Meg stood and looked at the two of them, and all Josh wanted was to hold Caroline and cry. He felt her father’s loss so acutely at that moment that he didn’t know how he was holding it together.
That was the moment he knew he wanted to be a father like Mike Rossi.
“The boy Daddy wanted you to find for me, Meg, was Josh. It’s always been Josh for me. Just like it’s always been Jason for you. I don’t blame him for what happened. His biggest crime is exactly what Mom said. He wanted to be close to his parents. They aren’t worthy of his loyalty, but he is who he is.”
“I can’t get my head around it.” Meg rubbed her temples. “I mean, it makes sense, but I don’t understand how none of us knew.”
Josh smiled and shook his head. “Meg, I didn’t know. But just like Caroline, my heart was blocked off; there was no one I thought about loving until she walked into my life again. Maybe before he passed, your father had one of those moments of clarity that helped him see things the way they should be.”
Meg nodded. “He told me I should forgive Jason. I didn’t think I ever would, but he must have known.” Meg drew the back of her hand across her eyes. She looked up at Josh, her green eyes full of questions and emotion, but it was only one question she asked. “You love her? You really love her?”
“With all my heart—with everything, Meg. I’m nothing without her.” He turned to Caroline. “I am so sorry for what my father did. I could handle him taking shots at me, but not you, and I’m so sorry. I’m divesting myself of the firm. I don’t want anything to do with them. I just want you.”
Caroline moved down the steps, but it was her sister who got to Josh first. He hugged his sister-in-law, accepting her forgiveness, and her blessing. It was almost as good as knowing Caroline loved him.
Meg stood by her mom and Caroline stepped into Josh’s arms. “I love you,” he whispered into her hair. “I think I knew that first night, but I couldn’t let myself believe it. I can’t believe I was so slow on the uptake.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “I’m very bright. I knew it all along.”
“Really?”
“All along.”
Epilogue
Caroline thought there were few things more perfect than a baseball game in June. Except maybe a baseball game in June when her brother was playing for her favorite team. She sat in a field box behind the home dugout and wondered what was taking Josh so long.
He and Jason had left the seats a half an hour ago in search of hot dogs and sausage and pepper heros, which Caroline only ate at the ballpark. It was perfect. A beer, a hero, and baseball. Oh, and her guy. Her guy was with her. That was perfect.
Molly jumped up from her seat and Meg grabbed her hand. “You know I always used to judge people who leashed their kids, but there’s something to be said for it in crowds; this is scary.”
“Daddy, what took you so long?” Molly asked. I’m starving!”
“Sorry, long lines.” He passed out hot dogs to Meg, Molly, and her mother, and Caroline looked around for Josh. There was no sign of him.
“Where’s Josh?”
“Hunting down your sandwich,” Jason said. “All the vendors on this side were out.”
“He didn’t have to do that. I could have eaten a hot dog.”
“You know Josh, he doesn’t give up.”
Looking at everyone with them, Caroline smiled at the way things worked out. Three months ago, she never would have thought her life could have changed so much. She had her family back, she had a great new job that gave her time to write, and Will and Alicia Campbell were officially out of their lives. Things were pretty much perfect.
The team took the field in their white uniform pants and black jerseys. Her brother Kevin, new to the team, had been an instant fan favorite and was quite the heartthrob. Seeing the throngs of girls wearing his jersey and carrying marriage proposal signs would make for some fun conversations during the holidays.
“So, do you think Kevin enjoys being a matinee idol?” Meg asked her.
“Oh, hell no,” Caroline said. “He hates it.”
“Yeah, pretty much what I thought. It’s going to be so much fun torturing him with this.”
“You’re going to give your baby bad karma if you aren’t careful,” Caroline said.
Meg and Jason had just announced they were pregnant and the baby was due on Valentine’s Day. Meg, of course, blamed all of her insane moments on her hormones. No one in the family bought it.
“What is Uncle Josh doing on the field?” Molly asked.
“He’s what?” Caroline watched as her tall, gorgeous boyfriend walked up the first baseline with her brother, shaking hands with different players along the way. This was strange.
She leaned over the dugout and watched him, just loving how big and handsome he was. Josh’s mirrored aviators made people wonder who he was, and since he was so good-looking, so confident, he got his own matinee-idol screams from the fans. Unlike Kevin, who hated the attention, Josh smiled and waved.
“What a ham,” Caroline said.
He stopped in front of the dugout and took off his sunglasses, locking his eyes with Caroline’s. Her heart was thumping, because she knew. The sneak wanted to do something special and he did.
Jumping up onto the top of the dugout, to the cheers of the people in their seats, Josh reached out and pulled Caroline up with him.
“You’re a show-off,” she said.
“You love it.” His words came on a whisper.
“I love you,” she said.
“That’s a really good thing.” And that’s when Josh knelt down and everyone in the stadium cheered.
Caroline felt the tears prick her eyes as the man she loved, the man she had always loved, knelt before her.
“Caroline? I’m doing this here, in front of your family and a stadium full of strangers, because I want there to be no doubt how I feel.”
“I don’t doubt you,” she whispered.
“You’re everything to me, and because of you I will live the life I should live and be the person I want to be. The person you need me to be.”
“Oh, Josh.”
“I love you, with all my heart.”
Her tears had spilled over now and were tracking down her cheeks. “I love you.”
“You are my destiny, my soulmate, and I can’t believe I am so lucky.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. “Will you marry me?”
Looking at all the people in her life, from her brother on the field, to her mother and sister and Jason and Molly, Caroline’s heart nearly burst from the love that was there. It was all-consuming. All-powerful. Her dad, she knew, would be happy. Happy for her and happy for Josh, the boy who learned how to love not by example, but from the goodness in his heart.
“Do I get to be a flower girl?” Molly wasn’t going to miss a chance to get into a pretty dress.
Caroline nodded at her. “Yes.” Then she turned to Josh, not able to remember when she’d been this happy. “Yes.”
Her dad was a man who believed in the power of dreams. He wanted his children to follow what they loved, be the people they wanted to be. To cherish one another.
Josh rose, and Caroline reached up and hugged her man. He was her family now, and she always knew he would be.
“We should probably kiss or something,” she said.
“Or something?” He smiled wide, and Caroline saw her whole life ahead of her in his shining eyes.
“Josh, why did you do this?” she asked.
“You’re a romance author. I wanted you to have a proposal that was book-worthy.”
Josh leaned in and kissed her, sipping her lips, and Caroline felt herself melting into him. “You realize,” she said, “that the really good stuff comes after the happily ever after?”
“I’m counting on that.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
So, the rumor going around is that second books are hard. I can say, without a doubt, it’s true.
The writing of
Unexpectedly Yours
wasn’t easy, and I can’t fully express how much I appreciate the amazing people who got me through my days and very long nights.
I couldn’t have finished this book, or any book, without the support of my wonderful husband Tim, and my kids, Julie, Katie, and Peter. They may grumble from time to time, but they’ve always respected my need to write and my desire to pursue my dream. I love you guys.
Thanks go to three of my most steadfast readers—Clara Antunes, Danielle Giambrone and Doreen Coffey—for always finding the time to read, no matter how rough the pages, and for always giving me great feedback. I appreciate you more than you know.
For my buddy, Donna DeLuca, thank you for the never-ending cheerleading, feedback, laughs and for giving me a glimpse into the complex relationships among sisters. Caroline and Meg are stronger because of it.
To my colleagues at school, you are the best. Your notes and calls, your encouragement and enthusiasm has made this writing road that much more fun to travel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support.
To my wonderful chapter mates, the Long Island Romance Writers, your friendship, knowledge, and encouragement brought me here, and I’m counting on those same things to keep me going. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.
To my plotting chickies Patty Blount, Lisa Brennan, Jennifer Gracen, and Liz Slawinski, you ladies saved me more times than I can tell you. Between our phone calls and treat-laden plotting sessions, I got this book written. Chocolate and wine for all.
Gail Chianese is a beta reader extraordinaire and I am lucky to have her as a friend.
Thank you to my critique partner, Jessica Lemmon. Knowing you giggled through this book made me happier than you’ll ever know.
For my lovely friend Kristan Higgins, thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but know that it is heartfelt. Thank you. For everything.
My agent, Becky Vinter, is one of the greatest gifts I’ve received as a writer. Thank you for your patience, thoughtful feedback, and your friendship, as well as for talking me down off a ledge or two. I can’t imagine having a better person in my corner.
My former editor, Jesse Feldman, coaxed this story out of me and helped me understand why some books are just harder than others. Thanks for helping me find my way. My new editor, Elizabeth Bistrow, has proven herself to be an unbelievable advocate in just a short time. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
Finally, thank you, dear readers, for spending time in my world. I hope you’ve had fun and come back again.
Keep reading for an excerpt from the next novel in the Forever Love series
THE WEDDING SECRET
Available from Intermix May 2014
Prologue
October
As a rule, Harper Poole didn’t do slutty, but she figured there was a first time for everything.
So, she just gave in to the sensations when she felt Kevin’s big hands slide up her legs and slip under her dress. He was warm and strong and as he gripped her bare cheeks and lifted her onto the table in the wine cellar, Harper could only think about the physical release he represented.
Other than deciding in the last few minutes, since he first kissed her, that his mouth was a miracle, she didn’t know this man well. Didn’t know how he felt about her. Didn’t know if he was going to tell his friends or his family how he screwed her brainless in a semi-public place.
Harper didn’t care.
She’d given up the idea of the fairy tale a long time ago. There was no happy ever after in her future, so she was content to have great sex and live the life she was meant to live. She had money, status, power and that was going to have to be enough. Loneliness never played a role in her life because she never had a lot of use for people. Of course, right then she had a lot of use for the guy who’d just tossed her very expensive thong on the floor.
“Christ,” he said as he stroked a finger over her damp folds. “You’re as bare as a baby’s bottom down here.”
“Have a problem with that?” She sucked in a breath when he kissed her mound, his lips brushing over her, light as a feather.
“Nope. None at all.” His hands were on her knees now, spreading them open so he could get his big body between her legs. “I’m going to thoroughly enjoy making you scream.”
“Oh, think you can make me scream, do you?” she teased. “I don’t know if you’re up to it.”
Kevin chuckled and pressed his crotch into her thigh. She could feel him through his suit pants and he was plenty up. Impressively so. Bracing his hands on each side of her, he leaned in, and looked in her eyes. He was so damned gorgeous Harper almost got dizzy looking at him. Big and broad, he had the bone structure of a Roman god, short, thick dark hair and brilliant blue eyes that were full of mischief and challenge. “I will make you scream, Harper, first when I put my mouth on you and then when I’m inside you. You can take it to the bank.” He dropped to his knees, and pressed a kiss to her inner thigh while his hair tickled her girly bits. His eyes were closed now as he concentrated on his task, and his lashes fluttered against his cheek. Cripes, it should be against the law for a man to have eyelashes like that, yet they always did. Bastards, all of them.
“You’re always so damned controlled,” he said as he kissed her again. “I can’t wait to see you fall apart for me.”
She was fine with falling apart, but she’d never been with a man who’d made her whimper, much less scream, and she’d had some skillful lovers. But screaming orgasms? Never had one. “Hmph,” she shrugged when he looked up at her. “We’ll see.”
Kevin flashed a million dollar grin at her from his place between her legs, obviously loving the challenge she’d just put before him. Harper realized she was playing with fire. The guy was a superstar athlete who thrived on challenge and now he was going to make her screams a part of his mission. This was getting better and better.
“Think they’ll miss us upstairs? Your sisters would have a fit if they knew what was going on in here.” He was the brother of the bride and the groom’s best friend. But she and Kevin were both a little drunk on wine and so overcome by hormones that they had to find a place to be alone. It was the last dance they shared that put them over the edge. The dance where she could feel every muscle through his dress shirt. Could smell his cologne mixing with his own unique scent. Harper didn’t usually believe in chemistry. But they had it in spades.
“Nah,” he said. “I doubt they’ll miss me. Everything is winding down.”
The wedding might have been winding down, but the wine cellar was getting kind of hot. Harper felt a shot of pleasure as his mouth landed on her center. She could feel the heat and wetness of his mouth and what he did, the sucking and teasing, was positively magic. Lowering herself back onto the hard oak table, she draped an arm across her eyes and let the sensations fill her.
She’d never been tended to quite like this. This wasn’t the usual flicking of the tongue. No glancing passes with lips. Instead, there was a thorough exploration, a gentle worship that was different from anything she’d experienced before. This was intimate. Her partner wasn’t just going through the motions. Teasing aside, Kevin was making this all about her. Every touch, every nibble, every taste was meant to bring her pleasure. And Harper could feel the climax building. Building inside her like a furious wave. Her muscles started to tense and the ache forming low in her womb told her she was primed for detonation. Mother of God, he was good at this.
Harper’s breaths became short and shallow, and she could have gone over the edge at any time, but he didn’t stop. He changed the pace and gripped her hips, pressing his thumb against the nub that was going to be her undoing. She jerked back and gasped as he dove in with more purpose.
“Don’t go anywhere,” he said against her. “You’ll miss the good part.”
This wasn’t the good part? Everything inside her was contracting. Muscles pulled in, fire shot through her nerve endings and with one final tug of his mouth, Harper’s body let go. Her mind spun and her back arched and lightning flashed inside her eyelids. Deep within her the release kept coming, over and over. Waves of pleasure rocked her and then, without warning Harper called his name.
Screamed
his name. Damn.
Gasping for air, she wondered for a second if she’d lost consciousness. Before she knew it, she saw his face hovering over hers. Kevin nuzzled her neck and brushed the hair away from her face.
“Told you.”
Harper nodded, feeling the smile tug at her mouth. “Yes you did. And that was . . . that was. Oh, my God. It was . . . ”
“Hold that thought,” he said. “We’re not near done and I have to concentrate on outdoing myself.”
“You are so cocky,” she said, smiling at him. “But please, don’t let me stop you.”
“Baby, not a chance of that happening.”
***
Kevin Rossi had no idea what he was doing making love to Harper Poole in the wine cellar of a swanky private club in Manhattan. That his sister Caroline’s wedding was going on one floor above them was another thing altogether. This was not his brightest idea, but Harper was so funny and so damn hot, he couldn’t resist her. With her mile long legs and her big hazel eyes, the woman was walking seduction.
But it was her bite, her wit, which sparked his deeper interest. Behind the polished exterior was a first class brain. Kevin loved women with brains. He loved the give and take, the disagreements. Women with brains were never easy, but they always kept things interesting.
Unfortunately, in his line of work, he didn’t meet enough of them. The really smart ones thought he was just another meathead—a pro ball player with a lot of muscle, who could call a game from behind the plate, who could clear the bases with a home run, but didn’t have much in the way of gray matter. It was a good things his professors at Stanford didn’t let anyone know that he got his degree in economics with honors. It would have blown his dumb jock cover right to hell.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Harper teased.
He realized he was gazing at her, not saying anything, just taking in the features of that perfect face. “I’m thinking about what I can do to you next.” Looking around, all the wine tucked into racks along the wall offered endless possibilities. “If I could get you totally naked I’d probably pop the cork on one of those expensive bottles of champagne and bathe you in it.”
Harper raised an eyebrow and sat up. Kevin still stood between her legs and he couldn’t help but smile. She was a sight with her mussed hair and flushed face. Her dress was pushed up to her waist and her panties—where did those panties go?
“You have quite the imagination, but that’s not really practical.” Running her hands over his chest, her touch reminded him why they’d come down there in the first place. She kept moving down and stopped at his belt, tugging at the buckle. She looked into his eyes and licked her lips. “Is it my turn?” she asked.
Wrapping his arms around her and easing her back onto the table, Kevin leveraged himself over her and took her mouth in a kiss that stole her breath and his. “If you do that, I won’t reach my goal of making you scream twice.”
“Ah, well. What are you waiting for?”
Kevin smiled before dropping another searing kiss on her lips. “I want to see you again,” he whispered and he didn’t know what to think when he felt Harper tense up. “Let me take you out one night.”
She pulled him close and nibbled on his neck. “That’s not necessary. I don’t need to be wined and dined.”
“I know, but I want to.” She looked shocked. Genuinely shocked. Her hand came up and brushed his cheek. There was something hesitant and tender in the gesture. His request had definitely thrown her off her game.
“Kiss me,” she whispered. “I want you so badly, Kevin. Kiss me.”
Not hesitating, he took her mouth with his and let the heat build between them. He’d never fit with a woman like this, never been so in tune with her every movement. Her taste, the smell of her sweet breath spurred him on.
Moving away from her luscious mouth, he left a trail of kisses along her collarbone, her throat and over the swells of her breasts. Kevin loved listening to her breath quicken, loved that he could make her feel like this. Her fingers were now working at his belt and his zipper and when Harper’s hands came in contact with his very hard dick, she sighed and he groaned. “Oh, baby,” he hissed. “That’s nice.”
“Uh, huh” she began. “I’m going to make you feel very nice, but if you aren’t inside me soon, I will scream. And it will be for all the wrong reasons.”
It was now or never. They’d been down here a long time and at this point they were risking discovery. And that danger only added to the thrill. This woman had nerve.
Kevin chuckled and positioned himself at her opening, and almost lost all control when the head of his erection came in contact with all of that wet heat. Moving into her inch by inch was torture. He wanted to drive home more than anything. He wanted to ride her to that scream, but watching Harper’s face melt with pleasure as he entered her was worth the restraint.
She was hot and tight and when he finally slid the final inch, Harper said his name. It wasn’t the scream he was going for, but a blissful sigh, and when he gripped her hips and started to move, Kevin was hoping to get a few more of those.