The Fighter Read online

Page 22


  Besides, this was my second wedding. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought.

  Colton came into the bedroom and looked me up and down. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m still straight…”

  “Oh, shut up.” I walked past him, practicing in my heels.

  “I’m serious. You look great.”

  “You really do,” Stella said. “The man is gonna eat his heart out.”

  “Then eat you out later,” Tatum added.

  “Wow…is this my wedding day or a bachelorette party?” I said with a laugh.

  “Maybe both?” Colton was in slacks and a collared shirt with a tie, looking dressed up but not overly formal.

  “What’s Finn wearing?” He and I had never talked about it.

  Colton shrugged. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “If he could, he would be naked,” I said. “That’s the kind of man he is.”

  “And I don’t think anyone would mind if he showed up naked…” Stella smiled at Tatum.

  I would have to live with women checking out my husband all the time, so I might as well get used to it.

  Husband.

  It was the first time I’d called him that…and I really liked it.

  Colton looked at his watch. “We should get going. Are you ready?”

  I didn’t need to give it a second thought. I was going to marry the love of my life, the man who would move mountains to make me happy. We would be family in just a few hours… We would be soul mates.

  29

  Finn

  I waited at the courthouse with my parents.

  The courthouse wasn’t the most exciting place in the world, but it was still the most exciting day of my life. Any moment now, my future bride would walk up the stairs and enter the building, looking gorgeous in whatever she decided to wear. If she showed up in a paper bag, I would still marry her because she would rock it.

  That was how hot my baby was.

  “You look so handsome, sweetheart.” Mom kept smoothing out my jacket and keeping every little wrinkle out of my clothing. She’d even pinned a flower to the front of my suit to make it official.

  Since she was so excited about today, I let her do whatever she wanted. “Thanks, Mom.”

  Dad clapped me on the shoulder. “You got yourself a good one. Don’t fuck it up again.”

  “Trust me, I won’t.” I’d lived a terrible existence without her, so I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. The second I returned to Seattle, I was committed to her. I was her husband even though she wouldn’t take me.

  Soldier sat beside me and whined when he wanted attention.

  “She’ll be here soon.” I patted him on the head. He had a black collar around his neck and a matching flower pinned to it.

  “I was always afraid you would end up with someone who wasn’t good enough for you,” Mom said. “But she’s really lovely. Honest, classy, and she loves you so much…”

  “I know, Mom.” I would have loved her the same even if my parents didn’t like her, but it meant a lot to me that they did, that she would be part of our family forever.

  Finally, Colton opened the door and escorted her inside, his arm extended so she could hold on to it. He got her in the door first, and the girls followed behind.

  It was a special moment because she didn’t notice me right away. Her eyes were on the ground because she was getting used to her heels with the change of foundation. She wore a short dress that flared out around her waist—and her tits looked amazing. A sea of hair fell around her shoulders, the curls loose and easy to fist. The second I looked at her, I pictured myself between her legs, consummating our marriage before I could even get that dress off her. We would make love by the roaring fire as I made my wife come over and over again, starting off our lives in the best way possible.

  Sex was the first thing that popped into my head anytime I looked at Pepper.

  Come on, how could I not?

  But as she came closer to me, I thought of the other reasons why I was marrying her. But only one reason actually mattered.

  I loved her.

  It was real. It was true. My heart beat for hers in a way I couldn’t explain. I wanted to spend my life by her side every single day, protecting her, loving her, and giving her a reason to stay with me.

  My time overseas and in the rural places in foreign countries taught me how to be alone, how to thrive in solitude. I became so good at it that I preferred it over companionship. Women were good for one thing—sex. When I first met Pepper, it wasn’t like that. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted from her. I didn’t just want to fuck her—I actually wanted to kiss her.

  I wanted to be with her.

  Now the idea of returning to that solitude terrified me.

  Because it would mean she wasn’t there.

  I couldn’t be without her ever again. I learned how much better my life was with her. I realized my bachelor days were over the second I stepped inside that apartment that one afternoon.

  Even then, I knew she was the one.

  Even when I left, I knew she was the one.

  And now, I knew it now even more.

  When she looked up, her eyes focused on my face, taking in my appearance like she thought I was the hottest man she’d ever seen. She eyed my shoulders in my suit, noticed the way I’d done my hair just for her, and when her gaze settled on my face, there was a special twinkle in her eyes.

  I hoped she looked at me like that every day for the rest of our lives.

  When she reached me, Colton let her go.

  “You look… Jesus Christ.”

  Everyone laughed at my crass remark, even my parents.

  I meant the words when I said them, but they didn’t complement all the thoughts I’d just been thinking. It didn’t match all the true feelings I harbored for her, the unstoppable force that existed inside my chest. Maybe she fell in love with me because of my qualities.

  But I fell in love with her because she was my soul mate. “You still want to marry me?” Maybe that was a stupid idea, to let her think she had the option. If she changed her mind, I would just make her change it back.

  “Yes.” She slid her hand into mine and looked up into my face. “I do.”

  Courthouse weddings were quick. They ran through the lines, told us what to say, and then they moved on to the next couple.

  But when I locked my eyes on to hers and listened to her say I do, time seemed to stand still. It seemed like it was just the two of us, two people so madly in love that no one else existed. She was so beautiful, so happy, that I didn’t even focus on what the guy marrying us was saying.

  “Finn,” he repeated. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

  I kept my eyes on her. “Sorry…all I can think about is kissing you.”

  My parents and everyone else laughed.

  She smiled, tears in her eyes. “You can kiss me after you marry me.”

  “Then I do.”

  “By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your girl.”

  I grinned as I pulled her close, my hands shaking because she was finally mine. All of the torment was officially over because she was my wife—my other half. She promised to love me for the rest of our lives, to stand by my side through thick and thin.

  How did I get so lucky?

  I bent my neck down and kissed her, pulling her tight into my chest so I could remember this moment as long as I lived. Her mouth crushed against mine, and I felt so good inside, like all my suffering had disappeared.

  It was all a bad dream.

  Everyone clapped as they witnessed our first kiss as husband and wife.

  Pepper was officially my wife.

  Mrs. Finn Burke.

  When I ended the kiss, I scooped her up into my arms and held her against my chest. “Bye.” I walked through our friends and family and carried her away, stealing my bride so we could run off to the cabin and start our new lives together.


  They all laughed and cheered as I took her away, to make love to my wife for the first time. Soldier barked then caught up with us, knowing he was coming along for the ride too.

  With her arms wrapped around my neck, she looked happier than I’d ever seen her, the love shining in her eyes and the emotion in the slight trembling of her lips. “We’re family now…all three of us.”

  “Yes…and we’ll always be family.”

  It started to rain after we arrived.

  I got a fire going in the large hearth to keep the place warm. The heater hadn’t been on in so long that it was chilly.

  Pepper sat on the edge of the bed, still in her little white dress.

  I stripped off my tie and then my jacket, dropping everything onto the floor because I had no intention of ever wearing it again.

  She watched the pile of clothes grow bigger. “I’ve never seen you wear a suit before.”

  “And you won’t see me wear one again until our kids get married.”

  Her eyes glowed as she watched me strip down to my bare skin. She stared at my hard cock when it was visible, licking her lips because she knew she owned my junk forever.

  Watching her want me only made this night more incredible.

  I kneeled in front of her, naked and on my knees. My fingers slipped off her white heels, and then I laid her back as I reached under her dress and I pulled down the sexy white thong. I took my time as I peeled it away, as I pulled it down her sexy legs until she was bare. I’d just had her the night before, but when she looked so perfect like this, with the glow of the fire bringing a rosiness to her cheeks, it felt like the first time.

  I lifted her up the bed then raised her dress to her waist.

  “You don’t want me to take it off?”

  My thighs separated hers as I positioned myself between her legs, my cock so anxious to be inside her that it could find her entrance all on his own. “No.” I fantasized about the way I wanted to take her the moment I looked at her in that dress. I wanted to enjoy the sight of her in that dress a little longer—and really take my time getting it off.

  I held myself on top of her and slowly sank inside, slowly slid through the moisture that had been building on the hour ride here. My dick landed like a plane on a runway, and I sank into her so perfectly, making her gasp as she felt me stretch her apart.

  She widened her legs and gave me ample room to take her, to make her my wife all night long. “Finn…” Her hands moved up my chest, and her mouth gaped open as she moaned, so turned on that she was already writhing for me.

  “Mrs. Finn Burke.” I thrust inside her, seeing the light of the flames highlight her face as I made love to her in the middle of nowhere, the sound of the fire accompanying the light rain falling outside. It was a beautiful setting to fall deeper in love, to strengthen our relationship until it was unbreakable.

  She rocked with me, gasping and scratching.

  “You look so fucking beautiful.” It was an image I could beat off to for the rest of my life. The way her eyes filled with emotion, the way her lips parted so she could breathe. Her perfect tits shook with my thrusts. The best part of all was that diamond ring on her finger, the ring she’d agreed to wear for the rest of her life.

  Because she wanted me for the rest of her life.

  I pressed my forehead to hers as I kept moving, kept making love to my wife for the first time. “Thank you for marrying me.” I hated to think of what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten her back. I would have ended up in the bar alone every night, drinking away all my regrets while someone else got to be exactly where I was now.

  She cupped my face and breathed with me. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  “I’ll never give up on my baby…not ever.”

  Epilogue

  Finn

  We’d been married five years.

  Five beautiful fucking years.

  They went by so fast.

  First, it was just the two of us and Soldier.

  Then Neil arrived.

  With the same dark hair and blue eyes I possessed, he was a miniature version of me. But he had Pepper’s fierce attitude, so he was the perfect little boy I wanted. He was sweet to his mother and disciplined when it came to me.

  I loved having a little boy. But I knew he wouldn’t be little forever…and I wanted him to be a man I was proud of.

  I took my eyes off him for one second, and he knocked his apple juice onto the floor and spilled his milk and cereal everywhere. In just an instant, he made a huge mess—after I’d just cleaned everything.

  I could lose my temper and scream.

  But I didn’t want to be like that.

  With apology on his face, he looked up at me, embarrassment in his eyes. “Sorry, Daddy…”

  Sometimes it was impossible to get mad at something so precious. He could do anything, and I would still love him so damn much. He had Pepper’s innocence and emotional intelligence. Yelling at him was like yelling at her, which was impossible to do. “It’s okay, champ. Accidents happen sometimes. But let me show you how to clean it up.” I grabbed a few paper towels and then a soapy dishrag, and together, we cleaned up the little explosion he’d made in the kitchen. “Everyone has accidents sometimes, but we’ve got to be aware of what we’re doing and try to prevent them. How did this happen?”

  “I knocked over my juice…” He pushed the soaked paper towel across the floor.

  “Alright. Be aware of your juice next time.”

  We threw away everything, and in minutes, the kitchen was clean again.

  I taught him a lesson without yelling at him—seemed effective to me.

  Pepper came down the stairs a moment later, her hand on her large stomach. “Why do I smell apple juice?”

  Neil bowed his head. “Because I spilled…”

  “And he also cleaned it up.” I raised my hand and gave him a high five.

  Pepper walked toward me, having that sexy pregnant glow. I loved it when she was pregnant. Sex was somehow better, knowing I was the reason she was so uncomfortable that she had to waddle everywhere. She looked down at our son and smiled. “Just pay attention, alright?”

  “Okay, Mommy…” He moved to her leg and hugged her.

  She chuckled as she ran her fingers through his hair dark hair. “So, you think your parents will watch him tonight so we can celebrate our anniversary? I can’t drink and I’m tired all the time, but we should do something.”

  “Well, I had a better idea.”

  Soldier came into the kitchen and started sniffing, probably smelling the apple juice that had been spilled moments ago.

  “Yeah?” Pepper asked. “Your mom will watch him, and we’ll just stay home…” She gave me a meaningful look in her eyes, telling me she was happy to stay home and just have sex for a couple of hours.

  “Actually, I invited Colton and Tom over. They’re bringing the boys.”

  “Yeah?” she asked, immediately perking up.

  “I thought we could have a barbecue and the kids could play together. Maybe we can play Monopoly, Colton’s favorite game.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad. I feel like we haven’t seen them in weeks.”

  I nearly rolled my eyes. “We saw them last Saturday.”

  “Yeah…but that seems like a lifetime ago.” Even though she was married to me, she still needed Colton in her life as her best friend. They had lunch together and gossiped like any other pair of friends. I didn’t mind in the least. It only made our family closer.

  “So, that sounds good? I’ll make some chicken.”

  “Ugh, no poultry.” She rubbed her stomach. “I can tell she doesn’t like it.”

  “I can make something else. What do you want?”

  She smiled. “Maybe some mac and cheese…?”

  When she was pregnant, she had the appetite of a child. I wanted to roll my eyes or make a joke, but since she’d already pushed out one baby, I couldn’t complain about making her whatever she wanted. “Whatev
er my baby wants.”

  “Thank you.” She took Neil by the hand. “I’m gonna change his shirt. He’ll reek of apple juice if I wait too long.” With their hands held together, they left the kitchen and went upstairs, mother and son.

  I watched them go, unable to believe my own life. I never thought I would be here. I was a father to a great boy. Now I would be a father to a beautiful little girl. And my wife was fucking amazing.

  I looked down at Soldier. “I’m the luckiest man alive, huh?”

  He barked.

  I chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Signed Paperbacks?

  Would you love a signed copy of your favorite book? Now you can purchase autographed copies and get them sent right to your door! Get your copy here:

  * * *

  http://www.eltoddbooks.com/

  Don't miss out!

  Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever E. L. Todd publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.

  https://books2read.com/r/B-A-UQED-SRQY

  Connecting independent readers to independent writers.

 

 

 


    You Have My Heart Read onlineYou Have My HeartAll I Want Is You (Forever and Ever Book 1) Read onlineAll I Want Is You (Forever and Ever Book 1)River Read onlineRiverThe Man I Thought I Trusted (Two-Faced Book 3) Read onlineThe Man I Thought I Trusted (Two-Faced Book 3)Jett Read onlineJettA Girl Like You Read onlineA Girl Like YouThen Came Alexandra Read onlineThen Came AlexandraWe Belong Together Read onlineWe Belong TogetherIn My Heart Read onlineIn My HeartJanet Read onlineJanetTo Love Again Read onlineTo Love AgainLayla Read onlineLaylaMy Soul Is Yours Read onlineMy Soul Is YoursWhen Two Becomes One Read onlineWhen Two Becomes OneSomewhere Far Away Read onlineSomewhere Far AwayThere You Are Read onlineThere You AreI Want Your Love Read onlineI Want Your LoveFate on Fire Read onlineFate on FireThe Fighter Read onlineThe FighterWhen We Fall Read onlineWhen We FallI Will Love You Read onlineI Will Love YouMy Heart Skips a Beat Read onlineMy Heart Skips a BeatHaving You Is Never Enough Read onlineHaving You Is Never EnoughThe Man I Thought I Trusted Read onlineThe Man I Thought I TrustedForever Is Not Enough Read onlineForever Is Not EnoughA Hole in My Heart Read onlineA Hole in My HeartThe Man I Thought I Loved (Two-Faced Book 2) Read onlineThe Man I Thought I Loved (Two-Faced Book 2)If Loving You Is Wrong Read onlineIf Loving You Is WrongI Will Follow You Read onlineI Will Follow YouKiss Me There Read onlineKiss Me ThereWhen We Break Read onlineWhen We BreakAgainst All Odds Read onlineAgainst All OddsElisa Read onlineElisaAshe (Fuse Book 2) Read onlineAshe (Fuse Book 2)Love on Fire (Stars Book 2) Read onlineLove on Fire (Stars Book 2)You Make Me Weak Read onlineYou Make Me WeakYou Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7) Read onlineYou Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)Just for You Read onlineJust for YouThe Lover Read onlineThe LoverThe Man I Thought I Knew Read onlineThe Man I Thought I KnewSadie Read onlineSadiePieces of Me Read onlinePieces of MeThe Lover (Doctor Book 3) Read onlineThe Lover (Doctor Book 3)Cato Read onlineCatoAll That Matters Read onlineAll That MattersFate on Fire (Stars Book 3) Read onlineFate on Fire (Stars Book 3)The Doctor: Doctor #1 Read onlineThe Doctor: Doctor #1When You Are With Me Read onlineWhen You Are With MeLove Me Still Read onlineLove Me StillAll Hope Is Lost Read onlineAll Hope Is LostRhett Read onlineRhettFury Read onlineFuryI'll Be There Read onlineI'll Be ThereEverything and More Read onlineEverything and MoreForever and Ever (Complete #1-7) Read onlineForever and Ever (Complete #1-7)Hearts Will Beat Read onlineHearts Will BeatMonday (Timeless #1) Read onlineMonday (Timeless #1)Dangerous Stranger (Beautiful Entourage #4) Read onlineDangerous Stranger (Beautiful Entourage #4)The Man: Doctor #2 Read onlineThe Man: Doctor #2Forever With You Read onlineForever With YouLove on Fire Read onlineLove on FireGladiator Read onlineGladiatorLover's Road (Forever and Always #11) Read onlineLover's Road (Forever and Always #11)Believe in Me Read onlineBelieve in MeYou Will Be Alright Read onlineYou Will Be AlrightLove Lives On Read onlineLove Lives OnBreaking Through the Waves Read onlineBreaking Through the WavesRay of Life Read onlineRay of LifeBecause of You Read onlineBecause of YouMeant to Be (Forever and Always #12) Read onlineMeant to Be (Forever and Always #12)Wednesday (Timeless Series #3) Read onlineWednesday (Timeless Series #3)You Are All I'll Ever Need Read onlineYou Are All I'll Ever NeedLove Lives On (Forever and Ever #24) Read onlineLove Lives On (Forever and Ever #24)Again and Again (Forever and Always #10) Read onlineAgain and Again (Forever and Always #10)All That Matters (Forever and Ever #46) Read onlineAll That Matters (Forever and Ever #46)You Stole My Heart Read onlineYou Stole My HeartRiding the Surf Read onlineRiding the SurfRay of Light Read onlineRay of LightSeductive Guest (Beautiful Entourage #5) Read onlineSeductive Guest (Beautiful Entourage #5)Troy Read onlineTroyClosing Time Read onlineClosing TimeHere and Now (Forever and Always #13) Read onlineHere and Now (Forever and Always #13)Then Came Abby (Southern Love #4) Read onlineThen Came Abby (Southern Love #4)The Doctor Read onlineThe DoctorRay of Hope (Ray #2) Read onlineRay of Hope (Ray #2)Spark (Electric Series #2) Read onlineSpark (Electric Series #2)Edge of Love Read onlineEdge of LoveLove Hurts (Forever and Always #17) Read onlineLove Hurts (Forever and Always #17)Time Stands Still (Forever and Ever #51) Read onlineTime Stands Still (Forever and Ever #51)Burn (Electric Series #3) Read onlineBurn (Electric Series #3)Sweet Sins Read onlineSweet SinsRay of Heart (Ray #5) Read onlineRay of Heart (Ray #5)Soul Catcher Read onlineSoul CatcherTouch of Love Read onlineTouch of LoveBeautiful Entourage Read onlineBeautiful EntourageStars On Fire Read onlineStars On FireRogue (Gladiator Series #2) Read onlineRogue (Gladiator Series #2)The Wandering Caravan (Forever and Always #8) Read onlineThe Wandering Caravan (Forever and Always #8)325 First Fights Read online325 First FightsForever and Always Read onlineForever and AlwaysTuesday (Timeless Series #2) Read onlineTuesday (Timeless Series #2)Flight of Life (Essence Series #1) Read onlineFlight of Life (Essence Series #1)Ray of Love (Ray #3) Read onlineRay of Love (Ray #3)Friday (Timeless Series #5) Read onlineFriday (Timeless Series #5)Thursday (Timeless Series #4) Read onlineThursday (Timeless Series #4)Then Came Absolution (Southern Love #3) Read onlineThen Came Absolution (Southern Love #3)Lost in Time (Forever and Always #20) Read onlineLost in Time (Forever and Always #20)Then Came Indecision (Southern Love #2) Read onlineThen Came Indecision (Southern Love #2)Only For You (Forever and Always, Book #1) Read onlineOnly For You (Forever and Always, Book #1)Into The Fire (Gorgeous Entourage #1) Read onlineInto The Fire (Gorgeous Entourage #1)The Last Time (Forever and Always #18) Read onlineThe Last Time (Forever and Always #18)400 First Kisses Read online400 First KissesUntil Forever (Forever and Always #14) Read onlineUntil Forever (Forever and Always #14)I Will Love You (Forever and Ever #23) Read onlineI Will Love You (Forever and Ever #23)Taking the Plunge Read onlineTaking the Plunge218 First Hugs Read online218 First HugsCharge (Electric Series #1) Read onlineCharge (Electric Series #1)Gorgeous Consort (Beautiful Entourage #2) Read onlineGorgeous Consort (Beautiful Entourage #2)Saturday (Timeless Series #6) Read onlineSaturday (Timeless Series #6)Ray of Time (Ray #4) Read onlineRay of Time (Ray #4)Connected by the Sea (Hawaiian Crush #1) Read onlineConnected by the Sea (Hawaiian Crush #1)Abby's Plight (Southern Love #5) Read onlineAbby's Plight (Southern Love #5)Come What May (Forever and Always #9) Read onlineCome What May (Forever and Always #9)Ray of New (Ray #6) Read onlineRay of New (Ray #6)New Beginnings (Forever and Always #15) Read onlineNew Beginnings (Forever and Always #15)Then Came Alexandra (Southern Love #1) Read onlineThen Came Alexandra (Southern Love #1)Love Conquers All (Forever and Always #16) Read onlineLove Conquers All (Forever and Always #16)Combust (Electric Series #4) Read onlineCombust (Electric Series #4)Dark Escort (Beautiful Entourage #3) Read onlineDark Escort (Beautiful Entourage #3)