I soften. “I know. But you can let go now. I’m okay.” I look at Xavian and take his hand. “I’m going to be great.”

  Parker takes in my affectionate gesture and glares. “What will it take for you to walk away from him? You want your inheritance now? I’ll sign the papers tomorrow if you promise never to see Xavian again.”

  I suck in a shocked breath. His offer comes out of left field. But when I see Riley blanch, I realize it shouldn’t. Parker’s thrown around money before to make me fall in line. I’d bet everything on that.

  “You motherfucker. You’re going to bribe her?” Xavian growls, then gestures to Riley. “Like you bribed that asshole?”

  My brother’s sanctimonious stare and my ex-boyfriend’s wince tells me he’s right and they’re both guilty as hell. Suddenly, I understand everything. After all, if my brother would screw up a friendship and forge a very public career to prove his point with a pal, what would he do to “save” his sister?

  I whirl on Riley. “Did he pay you to come back here and romance me?”

  My ex swallows and shifts his gaze to my brother. “I-I…wanted to come back. I never wanted to end things with you in the first place. I’ve always cared about you.”

  But he doesn’t deny my accusation. In fact, he makes the situation even clearer. “Hold on. You not only took my brother’s money to romance me away from Xavian…but he paid you not to propose last year?”

  His face is full of apology. “How did you find out I planned to propose?”

  “It doesn’t matter how I found out,” I insist. “You cared enough to buy me a ring but not enough to say no to my brother’s bribe.”

  His face falls. “I started out with good intentions. I called Parker to see if we could start over, be amicable. I asked him for your hand. He knew I was broke and drowning in student debt. I couldn’t live on what I was making in New York, but I didn’t want to go back home and admit to my parents that I’d been a failure, so—”

  “You bartered me for money. I guess you figured I was replaceable.” I laugh bitterly. “All those months of thinking I was the problem. And all those wasted tears… But you never really cared.”

  “I did. I was in love with you! Leaving you killed me. But your brother promised I’d be debt free and that you’d be happy… I still think about you all the time. I haven’t slept with anyone since we split.”

  “No shock there,” Xavian drawls.

  He’s absolutely incorrigible. I elbow his ribs. “Behave.”

  Xavian sighs like I’m asking for the moon.

  “I think that’s enough,” Parker says. “He’s confessed to everything, and you’ve humiliated him—”

  “I’ll deal with you in a minute,” I snarl at my brother, wagging my finger at him. “Right now, I don’t want to hear it.”

  He looks stunned. “You’ve never talked to me like that.”

  “And that was my mistake. I won’t be repeating it.”

  “This is his influence.” Parker points accusingly at Xavian.

  “No, this is your doing. You’ve reaped what you’ve sown.” I turn back to Riley. “You wouldn’t be here if Parker hadn’t paid you to come after me, would you?”

  Riley shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other, then cuts a stare at my brother. Asking his permission to tell the truth?

  “Look at me,” I demand. “He didn’t ask you a question. I did. I want an answer. I deserve an answer.”

  “No. Under our previous agreement, I’m not even allowed to speak to you.” Riley looks down like he’s ashamed.

  As he should be. I’m angry and I’m too betrayed to feel sorry for him. “So you would never have come back?”

  He winces. “I have another decade left on my student loans.”

  In other words, no. Whatever his feelings, he never loved me enough to choose me.

  “And the ‘loan’ you were going to give me…was my brother’s money?”

  “Yes.” Riley barely manages to get the word out.

  The difference between him and Xavian couldn’t be clearer. Riley threw me under the bus to line his own pockets, regardless of how I felt or what I wanted. If I’d been the gullible child Parker accused me of being and blindly married Riley, he would have been a serviceable spouse. He would have kept a respectable job and probably been a faithful husband and a dependable father. But our entire marriage would have been built on a bed of lies.

  Xavian, on the other hand, gave up his future—his dream—for me. Because he wants me to succeed. Because he believes in me. Because he loves me. Because he would do anything for me.

  I finally believe that.

  He’s the sort of man I deserve to spend my life with, someone I can trust with my whole heart.

  I turn to Riley. “Pack your bags and get out.”

  He doesn’t even argue. He merely nods, tosses all his crap into his suitcase, empties his shampoo and shaving cream from the bathroom, then slinks for the door. “I’m sorry, Corinne.”

  “I can see that.” But it’s too little too late. “Let me give you some advice. If you don’t want to spend the rest of your life alone, learn how not to be a selfish douchebag. Figure out how to put someone else first.” I point Xavian’s way. “Learn how to be more like this man.”

  As Riley slinks out the door, Xavian slides his arm around me and smiles. “Can I put that ring on your finger now?”

  “He’s bamboozling you. He’s leading you astray!” my brother insists.

  I roll my eyes. “He’s not. Just stop.”

  My brother turns to him. “I’ll tell the world you’re not Xayden Coast if you walk away from her tonight and never look back.”

  What the hell? I gape at my brother, who’s obviously serious. And it pisses me off so much. But what about Xavian? Is he even remotely tempted?

  “Fuck you. I don’t care what you tell the world anymore,” he assures Parker. “I don’t care what they think. But if you keep this shit up, the truth will eventually come out. It always does. Then…it will be on you. And it won’t be pretty.”

  I turn to Xavian with the biggest smile. He could have responded to my brother’s PR kickback ploy by taking the deal. Or even threatening to release that video from our engagement party. But he chose me and protected me again.

  He always will.

  “You’re an asshole,” my brother hurls. “I’m going to—”

  “Do what?” I give Parker the full force of my anger. “Stop meddling in my life!”

  “I’m only trying to help.”

  “Don’t.” I could threaten to turn Xavian loose on my brother. While he probably craves—and deserves—the vengeance, he’d rather have me. “I don’t need it. And I won’t want it ever again.”

  My brother gapes. “You’re serious?”

  I nod. “Think hard. Think about everything you’ve done in the name of ‘helping’ the people you love over the years and how that’s worked out.”

  Beside me, Xavian approaches Parker. It’s probably the closest they’ve been to each other in half a decade. Xavian has every right to punch my brother in the face. He probably has the itch, too. Instead, he claps Parker on the shoulder. “Listen, I’m going to do whatever I have to in order to persuade your sister to marry me. Because I love her. You’re worried I’m a manwhore? Not anymore. She’s it for me. You’re worried my family isn’t good enough? The Reeds are gold, and if you spent time with them, you’d know that. You’re worried you’ll no longer have any sway over your sister? You shouldn’t. She’s a fucking adult. She’s smart, savvy, and ambitious. You did a good job raising her. Let go.”

  Parker frowns like Xavian’s speech is painful. “But I…”

  My brother is struggling to accept all this. I try to find the words to bring him around. Despite his faults, I’d rather have Parker in my life than not.

  But Xavian helps me out again. “So what happens next can go one of two ways, and this totally depends on you. If she marries me, we’re always going to have Corinne in common. She’ll always be your sister, and she’ll always be my wife. We can either be civil or we can be enemies. I’m willing to bury the hatchet and drop the animosity. I’m also willing to keep fucking fighting until one of us destroys the other. It’s your choice.”

  My brother doesn’t say anything for a long minute. He stares at Xavian, seeming to test his sincerity, but his steely resolve speaks for itself. Finally, he turns to me. “Do you really want to marry him? The bastard son of a criminal who’s probably fucked a thousand women?”

  “It’s none of your concern. From now on, I’ll be making my own decisions.” When Parker sighs, shaking his head, I take his hand. “You either love me or you don’t. If you don’t, let’s part ways here. If you do…then I’m asking you, as the only blood family I have left, to let me live my life as I choose.”

  Xavian drops a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m so proud of you, princess. You said that perfectly.” Then he looks at my brother. “What do you say?”

  “You really love her? Until death do you part?”

  Xavian doesn’t hesitate. “I really do.”

  Parker presses his lips together, his expression telling me it’s a lot to accept. Then he exhales. “I’ll try. I’ll really try.” He squeezes my hand. “I don’t want to lose you. And I…didn’t realize how much you’d grown up.”

  In some ways, I hadn’t until Xavian challenged me. Until he proved to me I was good enough. Until he loved me.

  I step forward and wrap my arms around my brother. I’ll do my best to forgive him. It will take time. All I can do is hope that he lives up to his end of the bargain. “Thank you.”

  He envelops me in a tight hug. “I only wanted to see you happy.”

  I step back with a nod. “I know. But that’s up to me. I’ll call you later.”

  “All right. I’m going back to LA tomorrow.”

  It’s for the best. “Hopefully, I’ll see you for the holidays.”

  That gives us a few months to settle into the new norm of this relationship. I pray that’s enough.

  Parker hesitates, then nods. “That would be nice.”

  I send him one last smile as I grab my suitcase and exit the hotel room.

  Behind me, I hear Xavian stop in front of my brother. “Take care.”

  Over and over, he just keeps proving he’s the bigger man. I admire the heck out of him for it.

  In the hallway, he takes my hand and leads me to his car. “Do you want to talk about this now or…”

  “Not until we’re alone.” I want to get as far away from this place and this confrontation with my brother as possible.

  “Whatever you want, princess.”

  The twenty-minute drive back to Xavian’s house is silent. We’re both lost in our own thoughts. The moon hangs high in the sky and the Hawaiian breeze whips through the car. Katy Perry softly sings “Roar” on the radio because the volume is turned way down. It’s the perfect song after tangling with my brother. Who knows what will happen next? All I can do is be optimistic and look forward to the future I determine.

  Clearly, I have a big decision in front of me.

  Xavian hops out of the car and comes around to offer me his hand. Neither of us addresses my suitcase. Like, now that the moment is here, he’s afraid to ask whether I’m staying or I want to be alone—maybe for good.

  Inside his place, he drops his keys on the wide kitchen island and flips on the light. “We’re alone. Do you have an answer for me?”

  He’s nervous. It shows. And it tells me that whatever I say next is deeply important to him. It’s everything.

  I take him by the hand and tug him down the hall, to the darkened bedroom where we first made love. Slowly, I shed my clothes until I’m completely naked before him.

  His eyes flare with hunger, sucking me in with his hot stare. But he doesn’t move. “Corinne?”

  “I want you inside me.”

  Xavian swallows and hesitates half a second, then peels off every stitch. By the time he’s done, I’m already lying across the bed, watching him walk toward me, erect and full of determination. He pauses to grab a condom from the nightstand.

  “Don’t.”

  He sends me a sharp glance, scans my face, then slowly sets the foil packet back in the drawer. “Princess?

  “Hurry. Please.”

  “You want me bareback? You want to live dangerously?”

  In answer, I spread my legs.

  Xavian doesn’t waste another second before he settles between my thighs, spreads kisses across my neck, and works himself into me until I gasp with the familiar tingling fullness I can’t get enough of. From this man I can’t get enough of. I rock, willing him to stroke me deep. I need to feel him everywhere—skin to skin, lips on lips, heart to heart.

  He refuses to move. “Yes or no? Will you marry me?”

  I meet his gaze and smile, showing him all the happiness he’s given me and all the dazzling joy I’ll spend every day trying to give back. “I love you. And I’m choosing you for you. Yes!”

  A reckless grin breaks out across his face as he holds my face, his expression so naked with love. “Say it again. Yes?”

  “Yes. A thousand times yes! I’m so lucky to have you. I’ll be the best wife. And I’ll love you always.”

  “I’ll always love you, too.” He unfurls his fist, grabs my hand, and slides the ring on my finger. “Now you’re mine. I’ll never leave you.”

  “And you’re mine. Don’t forget it.”

  “Never,” he groans, driving into me slowly, with purpose. “If we keep this up, you’re going to show me you’ll be the best mother way sooner than expected.”

  “Nothing would make me happier.”

  “Oh, fuck. I’d love you to be pregnant. I’ve fantasized about it. We need to get married quick,” he murmurs against my neck as he holds my hips to the mattress and slides in so deep I swear he fills my whole body.

  “Yes. It will take a few months to plan a wedding, but—”

  “Fuck that.” He surges inside me again, so insistently a moan escapes me and pleasure starts to take over. “The Reed women are known for organizing last-minute nuptials. All my siblings have been married on Maxon and Keeley’s lawn. What do you say?”

  A wedding in paradise with the people who will soon be my extended family, joining my life with the man I love more than I ever dared to imagine? Hopefully my brother will come around, but if he doesn’t, I’ve found myself, my peace, and my forever. “That sounds perfect. We should call them.”

  “After I’m done making you feel like my queen, princess.” Xavian slants his mouth over mine and seals our commitment with a kiss. “We will.”

  Six weeks later

  Sunshine Coast Bed-and Breakfast, Maui

  * * *

  Corinne

  * * *

  The sun shines bright in the clear October sky.

  Today, the incredible is happening. I’m marrying Xavian Costa—my first crush, my first love, my king who, despite customary wedding tradition, made me feel like his queen again as the sun rose on our wedding day.

  It’s probably silly and sappy, since we’re only on opposite sides of Maxon and Keeley’s place getting ready for the ceremony, but I miss him.

  “Suck it in, sister,” Harlow says, tugging on the corset strings at the back of my chiffon wedding dress.

  I feel like Scarlet O’Hara, clinging to the bedpost as Harlow gives the laces another pull. “I have to breathe.”

  “You said you wanted to look good for your pictures.”

  “I also don’t want to faint,” I grumble.

  She laughs as she shows mercy and ties off the laces. “What else do you need?”

  Mentally, I sift through my pre-ceremony list. “Bouquet, lipstick…and something to calm my stomach.”

  “You’re nervous?”

  No, but Xavian and I are saving our good news—that the two of us will become three in June—for the reception. I’m less than a month pregnant. We only found out two days ago. Not telling our friends and family has killed us for the last forty-eight hours. I’ll be glad not to hold it in anymore. We’re so ecstatic, and we want to share our joy with everyone.

  “Isn’t that normal?” I ask to sidestep the truth.

  Harlow shrugs. “I was queasy on my wedding day because I was already pregnant. But I know where Keeley keeps the crackers. Be right back,” my soon-to-be sister-in-law and now good friend says before she dashes out the door, the skirt of her earthy pink bridesmaid dress swishing in her wake.

  “We got you, girl.” My best friend, Ashlee, sets the tube of lipstick Masey insisted would look great with my coloring on the nearby counter. The shade definitely has an appropriate name: Rosy Paradise. “It’s there when you’re ready.”

  “Thanks.” I smile her way. “I’m so glad you could be here.”

  “Are you kidding?” She takes my hands, her blond hair in a sedate up-do that’s nothing like her personality. “I wasn’t going to miss your wedding and being your maid of honor for anything. I fucking love you.”

  I laugh. “I effing love you, too.”

  She snorts. “Still can’t say the F-word?”

  “I can. I have. I’ve said it to Xavian. He’ll vouch for me.”

  “Even if you hadn’t, he’d lie through his teeth,” she points out. “That man loves you. I think he’s convinced you have the most magical pussy on the planet.”

  “I think you’re right.” I grin.

  He certainly can’t stay away from it. Not that I want him to.

  “I want your secret. Kegels? Lube? Brazilian wax? Or something kinkier?” She eyes me. “Maybe you swing from the chandeliers? It’s always the quiet ones…”

  I dissolve into giggles. “You’re crazy.”

  “You know it.” She winks. “But I’m so damn happy for you, Nin. And, I’m not gonna lie, a little jealous. I want to stumble into my wedding prep like you, forty-five minutes late, looking freshly fucked and smiling from ear to ear. That sounds like heaven. Not the marriage part.” She shudders. “You know commitment isn’t for me. But the orgasmic wake-up call? Yes, please. I’d love that, especially since I’m in the middle of a sex drought that makes the Sahara look like a fucking ocean.”