It was soon. She knew that. But she suspected a part of her had always recognized something in him that she craved. In so many ways they were opposite, but their essential belief was the same. Maybe that was why she’d waited.

  “Don’t make me spank your admission out of you.”

  He would, too. Even though the idea was really appealing, this was too important. She linked her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Jax.”

  Epilogue

  “You’re a beautiful bride.”

  Jax’s intimate words, feathered against her ear, made her soar. “The gown is wonderful.”

  “It is.” He pressed his palm on her bare back. “Your mom made an excellent choice.”

  Her mother had visited a store known as one of the best in town. The owner, Randy, had spent hours with her, looking at dresses. They’d done a video link with her, but Willow had been so overwhelmed and distracted with school that she hadn’t been able to make a decision. So they’d made it for her. The gown flattered her figure and flared out at the bottom. She loved it.

  “But it’s the woman who makes the dress,” Jax finished.

  The evening couldn’t be more magical. She was in his arms on the dance floor of the rooftop atrium of downtown Houston’s Sterling Hotel. The area had been lit with twinkling lights, and a nearly full moon radiated in the sky above. A jazz quartet serenaded them. Despite the fifty or so people watching from the sidelines, Jax stared at her as if she were the center of the universe.

  “How long do we have to stay?”

  “The cocktail hour ends in about twenty minutes. Then we need to eat. We’ll be expected to have cake and then my dad is planning a toast.”

  “I know what I want to eat.”

  Scandalized, she blushed. He was such a paradox. He was a brash personality on his show, yelling at people to kick the shit out of their boxes. His knight-in-shining-armor side could be just as annoying. After she agreed to marry him, he’d decided they would wait until after the wedding to have sex again. No matter what she’d tried, from vamp to vixen, to naughty schoolgirl, he’d refused to relent. She was ready to crawl out of her skin. More than once she’d considered eloping so he’d take her to bed.

  The dance ended, and a few other couples joined them for a more up-tempo tune.

  Shortly after, she and Jax left the floor to mingle. Her father shook Jax’s hand, then took her shoulders and met her eyes. “I hope he makes you happy. If he doesn’t, I have a shotgun.”

  Her mother was all smiles as she kissed Willow’s cheeks. “I can’t wait for your big ceremony! This was so much fun that I’m thinking of becoming a wedding planner.”

  “You’d be perfect, Mrs. Henderson,” Jax said. “I’ll do a few promo spots for you and give you some social media pointers.”

  “No. No, no, no.” Willow scowled at him. “I’ll give you the pointers, Mom.”

  He shrugged.

  “You have your hands full, my boy,” Brian said.

  “I knew that going in, sir.” He stroked the length of her spine as he spoke. “That was my favorite part.”

  Rafe Sterling, owner of the hotel, exited the private elevator and walked over to join them. “I wanted to be among the first to offer my congratulations.”

  She’d known Rafe for several years, and stress lines were now grooved next to his eyes. Rumor had it that his father had abandoned his family and the business, leaving Rafe to sort out the mess.

  “I’ve upgraded you to the owner’s suite,” he said. “With your permission, the staff will move your belongings.”

  “That’s not necessary,” she protested. He’d already comped the honeymoon suite for three days.

  “I’m traveling for the next week, so I’d be delighted to know you were using it.”

  She glanced at her new husband. The realization that she was his forever made her shiver anew. Every time she looked at him, tingles jumped through her. She wondered if that sensation would ever go away.

  “Thank you.” He nodded at Rafe. “I assume I can count on your discretion?”

  Was he really referring to their paddles in front of everyone? Her father looked into his wineglass while her mother continued smiling as if she’d heard nothing.

  “Discretion is a cornerstone of Sterling hospitality.”

  She was going to sink through the floor.

  “I’m happy to talk up Sterling next week,” Jax said with a nod. “I’d love to have you on as a guest as well. My followers will be interested in hearing your thoughts on success.”

  These men, Titans, were more powerful than she’d ever realized, and a new idea formed. Perhaps after graduation she could use Jax and his access for good. Maybe work for a nonprofit or lend her assistance as a fundraiser. Last week, she had sat down and watched the video he’d mentioned early on, the one where he gave the commencement address at an underserved high school. She’d seen a different side of him, a softer one. She’d be willing to bet he’d support her future plans.

  For the remainder of the cocktail hour, they chatted with guests.

  According to Jax, dinner took too damn long.

  “It was your idea for us to be celibate until tonight,” she reminded him.

  “I’m having a fantasy.”

  She dipped her head to hide her blush.

  “About fucking you while you’re wearing the gown. Just pull it up and take you from behind.”

  She dropped her fork.

  Her mother cast her a concerned glance as Jax chuckled.

  “Smile, princess.”

  She gave her mother a reassuring nod.

  Jax stayed by her side the entire evening, and after her father gave his toast, Jax stood.

  “I hope it’s okay if I say something.”

  The crowd chuckled. Jaxon Mills could not resist the siren’s call of an open microphone.

  He faced her, as did everyone else in the room.

  “In a man’s life, if he’s lucky, he meets a woman who completes his heart.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and her mother patted her arm.

  “He finally understands why no other relationship worked out, because there’s only one person for him.”

  Willow reached for her champagne and took a drink to swallow the lump in her throat, but it refused to budge.

  “He will do anything to have her, including fall on his sword in front of her father.”

  The crowd laughed, and her father called out, “Hear, hear!”

  When the room fell silent, he finished. “You’re my one, Willow. I love you. You’ve made me the happiest man on the planet.”

  With that, he tossed the mic onto the table.

  To prevent tears from escaping, she pressed her hands to her face. With purpose in each step, he strode toward her.

  In front of everyone gathered to celebrate their union, Jax tugged her to her feet. Then, making her gasp with shock, he swept her off the floor and into his arms.

  “You’ll have to excuse us,” he said to the crowd. “I’m taking my wife upstairs.”

  “Jax!” She kicked her legs helplessly. “You can’t do this.”

  “Darling wife, I’ve waited long enough. If you want me to keep my hands off you until we’re alone, you might want to stay still.” His eyes were dark with promise.

  She stopped squirming.

  “Excellent choice.” He summoned the elevator, and the guests cheered as Jax carried her into the waiting compartment and took her to their suite to claim her as his wife.

  ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

  I hope you loved Jax as much as I do. Be sure to meet Rafe Sterling in the Billionaire’s Matchmaker. He’s a man in need of a bride. And his solution to the problem shocks his gorgeous matchmaker! There will be plenty of other Titans to make you swoon. All are sexy, standalone reads that will make you blush. I guarantee you a happily ever after with no cheating.

  Be sure to check out the bestselling Bonds heroes, beginning with Crave.

  Have you ever wanted to be Mastered, here’s your chance. Discover why With This Collar was a #1 best seller. Master Marcus will curl your toes and give you a very happily ever after.

  About Sierra Cartwright

  Sierra Cartwright was born in England, and her early childhood was spent traipsing through castles and dreaming of happily-ever afters. She was raised in the Wild West and now lives in Galveston, Texas. She loves the beach and the artistic vibe of the island.

  The international #1 best-selling author began writing books in elementary school, where her wonderful librarian "published" her first book, which was edited by her mum! Thankfully Mum was gentle when she told Sierra that baby was not spelled "babby."

  Sierra has one incredible daughter -- her "PA Extraordinaire" and right-hand lady.

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  Chapter 1

  Note to self: Dramamine and champagne don’t mix.

  The boat swayed back and forth, and with it my stomach lurched. The ferry was a solid three and a half hour trip and we haven’t even left the dock yet. Even though I had taken Dramamine just before boarding, I was pretty sure that glass of champagne had been a terrible idea to mix it with.

  The dread of a bad mistake roiled my gut—although, that could have been the lurch of the boat. I wasn’t supposed to be here alone. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be here at all. My eyes fluttered closed and the brush of my lashes tickled the tops of my cheeks as I rested my forehead to the cool window.

  Maybe it’s not too late? Maybe I could get off this damn boat, get back on an airplane and be back in Los Angeles by tomorrow morning. I pulled out my phone to check how much a last minute plane ticket from Croatia back to the US would cost and my best friend Lainey’s message was flashing on the screen, almost like she could read my thoughts. Anticipate that I was going to turn and run in the opposite direction of adventure.

  Girl, you’ve got this. Have SO much fun on your honeymoan sexcation! I wish I could have gone with you.

  I cringed, reading her text and responded quickly, letting her know I had made it and was on the ferry. Why in the hell did I ever admit to my best friend I’d never had the big ‘O’ with a man. Yes, I can make it happen myself, especially if I had my battery-operated boyfriend with me. But that same reliable vibrator was worthless when I was with a man. It was like, my brain locked up and I wasn’t able to release.

  She had just assumed after I’d gotten engaged that the first orgasm had came and went… no pun intended. But when James called off our wedding, I admitted the truth to her. While I was laying in her lap, still in my wedding gown, I said the words: Six years with the man and I had faked it every damn time.

  That’s when she concocted this plan—my Honeymoon—or honeymoan as it became affectionately coined. Since I had maxed out my credit cards paying for it, Lainey convinced me there was no reason I shouldn’t take the trip. Alone.

  And not come home until I’d had my first orgasm.

  It was a stupid idea. The freaking worst idea that Lainey had ever had. And for whatever ridiculous reason, this weekend, I found myself boarding that plane to Croatia with a Costco sized box of condoms and my trusty vibrator in tow. Lainey had me convinced that this was my version of Eat, Pray, Love. Or in my case, Eat, Weep, Fuck.

  It was hard to believe that just last weekend, James and I had been standing under an arch of roses, holding hands in front of a pastor and every friend and family member I’ve met since birth as he released his hold on my fingers and shook his head saying, “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”

  I’m sorry. I can’t do this. What in the ever-living hell? Who does that to someone? Who goes through four years together, plus a two year engagement, only to call it off in the moment you’re supposed to say I do?

  The sea-sickness was overtaken with a whole other sort of sick. Pain and embarrassment twisted in my gut.

  His parents had insisted on paying for everything throughout the planning process. Every flower. Every caterer. Which was for the best since just about every wedding idea I had had was vetoed. There were expectations of a Langley wedding, I was told. And my rustic chic barn wedding with a pig-pickin’ wasn’t going to cut it for the Attorney General of New York’s son.

  But my honeymoon… that I was determined to pay for. The Langley’s could have their garden wedding. They could have their seven-tiered cake with fondant. I was paying for my own damn honeymoon.

  And God was I ever paying for it—and not only with the credit card I had maxed out, but with blood, sweat, and tears. So many tears. But with the non-refundable reservations I made? I wasn’t going to let it go to waste. And maybe that was why Lainey had been able to convince me of this sexcation idea. Because letting three thousand dollars of reservations go to waste was too much for me to stomach.

  And now I sat, the only person in the first-class cabin on a ferry alone. Sans husband. Vibrator tucked neatly into the outer pocket of my luggage. Sipping a bottle of champagne and toasting to my loneliness as I ventured across the Adriatic see to the small island of Korcula, Croatia.

  No one understood why this was my choice. But if they had seen the photos I had seen? Heard the stories from my parents about how magical this little country was? I touched my fingers to the two wedding bands that I had soddered together and linked to a chain necklace. Even if I couldn’t have them with me at my wedding, my honeymoon was my homage to them. My throat clogged up and I took another sip of the champagne, hoping it would settle my stomach.

  Spoiler alert: It didn’t. When was I going to learn? Booze does not help sea-sickness.

  There was a small knock on the first-class cabin door and then, an attendant entered.

  “Mrs. Langley?” he said in a heavily accented voice.

  I groaned. “Actually, it’s Ms. Cochran.”

  “Oh,” he said with a quick glance at his clipboard, which no doubt said Mrs. Langley. Thankfully, he let it go. “I’m just coming in to tell you that we have one other first class guest coming in in just a moment. I hope this is satisfactory.”

  I nodded, doing my best to give him a smile. “Of course.”

  “Right this way, Mr. Whitley,” he said. Rolling Armani luggage, a man entered behind him—no, not a man. A freaking God. He had long light brown wavy hair that looked about three weeks due for a haircut. Muscles that strained against a soft looking army green t-shirt. And crystal blue eyes that were locked onto mine.

  Eyes that made my breath push from my lungs.

  Eyes that made my stomach tight.

  Eyes that made my breasts tingly and made my heart do some little skip thing in my chest.

  When I finally forced myself to take in more than just his eyes, I realized, he wasn’t just a man in first class with me. He wasn’t just Mr. Whitley. He was Pierce Whitley. Pierce fucking Whitley who has been the star of every blockbuster hit for the last three years.

  He grinned at me. A friendly grin. A sexy grin. And gave a nod. “Hello,” he said, reaching out his hand to me. “I’m Pierce.”

  My phone buzzed with a text message, but I didn’t bother checking it. It had to be from Lainey… and holy hell. She’d kick me in the vagina if she knew I stopped talking to this man in order to respond to her text. Instead, I stood up to introduce myself and just as I did so, the boat rocked. I lost my balance and my phone flew out of my hands, landing on the floor of the boat by his feet.

  I blushed and bent to pick it up as the boat rocked again. I gripped the railing on the wall, bracing myself and clutching my stomach as another wave of nausea hit me.

  “I got it,” Pierce said, bending to retrieve my phone. He picked it up, his eyes falling to the lit screen.

  How brows briefly dipped before a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, like he was fighting a laugh. “You must be Emma?” he said, his eyes darting briefly to the phone before looking back up at me.

  The sound of my name rolling off my tongue sends excitement skittering down my spine. I cleared my throat and took slid my hand into his firm grip, nodding. “That’s me,” I said. The skin on his palm was soft and his hand entirely encased mine, gripping my knuckles in a firm, but tender shake. Just the feel of his hand clutched around mine has my heart pounding in my chest and stomach twisting, aching for more of that buzzing excitement surging up my arm from where his skin is pressed to mine.

  He gave me a sharp tug, pulling my body flush against his and I had to tilt my chin up to meet his eyes from that position. His smile twitched higher. “You let me know if you need any help with Operation First Orgasm.”

  My jaw went slack and I felt the color drain from my face. “What did you just say to me?”

  Instead of answering, he released my hand, stepping back and placed my phone into my palm where Lainey’s next text was blaring in my face.

  Operation Emma has her first orgasm has officially commenced! V-town is open to the public!

  The engines of the boat kicked on and we embarked on our ride, pushing off the dock. The sudden lurch made my stomach roll upside down on itself.

  “Oh, God,” I whispered. Heat rushed up my body and I felt like an active volcano, ready to blow at any moment. The front hull of the boat hit a wake and it sent me forward. I landed my hands on my knees.

  “Emma?” I heard him say from somewhere above me, but he sounded far away. So, so far away. And before I could rush to the bathroom, I puked all over his Armani luggage.

  Chapter 2

  To my complete and utter humiliation, Pierce didn’t jump away from me. To the contrary. He bent down and scooped my blond hair away from my shoulders, holding it away from my face as I finished emptying my stomach contents all over his belongings.

  His palm rubbed my back in circles and in a low, rumbling voice, he asked, “Are you okay?”