Epilogue
Cash
“We have a . . .” Marina pauses on the other end of the call.
I adjust the phone to my ear, eyeing Duncan who’s silently asking me what’s wrong. “What do we have, babe?”
“An issue.”
Turning my back to her brothers who are adjusting their suits, I whisper, “What kind of issue?”
“Can you come see me?”
“What about tradition?”
“I think we’re past all that, don’t you?”
She’s been a firecracker all week. Reminds me of when we met. That fiery personality of hers is so fucking sexy I can’t keep my hands off her. That sugary smile of hers looks all innocent to the outside world, but trust me, all’s fair in love because she’s just as handsy.
“I’ll be right there.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” she snaps, panicking.
She’s starting to worry me. I hang up the phone and act casual as I slip out of my dressing room, trying not to raise any suspicion of my whereabouts.
“Hi,” I say, walking through the paddock like it’s totally normal for me to be wearing a tuxedo at the track.
“Looking good, Ryatt,” Darren catcalls and bursts out laughing with Hansen.
I flip them off just before I take the stairs by two. Heading toward Harbor’s office, which is her home base today, I stop when I hear, “Psst.”
As soon as I look over, I’m yanked by the arm into an office. “What the—”
“It’s me.” She’s gotten strong. I didn’t know Pilates could do that.
The door is closed, and the lights are out. I can’t see a fucking thing. “What the hell is going on? I thought you were a psycho fan or something. I almost popped you in the mouth.”
“I need your help, Cash.”
“Okay, anything, but why are we still in the dark?”
“Because of this,” she says, flipping on the lights.
Holy fuck. My heart leaps from my chest at the sight of her. I caress her face and move in, needing to be close to this woman. “You look like an angel, babe.” Taking a step back, I hold her arms out. “Look how beautiful you are.”
Her cheeks pink, and the corners of her eyes soften. I bring her back to me, earning the loveliest smile I’ve ever seen. Holding my elbows, she says, “Why do you have to be so sweet to me?”
“You act like it’s hard.” I kiss her gently and whisper, “You make it so easy.” But her eyes fill with tears as she stares into mine. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she says, sniffling. “I’m just so happy.”
I’m not sure what to do with this. “You said there was an issue?”
“There is . . .” She takes a deep breath and huffs. Turning around, she points over her shoulder at her back. “It doesn’t fit anymore.”
Bending down, I look at the trillion and one clasps to figure out how to operate this dress. I didn’t have a two-hour unclasping session built into our schedule. Checking out the skirt, I don’t lose hope for our wedding night. It will lift right over her hips.
“What am I looking at?”
She points her finger like a dagger in the air. “How it doesn’t close.”
Should I bring up the late-night burrito run last night?
Probably best if I don’t.
“Still lost back here.”
A sigh escapes her, and she turns back around. “Maybe this will help.” She holds up—oh shit.
“Is that a—”
“Yep.”
My gaze leaves the stick and darts to her eyes. “You’re pregnant?”
She sucks in a staggered breath and nods.
When she drops her head forward, I pull her into my arms and rub her back.
I’m not sure what to say. This is the happiest day of my life two times over—marrying the woman of my dreams, and now she’s having my baby—along with Cullen’s birthday, but she’s crying.
My heart thunders as I constrain my joy to my chest.
I need to be here how she needs me right now. Kissing the top of her halo of hair, I whisper, “I’m sorry.”
Her head lifts, and her brows pinch together. “Why are you sorry?”
Shit . . . “Foooor impregnating you?” I ask as if I’m approaching a wild tiger.
When her mouth drops open and the match strikes in her eyes, I know I’ve fucked up. Throwing my hands up in caution, I stammer, “No. No. I’m not sorry.”
“You’re not sorry now? You’re glad you got me pregnant so I can’t wear my wedding dress today?”
Tilting my head, I’m getting lost. “Wait, no. Nope.” Her eyes narrow further, and I keep blathering, hoping to land on the sweet spot of pleasing her with the right answer. “Did not plan to ruin the dress today. Happy side effect?”
“Oh my God, babe.” She face-palms herself and shakes her head. “What are you saying?”
With an arched brow aimed at me and her hands on her hips, I tread carefully, “Truth?”
“Truth.”
I let myself smile. “I’m so happy you’re having our baby.”
She can’t hide hers either. Moving in, she fists the front of my jacket and looks up at me. “You are?”
“So happy.”
Lifting, she kisses me and stands there, grinning. “I am, too.”
“But you were crying. I thought you were upset.”
“Happy tears. I’m so happy about the baby. This all just feels so right, marrying you and having this baby.” Her smile melts me every time. “How do you feel about Coral or Adriana, which means sea or water?”
Cullen is already karting. Can’t wait to have a racing team. “I love them both, but what if it’s a boy?”
“Murphy stands for sea warrior.”
“I think we’re stretching into Noah territory with that one.”
“Okay. Okay.” She laughs. “I’m still working on that one.” Stepping back again, she turns. “But I’m not sure what to do about this situation.”
If we weren’t about to be late to our own wedding ceremony, I’d be happy to talk about names with her all night. But I’m ready to cross this finish line and have her as my wife. “I have an idea.”
Standing on the start line of the track, with her back tied up with a purple Westcott Racing shoelace stolen from the shoes I was wearing when I won the Dallas Grand Prix, Marina fights back tears in front of our closest family and friends.
With Cullen as my best little man, I ask for the ring. I tap him on the nose when he hands it to me. “Thanks, buddy. Good job.”
Duties done, he runs to sit between my mom and Terpidy.
I slip the diamond stunner onto Marina’s ring finger and repeat the vows we’d written.
But I add, “There’s no start and no end to us, babe.
You’re the whole damn race and championship.
You’re worth the effort. You’re worth the work.
You’re worth the fight.” Cupping her face, and not waiting for permission from anyone to kiss my wife, I then whisper, “Being married to you will be the honor of my life. I love you so much and I can’t wait for this to come. ”
She stills in my palms, making me realize that maybe I just accidentally shared our incredible news, a secret we agreed not to share until after the honeymoon.
Fuck it. “We’re having a baby, and I’m so fucking happy.”
I kiss her like her parents and three older brothers aren’t watching. And then I scoop her into my arms among cheers and tears and carry my bride down the aisle.
“You ready for your present, Mrs. Warren?”
“We haven’t even reached the end of the aisle?” Her laughter has my heart beating to the beautiful sound. “Okay, tell me. What is it?”
I set her down just inside the paddock and pull the gift from my pocket. She gasps. “You didn’t?”
“I did,” I say with pride.
Snatching it, she asks, “How did you know grape was my favorite flavor of Tootsie Pops?”
I give her a wink and kiss her again. “Just a wild guess.” Not at all. I will never forget one thing she shares with me. Never. It’s worth every effort to see that smile beaming at me.
She’s so excited about the lollipop that I add, “Wait until you see the box of chocolates I bought.”
Throwing her arms around my neck, she says, “Don’t tempt me with a good time.”
I wrapped my arms around her, planning onto hold her forever. “I’m tempting all right.”
“You sure are, babe.”
Poppy’s book is now available. CLICK HERE
Flat on my back is not how I imagined meeting my new boss and hot-as-sin rock star. But here I am . . .
If I didn’t already have amnesia, I’d be wishing for it now.
In my defense, Laird Faris was only wearing a shameless smirk and a towel wrapped around his chiseled abs when we met.
Brooding.
Devastatingly handsome.
Utterly intolerable.
Naturally, I’m instantly attracted to him.
It’s not only his broad shoulders and gorgeous face that wreck my equilibrium, but also a distinct tattoo on his chest that matches one on my hip.
Our chemistry is off the charts.
Searing kisses make his grumpiness bearable.
Every touch we share is full of fire and flashes of memories, making me wonder if our connection isn’t destiny after all.
But do the secrets he hides behind his icy blue eyes have something to do with the weekend I can’t remember and the past he can’t forget?
CLICK HERE