Miami Bodyguard (Kendall Family Book 5)(30)
Angelina
Long before costume brought the gorgeous red gown into my room, I knew Asher was up to something. I was onto him long before Cami called a wrap four hours ahead of schedule, especially as it was the third day in a row he wouldn't tell me what he had been doing all day. The off-shoulder gown with a fitting bodice and flowing skirt, along with the sophisticated way hair and makeup curled and pinned my blond locks wasn't anything close to how my badass character would look. It's far too elegant. And totally me.
By the time they were done, the reflection I saw brought tears to my accentuated eyes. People in the business have always told me I could pass for a legitimate princess. It was the first time I wholeheartedly agreed.
A limo picks me up outside the studio with Dante in the front seat. He escorts me to the massive Christmas tree in Washington Square Park where my suspicions are confirmed. With tears in my eyes, I take in the dusting of snow, twinkling lights, massive bouquets of white flowers strewn about, and 4-piece tuxedoed orchestra playing a romantic melody. Every last one of my family members stands with Asher's parents near the white arch, along with Cami and a handful of other friends and coworkers. A team of security guards in overcoats holds back a crowd of curious strangers.
My breath pinches painfully tight when Asher emerges from the darkness in a designer black suit, no overcoat, and black bowtie. Holding our daughter in his arms, he flashes me the widest smile his face can hold. Little blond curls pinned back with a red ribbon, Anna wears a fancy little pea coat over a dress that's made with the same material as mine. My step falters with a burst of blinding joy.
To think I almost gave this all up … and for what? How did I possibly think being alone and obnoxiously famous while pretending to be with someone I didn't love would make me happy?
Dante grips my elbow. "You okay?"
Nodding through a blur of tears, I burst forward to embrace my future husband. The crowd applauds behind us when Asher wraps me in his free arm, kissing me until we're both breathless, and Anna's running a mittened hand through my hair.
Asher pulls back, carefully pulling our daughter's arm down before cupping my face. "Babe, I didn't think it was possible for you to be any more beautiful. Did you look in a mirror before you came here? You're … stunning." Glancing down at my breasts, his lips twist with a grin. "And sexy as hell. Kind of makes me wish we were alone right now."
"You're not too shabby yourself," I tease, dabbing at the corners of my eyes. "Oh sweet, gorgeous man of mine … how long have you been planning this?"
"Awhile. Your sisters helped big time, but it was my idea. I know how stressed you've been between work and Anna, and wanting to plan a wedding. Sharlo and Evelyn were all over it when I asked. They made your dresses."
I brush my fingertips over our baby's pudgy little cheek, pinched red from the cold. "How long have you been out here?"
"Not long, but we're going to be quick about it so everyone doesn't freeze to death." His teeth appear whiter than normal when he flashes another giant smile. "Your brother, Braden, got ordained online so he could perform the ceremony."
I hold a hand over my lips and burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you're kidding me! I hope someone reminded him to watch his mouth!"
When I glance back at our family, I laugh even harder. Even though Katie's already scolding my brother about something, he's smirking like a cat that swallowed a canary. This could be the most interesting ceremony in history.
"This is only the beginning of our night," Asher tells me, drawing my attention back to his mischievous smile. "Next is dinner and dancing at Leona's. Then we're staying at the Baccarat where your brothers and sisters got us a room."
Anna reaches for me, so Asher hands her over. I kiss our daughter's head with tears streaming down my cheeks. "You're already the best husband a woman could want. And I can't think of anything that would make me happier than becoming your wife right here and now. I would've been okay going the same route as Sofia and Nolan. It wasn't necessary to go to all this trouble."
"Nothing about this was trouble," he assures me with an almost possessive growl. "I wish there was something more extravagant I could've done to show you how much you mean to me. This wedding marks the official start of our life together. I wanted it to be extraordinary, just like my beautiful wife." Tears glisten in his eyes when he smirks. "Besides, Sharlo and Evelyn would've kicked our asses. They made the comment that they still haven't forgiven Sofia for eloping without them."
"Thank you for taking me back," I whisper, stroking my fingers along his strong jaw. "Thank you for forgiving me, and for letting our daughter into your heart. You're a good man, Asher Waldorf. I plan to spend a lifetime proving how grateful I am for your love, although it still could never be enough."
"The day you asked me to be this little girl's father proved to me everything I needed to know." He kisses me again, warm lips and gentle tongue accentuating his point. My heart melts as I slink against him, the world around us disappearing with every second. Maybe one day I'll truly believe that I deserve his love and affection. Until then, I plan to appreciate every last second.
I pull back when Anna's little mittened hand pats my face. "We better hurry before our guests and daughter all turn into popsicles."
"Want to know the best part?" Soft kisses trail up the side of my neck, filling me with a warm lick of need. "James and Shar are taking Anna overnight."
Oh, this man … regardless of what he says, I plan to spend the rest of our lives together showing him how much he's loved.
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Also by Jennifer Ann
KENDALL FAMILY SERIES
Brooklyn Rockstar (FREE)
Midwest Fighter
Manhattan Millionaire
Oceanside Marine
Kendall Family Christmas
Miami Bodyguard
American Farmer (June 2018)
ROCK BOTTOM SERIES
Outrageous (3.6.18)
STANDALONES
Broken Little Melodies
The Secrets Between Us
Undercover Rockstar (Sept 2018)
MC ROMANCE SERIES
Inferno Glory MC
Jawa's Angels MC
FALLEN HEROES DUET
Saving Phoebe
Saving Alexa
NYC LOVE SERIES
Adam's List
Kelly's Quest
Chloe's Dream
The Secrets Between Us
PRAISE FOR THE SECRETS BETWEEN US
"Holy....cow are you in for a ride! This book has it all a hot girl, a Navy SEAL, his arrogant brother and a lifetime of secrets between two families." ~Goodreads
"The plot and writing is simply fantastic! I definitely plan on reading more from Jennifer Ann, and I can't recommend her enough! And I pretty sure my friends are sick of hearing me talk about this book." ~Cara's Book Boudoir
"What a crazy, messed up, incredible story. The story line was intense, brutal, fun, reminiscent, and fun to read. When I say intense, I mean sitting up straighter, tearing at your nails, gripping your kindle a little harder; whatever you too as you get sucked into a story!" ~Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
* * *
Some people keep secrets because the truth is too painful.
He keeps secrets to avoid losing her.
She keeps secrets to deliver revenge.
Seven years have passed since Cameron Quinn and Lincoln Farrington were high school sweethearts.
Seven years since she last saw him as the cops were taking him away.
Seven years since he left her to become a Navy SEAL.
When he suddenly comes back into her life, she's forced to choose between following her heart, or sticking to a plan that would almost certainly destroy him.
His secrets brought them together.
Her secrets will tear them apart.
ONE
QUINN
Being here is an unforgivable betrayal to the man I've promised to be with for the rest of my life. The man I'll one day stand beside in a church packed with friends and family, vowing to devote my eternal love and faithfulness.
But I don't care. None of that's real anyway.
And I had to see Lincoln again.
After all, I owe him my time. Even more so, I owe him the past seven years of his life.
Beads of perspiration line my forehead as I watch the front of the coffee shop without blinking, willing the boy I once loved with all my heart to step through the door. My heart skips to an erratic beat when I check my smart phone for the seventh time to confirm what I already know: he's late. What if he's changed his mind about wanting to meet?
It was dumb luck that I came across his recent email. I stopped using that account after high school, knowing "littleballerinagirl" was ridiculous. Yet I can't help thinking maybe it wasn't so much dumb luck as it was fate. My mom sent a text that same day, letting me know that she had emailed pictures to the old email address of a kitchen table she purchased at the flea market.