Amy Bensen 04 Unbroken (13 page)
Read Amy Bensen 04 Unbroken Online
Authors: Lisa Renee Jones
His eyes narrow the tiniest bit, and then his lips curve ever so slightly and I am certain I see satisfaction slide over his face. He knows I cannot look away. I’ve become his newest conquest, of which I am certain he has many, and I’ve embarrassingly done so without one single moan of pleasure in the process.
“Inviting our first-class guests to board now,” a female voice says over the intercom.
I blink and my new, hmmm, whatever he is pushes to his feet and slides a duffel onto his shoulder. His eyes hold mine, a hint of something in them I can’t quite make out. Challenge, I think. Challenge? What kind of challenge? I don’t have time to figure it out. He turns away, and just like that I’m alone again.
I snap back to the moment and whisper, “Only I wasn’t alone. Not from that moment forward.” Smiling with that thought, I walk into the bathroom and just as I’m about to enter the bedroom, Chad appears in the doorway, looking amazing in one of Liam’s black suits with a white shirt and tie.
He gives me a once-over and grins. “For a couple of people who like to dig in the dirt, we clean up pretty good.”
I laugh. “Yes, we do.”
“You look gorgeous, Amy.” His voice softens. “Lara.”
“Amy,” I say quickly against the pinch in my chest. “I’m Amy.”
“Amy,” he amends. “I’m glad I’m here.”
I point at him. “Don’t make me cry and mess up my makeup.” I face the mirror. “I’m nervous. Is Liam ready?”
“He’s ready, and he’s pretty nervous, too.”
“Liam’s nervous?” I ask, surprised.
“Hell yeah, he’s nervous. The man can’t stand still.”
Knowing that he’s as affected as I am charms me. But then, ever
ything Liam does charms me. “Then we should go down now.”
“Not quite yet. Shut your eyes.”
“What?”
“Liam sent you a Christmas present.”
I look at him curiously. “Why wouldn’t he give it to me himself?”
“Don’t argue about a gift. Close your eyes.”
I do as he orders as he steps behind me, my curiosity growing by the instant. I feel the touch of a chain on my neck and he warns, “Don’t look yet.” I wait impatiently until he says, “Now you can look.”
My lashes lift and I stare at the pink diamond at my neck that matches my ring. “He thinks of everything. It’s incredible.”
Chad steps beside me and looks at me in the mirror. “Like you, Amy. You’re brave and strong, and he’s lucky to have you.”
“Chad,” I whisper.
He offers me his arm, our gazes meeting in the mirror. “Shall we?”
I accept his arm and my eyes start to water. “You’re making me cry again.”
He laughs and covers my hand with his. “Well, then you’re just going to have to cry. Let’s go marry you off to a billionaire.”
“Don’t call him that,” I say, as we exit the bedroom.
He chuckles. “You make it sound like I just called him an asshole.”
“He is not defined by his money,” I retort and we argue all the way down the stairs, just like old times. We reach the final step and Tellar steps in front of us, looking sharp in one of his best suits. He backs up beyond the wall blocking us from the living area and motions to someone. Music begins and the instant I hear the soft violin lift in the air, I know it’s a recording of David Garrett. I smile at this piece of Liam that is not a piece of me.
“Ready?” Chad asks, squeezing my arm.
“Yes,” I say, my voice raw with emotion, “I am ready.”
We start walking and Liam moves with us, stepping directly into our path, the full impact of his attention the same as the first time I saw him. His attention is still just as fierce, just as forceful, and he is still money, power, and sex, a man waiting to claim me. A man who makes me want to be claimed, and yet he is so much more. He is love, laughter, and happiness, the other part of my soul; the rest of the room fades, the music disappears, and every inch I travel feels like years instead of seconds.
Finally, we stop in front of him. Chad leans down, kissing my temple, but when he starts to move away, I’m not ready for him to escape. I hold his arm and step to him, hugging him as hard as I can. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I murmur.
He holds me for several seconds, whispering, “I love you, sis,” before slowly releasing me with a smile. He goes to stand next to Gia and gives me a nod. Liam’s hand comes down on my back, the warmth of his love spreading through me, over me.
Inhaling, I face Liam, and he offers me his hand. I press my palm to his, a tingling sensation spreading up my arm, and he gently urges me to him. Our legs align, his hand settling on my waist, a branding I welcome, and when our eyes meet for a few seconds, there is no one else here. Just the two of us. “You look beautiful, baby, and I’m a very lucky man.”
“You look very sexy, Liam Stone. And I love the necklace.”
Dr. Murphy clears her throat, and Liam’s lips curve. “I think she’s telling us we have a wedding to attend,” he says, and we turn to stand in front of her.
Only a few months ago I was alone, so very alone, and now I’m standing next to the man I love, with the people I consider family and friends. Everything has changed.
I
have changed.
Dr. Murphy’s gaze meets mine, and I see understanding there. She knows what I’ve been through. She knows where I’ve been, and how profound it makes where I am now.
“We’re here tonight to join Liam and Amy in marriage,” she begins. “There is nothing conventional about this night, but then, there is nothing conventional about their relationship or their love. It’s unique and special. It’s a night I could fill with words, but it’s
their
words that matter. Amy. Liam. This is your time.”
Liam steps closer to me, his hand returning to my waist, my hand settling on the hard wall of his chest, and the way his heart thunders beneath my palm, I know he is as affected by this as I am.
“Amy,” he says, his voice low, gravelly.
“Liam,” I say, barely managing a whisper.
“Before I met you I was living a shell of an existence, broken in ways I didn’t understand, but I now do. I need you in my life, Amy, and I vow to love you with all I am. I know sometimes that will be good and sometimes bad, but whatever the case, it will always be honest. You are everything to me, and I will do everything to protect you, love you, and make you happy.”
I smile tremulously. “You already make me happy—and suddenly I can’t remember the vows I wrote. I don’t want to regret not saying them. I love you, Liam. I love you so much, and—” He kisses me, a tender, sweet kiss full of promise, and when his lips leave mine, he whispers, “Breathe.”
I smile again. “Because of you.”
“Then breathe with me for the rest of your life.”
“Rings, please,” Dr. Murphy says.
Gia steps forward and gives me Liam’s ring.
“Amy Bensen,” Dr. Murphy says, “do you take Liam Stone to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, cherish, and honor him for the rest of your life?”
“I do,” I say, and my hand trembles so much Liam has to help me slip it on his finger.
Then Derek gives my rings to Liam.
“Liam Stone,” Dr. Murphy says, “do you take Amy Bensen to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, cherish, and honor her for the rest of your life?”
“I do,” he says, and slips the rings onto my finger.
“Then the magical moment is here!” She declares, “I now pronounce you man and wife, and you may kiss the bride.”
Liam cups my face, staring down at me. “Mrs. Stone,” he says softly.
“Mr. Stone,” I say, smiling, and when he kisses me the room erupts in cheers.
Apart, Liam and I were indeed broken. But together, we are unbroken
.
Want to know even more about The Secret Life of Amy Bensen?
Don't miss the first book in
the
series, Escaping Reality. On sale now!
Escaping Reality
Secrets and lies are everywhere. In the midst of it all, he’d been her escape, her passion. But now she's fighting for the truth and she won’t stop until she has it, not even for . . .him.
Infinite Possibilities
Everything Chad thought was right turns out to be wrong. Now he's living with the consequences of his decisions, and only two goals keep him going: protect his sister Amy, and, revenge is everything.
Forsaken
ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!
LISA RENEE JONES is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of more than forty books across many romance genres—contemporary, romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and erotic fiction. Her books have been translated all around the world, and her highly acclaimed Inside Out series is now in development for cable television. She loves to hear from readers.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR:
authors.simonandschuster.com/Lisa-Renee-Jones
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
ALSO BY LISA RENEE JONES
THE INSIDE OUT SERIES
If I Were You
Being Me
Revealing Us
His Secrets*
Rebecca’s Lost Journals
The Master Undone*
My Hunger*
No In Between
My Control*
I Belong to You
All of Me*
THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN
Escaping Reality
Infinite Possibilities
Forsaken
Unbroken*
*
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