Carl steps to the side when we get to the altar, turning me over to Declan.
I’ll never get over how fantastic my husband looks. Almost four years since we met, and he still takes my breath away. Standing tall next to me, he doesn’t seem to have an ounce of the jitters that are ravaging my stomach like there’s a whole colony of butterflies in there. I grip his hand tightly, and he squeezes back.
Six months ago we joined together professionally as the long absent and fondly remembered Flynn was taken off the books and replaced with Anderson. Garrett is still technically in charge, but he’s stepped back, and Declan is taking over more of the high profile cases. It was touch and go for a bit after the Cooper fiasco—which ended up in a settlement after all—but he started small again, volunteering his time for pro bono legal assistance until he was back in his father’s good graces.
Today we join as man and wife.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. We are gathered here today to join Declan and Claire in the bonds of matrimony.”
Declan squeezes my hand, and I look up into the face of the man I love.
“I want to fuck you,” he mouths.
“Later,” I reply silently.
*** THE END ***
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Rebel
A Stepbrother Romance
Chapter 1: Angie
“Come on, Angie, you’ve totally got this. Just talk to him!”
Cassie’s grip on my arm is so tight it hurts, but she refuses to let go. Her words come a million miles per second which is a lot to handle on any regular day. Tonight, it’s like dodging machine gun bullets. Vibrating with excitement, she acts like she has more at stake in this than I do, and that’s saying something. My stake’s pretty freaking big, after all. She yells into my ear, her voice carrying clearly over the loud dance music, “I think he’s perfect.”
Clubs aren’t really my scene. Why blow out your eardrums when you can curl up with a good book and a cup of tea? They’re so chaotic, with all the noise and lights everywhere. I mean, I’m not against going out or anything, but I don’t really keep up with what’s hot either, so by the time I know the songs, they’re already completely last year. Dancing to music you don’t know isn’t nearly as much fun as it’s cracked up to be.
This is such a bad idea. Only Cassie would think of something this stupidly insane and somehow manage to make it sound reasonable. I think she does it through attrition, wearing my sensibilities down until there’s nothing left. It makes her too freaking persuasive for her own good. Or for mine.
But, what Cassie wants, Cassie gets. I used to try to resist, before I really got to know her, but I gave that up a long time ago. Totally not worth the trouble. She just goes ahead and does what she wants anyway.
I glance cautiously at the guy she’s singled out, swallowing nervously and hoping he won’t notice. He’s crazy hot, like get your panties wet just at the sight hot. Wild, spiky black hair, chiseled jaw. Broad-chested and narrow-hipped, he wears a black t-shirt that looks painted onto his sculpted torso. Tall and muscled, he could’ve been a romance cover model. I don’t see how she thinks I have a chance with him. He can have his pick of any girl in the club, so why would he even look in my direction? I wouldn’t. This is dumb.
“Cassie, I can’t do this. What’s Paul going to think?” There’s another reason why this is a bad idea. Paul’s my boyfriend. Tall, tattooed and obnoxious—in a sexy sort of way, mostly—, he’s a far cry from my structured way of doing things, my carefully kept schedules and planning notebook. He’s my little rebellion against my own way of life. I love that about him, or at least I like it a lot.
I know it won’t last, what with me going off to college in the fall, but he’s said he’ll come with me and bring his motorcycle. His hog, as he calls it. I don’t know, maybe it’s for real. All I know is that he’s really good-looking, and somehow still decided to get together with me. That puts him miles ahead of any other guy I’ve been interested in.
He’s so far out of my league, though. Not as far as the hunk of man right in front of me, but honestly I’m just waiting for Paul to wise up and realize he’s dating a dork. Cassie says he’d be an idiot if he did, but as my bff, she’s supposed to say those things. What’s she going to say? That I’m a nerd and our days are numbered?