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  A New Adult Wedding Romance

  Amanda Heartley

  Copyright and Disclaimer

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination and have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 Amanda Heartley

  Copyright © 2017 Cheeky Books Ltd

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of the trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Contents

  Copyright and Disclaimer

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  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

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  More from Amanda!

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

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  More from Amanda!

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  Irresistible SEAL - A Military Romance

  The overseas tours have taken their toll on Luke Carter and he dreams of life outside the military. Love, romance, his own space—maybe even a family he can call his own.

  Fueled Obsession - A Bad Boy Romance

  A bad boy with a need for speed... A good girl with a heart of gold.

  Together, it’s the ride of a lifetime!

  Oceans Apart - A British Billionaire Romance

  He’s in London... She’s in L.A.

  How do you hold on to love when you’re 5,000 miles apart?

  Southern Heat - An Erotic Romance

  A wild ride of lust, betrayal, white-hot passion and, ultimately, true love in this sizzling romance set in the Deep South.

  Chapter One

  Darcy

  “I have to admit, I love waking up with you in my arms,” he whispers.

  I giggle as Lennon rolls over on the bed and pulls me into his embrace, kissing me with the same hot passion he had when we first met. Nearly a year later, and I can’t believe he still can’t get enough of me. I sigh as he gently strokes my cheek, his eyes locked on mine. My heart races, like it always does when he looks at me that way.

  “Me too,” I whisper, suddenly feeling shy.

  “We really need to do this more often,” he teases. “When are you going to give in and stay over at my house? Or at least get yourself a bigger bed?” he chuckles.

  I roll my eyes at his little dig, because he knows as well as I do that staying over at his place isn’t allowed, at least, not yet. He shouldn’t even be staying here tonight, but I gave in because it’s my birthday.

  “You know how my parents are,” I say, feeling a twinge of annoyance. “It was hard enough getting them to accept you’re my boyfriend. I really don’t want them to know we’re having sex as well.”

  He laughs. “You think they haven’t figured that out? You were anything but quiet last night when I went down on you. I’m surprised they didn’t assume you were in pain and call an ambulance, or something.”

  “Shut up,” I hiss, my face heating up as I remember screaming uncontrollably with the pleasure I’d felt. My body tingles at the memory of his hot tongue down there. Licking… sucking… probing. God, it felt so good, but the last thing I want to think about is my parents being any part of that! He laughs and pulls me even closer into his arms again, peppering me with kisses as I try to squirm away.

  “Come on, Darcy. Would they even care?” he says, sitting up. I glance at his muscular chest, my heart racing again as my imagination runs wild with some very naughty thoughts. God, I feel so lucky to have this guy in my life. I look up at his face, suddenly remembering he was in mid-lecture. “You’re nineteen, for God’s sake. You’re an adult. A grown woman. You’re not in school anymore. The agreement was, they’d accept us as a couple once you’d graduated, and that was over two months ago.”

  “They have accepted us,” I counter, but even as I say it, I know it’s not completely true. To them, I’m still their little girl, and especially today. Mom always gets emotional on my birthday since it reminds her I’m growing up. I’m not the same cute little girl she saw me as when I was a child. I am a woman now. Of course, Lennon’s right, but this isn’t a discussion I want to have with my mom and dad today. Scrub that. This isn’t a discussion I want to have with them, ever!

  “Besides, maybe we should talk about how accepting your mother and father have been of our relationship?” I say, my voice sweet.

  He glowers at me, but doesn’t reply because he knows I’ve hit a nerve. His parents seem to despise me, and that’s okay, because I’m not too fond of them either. I hate the way they treat Lennon. They make him feel like crap for wanting to follow his dreams. He tries so hard to be someone they can be proud of, but nothing’s ever good enough for them. I take his arm and try to yank him out of my bed.

  “Enough of the arguing. Please, Lennon? It’s my birthday,” I say, frowning. He grunts, but I know he feels bad at the thought of ruining my day. “Now, get your cute ass out of my bed and out of that damn window. Look lively, mister.”

  Chuckling, he finally gives in and pulls on his jeans while I sit back and admire the show.

  “So, exactly like we planned then?” he smirks. “I have to walk around the front and pretend I just turned up to see you?”

  “Yes,” I pout, frowning at his amused expression. “You have a problem with that?” But, before he can respond, my bedroom door swings open and I gasp in shock as Mom walks in, carrying a cupcake, complete with a fat pink candle flickering away.

  “Where’s my birthday gir—”

  Her eyes widen, and she stops mid-sentence when she looks up and sees Lennon standing there, half-naked. Thank God, she wasn’t thirty seconds earlier or she would’ve really got an eyeful.

  “Mom! Don’t you knock?” I shriek, diving under the covers to hide my naked body.

  “I—I’m sorry!” she cries, closing her eyes. “U—um, hello, Lennon,” she stammers, her face glowing red.

  “Oh, um… good morning to you too. I—uh… how are you today?” Lennon stutters, clearly blindsided by the unexpected intrusion.

  “Well, I was fine,” she says, almost throwing the plate and cupcake onto the bed, then spins around, hurriedly heading toward the door and running her hand through her hair like she always does whenever she’s stressed. “I didn’t think I had to…” then suddenly, she stops, tur
ns around again and glares at me. “Hold on a minute. Why am I the one apologizing? You know the rules, Darcy. If you wanted Lennon to stay the night, you should have asked us first. If I’d known he was here, there’s no way I’d have ever have just walked in on you.”

  “That logic is screwed, Mom,” I retort, my cheeks red with embarrassment. “Lennon or not, you can’t just invade my privacy like this. You have no idea what I do in here when I’m alone,” I growl. I hear a snort from Lennon’s direction. I shoot him a death glare and he promptly stops laughing. I turn my attention back to my mom and plead, “Can you please go so I can get dressed? I do appreciate the cupcake and I’ll be down in a few minutes, okay? And, I’m sorry, Mom. I should have asked you,” I say, contritely. I knew I had to take some responsibility for the situation.

  “Fine,” she mutters and quickly rushes out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  “Don’t say a damn thing,” I growl at Lennon. His eyes twinkle as he stares innocently at me.

  “What could I say to you that you’re not already thinking?” he grins. He wanders over and kisses me tenderly on the lips. I melt into him, my stress levels dropping instantly. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

  I break the kiss and still insist he leaves through the window and goes to the front door, just on the off chance that Mom hasn’t told Dad. I know it’s unlikely, but I’m hanging onto that hope more than anything else.

  I nervously pad down the stairs, one at a time, refusing to think about the incident, because it’s just too embarrassing. The only thing that could’ve topped it was if she’d walked in while he was going down on me.

  “Morning, Darcy,” Mom says breezily. Her eyes lock onto mine as I walk into the kitchen. I try to read her expression, but she’s not giving anything away.

  Dad looks up from the table and smiles at me. “You’re up early,” he says, smiling. “Anyone would think it was your birthday or something.”

  I roll my eyes at his attempt at humor and sit down opposite him, but inside I’m dancing. It’s no secret I’ve always loved my birthday, even more so now I have someone like Lennon in my life, and Dad takes every opportunity he can to remind me I’m still a big kid at heart. At least, in his eyes, I am. Before I can think of a comeback, there’s a swift knock on the door.

  “Lennon? Already?” Dad grumbles, shaking his head. “He’s here that often, why doesn’t he just move in?” Mom snorts and I shoot her a glare.

  “Dad,” I warn him. He shrugs and promises to behave.

  “I’m surprised he’s even up this early,” Mom says with a knowing grin. Ignoring her, I’m about to stand when Dad puts his hand out to stop me.

  “My daughter doesn’t answer the door on her birthday. At least, not on my watch,” he mumbles, and I wait until he walks out of sight before I interrogate Mom.

  “You didn’t tell him?” I ask, eyeing her skeptically.

  She simply shrugs her shoulders and says, “It’s your birthday. I’ll let you off, just this once.”

  “Mom,” I say with a sigh, wishing she didn’t always treat me like I was ten, “I’m nineteen years old. I’m grown now.”

  “Then start acting like it,” she replies. “You think I care that he stayed over? It’s the fact you hid it from us, Darcy. Just tell me next time, okay?”

  “Okay,” I mutter, then a big smile creeps across my face when I see Dad leading Lennon into the kitchen.

  “Well, look who I found loitering out the front,” Dad says. He claps Lennon on the back and sits down. Lennon slides down onto the seat next to me, his hand resting on my thigh underneath the table and his fingers gently stroking me. I shiver, and place my hand over his, squeezing it tight. I feel the luckiest girl in the world to have him as my boyfriend.

  “So, how’s my birthday girl?” he asks with a smile.

  “Pretty good,” I admit, nodding my head.

  “Sleep well?” he asks with a wry smile, his eyes twinkling.

  God, no wonder he and Mom get along so well. “Yes, thank you, and you?” I reply, shooting him my sternest glare while Mom places a stack of pancakes on the table, followed by a heaped plate of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms—all my favorites. My mouth waters, and I forget my annoyance at him trying to put me on the spot.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I say with a smile as I pick up my knife and fork.

  “You’re welcome. You know, I’ve done this every birthday since you were old enough to feed yourself. You’re still my baby, no matter what. You’ll always be my baby.”

  I roll my eyes, embarrassed, but also grateful my parents love me so much. I glance at Lennon and wonder what his birthdays were like growing up.

  “So,” Dad begins, changing the subject. “What are you two doing today? I assume you’ll be spending the day with Lennon and not your ageing parents?”

  I nod, a pang of guilt hitting me, because I’ve always spent my birthday with them, but my guilt is quickly replaced with curiosity when I see Lennon’s smirk. He won’t tell me what he’s got planned. All I know is he’s spent a good portion of the last few weeks planning something. What if…? I shake my head, dismissing the thought as quickly as it develops. No. It’s way too soon for that.

  Mom disappears and comes back a few minutes later carrying an armful of presents. She places them on the table next to me and stands back proudly as I open them. They’ve spoiled me, as usual, with new designer jeans, make-up, a few books and a healthy wad of cash I plan to put toward working on my car. I’ve neglected her lately since I’ve been spending all my spare time with Lennon—not that I’m complaining about that.

  “Happy birthday, honey. I hope you have a great day.” She’s wiping away tears already. I laugh and lean over to give them both a hug.

  “Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad.”

  “I guess we’d better go,” Lennon says. “I have a big day planned. I hope you’re going to like it.”

  I get up from the table and nod, taking his hand in mine. “Ready as I’m going to be. I’m excited!” I say with a grin.

  ***

  “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, glancing at my watch again. I know I shouldn’t be impatient, but we’ve been driving for what feels like freakin’ hours already. I fight back a slight twinge of annoyance since I wasn’t expecting to spend the whole of my birthday squashed up in a car. Well, not like this, anyway.

  “You’ll find out soon enough.” Lennon murmurs, then reaches over and touches my thigh, an amused smile on his face. “You’ve got to know everything, don’t you?”

  “Not everything,” I retort. “Just why we’re wasting my birthday driving around for hours doing nothing.” I pout. I know how childish I’m being, especially after telling my mom I was a grown woman, but I can’t help it. Birthdays only last twenty-four hours, once a year. They’re sacred to me and he’s ruining it. “All this time we’ve spent in the car, we could’ve been doing… other things,” I purr, changing my tactic. I run my hand up and down his inner thigh until I notice a bulge growing in his pants and he shifts uncomfortably, trying to concentrate on the road ahead. I chuckle to myself, happy that I’ve aroused him. I widen my eyes and try to look all innocent and irresistible because I know that usually breaks him.

  “We’re almost there,” he pleads with me. “Just trust me, okay?”

  “You’re no fun,” I grin. I reach up and undo the top two buttons of my shirt, giving him a glimpse of my breasts. He lets out a growl as he nearly steers the car off the road.

  “Fine,” he groans, shaking his head. “You want to know where we’re going? Look out of your window.”

  He swings left into a parking lot while I gaze outside, and it takes me a moment to recognize where we are, then a smile slowly spreads across my lips as I take in the view of beach and the lot we’re parked in.

  “Back where we started,” I murmur, a shiver racing down my spine.

  He nods. “This is where we came the night of Gary and Casey’s wedding.” />
  “Where you came,” I giggled. “I didn’t get a chance before the cops showed up.”

  “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that, but I hope I’ve made up for it since,” he said with sparkling eyes.

  “Oh, yes. Many times. So, you brought me back here because you thought you were going to get lucky again?” I joke.

  “I’m always lucky when it comes to you,” he murmurs. He gets out of the car, leaving me wondering what’s going on. I watch as he opens my door and extends his hand. “So, are you coming?” he asks.

  I nod and place my hand in his and get out. I look up at the sky. It looks like it’s about to thunder down at any moment. I shiver.

  “It’s not exactly beach weather,” I mumble. He chuckles and shakes his head, leading me out onto the sand. “What are we doing here?” I say again.

  He takes a deep breath as if he’s working up the courage to speak. He breathes heavily again, obviously worked up about something. What is going on with him? Then it all becomes clear, and I know exactly what he’s doing. My heart begins to race as he gets down on one knee and looks up at me.

  Oh.

  My.

  God!

  He’s about to propose. I’m dizzy, like I’m going to pass out, but excited too. It’s way too early for this, isn’t it? Or is it, when I know deep down I want to spend the rest of my life with him? Still, I’m in shock as his eyes lock onto mine.

  “I’ve gone over this so many times in my head, but in my mind the weather was a whole lot nicer and there wasn’t trash all over the sand. Anyway, I need to do this now or I’ll lose my nerve,” he says.

  He stops for a moment and pulls out a small box from his pocket. “Darcy, I know we’ve only known each other for ten months, and I know this might feel a bit rushed, but when I bought this ring for you, it felt so right. Now, of course, I’m worried I’m going to scare you off, and I’m too far through this proposal to do anything about it.”

  I giggle and cover my mouth with my hands, my eyes stinging with tears. They’re happy tears, but he still looks nervous as he opens the box, displaying the most beautiful solitaire-cut diamond I’ve ever seen. I can barely contain myself as he lifts it out and takes my left hand in his. All I can do is watch in disbelief as he slides it onto my finger and I take in its stunning beauty.