One Day You'll Be Mine: Steamy Contemporary Military Romance (17 page)

EPILOGUE

Spring was here; you could almost feel its crackle in the air. Fresh green buds peeked through the branches, indicating the change of seasons. The sky seemed bluer and bluer by the day, the temperatures crept up into the 70s, and the sun started hanging in the sky much longer in the evening hours.

Desmond and I were headed out to dinner. After two months of ironing out the details, my divorce was final. And instead of feeling miserable, emotional, or at a loss in life, I felt a complete sigh of relief. Through regular action, and the support of those I loved, I made it through the storm, almost unscathed by the madness.

I looked at my handsome beau. He held my hand as he drove. Our fingers interlocked, and I enjoyed the skin-to-skin contact between us.

This dinner was special to me. It’d be the first time we could go out and be a true couple. We could hold hands. We could show affection.

We could actually
kiss
too! I couldn’t wait to do that. My lips had yearned for his ever since that taboo moment I’d felt them, before pushing him away to wait until we were in the clear. 

We pulled into the familiar parking lot. It had been a couple of months since I’d been here, but I remembered the crazy events that transpired as if everything happened yesterday. I looked at the parking space where my Kia Soul was parked that night; a Honda Civic was in its place.

Helping me out of his Range Rover, Desmond gingerly took my hand to ensure I stepped out the vehicle safely.

“You are absolutely beautiful.” He kissed my forehead. “You ready to eat?”

Hooking his arm around me, I replied. “Yes. After all this healthy eating, I’m dying for those Japanese wings. Don’t worry. I’m not nibbling tonight. I’m straight eating.”

We were halfway towards the entrance when he stopped. “Babe. Hold up.”

I thought he was checking for his wallet or his phone, because he was patting his pockets. Instead, he got down on one knee. Kissing my hand, he said, “You know I adore you, right?”

I gasped. We were in the middle of the sidewalk, right in front of Victor Tango’s, where we’d had that fateful night that ended in my twisted ankle and the spilling of our souls just a few months ago.

Caressing my hand, he continued. “Ever since I laid eyes on you, I knew there was something special about you. You were the most alluring woman I’d ever laid eyes on, and I had to know why. Marcus, Ty – they even noticed my attraction to you. You were so shy – you had this wall up – but I couldn’t let you go. Not without trying. But you gave me a chance, and I’m so glad you did.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God I met you. I can’t take away the memories your husband gave you – and I’d never want to replace those wonderful times you both shared. But I know that’s the past, and you’re starting the next chapter of your life. I just want to know if you’re willing to spend it with me.”

He extracted a red velvet jewelry box from his pocket, and opened the case. Inside lay the most gorgeous 2-carat teardrop diamond ring I’d ever seen. It sparkled and glimmered, sending brilliance in every direction.

Trembling, I looked at him, then the ring. “Baby… this is so sudden.”

“Yes, baby.” He agreed. “It is. But I know you’re the one for me, and I don’t want to spend another moment without letting you know my love is real. I don’t want you in my life, Natalia. I need you here. Will you be mine forever? I promise we won’t rush to the altar. We’ll take it just one day at a time – until you’re ready to say ‘I do.’”

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I nodded. He slid the ring on, kissed my hand again, and stood up.

I grinned and leaned in, balancing myself on one high-heeled leg. The other was propped up in the air, a sign of delight as my lips pressed against his and our hearts exploded.

ABOUT LAUREN LASHLEY

Lauren Lashley has a wild personality, and an even wilder imagination. Born and bred in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island, Lauren escapes to books during long days and even longer nights. Currently living in the mean streets of Plano, Texas, Lauren created the Succulence Trilogy (now a Quartet) as a release to the humdrum rollercoaster known as life. She’s also the author of
Ricochet
, the prequel to an upcoming standalone novel titled, The Playgirl Diaries.

When she’s not finger banging her laptop on – Lauren Lashley is listening to The Weekend, reading metaphysics, cooking, learning pole dance – and most importantly, figuring out her next great vacation to plan a sex scene. Connect with Lauren on
Twitter
or
Facebook
– and don’t forget to sign up for her mailing list:
Click here to sign up!

Copyright © 2016 by Lauren Lashley and Alana Hart for Hartfelt

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

Wild Topaz Media
2711 Centerville Rd

Suite 400

Wilmington, DE 19808
http://www.wildtopazmedia.com

In loving memory of

Gloria Lashley-Williams.

Thank you for being unconditionally loving,

supportive, nurturing, sassy and classy.

I love you, Beama

RIP

TITLES BY LAUREN LASHLEY

Succulence

Wild Succulence

Eternal Succulence

Master Succulence

Succulence: The Master Collection

Ricochet
: The Playgirl Diaries Prequel

Under Her Spell

COMING SOON

Afterglow

The Playgirl Diaries

A NOTE FROM LAUREN

This series is dedicated to any woman who has considered doing something strange for a little piece of change because the economy – and the workforce – is harder on women than most would ever imagine or wish to give credit for.

I’d also like to dedicate this book to any woman who’s struggled with trying to be taken seriously for her intellect because she’s too attractive or emits a sexual energy that throws people off. I intend that this world grows to understand beautiful women don’t always need to rely upon looks to get ahead. If – and when – she does, a beautiful and intelligent woman usually applies her aesthetics as an enhancement, but not the basis, of being the total package.

Last but not least, I dedicate this book to my Fastlane Forum friends, private supporters, friends, family and those who’ve enjoyed the ride. Whether offline or online, friend or family, co-worker or colleague, you’ve seen me fight through many things to get to this point and encouraged me without ceasing. May the process become part of the journey, and may we all realize life is sweeter when we push through the pain and take control into our own hands as soon as possible.

DISCLAIMER

While this book is inspired by interesting conversations and realistic events observed by the author, nothing in this book is real! Not a damned thing!

But if you need it spelled out for you in legalese, here it goes:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.