Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing (Hautboy Series Book 3) (29 page)

“Sorry.  I’m right handed. It’s awkward.”

“Unfortunately so is Jake’s semi.  That’s why I’m using you to block it from the shot.”

Blinking away my shock, a wide smile spread across my face.

“Perfect!”  Lifting the camera, he snapped a series of shots.  “What’s your girl’s name, Jake?  Should I know her?”

“Paisley Shaw.  She’s upcoming.”

“Model?”

I snorted under my breath, but Jake didn’t hesitate.  “Pianist.”

The reporter scribbled something down on a notepad and glanced at the next car stopping along the curb.  “Thanks guys.  Good luck tonight, Jake.  Give Tate and his wife my regards.”

Jake gestured his assent and guided me toward the next press person.  “Pianist?” I asked.  “I don’t remember agreeing to that.”

“You’re wasting your talent, Shaw.”

“I’m being realistic.”

“Did you ever think you’d be walking the red carpet with Hautboy?”

He had me there.  “No.”

“Yet here you are.”

“I haven’t played in years, Jake.”

“You could be great.  You might really enjoy it.  But you’ll never know until you try.  What’ve you got to lose?”

My job, but I didn’t argue.  He would fix that too.

“You don’t have to quit your job.  Jesus, Shaw, you’ve got a terrible attitude.  You go into things expecting to fail, and you’re going to fail.  Seriously—what happened to the power of positive thinking?”

“Positive thinking was the footing that got me through nursing school,” I argued.  “It was the encouragement I needed to move out on my own.  They’re no small accomplishments.”

“I’m not trying to insult you.”  Stopping, he turned me to face him.  “You’ve never had anyone there to catch you if you fall, but now you do.  I’m only trying to offer your whatever support you need to do something that you
want
to do, and not just survive. Think of me as your safety net.”

“I’m not taking your money.”

“I’m not shelling out endless amounts of cash here.  You keep your job.  We practice.  Work on Coop’s music.  Take it slow.  It’s going to take months for her to recover.  Maybe eighteen years.  She’s having twins.  You have plenty of time to feel things out and decide if it’s something you want to do.  I’m just offering to toss you a few bucks when you need it.  If I have my way, I’ll be spending a lot of time at your place anyhow.”

Hiding my amusement, I dropped my head.  “Ok, I’ll think about it.”

“Christ, you’re a tough nut to crack.”

“I’m trying, Jake.”  I loved him, but putting my trust in him wasn’t easy, not when I’d been stung by him in the past.  I’d forgiven him, but I was far from forgetting.

“I know.”  Dropping his head, he pressed his lips to my forehead.  His breath fanned over my face in a sigh of remorse.

“I love you.”  I could at least give him that.  I didn’t want to dwell on the past.  Bringing it up time and again wasn’t going to repair the damage we’d both caused.  To move forward, we needed to focus on the here and now.

Lifting his head, Jake’s eyes roamed over my face.  “Damn,” he swore, digging in his pocket.  “Almost forgot.  I wanted to give you something.”  His hand came out, something wrapped within his long fingers.  Just as he uncurled them, Carter—who was walking past—slapped his hand, sending it flying beneath the curtain of a folding table.  “Carter, you asshole!”

Cackling in laughter, Carter moved on to the next reporter.

Swearing under his breath, Jake dropped to his knees and began rooting under the table.  A few seconds later, he came back out with a small, black velvet box.  With a loud snap, he cracked it open.  A silver ring with a rather large stone tumbled onto the ground.

“Shit!”  Quickly, he lunged for the thing as it wobbled to a stop on the red carpet, covering it with his hand.

I looked on with horror and astonishment.  Speechless.

Lifting the ring into the air, he quickly surveyed it for damage.  Slowly, he glanced at me, and then at the ring, and back at me again.  Something registered.  “Ah…”

“Uh...”  It was all I could manage.

“Fuck.”  Again, his gaze wavered between me and the ring.  “Earrings, Shaw.  I bought you a pair of earrings.  I grabbed the wrong fuckin’ box.”

“Oh.  My.  God,” someone in near vicinity exclaimed.  “Is he proposing?  He is!  Jake Whalen proposing!  Quick—get a picture!”

Flashes went off left and right.

I stared at Jake, in shock.

Recovering, Jake’s expression shifted.  A slow smile spread across his face.  He hadn’t planned this, but he wasn’t above taking advantage of the opportunity.  What better way to prove his devotion?  Besides, he knew I wouldn’t say no, not with half the world watching.  He had me right where he wanted me.

A louder cackle resounded from Carter.  “Holy shit—this’s fuckin’ priceless!”

“Shaw.”  I looked down at Jake, still holding the ring in the air.  “Marry me.”

My face was burning, straight to the tips of my ears.  National fucking television.  I felt like dying.

“Shaw,” said Jake, calmly, “look at me.”

I did.  Tears sprang from my eyes, blurring my vision.

“Breathe.”

I forced a shallow breath into my lungs.

Jake grasped my left hand gently in his, gathering my sole attention.  “Marry me,” he repeated, in earnest.  He wanted this.  I could see it in his eyes.  He was every bit serious.

Unable to find my voice, I nodded.  Jake sighed in relief and slipped the ring onto my finger.  Rising to his feet, he took me in his arms.  His grip was firm.  Confident.  Gently, he tucked a finger under my chin and raised my head, while lowering his lips to mine.

Shutters sounded all around us like a swarm of bees.

“Shaw?”

“Hmm?” I murmured against his lips.

“Your ass is all mine now.”

Note from the Author

I want to thank you for taking the time to read Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing.  If you enjoyed Paisley and Jake’s story, please consider leaving some positive feedback on Amazon, Goodreads or any other blogs you visit.

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Thanks again for your interest in my books,

Anne Berkeley

Other books by Anne Berkeley

The Wild Hunt Series:

Tempestuous

Torrid

Turbulent

Once Bitten Twice Shy Series:

Feral

Hautboy Series:

Someone to Watch Over Me

Breaking the Habit

Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to send a big thanks to all my beta readers for invaluable feedback and encouragement!

Anita Terrill, Kathleen Burcham, Lorna Atkins, Trish Sutherland, Danielle Renee, Billy Helms, & Jodie Wilkins.

And thanks to everybody who has helped make this book a reality.