Текст книги "Kissing Her Crazy"
Автор книги: Kira Archer
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 12 страниц)
Chapter Seventeen
“Tyler, hold still for one more second. I need to fasten your bow tie.”
Tyler pouted but managed to contain himself long enough for Lena to get his tie on. She didn’t blame him for being antsy. There was a palpable tension in the air as everyone got ready for the wedding. An excitement that everyone was having a hard time containing. Except for Cher’s parents, of course. Then again, they were always cool as ice and would probably be thrilled if their daughter changed her mind.
The only child of theirs who didn’t disappoint them was Lilah. But she hadn’t been able to attend the wedding, since she had an emergency with a patient who she couldn’t leave. Cher was the black sheep who was cementing that reputation by marrying Oz in a few short minutes.
And Elliot… Well, Lena wasn’t sure yet where Elliot would end up standing with his parents. She’d planned to wait until after the wedding to talk to him. She wasn’t sure what she’d say yet. She hoped they could work something out between them. But the morning had been a whirlwind of preparation, and she hadn’t even seen him. The ladies all had their hair and makeup done at the hotel’s salon and were decked out in their bridesmaid gear. Cher was absolutely stunning in a sleeveless mermaid style dress covered in soft lace. Lena had been able to catch Oz, handsome as ever in his tux, for a quick hug.
But Elliot she hadn’t seen at all. She nearly trembled with the urge to go find him, throw her arms around him, and beg him to give them a chance. Only she’d try to play it a lot more cool than that. If she could. If he’d even talk to her.
She ran a quick hand over Tyler’s tux, straightened his bow tie, and handed him the ring bearer pillow. The rings were safe in Oz’s best man’s pocket until right before the ceremony.
“There,” she said, giving his tie one last tug. “You look handsome.”
“I don’t like this tie. No one else has to wear one.”
“That’s not true. Uncle Oz and all his friends are wearing them. So is…Elliot.”
“Elliot is wearing one, too?”
“Yep.”
Tyler thought about that for a second and then nodded his head. “Okay, then.”
Lena gazed thoughtfully at her son. She didn’t know how much to discuss with him. He was only six. But if Elliot was going to be a part of their lives, she needed to find out how Tyler felt about it so she’d at least have a heads-up if there were going to be issues.
“Hey, Ty,” she said, squatting down so she could look into his eyes. “How do you feel about Elliot? Do you like him?”
Tyler’s little face lit up. “Yeah! He’s really cool. Can we visit him after we go home?”
Lena smiled at her son and grabbed him for a quick hug. “I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll see, okay?”
Tyler’s grin filled his face, and he gave Lena two big thumbs-up.
It surprised her, since he usually assumed “we’ll see” meant no. Maybe he could tell the difference in her voice… Because this time, she meant exactly what she said. She couldn’t promise him anything before speaking to Elliot. But she was hopeful.
Elliot paced back and forth in the elevator, impatiently waiting for the floors to tick down to Lena’s. Hopefully she hadn’t left for the ceremony yet. He’d planned on waiting until after the wedding to talk to her, but he couldn’t wait anymore.
New plan. He was going to find Lena and kiss her until she agreed to give them a shot. Hell, he’d beg her if he had to. Follow her to North Carolina and camp out on her lawn. Do whatever it damn well took to convince her she could count on him, that he was exactly what she and Tyler needed in their lives.
To hell with his parents. All he needed was her. And not just for the foundation, though he had no doubt that they could start a foundation without them. After all, he was the master fundraiser. He still had his connections. They’d be able to get a foundation off the ground. He just needed her, plain and simple. Her and Tyler. He knew they could make it work. And he would do anything it took until she believed it, too.
The doors dinged and slowly slid open. He pushed through before they’d finished opening all the way and hurried down the hall to where the ladies had taken over a suite of rooms. He burst in and a gaggle of women in mint green dresses turned to stare at him. Cher peered around their shoulders, her eyes wide in surprise.
The urgency spurring him on took a momentary pause while he took in the vision of loveliness that was his sister.
“Wow,” he said, coming toward her.
She glanced down at her dress, fluffing it out a bit. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Elliot had to swallow past a suddenly tight throat but managed a nod. “You look so beautiful.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her into a hug, being careful not to crush or smear anything.
She let him hold her for a second and then pulled away, reaching for a tissue that one of her bridesmaids held out.
“Thank you,” she said, dabbing delicately under her eyes. She took a deep breath and flashed a brilliant smile at him. “Now, while I am happy you stopped by for a visit, I doubt you came crashing in here like a madman just to check up on me.”
Elliot ducked his head, a little ashamed that he hadn’t come by to check on her. She was his twin sister. He should have been thinking about her on the most important day of her life.
She laughed and patted his cheek. “It’s okay, Elliot.” She leaned in so only he could hear. “Tyler was getting antsy, so Lena took him to the courtyard a little early.”
Elliot’s gaze shot to hers, and she pulled him in for another quick hug. “Go get her.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, his nervous excitement kicking into overdrive.
He ran out of the room, not stopping until he hit the courtyard. The wedding planner, his parents, and most of the guests turned startled eyes to him. He ignored all of them, his eyes searching for Lena.
“Elliot!” Tyler came running up to him.
“Hey, little man. You look spiffy.”
Tyler pulled at the vest beneath his tux jacket. “Mommy says all the men have to wear this.” He looked Elliot up and down. “I look just like you!”
Elliot laughed and ruffled Tyler’s hair. “Yes, you do. Very handsome.”
Lena turned the corner and came to a stop when she saw him talking to Tyler.
“Hey, Tyler, do you mind if I talk to your mom for a second?”
Tyler nodded with a huge grin on his face. “You sit right here and don’t go anywhere, okay?” Elliot said, plopping him onto one of the seats that had been set up for the ceremony.
He walked toward Lena, his gaze locked on hers until he stood just a breath away. They stared at each other for half a heartbeat. And then Lena was in his arms and his lips were on hers, kissing her with a desperation he’d never dreamed he’d feel. His hands moved up to cup her face. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him as though he were the very air she needed to breathe.
There was an outraged gasp, probably from his parents, but Elliot ignored it and continued worshipping the woman in his arms until she clung to him with a quivering sigh. He finally pulled away so he could look into her eyes, tracing his thumbs across her cheeks. Lena turned her face into his hands to cuddle against him. She kissed his palm and gazed back up at him with such a look of heat and happiness that his heart almost stopped.
“Lena,” he moaned, leaning his forehead against hers until he caught his breath. “God, you’re beautiful.”
She smiled, gentle and sweet, and he caressed her face again, forcing a breath past the nervousness running rampant through him. “I want to try and give this a shot. You and me. If you’re willing.” His eyes searched hers. “Do you want this? Want me?”
She gazed up at him, and he held his breath. If the way she’d kissed him was any indication, he was good to go. But just because she kissed him didn’t mean she wanted anything more than that. Trying to make a relationship between them work would be tough. She might not want to risk it, especially with Tyler.
Lena reached up and stroked his cheek, then leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Yes.”
His heart leaped, and he looked into her eyes to make sure he heard her right. “Yes? You want me?”
She kissed him again. “More than anything I’ve ever wanted.”
He pulled her to him, kissing her hard and fast. “Good! Come on.”
Elliot grabbed her hand and pulled her farther into the courtyard.
“Elliot!” she said, laughing. “Where are we going?”
“To talk to my parents.”
“Your parents?” He felt a slight resistance in her hand, but she didn’t pull away from him. “Why?”
“I’ve got something to say to them.”
Before Lena could ask any more questions, Elliot pulled her up the aisle to where his parents stood in front of the arch of foliage Cher and Oz would wed under. His mother had paused, while instructing one of the staff members to tack back some of the ribbons that trailed from the display, to stare at them in astonishment. The look intensified when he and Lena barreled up to her. His father came to stand beside his mom, his face already set in disapproving lines. Typical.
“Mom, Dad, I know you don’t approve of my plans to expand the charity. But I’m going to go ahead with them, anyway. I’d like to share our plans with the rest of the board and get their input. I know you like things the way they are, but everything could be run much better, and I intend to see it done. You put me in charge of the charity, so let me truly run it. And if you and the board all vote against me, then Lena and I will start a foundation without your backing. It would be better to expand on what is already there, but this idea is good. It’s worthwhile, and with Lena’s brains and my contacts, I have no doubt we can make it a success.”
His parents stared at him, stunned into silence for once in their lives. His dad recovered first.
“Elliot,” his dad said, “we discussed this already, and we decided against it.”
Elliot nodded and took a deep breath, holding on to Lena to give him strength for the words he never thought he’d say. “Then I resign. I’ll start my own foundation, without your help.”
His father’s face flushed bright red, and he opened his mouth to respond, but his mom put her hand on his arm.
“Now is not the time or place for this conversation.”
His dad blinked and looked around at the wedding guests and staff that had begun to filter in and were now watching the confrontation.
“Actually, now is the perfect time,” Elliot said. “I’ve spent my whole life waiting for something amazing to come along. Well, something finally has,” he said, drawing Lena closer to him. “I’m not going to let her get away.” He turned back to his parents. “And I’m not going to let this idea go, either. I’m going to create this foundation, with Lena at my side.”
His mother looked at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. But his father stepped closer, as near to truly losing his temper as Elliot had ever seen him.
“You’re going to go against us? For her?”
Elliot’s blood pressure shot up until he could feel the vein throbbing in his neck. He really hadn’t wanted to make this a drag-out fight, but if his father didn’t watch what he said about Lena, things were going to get ugly fast.
His father continued on as if he wasn’t aware that Elliot was almost at his breaking point. He probably didn’t. He hadn’t ever paid attention to what Elliot felt.
“You’ve spent your whole life working to get where you’re at now. Think long and hard about what you are throwing away before you do this, Son.”
Elliot shook his head. “Throw away? I’m not throwing anything away, Dad. I’m gaining more than I ever dreamed possible. This incredible woman is willing to stand by my side and help me make something worthwhile out of my life. How many people ever find someone like that? She’s brave and brilliant and the most beautiful person, inside and out, that I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. I’m not throwing anything away for the chance to be with her. I’m giving myself the opportunity to achieve everything I ever wanted. She’s amazing. And so is her son. I’m falling for both of them, and the only tragedy here would be if I threw away the chance to see what the three of us can become.”
His parents were struck well and truly speechless. It was probably the best moment of Elliot’s life.
Then Lena started to laugh. He turned to her, eyebrows raised. His parents stared at her like she’d gone crazy. Maybe she had… It had been kind of an intense morning so far.
“Sorry,” she gasped, cupping his face and giving him a quick kiss while her shoulders still shook with laughter. “I was so nervous about what I was going to say to convince you to give us, and your foundation, a chance. And you just said everything that I had been thinking. We are on the exact same page. Again,” she said, beaming up at him.
He laughed with her, his heart soaring. “Well, I guess that answers the rest of my questions.”
He drew her in against him.
“Elliot, this conversation is not over,” his dad said.
Elliot didn’t even look at them. He kept his gaze firmly glued to Lena’s. “Yes, Dad. It is.”
Then he leaned down and kissed the woman in his arms, letting his lips show her how much he’d come to value her, how excited he was to discover their future together, how much he wanted to take her back to his room and show her everything he was feeling in a little more detail. Okay, a lot more detail.
The wedding guests erupted in applause, clapping and cheering until Elliot and Lena looked up, startled. Lena laughed and tucked her head against Elliot’s neck, hiding a little from the audience they had apparently accumulated. Oz and Cher whooped loudly from the back of the courtyard.
“Shit,” Elliot said quietly so only Lena could hear him. “I think we just upstaged the bride and groom.”
Lena glanced back at their beaming siblings. “I don’t think they mind.”
“All right, all right!” Oz called. “I’m glad you two have finally come to your senses. But can we get on with our wedding now? My honeymoon starts in four hours, and we’ve got a flight on a puddle jumper to the next island. We don’t want to miss it!”
Everyone laughed and Elliot took a little bow, then escorted Lena back to the staging area where they got in line with the other wedding attendants. They marched up the aisle together, stood smiling at each while Oz and Cher said their vows, and cheered louder than anyone else when the pastor pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Oserkowski.
On the way back down the aisle, Tyler ran over to them, and Elliot scooped him up in one arm and wrapped the other around Lena’s waist. Caught between the two of them, Elliot thought it was safe to say he’d never been so happy in his entire life.
And it was just the beginning.
Epilogue
Lena stood at the edge of the pool at Elliot’s North Carolina house, staring down into the clear water with her heart pounding in her throat. Elliot and Tyler had been splashing around for fifteen minutes already, but so far, they hadn’t been able to coax her in. She’d gotten over her fears enough that she could wade into the shallow end and relax enough for it to be enjoyable, but that was in the shallow end, and only if she could take her time getting in. Elliot wanted her to jump. All the way in. All at once. Into the deep end. He had dared her to. She couldn’t ignore a straight-out dare. But she wasn’t sure she could man-up and jump in, either.
She sucked in several deep breaths. She wasn’t sure, but it was a good bet that she was on the verge of hyperventilating. It didn’t help that his pool was three-times the size of the pool at her condo complex. When she’d finally been able to save enough money, thanks to what she made working for the foundation and from her gift basket and all-natural remedy sales, she and Tyler had gotten their own place. Getting one with a pool had been Elliot’s idea. One she’d liked and had even learned to enjoy. It was big enough to play in but not enough to give her a total panic attack. Not anymore. Elliot had been working with her. Their tub sessions were… She shivered with remembered pleasure, wishing she was back in his big garden bathtub right then instead of staring at the wrong end of several thousand gallons of water.
Elliot’s tub she’d take any day. But his pool… She wasn’t sure she was ready for that yet.
“Come on, Len. I’ll catch you.” Elliot reached his arms out to her.
For a moment, she forgot to be terrified. Staring at the wet and naked chest of the firmly muscled and gorgeous man that she’d just spent the night worshiping had that effect on her.
Elliot’s gaze turned smoldering, fully aware what she was thinking.
“Come on,” he said again. “You jump in, and I’ll give you an extra special reward tonight.”
Water trickled down his chest, following the grooves and ridges of his muscles. Lena’s mouth went a little dry. She swallowed, her fears almost totally eclipsed by thoughts of a much more naughty nature.
He held his arms out to her again. Lena took a deep breath, letting go of all her fears. He’d catch her; she had no doubt of that. She trusted him. Implicitly. And not just because of the ring he’d put on her finger the night before in the living room of her new place.
Tyler squealed. “Yay! Can we sleep over, Mommy?”
Lena smiled, her eyes focused on Elliot. And the future they’d planned for their new family.
She jumped, knowing he’d always be there to catch her.
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Author’s Note
In this book, Elliot’s foundation, KidsCase, is modeled on a real organization based out of Tracy, California called Case For Kids. Case for Kids is a nonprofit agency that donates personalized cases to children in foster care. These custom cases are decorated with each child’s first name and are packed with new clothes, a homemade blanket, a sheet set, toiletries, a stuffed animal, and a book.
The mission of Case for Kids is to improve a child’s self-esteem by replacing garbage bags as their form of luggage with a personalized bin to be used when relocating from foster care agencies into foster care homes. So many times these children come into the system with nothing to call their own. Case for Kids is doing what it can to help.
To find out how you can help or for more information on this wonderful organization, please visit their website or Facebook page.
http://caseforkids.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CaseForKids
Acknowledgments
First of all, to my readers—I wouldn’t be here without you and being able to share my stories with you is very truly a dream come true. Thank you so much for all your support!
To my amazing editors Erin Molta, Heather Howland, and Curtis Svehlak. I don’t know how you guys do it but your fabulousness knows no bounds. I am thrilled to get to work with you. Thank you so much for all you do.
To Sarah—DITTO! So very much ditto. Ha! You didn’t think I’d say it. All the feels, woman. All the feels. I’d crumble without your support. Or at least be completely off my rocker, and we both know what a short trip that would be.
To my amazing husband—this job would be difficult, if not downright impossible, without your support. Thank you for putting up with my crazy deadline personality, my late nights and early mornings, and “oops I forgot to get dressed today” moments. Thank you for keeping the kids fed and entertained and for working so hard to make sure my dreams could come true. Love you, babe. Kids—your goofiness and smiling little faces make my world go ‘round. Jeanette—I’m beyond blessed to have a sister as a best friend. Thank you for always being there. You’re incredible, lady. You inspire me every day.
About the Author
Kira Archer resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kiddos, and far too many animals in the house. She tends to laugh at inappropriate moments, break all the rules she gives her kids (but only when they aren’t looking), and would rather be reading a book than doing almost anything else. She has odd, eclectic tastes in just about everything and often lets her imagination run away with her. She loves a vast variety of genres and writes in quite a few. If you love historical romances, check out her alter ego, Michelle McLean.
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