by Vi Keeland
He kisses me softly and rubs his thumb over my bottom lip. Then he pulls the silver chain with a guitar pick on it from his neck and slides it over my head. It must be the necklace I saw him wearing that day at the park. It’s almost exactly like River’s.
“This is a necklace Adric gave me about ten years ago when I started practicing guitar with him. I kept losing my picks so he gave it to me as a joke. I want you to have it.” He holds the pick between his fingers and rubs it. “You are the best gift anyone has ever given me. I love you with everything in me and I promise on my life and my very last breath, that I will protect you and love you every day for the rest of my life. Not a second has gone by that I haven’t pictured you in my arms. To be honest,” he starts backing away and messing with his guitar as if he’s about to play again, “I can’t live without you.”
I start following him wondering what he’s doing, until I hear it.
Holy shit!
My heart jumps into my throat and my legs shake as Kellan drops down on one knee and starts singing the one song I always said I’d want a man to sing to me before proposing. Having Kellan singing it for me, is the best thing that could ever happen.
Your Guardian Angel by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus…
His eyes stare into mine the whole time he sings me the song. My heart melts with every note. His voice is smooth as silk and rough at all the right places.
“I can show you I’ll be the one …”
I feel a hand on my back, supporting me as I stare down at Kellan with blurry eyes. His love weakens me; brings me to my knees at all the right times. He is and always will be the best part of me; the one thing I will never let go of. I can’t believe he chose this song. What is he trying to do to me?
Letting go of the guitar while still singing the lyrics, he reaches into his pocket and pulls something out. He looks into my eyes and grabs my left hand. We just stare into each other’s eyes until he sings the last note and it turns into humming. I can’t even see through all the tears.
“Phoenix Anne Winters, I love you more than my own life; more than anything this world has to offer me. Just the thought of losing you rips my heart right out of my chest. You will forever be the part of me that keeps me breathing. The reason for my whole existence is to make you happy. Without you, I am nothing but an empty man.” He scoots closer on his knees and pulls me down so we’re both on our knees, face to face.
Oh my god! He isn’t! Is he?
“Marry me, Phoenix. Marry me and I will spend the rest of my life making you happy. Making you happy is what makes me happy. I want you all day and every day. I want you as my wife. No other woman will ever be able to take your place. You are it for me.”
Holding my hand up, he slips a beautiful diamond ring onto the tip of my finger, before sliding it all the way on. It’s a large round, yellow diamond that sits perfectly in the center of my finger below the knuckle. The yellow stone is wrapped and nestled in a band of white diamonds that twists outward from each side, enclosing my finger. The setting raises up and around the center diamond, slightly lifting it. It is stunning and by the clarity, expensive. I love that he knows me so well he went with a yellow diamond instead of white. I’ve always been different than the average person in taste. I look into his eyes and see his are full of tears as well. “Be my wife,” he asks.
Nodding my head, I smile and scream, “Yes!” He pulls us both to our feet and pulls the guitar strap off from around his neck, passing it over to Tyler. I try to look down at the ring as he kisses my hand, but my eyes are so blurry, I can’t see a thing.
I feel Kellan’s lips press against mine before he pulls away and yells, “Fuck yeah! This woman is going to be my wife!” He pulls me back in for a kiss and then we’re broken apart by all of our friends congratulating us and checking out the beauty of Kellan’s promise on my finger.
The feeling is so overwhelming I can’t stop the steady tear flow. The feeling is surreal. Phoenix Haze. I guess some dreams do come true, as cheesy as it sounds.
Tyler slaps Kellan on the back before they give each other a man hug and the girls are all tugging me in different directions.
Through all the hugging and excitement, I notice Kade and Luna off to the side having a little discussion. It looks as if he’s trying to kiss her ear, but she pushes him away and gives him a dirty look. They don’t seem too thrilled with the news. Not that I expect Kade to be.
I’m not sure what’s going on with them two, but ever since I caught them kissing at work and Luna stormed off mad, they’ve been fighting since. Kade is definitely a hard one to tame. I have a feeling Luna is as well.
Zoning back into the celebration, I pull away from the girls and walk over to stand behind my future husband. I wrap my arms around his waist and he turns around, wrapping his arms around me. His touch still gets me weak in the knees. “I love you. Tonight was beautiful. It’s everything I could have ever asked for. Thank you, Kellan.”
He pulls me away from our friends and over to the ledge, looking over to Norman’s house. Sometimes, I still find Kellan watching the house as if he expects the old man to come back. He was pretty torn up when I told him the story. It still eats at me too; although, I’m happy he finally found peace.
Looking me in the eyes, he grabs my hips and pulls me against his front side, brushing his lips against mine. “Are you sure you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with me? You do realize I’m far from perfect, right? I’m nobody’s hero.”
Staring at my future, I tell him the honest truth. The one thing I’ve believed since I as fourteen. “You don’t need to be anyone else’s hero.” I step up on the tip of my toes and press my lips to his, tugging on his lip ring. “Just mine. Always.”
“I’m anything you want me to be …”
With my friend’s at my side and the love of my life staring me in the face, I realize there is nothing more important to me in this world than being a part of it.
Something I let myself miss out on in the past, after I lost Adric. I still miss him every day, but Kellan and I sit around more often telling stories of the past. It has helped me to cope a lot more than I could have ever imagined. We even go to the woods sometimes, along with Zoe to show her one of Adric’s favorite places. It’s now one of hers as well.
Plus, it feels good letting Zoe in on her brother’s life so she can see just how beautiful he was. It’s a feeling I can’t explain.
My future is now at Kellan’s house, making a home with him. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. He’s perfect to me.
My mom has taken over the apartment, slowed down on her drinking and has taken a job as an accountant at one of the local firms. Zoe is staying with me at Kellan’s place, until my mom can get a bigger place. It works out great for us. Zoe and Kellan work together twice a week with her reading and writing skills and I haven’t seen her closer with anyone else besides myself. They have a bond that even I can’t break up.
Even though Kade is still a little distant with Kellan and still throwing his flirting at me, things are finally falling back into place. Kade even admitted to taking money from the drawer, saying he had no other option at the time and paid every last cent back. After his confession of that, and of dealing to my brother, I couldn’t look at him for weeks. It broke my damn heart to hear the truth. The truth hurts. I’ve had to fight hard to be strong and move on. He deserves a second chance though. He didn’t know the damage it would cause at the time and that’s something I need to understand. It will take a lot, but we will get back to good someday. I just hope that they can.
Who knows, I might even see something in the future for Jen and Tyler. I can only hope they can find the same love I have found in Kellan. Things are perfect.
Well, perfect enough for me at least … and that’s all I could ever hope for.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I’d like to say a big thank you to all my loyal readers that have given me support over the last couple
years and have encouraged me to continue with my writing. Your words have all inspired me to do what I enjoy and love. Each and every one of you mean a lot to me and I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for your support and kind words.
I’d also like to thank my special friend, Author of Accepted Fate and editor, Charisse Reid. She has put a lot of time into helping me put this story together and through this, we have become very close friends. I’m lucky to have her be a part of this journey with me. Please everyone look out for her debut novel Accepted Fate. She has shown me so much support through this whole process and it would be nice to be able to return the favor. Her story is beautifully written and something that the world shouldn’t miss out on.
Also, a few of my beta readers, both family and friends that have taken the time to read my book and give me pointers throughout this process. My cousin, Jennifer Jones. My cousin, Melissa Gruver and my friend and blogger Rebecca Pugh from Becca’s Books. You guys have helped encourage me more than you know. Bestsellers and Beststellars of Romance for hosting my release day blitz and Enticing Journey Book Promotions for hosting my cover reveal. Thank you all so much.
I’d like to thank another friend of mine, Clarise Tan from CT Cover Creations for creating my cover and all of my wonderful teasers and banners. You’ve been wonderful to work with and have helped me in so many ways.
Thank you to my boyfriend, friends and family for understanding my busy schedule and being there to support me through the hardest part. I know it’s hard on everyone, and everyone’s support means the world to me.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank all of the wonderful book bloggers that have taken the time to support my book and help spread the word. You all do so much for us authors and it is greatly appreciated. I have met so many friends on the way and you guys are never forgotten. You guys rock. Thank you!
About The Author
Victoria Ashley grew up in Rockford, IL and has had a passion for reading for as long as she can remember. After finding a reading app where it allowed readers to upload their own stories, she gave it a shot and writing became her passion.
She lives for a good romance book with tattooed bad boys that are just highly misunderstood and is not afraid to be caught crying during a good read. When she’s not reading or writing about bad boys, you can find her watching her favorites shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter and True Blood.
She is the author of Wake Up Call and This Regret and is currently working on more works for 2014.
Contact her at: Victoria Ashley-Author on Facebook or Victoria Ashley on Goodreads.com
Authors To Look Out For
Here is a list of a few authors who have really inspired me. I really love their work. Please look out for their work and their future works.
Charisse Reid: Accepted Fate, now available. Also look for Twisting Fate of the Fate series coming in late 2014
Alyssa Rae Taylor: Raising Ryann, now available. Also look for Resisting Ryann of the Bad Boy Reformed series coming soon
Penelope Ward: Gemini and Jake Undone, now available. Also look for My Skylar of the Gemini series coming soon
Victoria's Books
Wake Up Call
Avery Hale had spent her whole childhood abused by her drunken, drugged up parents. Broken from a lifetime of hatred and pain, she grew up realizing that trust and love just didn't exist. Not in her world at least.
After turning the age of eighteen, she packed up and moved far away, determined to escape her painful past and start a new life for herself. Once on her own, she comes to the conclusion that the emptiness still exists. In order to survive, she found herself mixed up in exotic dancing and meaningless sexual relationships, numb to any emotion, for anyone. She was sure that her life was worthless and there was nothing left for her, this was the best it would get.
After meeting a beautiful stranger, her life suddenly is turned upside down. Everything she believed suddenly gets questioned. She is left to figure out if there is really more to her than she could ever have imagined.
Jace, having some secrets of his own, puts the pain of his own past behind to do what he can to help Avery. Can the love of another broken person be enough to help Avery, or is she already too far gone?
Avery's life is pulled in many directions as she tries to find herself, and not everyone and thing is what they seem to be in this story of love, trust and opening up. Finding herself and learning to love herself might just be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.
Slade (Walk Of Shame)
My name is Slade Merrick and I’m a fucking sex addict…
I’ve been told it’s a problem. But I see it as a passion; something that I’m good at. And who the fuck stops something that they’re good at?
They want me to seek help; get my cock in check. Don't judge my lifestyle. You’re no better than me. Just admit it, you like to fuck too. Sex is what I do best; my own personal high, so I embrace it instead of being ashamed.
When I'm not fucking, I'm slinging drinks at Walk Of Shame or stripping my way into your bed; another thing I'm good at. Every woman’s darkest fantasy brought to life.
So, am I stopping? Fuck no. Sex is beautiful, raw and erotic and I get off knowing I can have it with anyone I want…with the exception of her.
Aspen.
She walks into the club swaying those hips, instantly drawing my cock to attention. She’s pure perfection. That is, until she opens that mouth, drawing me in and for the first time in forever I want something more than sex. I want her and she hates it.
Things get dirty. Dirty is what I like; it’s how I live. But…she’s playing a game she can never win.
***Author's note*** Due to strong language and a very high amount of dirty, sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. This is #1 in the Walk Of Shame series of novellas that will all be STANDALONE reads. If you're not into, cocky bad boys with filthy mouths and even filthier sex, then this series is not for you. If you are…then, come meet the dirty boys of Walk Of Shame.
Hemy (Walk Of Shame)
My name is Hemy Knox and I’m a fucking heartbreaker…
I’ve hurt the one person that means the most to me in life; the only woman I have ever fucking loved. I let the drugs, alcohol and wild life take over; consume me. I got her where I wanted her and ripped her fucking heart out.
Since then, I’ve spent countless nights having dirty, meaningless sex with a multitude of people; only leaving them wanting and begging for more with no regrets. Some may even call me the devil; soulless.
They look and judge, but there is one thing they don’t know; no one does. I want more than this life of stripping and sleeping around; the never ending party. I want love and everything that comes with it; that high that never ends. The problem is…I only want it with her.
Onyx.
She refuses to be mine…again. She’s smart and it’s a mother fucking pain in my ass; guarding her heart while ripping mine right out of my chiseled chest. I can’t say that I blame her. I always was a dumb ass when it came to the emotions of a woman, especially her.
She wants to see me suffer as much as I made her; watch me wither and fucking die at her feet. She wants to crush me until I’m no longer breathing and I will let her, because it hurts far less than not having her as mine.
I will stop at nothing to make her mine again. The pain only drives me harder; feeding my fury and giving me a reason to live…her.
***Author's note*** Due to strong language and a very high amount of sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. This is #2 in the Walk Of Shame series of novellas that will all be STANDALONE reads. This includes F/M and F/M/M so if you’re not into dirty sex scenes with filthy language, then this book is not for you. If you are…then, come meet the dirty boys of Walk Of Shame.
Get Off On The Pain
Sexy, tattooed and inevitably dangerous. Memphis is all that and more…
I live for the pai
n; it’s what drives me to keep moving. But there comes a time when one has to push the demons aside in order to survive.
I thought I buried them deep. I thought I was ready to finally live. Until… my brother, Alex; he throws me into the fire—right into the place I could never control myself, the one place I never want to be again.
When I put my hands on people, they get hurt. Things happen that bring me back to that night. The one that will forever torment me.
I’m doing fine, keeping to myself in order to ensure no one gets hurt by me. Then along comes Lyric, and all I want to do is touch her, to put my hands in places that I know will only lead to her being crushed by me.
She’s the rush that I crave. The darkest of poison running through my veins, killing me bit by bit; like a drug I can’t get enough of even though I’m almost down to my last breath.
And being around her only hurts more, but what she doesn’t understand is that I welcome the pain; I get off on it, which in the end leaves me with the hardest decision of my life—one that might get us all killed…
For The Reader
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Aurora Rose Reynolds
Copyright © 2013 Aurora Rose Reynolds
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