Victorious(76)

“His mother and I had nearly given up on hoping this day would ever come,” Max says softly, for my ears only. “Look at him with the kids. He’s so great with them, and they love him so much. We couldn’t bear to think of him missing out on having his own family, but it didn’t seem like it would happen. And then he met you, and well… We’re so happy for both of you.”

“Thank you, Max, and thank you for this unforgettable day. I told Flynn earlier that I wouldn’t have said we needed a big party, but I’m so glad we’ll have these memories. And I also want to thank you and Stella for the way you’ve opened your arms to me. You’ll never know how much that has meant to me.”

“You’ve got a great big new family who loves you and your sisters. This is your home now, and you’ll always be welcome here.”

With tears in my eyes, I hug my new father-in-law until my husband comes to claim me, making jokes about his dad moving in on his girl.

Flynn wraps his arms around me, and I sink into his embrace, overwhelmed by the emotional day and the weeks that preceded it.

“What do you say we get out of here, my love?”

“Ready to go home?”

“I’m ready to be alone with my wife.”

“Hopefully this wedding night will go a little better than the last one,” I say in a teasing tone.

“I have no complaints whatsoever about the first one.” With his hands on my face, he kisses me in that tender way that always disarms me. “Come on, let’s go.”





Chapter 18





It’s been an outstanding day, full of all the things that matter most to me. We’ve been surrounded by the love of our family and friends, but now it’s about us, and I want my wife all to myself. Her sisters and friends will be spending the night with my parents before heading home tomorrow. My parents are also taking care of Fluff for us for the next week, not that Natalie knows that when she says good-bye to her baby for what she thinks is just tonight.

We hug and kiss Candace, Olivia, Leah, Aileen and her kids, and my family before we take our leave, again in my father’s Bentley. The driver knows where we’re going, so as we drive away from the place where I grew up, I’m able to give Natalie my full attention.

“I was thinking,” she says.

I nuzzle her neck. “About?”

“Your idea for a movie about my story.”

I wouldn’t have thought anything could interest me more than the sexy column of her neck. “What about it?”

“It would make for a good movie, especially with today as the happy ending.”

“You really think so?”

“I really do. Everyone already knows, so it’s not like we’d be telling a story that would expose me or my secrets. I don’t have any secrets anymore, and I like it that way.”

“Still, it would result in a lot of renewed interest in your past.”

“Perhaps one of the things I was meant to do with my newfound celebrity is bring attention to the strength and resilience of sexual assault survivors. My story is proof that it doesn’t have to ruin a life or define it.”

“Nat…” My voice is little more than a whisper. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, your courage is awe-inspiring. It would be such an honor for us to tell your story. We’d give it our very best. I promise.”

She tugs on my bow tie, untying it. “What part would you play?”

“I’d have to play myself, the dashing hero whose life is saved by the feisty heroine who showed him what really matters.”

Her laughter fills my soul. “The dashing hero, huh?”

“I did have to dash after you to keep you from getting away.”

“That’s true.” She gives me a sly, sexy look that makes me instantly hard. “Of course, some parts of our story will have to remain private.”

“Of course.”

“My husband is a very public figure who wouldn’t appreciate me selling his secrets to Hollywood.”

“No, he wouldn’t. Those secrets are only for you.” I kiss her then, the way I’ve been dying to for hours now. Her arms encircle my neck, and she gives herself up to me with the sweet submission that makes me so f*cking hot every time. She doesn’t even know she’s doing it. That’s the best part. She gives me everything I need without me having to tell her how.

In deference to my dad’s driver, who’s worked for my family for decades, I withdraw from the kiss gradually and regretfully. We’ll have plenty of time to pick up where we left off.

Natalie glances out the window. “Where’re we going?”

“Not home.”

“I see that. More surprises?”

“Maybe…”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

“What fun would that be?”

“I didn’t bring anything with me.”

“You don’t need anything.”

“I need a toothbrush.”

Smiling, I kiss her again and then once again because once wasn’t enough. “Your every need shall be seen to, my love. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“As long as I’m able to make my foundation board meeting on Tuesday, I’m all yours.”