The Unexpected Series (Unexpected #1-3) (90 page)

“I’m hoping to change that.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a black box. “Hadley, since the day I laid eyes on you in high school you are all I’ve ever thought about. Your drive to live life, the way you love and trust me unconditionally allows me to be who I am with no question. I long to keep you for the rest of my life. I want to wake up to your smile every day. I want to have crazy, amazing children with you and watch them bring our grandchildren over to our house so we can spoil them rotten.”

My breath hitches as the tears start to fall desperately to the floor.

“I want to watch you paint naked and burn the house down when you try to cook. I want to be your first, your last and your eternity. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Yes!” I scream not hesitating for a moment and pull him up to his feet. I jump into his arms and he swings me around until he grows dizzy and falls to the tile.

As I straddle him, he opens the black box and takes out the ring. I lose my breath, stunned at its beauty. He slips it on, and it fits perfectly. I admire the round cut diamond on top of a white gold band with smaller diamonds all the way around the band.

“It’s beautiful,” I tell him, admiring it from afar and then leaning in to kiss him.

He pushes my hair aside and behind my ears. “You’re beautiful, Spark. The ring pales in comparison.”

I lean back, blushing at the compliment and stand up. He follows and turns me around, circling his hands around my waist and we stare at his painting.

“Did you really paint this?” I ask hoping I don’t offend him.

I feel his body move with his silent laugh. “Yes, but I had a lot of help.”

A few hours later the studio is filled with all of those I love. My mom is in the corner hugging Ryder’s mom. After Ryder and I officially got together they started doing monthly lunch dates. I smile at their interaction. They seem to have become the best of friends.

When I find Ryder, he is trapped against a wall. I watch as my dad towers over him and pokes a few fingers in his chest. Ryder says something to him and my dad smiles, bringing him in for a hug.

Ryder walks over to me and I can’t help but chuckle. “What was that about?”

“Nothing.” He shrugs nervously, making me laugh even harder. “Just some good old fashioned threatening.”

“Hadley, this place is amazing!” Noelle says, interrupting us, while holding her daughter Charlotte in her hands. The baby has green and purple paint all over her and Noelle. “Charlotte is having a great time!”

I smile at how much Noelle has changed. Long gone are the days of washing everything down the minute it gets dirty. She gets right there in the mud along with both Charlotte and Jason. That doesn’t mean other aspects of her life aren’t in perfect order.

“Thank you.” I accept the compliment.

“Of course, but I’ll miss you at the office.” She brings me in for a three way hug and pulls quickly away. “Now to take the little ones to Mama Decker’s house so Daddy and I can practice making another one of these cute things.”

I roll my eyes. Those two still act like teenagers.

“I’m so proud of you,” Ryder says wrapping his arms back around me and places his chin on my shoulder.

We look out into the large crowd filling the small space and I can’t help but start to tear up. “We did this.”

My life is finally coming together. I’m with a man I love, engaged to be married, living my dream of painting each and every day. He took me skydiving, cliff diving and parasailing last summer and I’m officially addicted to the rush. There is nothing else I could possibly want.

I feel free.

“So,” my mother starts. “When are you giving us some grandbabies?”

I look at her astonished as she stands there with Ryder’s mom. “Mom!”

When the studio closes after a very successful day I take a few minutes to admire the stunning ring on my left hand while standing in front of his painting.

“Come on.” Ryder pulls me from my gazing towards the back room.

I follow but run into the back of him as he abruptly stops.

“This is my favorite wall.” He looks up at the brick wall that runs along the side facing the street. It gives the place a unique touch.

“Why?” I ask.

Lifting me up by my thighs he turns to push me against it. “Because I dream of fucking you hard against it.”

“Just like the day you bought my wall on the rooftop?”

I went back a few weeks later and painted my sea of blue in a concrete jungle. After Ryder saw it, he put a down payment on it for the next five years.

He smirks at my memory of that day and I give him a bored look.

His eyebrows scrunch. “You didn’t like it?”

I bite down on my lip and seduce him with the lust in my eyes. “A little.”

“Well, you only need a little spark to start a forest fire,” Ryder says just before taking my lips and claiming his fiancée’s body–repeatedly.

The End

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I always like to thank my husband and my children first. So many hours sacrificed for me to do something I never imagined I could do. You’re love and support has given me the courage to put my heart out there for the world to see. Thank you so much. I love you.

Of course all of this wouldn’t be possible without my best friend Valerie. You will always get an acknowledgement in my books because you get not only the good celebrations but also you help me through the struggles and I’ve struggled with a lot since I started writing book three. Thank you for being there and helping me through it all. You truly are the best friend a girl could ask for...even hundreds of miles away.

To the Twat Waffles. You know who you are and you know what you have done. Thank you for making me laugh when I was stressed out and loving my books. I heart you...hard. Really hard. Like up against the wall hard.

To Amy’s AmyAzing Pimpettes. I’m so thankful for my little team that could. It’s awesome to have 24 little PIMPS that don’t slap me around and ask for their money. I wish to one day meet you all in person because you all make my life easier.

Wendy Shatwell. You’ve brought organization to my chaotic life and for that I owe you a huge thank you. You don’t hesitate when I need something and I still say you look like a sexy twenty-nine year old. Cannot wait to meet you next year.

Sara Eirew. I have told you so many times over the past couple of months that you are a blessing. You picked me up when I was down and made the new covers amazing. Thank you so much for you understanding and your patience. I don’t know what I would have done without you.

Angel...as usual you tolerated my many many requests and I love you for it. Your work is beautiful. Thank you so much for putting up with me!

Kathy Krick...You. Make. Me. Look. Good. Without you I don’t know if anyone would understand my ramblings. I’m so lucky to have been referred to you. Three books down and many many many more to go! Can’t wait to give you a big hug in person some day!