Her One Night Consequence, page 18
A slight smile crossed Asia’s beautiful features, and Blake realized he was making headway, but then the smile fell. “Are you sure you’re not pretending to be in love with me so I’ll marry you for the baby’s sake?”
“I love our son, and he is a precious gift,” Blake said. “But I’m not saying I love you because of him. I’m saying I love you because I want spend the rest of my days with you. I’m saying I was a fool to let you leave when I’m head over heels for you.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Say it again.”
“I love you,” Blake said, feeling the words vibrate from the depths of his chest and radiate outward. Rather than feeling scared, he felt free for the first time in his adult life. “You’ve captured my heart and my soul. I tried to fight it, resist it, push you away, but in the end, I can’t deny what’s in my heart. I want you to be my wife, Asia. Will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”
Asia threw her arms around Blake’s neck and lifted her face for a kiss. Blake bestowed one to her, kissing her deeply and holding her close, but not too tight, because of the baby. He felt the dampness of her tears against his cheek.
“I’m so sorry for hurting you, Asia,” Blake said when he pulled back. “I almost lost you and I didn’t know if I could bear it.”
Asia cupped both sides of his face. “No one has ever made me feel the way you do, Blake Coleman. I think I fell in love with you, too, when you walked into the store all cocky and arrogant. Our first night together was magical, and because of it, we created a life.” She placed his hand on her stomach. “I know getting pregnant wasn’t what either of us expected, but it led us to each other and allowed me to fall in love with you. I love you, too, Blake, and I would love nothing more than to be your wife and your partner. So, what do you say we rip up those partnership dissolution papers?”
“Hell yes.” Blake cradled her face in his hands and kissed her with bone-shaking tenderness. He hoped it convinced her that his love would last a lifetime.
When they finally broke apart for air, Blake said, “You have my heart, Asia.”
“And you’re mine and I’m yours,” Asia said. “Forever.”
Epilogue
Three weeks later
Asia was profoundly in love with her amazing husband. They hadn’t been able to wait. As soon as she was released from hospital, Blake found the nearest justice of the peace and they’d married in a private ceremony, with her mother and his aunt as their witnesses. There would be time for a larger celebration later. For them, it was about sealing their commitment to each other.
Asia hadn’t told the Gems, because she didn’t want to upstage Wynter. Today, her best friend and sister had been the most beautiful bride. Wynter had worn a beaded off-the-shoulder lace ball gown with sequined appliqués adorning the bodice, and she’d held a simple bouquet of white peonies. She and Riley had stood up before God and over three hundred guests and pledged their eternal love for each other.
Asia had loved Wynter’s and Riley’s personal vows because they mirrored the ones she and Blake had said to each other just a short while ago. For now, their marriage would be their little secret. She would tell the Gems after Wynter’s wedding.
In the meantime, Asia was having the time of her life with Blake, who looked all kinds of hot in a Giorgio Armani tuxedo. The black textured suit jacket and matching trousers fit him like a glove. Asia couldn’t wait to rip his clothes off when they got back to the hotel. It was definitely true about what they said about pregnant women. She couldn’t get enough, wanting her man morning, noon and night.
“Why do you look like the cat that got the cream?” Egypt asked, sidling next to Asia when she left Blake’s side to mingle.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Don’t be sly with me, sis,” Egypt responded with a smirk. “I call it like I see it, and you’ve definitely got a secret.”
“Not here. And not now,” Asia whispered conspiratorially. “Don’t you have enough to keep you busy? Your man—” she glanced over at tall, dark and chocolate Garrett, who was killing it in a dark navy tuxedo jacket and trousers “—looks a little thirsty.”
“Oh, I’ve got him covered,” Egypt said. “But don’t think this conversation is over.” She gestured with her index and middle fingers to warn Asia that she had her eyes on her.
Suddenly, Shay was tapping Asia’s shoulder. She had a handsome man in a dark gray suit by her side. He had dark brown eyes, a close-cropped hairstyle and a five-o’clock shadow, much like the one Blake had. And he looked oddly familiar.
“Do I know you?” Asia inquired.
Shay laughed. “You don’t remember Colin? He went to high school with us. Anyway, I’m helping him get back in tip-top shape.”
“Ah yes, now I remember. You were dating Claire Watson.” Asia’s face bunched into a frown and Shay tried to hide a smirk.
“We broke up in college,” Colin replied.
“Shame,” Asia responded. Claire had been one of the girls who bullied her for not wearing the latest fashions. “You’re in good hands with Shay. If anyone can fix you, it’s her.”
Asia winked at her best friend before making her way to the dance floor for “The Cupid Shuffle.” Former ballerina Lyric gracefully stepped her way past the rest of the crowd, showing everyone how it was done. Meanwhile, Teagan was on the sidelines with her phone, as usual. Sometimes that girl couldn’t get out of her own way.
Eventually, the song ended and the music changed to something slow and sexy. That’s when Blake pulled Asia into his arms. Asia would never get tired of the way he held her.
“You’ve been a hard woman to nail down today.”
“I’m sorry, babe. When we girls get together, it’s madness and mayhem, but in a good way,” she said with a smile.
“I’m here to slow you down,” Blake responded. “You know what the doctor said—you have to take it easy.”
“Not too easy,” Asia said, squeezing his bum.
“Why, Mrs. Coleman, are you trying to put the moves on me?” Blake asked, his ebony eyes gleaming with desire.
“Yes, I am,” she said unabashedly. “How am I doing?”
Blake whispered several naughty things in her ear, and when they returned to their hotel room much later that evening, he did all the things he’d promised to. He made such passionate love to her that her blood sang in her veins.
“You’ve opened my heart to love, Asia, and I can’t thank you enough,” Blake said, and there was no denying the love she saw shining in his eyes.
“How about you spend a lifetime showing me?” Asia asked, and then she pulled him in for a searing kiss.
* * *
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The Marriage Deadline
by Niobia Bryant
One
Lucas Cress took a sip from his flute of champagne as he stood before one of many massive poster-sized black-and-white photos hanging in the entry hall of Manhattan University Prep as the sound of “Low” by Flo Rida and T-Pain loudly blared from inside the gym. It had been the number-one song from the year he’d graduated from the prestigious private school for the city’s wealthy and famous. He was currently at his fifteen-year high-school reunion.
The photo?
A reminder of what he used to be.
He frowned as he took in the chubby kid with curly hair who was over fifty pounds overweight. Not the favorite of the girls or the jocks. Not as popular as his brothers when they’d attended the school before him. Not comfortable in his skin. Shy and reserved. So unsure of himself.
He felt sad for the kid.
For me. The old me, anyway.
Now he was an acclaimed pastry chef and an executive at Cress, INC., his family’s successful culinary empire. He had worked hard five years ago to lose the extra weight put on during decades of indulgence in the food he and his entire family created. He was no longer out of shape and lacking confidence. With his good looks and chiseled frame, he enjoyed a level of popularity with the ladies that he’d sorely lacked in high school.
“Luc Cress?”
He took another sip of his champagne as he turned at the sound of his name. His heart skipped a few beats and a warmth of nervous energy radiated over his body as he eyed the woman standing there with a soft smile and surprise-filled eyes. Eve Villar.
Even with her once long jet-black hair now cut into a short pixie style, she hadn’t changed very much. Medium brown complexion. Thinly shaped eyebrows. Deep-set eyes. High cheekbones and the most luxurious full mouth covered with a deep maroon lip gloss. Very akin to the singer Teyana Taylor. Very intense and sultry without even trying.
Still as beautiful as ever.
He remembered her well.
He remembered a lot very well, unfortunately. The memory caused him to clutch the stem of his flute just a little tighter...
Lucas and one of his older brothers, Coleman, had been sitting on the wrought-iron bench of the quad of their high school dressed in the school uniform of navy cardigans and khaki pants with white shirts and striped ties. They were both looking across the courtyard at a group of girls gathered atop a wooden table with their legs crossed as they talked, laughed and drew the eyes of those who either wanted to be them, or be near them.
Like Lucas.
As he sipped from a bottle of fruit juice, his dark eyes locked on Eve Villar as she dragged the tips of her pink glittery nails through her long dark brown hair streaked with auburn. She moved with an awareness of her beauty. Every move seemed to be the pose of a model. Every expression was meant to please or tease.
The very sight of her made Lucas feel nervous energy. His heart beat faster and his palms sweated whenever they were in the same junior classes. There was nothing about the beauty that didn’t tempt him in his dreams. The idea of barely seeing her over the summer made him regret the coming end of the school year...and made him feel emboldened to finally reveal his adoration.
“I’m going to do it,” Lucas told his brother, who was a year ahead of him and graduating in a few months.
Coleman smoothed his long fingers over his close-cropped hair as he shook his head. “I don’t know about that, Luc,” he advised. “Eve Villar and her crew are a piece of work.”
“Beautiful work,” Lucas countered, as he handed his brother the bottle of soda, then picked up the plastic container of strawberry-shortcake cupcakes he’d prepared the night before.
Just for Eve.
Being from a culinary family—and enjoying sweets from a very young age—Lucas was already a capable pastry chef with plans to attend culinary school upon graduating high school next year.
“More like beautiful chaos,” Coleman warned with another shake of his head as he eyed her.
Lucas felt his eyes widen a bit as Eve tilted her head back to laugh, exposing her neck. As his heart pounded in excitement, he wondered if she smelled of candy or flowers—either way, he knew it was sweet.
And if she was his girl, he could plant a kiss there.
Lucas picked up the clear plastic container holding the half-dozen strawberry-shortcake cupcakes he’d created for her. He wasn’t as popular with the girls as Cole, who was already lean and chiseled, but he was cute and knew it. And he was one of the Cress brothers, chubby or not, and with those things going for him he felt he had a chance.
For Eve, I’ll take that chance.
He felt he had no choice. He was too distracted by her to do anything else.
Coleman gave him a comforting clasp on the shoulder. “Good luck, little brother,” he said.
Lucas nodded and began walking. His palms dampened the container as each step across the manicured grass brought him closer and closer to Eve.
“What’s going here?” one of Eve’s friends asked as he neared their table.
“Definitely the wrong Cress brother,” another said in a tone meant to mock.
The girls all giggled.
Lucas paused and he felt uncomfortable even as he focused his gaze on Eve’s face.
“What’s that?” she asked, notching her chin toward the container he was carrying.
He loved the husky timbre of her voice. He wanted nothing more than to hear her say his name.
“I m-m-m-made you some cupcakes,” he said, extending his arms to hand them to her.
Eve shifted her eyes down to the treats without moving her head at all. She arched her left eyebrow high before frowning.
“Th-th-they have a fresh strawberry filling and are topped with cotton candy,” he explained, hating the stutter that appeared when he was nervous.
Eve glanced back over her shoulder at her friends, then faced forward again as she rose from the tabletop. She stood before him with her hands on her hips. “Do I look like I sit around and scarf down cupcakes?”
Alarm filled him as he shook his head. “No. I thought you would enjoy them—”
Eve gave him a tight little smile as she took the cupcake container from him. “If you knew like we all know, you would stop eating these,” she said, then turned to drop the container into a wrought-iron garbage receptacle. She at stared him, giving him a withering look, from his dark curls down to the soles of his Air Jordans. “It’s the last thing you need.”
As her friends began to laugh at him, enjoying her ridicule, Lucas stood there as his heart shattered into a million tiny pieces. He lowered his head, unable to do otherwise, and turned to walk away.
“Oh, hell no,” Coleman said, suddenly beside him. His brother had pressed one hand to Lucas’s chest and had tipped up his chin with the other. “You’re a Cress...”
As the memory faded, Lucas smiled a bit at how his brother had skewered the entire lot of them with harsh words and profanity that sent them running from his reproach. Back then, he had needed Coleman to defend his honor. Not anymore. That had been sixteen years and over fifty pounds ago. That Lucas was long gone.
Eight years ago, he had lost weight via exercise, chiseled his frame with weights and claimed the title of the family’s Lothario, with plenty of willing candidates for his attention.
Life was great.
Eve stepped closer to give him an air kiss. “You look amazing,” she said.
Lucas tilted his head to the side as he took in the emerald-green strapless jumpsuit she had on, along with strappy copper heels. Her physique was toned but still curvy and her cinnamon-brown complexion gleamed. “So do you,” he said, before taking another sip of his drink.
She glanced over at his reunion photo and then back at him, giving him a hesitant look. “I’m glad you’re here, Luc,” she said, reaching to squeeze his wrist.
He glanced down at the connection and felt warmed by her touch. Like a spark.
“I just can’t believe how much you’ve changed,” Eve said with a shake of her head and a deeper smile.
Luc’s eyes searched hers and he clearly saw her appreciation of his looks. Perhaps even desire. One skill he had honed since his weight loss was how to read a woman’s level of interest in him and Eve Villar definitely liked what she saw.
And maybe enough for me to woo her right out of that jumpsuit.
With a slow smile he knew dazzled women, Lucas covered her hand with his. He felt her slight tremble—another telltale sign of attraction. And desire.
“And I can’t believe how much you look the same,” he told her, infusing his voice with the same deep warmth that he felt.
“Thank you,” she said.
They fell silent and shared a long look filled with sexy intentions.
Oh, this is happening.
“Listen, I wanted to apologize for my behavior back in high school,” she said, her thumb lightly stroking his.
He remembered her words. “It’s the last thing you need.”
“That’s in the past,” he said, pushing aside the remnants of embarrassment that lingered even after all that time.
“But there’s so much that’s—”
“Eve!”
They both looked over at the trio of women excitedly walking up to her with champagne flutes in their hands and the desire to celebrate brightening their eyes and smiles.
Lucas and Eve released each other’s hands. He stepped back as the same friends she’d had in high school rushed to surround her with excited chatter.
“Look at you, Eve!”
“Eve, how have you been?”
“It’s so good to see you, Eve!”
He turned away from them and looked at the photo of himself as he raised his glass in a toast, then took a deep sip and walked away with one last glance at Eve. He found her looking back at him as her friends steered her deeper into the party. He gave her a wink and smile and promised himself that he would bed Eve Villar—something he would have never been able to do in the past.
Even though he knew with his fame as a celebrity chef—a Cress nonetheless—that many of his classmates had seen him in the press, coming to his reunion had been the opportunity to show off his muscular physique that he’d worked so hard to obtain. Making Eve Villar see him and regret turning down his tender offer of love had been a hope, but the opportunity to get in bed and fulfill a high-school fantasy was more than he could wish for.
