. “I think of you as a friend too, Tisha. Thank you. And congratulations on your job. I wish you all the best with it.”
“Thank you. It’s certainly a change and I know I should have done this a long time ago, but… ”
Hanna grinned at Quinn. “At least you have it now. I hate to cut this short, but we do have to leave. I'll talk to you later."
"Yes. Have a great time today. Goodbye, Hanna."
The call ended, and she handed Quinn his phone. He stood and pocketed it into his front pants pocket. The style today was for the heat spell they'd been having. Sid and Grace opted to get married on the stage at the Sandbar. The theme was shoes optional. They were as down-to-earth as two folks could be.
Quinn held his hand out to her, and she eagerly took it, squeezing his fingers. They left their house and drove to the Sandbar for the wedding ceremony of one of Quinn's oldest friends. Grace's brother, Travis Murphy, would give her away. Quinn and Jace stood as the witnesses and Grace's niece was the third witness. That was all they wanted.
After arriving at the Sandbar, Grace rushed to her and took Hanna's hands in hers. "I have a huge favor to ask of you, Hanna."
"Of course, whatever I can do."
"Will you stand with me as my bridesmaid and witness? My niece broke her foot playing soccer last night and can't be here."
Hanna's heart swelled. "Really? You want me?"
"I do. I believe it's not only the start of Sid and I's marriage, but the beginning of a lifelong friendship between us. I'd love it if you'd honor me and stand with me."
"I'd be the one who is honored, and yes, I'm happy to stand with you and be a witness."
Grace kissed her cheek and pulled her to the back of the Sandbar where her bouquet of flowers lay on a table with Grace's pretty white roses and sunflowers. Her bouquet was sunflowers and lavender, and it was stunning.
Grace handed her the bouquet. "It's almost like this was meant to be. It matches what you're wearing perfectly."
Hanna laughed. "It actually does."
They moved through pictures and instructions from the minister. Quinn, Sid, and Jace entered the Sandbar after having had photos taken outside, and she was granted the honor of pinning Quinn's boutonniere on. The white rose was perfect on his shirt.
Sid cleared his throat. "Let's go get us married now."
The five of them walked together to the stage outside. Quinn held his arm out for her to hold as they ascended the steps to the top of the stage. He stopped and kissed her softly before stepping a few steps over to allow room for Sid and Grace between them.
Jace and Sid came up the other steps and stood next to Quinn. Finally, Grace was escorted across the beach by her brother, Travis, and came to stand between Sid and her.
The minister started the ceremony. A few of the townspeople were invited to the ceremony. They wanted to keep it small. Sitting front and center was Coop, the older gentleman Sid purchased the garage from, and his wife. She recognized a few people, and her parents and Jalyn were there as well. Jared and Jenny were watching, both of them smiling brightly. She felt so proud to be here with this group of people and as her thoughts turned to her own wedding; she glanced over and saw Quinn watching her instead of Sid and Grace saying their vows. He winked at her and the smile that floated across her face was instant. Butterflies flew in her belly, and she once again thought how lucky she was to have him in her life.
Her parents were over the moon happy about their engagement. Isaac, well he'd somehow managed to bail himself out of jail and had taken off for parts unknown. Quinn had a brief conversation with Isaac just before he'd been released. He wouldn't tell her what he said to Isaac, only that she'd never hear from him again. She was more than fine with that.
E pilogue - Quinn
Quinn tucked his fingers under the little purple straps that held Hanna's sundress on her body. He'd thought of this all day. Every time he looked at her, he was once again smitten with her beauty. She was incredible. But as he introduced her to the townspeople who came to celebrate Sid and Grace and listen to Hart it served neither of them any good.
Staring into her gorgeous blue eyes, he let her dress fall to the floor and pool around her feet, leaving her before him in a pretty little lacy bra and panties. "You are perfect," he whispered.
She scoffed. "Hardly. But I'm happy you think so."
He kissed her lips, then slid his hand behind her and released the clasp on her bra. Sliding that off her body, he enjoyed the feel of her breasts in his hands, while she unbuttoned his shirt .
She pulled his shirt off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Stepping closer, she brushed her breasts against his chest and he moaned. "You feel perfect."
She chuckled. "So do you."
She unbuttoned his slacks and pushed them over his hips as he tugged her panties over hers.
They stepped away from their clothing, and he moved them three steps back until his legs hit the sectional in his Florida room. He sat down, pulling her onto his lap. The smile she graced him with was stunning, the moonlight shining across her glistening skin was incredible.
She lifted slightly, positioning his hard cock at her entrance, and slid down slowly. She moaned, "Damn you feel good inside of me."
He shook his head. "I have no words for how it feels to slide inside of you. It's what I imagine heaven must be like. Snug, warm, wet, and secure. All the good things.
She began moving up and down on him, her breasts swaying as she moved. His hands enjoyed their fullness.
Their eyes locked together as she brought them to pleasure, slowly at first, then faster as they both neared their happy ending. He loved their sultry nights out here in this room. The heat mixed with their burning passion was everything he'd ever wanted. Life was so good he thought as Hanna cried out, "Quinn." He grinned and followed her over the edge of pleasure. "Hanna."
Are you excited to find out who is going to catch confirmed bachelor Jace Marriott? Find out in Seductive Nights !