Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
She sighs and moans at the same time, blissfully content with our reunion. I rock my hips and move in and out, building a rhythm of pleasure and connection, until she’s panting and gasping, and my own need for release is imminent.
“I love you, Katie Kat,” I whisper in her ear. “Daddy loves you.”
“And I love you,” she says on a moan. “May I—may I, daddy?”
“Yeah, baby. Come for daddy.” I love granting her permission. She throws her head back and moans as she’s consumed with bliss, my own release fast on her heels. I lash into her and hold her to me, as pleasure ripples through me at the sound of her own moans of pleasure. When we finally settle down from our highs, I roll gently to the side and take her with me.
“That’s daddy’s good girl,” I whisper. “Such a good girl. You came back to me.”
“I did,” she whispers. “Because this is where I belong.”
Epilogue
Katie
The soft melody floats through the air. That’s my cue. I should be nervous. My fingers should be trembling as they clutch my bouquet to my chest.
But they don’t.
I’m not nervous at all.
I hold my flowers tight. A calm smile warms my face. My gaze focuses on where I’m headed.
To him.
Darius stands at the makeshift outdoor altar, a vision of absolute perfection in his tux. His eyes are shining, as they rest on my face. His lips move as he mouths my name. “Katie Kat.”
I’ve chosen to walk down this aisle alone. To give myself away to him. I’ve been lonely for so many years, and now, after this walk, I’ll never be again.
He’ll be my husband. And his family will be my family.
And though I walk by myself, I do not walk alone.
Soon, there will be one more person in this world for me to love with all of my heart.
And we three will be a family.
Making it to the end of the aisle, I reach my future, my hope, my everything. I pass my flowers to Miranda, my maid of honor, the woman who helped make this day possible. I offer him my empty hands to hold.
He takes them, his thumbs stroking my skin, his gaze locked with mine.
We exchange vows with whispered words, as if we are the only two standing here in Gran’s field.
My book came out just last month, and quickly soared the charts, and Darius has pulled everything together for me. Billboards at the casinos and hotels, a tour across the country. Everyone wants to learn how Beauty tamed her Beast.
I look around at the small group of smiling faces, happy at least one face is absent. My lawyer told me I could press charges, but I chose not to mar my happy ending with litigation. Rumor has it, Tiffany’s moved north and changed her identity. Seems she was ready to turn over a new leaf, or so Rawley says.
My eyes shine at Darius. I forget everyone around us. It’s just me and him, under the starlit sky. We exchange wedding bands, marking each other with a tangible symbol of our love.
And then, we kiss. For the first time as man and wife.
That night as we dance together below the stars, we laugh at our good fortune. My heart warms with happiness when Gran grabs my hand, with tears in her eyes, and says, “Welcome to the family, Kaite.”
It was not an easy road to get here. There were twists and turns and bumps along the way.
But I’d do it all again to be here in his arms.
He leans down, his whispered words tickle my ear. “Katie Kat. You’ve given me everything. Tell me—are you as happy as I am?”
A secret smile plays at my lips. “Yes, but maybe even more than you.”
He pulls back so our eyes can meet. “How so?”
“Because I know something you don’t.” My hand goes to my waist. “Something that I think will bring you even more joy than this night.”
His eyes go wide, his face frozen, waiting. “What?”
“I’m pregnant. We’re pregnant. We’re going to have a baby.”
He holds my gaze for a beat, then a wide grin spreads across his features, lighting up his face. “We’re going to have a baby? I’m... I’m going to be a father?”
I nod my head. “Yes. And a damn good one, too.”
His brow knits in confusion. “But... we’ve been so careful. How did this happen?” Darius is a planner, always one step ahead of his own calendar. In control of his plans for the future.
But sometimes, some things just... happen.
“Apparently, I was so caught up in wedding planning, I must have missed a pill or two. Then, I missed something else. My period. I was two weeks late when I put in a frantic call to Miranda. She took me to the doctor, and he confirmed what I already knew. I made her swear she’d keep my secret. I wanted to tell you. Tonight.” My breath stills in my chest as I wait for his reaction.