Incandescent (31 page)

“You’re the fucker who fell in love, asshole,” Sy grumbles beside me.

“Yeah, well, the suit wasn’t my fuckin’ idea,” I tell them, but they just shake their head knowing I’d do anything for her.

“You right, boss man?” Jesse asks, watching me quietly.

“Yep. Wanted this fucking months ago,” I tell them, knowing it’s true. I didn’t care how I got here or how long it took me, I wanted this day.

“You might have wanted this day, but you look like you’re about to puke,” Beau laughs beside me.

He’s right. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. I’m Nix Knight. I don’t get nervous. But fuck. I am. Today is one of the most important days of my life. Today, I make Kadence my wife.

Kadence

“Keep still or I won’t be able to get it right.” Holly swats my hand away, while still holding the curling iron close to my scalp.

“Don’t burn me, Holly,” I complain.

“I won’t if you stop moving,” she argues back.

“I can’t help it. I'm nervous. I feel like I could spend the day on the toilet.” Her insane laughter fills the room, and the sound heals a little of the pain I hold for her in losing her child. It’s been four months since that night, and even though the same funny, crazy Holly is standing in front of me, doing my hair for my wedding day, I feel like she’s still missing a little piece. I’ve searched and searched for that small piece, but no matter how far I travel, how deep I dig, I can’t find it. I’ve come to realize it’s not something I can give her. It’s something she can only find herself. It’s just coming to terms with that.

A knock at the door has me jumping in my chair.

“Keep it together, Kadence.” Holly laughs at how nervous I am. My dad walks in looking handsome in his suit. He wasn’t impressed when mom and I picked it out for him, but I could see behind his eyes that he would be secretly proud to wear it for his daughter's wedding day.

“You’re late,” he croaks, quickly turning away from me.

“Are you crying, Mr. Turner?” Holly calls out.

I smile at her jab, but I feel slightly sorry for my dad. I've never seen him cry. “Are you okay, Dad?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just got something in my eye,” he explains as Holly snorts behind me.

“We are almost ready, Daddy,” I tell him, using the name I know that he loves to hear.

“Done,” Holly declares, moving away from me. I stand from the chair and walk to look into the full-length mirror. Shit. I draw in a breath. The floor-length ivory gown sits snug against my body, a small band of crystals cinching my waist in. The sweetheart neckline is covered in a sheen of beaded lace, cut off in a capped sleeve. My dark hair is woven up into a low updo, leaving soft curls falling around my face. The ivory-netted headpiece that Holly just secured in covers half my face, the crisscross pattern sitting two inches over my left eye.

“I love it, Holly.” I turn to look at her and catch the last look of pain cross her face. “Are you okay?” I ask, walking to her.

“I’m okay, Kadence.” She wipes the lone tear away. “You look breathtaking.” She pulls me in for a short hug and then steps back smiling at me. I know she’s happy for me.

“I love you, Holly.”

“I love you, too. Okay, let me just grab your bouquet and mine, and let's get this shindig started.” She leaves through the connecting door, giving Dad and me some privacy.

“Are you okay, Daddy?” I look over at him, still trying to keep his tears at bay.

“Fuck no! My baby girl’s getting married, and by God, you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” He walks up to me, engulfing me in his strong embrace.

“Dad, don’t make me cry. I'll mess up my makeup."

“Don’t even care. You’ll still be beautiful.” I fight the urge to tell him he’s just like Nix. I'm sure he’s already aware of that. “Jesus, Kadence, you’re breakin' my heart here. I feel like I’m losing a piece of me.” A sneaky tear escapes, but this time I don’t even care.

“You’re not, Dad. You’ll still be my dad. You will always have a special place in my life,” I promise.

“Good, just make sure you tell that to your husband when he tries to take all your time,” he sniffs back his emotion.

“Daddy, I promise. I will always have time for you.” He leans down and kisses my cheek, squeezing my hand. I never thought of it like that. Here I am freaking out about giving my life to another, while my parents feel like they're losing a part of theirs.

“Oh, God, I leave you for two minutes, Mr. Turner, and you made her cry?” Holly comes back carrying my bouquet made up of purple roses. “Come here. We’re already late.” She fusses about, fixing the damage my dad did in two sentences. God, I’m not going to last with Nix’s vows.

“Okay, let's do this,” she says after finishing up the touches.

My dad takes my hand and leads me out the door to the chapel. The chapel was Nix’s idea, to marry in the same one as his parents did. I loved the idea so much; I agreed instantly, a special part of them both with us on our day.

I love his dad. Since meeting in the hospital, he’s been coming back into town every other weekend and staying with us. Nix and Z love it, but I know Red loves it more. The boys have even had a few weekends out at the lake house. I know when Nix lost his mom things were tough between the two of them, but looking at them now, you would never know. You can tell how much Nix loves having his dad in town and has even hinted at wanting him to move back, to be closer to Z. I can’t blame him. Now that I have moved in with Nix and Z, my parents have been coming over more often. I’d love to say it’s because they miss me so much, but it’s all to do with Z. They’ve fallen in love with him just as much as I have. Their grandson, they tell everyone. Z loves them just as much as they do him, even choosing to go stay with them while Nix and I are away on our honeymoon.

“I just want you to know, Kadence, your mom and I couldn't be more proud of you,” my dad whispers, close to my ear. “Be happy. You deserve it.” He kisses my cheek.

“I am,” the truth rolls off my tongue. I have never been happier in my life.

We step over the threshold of the aisle, and I watch Holly, in her pale lavender floor-length dress, walk down the aisle. Sy’s eyes follow her as she walks slowly to the front. I don’t know how much longer she’s going to hide her feelings for him. We all see it, but for some reason they both live in their own delusional world, thinking we don’t. I worry about them when he finds out the truth, but until then I have to just be there for her.

The soft music ends when Holly reaches her spot, the sounds of an acoustic guitar now coming to life, filling the small chapel. Our family and friends come to their feet, but I only have eyes for Nix.

Standing in a white dress shirt, black pants and his cuts, he holds the hand of Z, both smiling over at me. It didn’t take much to convince him to wear a suit. He agreed, but the cuts stayed. Jesse, Brooks, Sy, and Beau also followed his lead, wearing matching attire. There isn’t much the boys wouldn’t do for me. I know they only do it for Nix—keeping me happy keeps him happy—but I like to think they love me enough to grant me one small wish, even if they do try to push me for a reaction. Having them standing there on our special day, on their best behavior, was my only wish.

After the bachelor and bachelorette party, I wouldn’t put it past them to try something. Canceling the male stripper Holly ordered for me, and replacing him with a female was the start of a very eventful night. Waking up to the messages that Nix was in jail the next day was the last thing I wanted to hear hung-over. Nix was more pissed at his shaved eyebrows and shaved balls than him ending up in jail. I was beyond mad, telling them all if they pulled any funny business at the wedding, there would be hell to pay. Nix made them promise no shit during the ceremony, but I know the party is a free-for-all. I'll be cleaning up the clubhouse for days. My new role as old lady is already a daunting task, but one I’ll take on with an open mind.

I quickly glance up, my eyes locking onto Nix’s. He’s watching me, taking every inch of me in. All my nerves and worries are gone by just one look. No words spoken, no smile given, the only encouragement I need is staring back at me with his emerald green eyes. I draw in an exhilarating breath; these men are my life, my family and my world.

I take my first step to them, knowing I’m walking toward my ultimate happiness, unwavering love and the most beautiful thing of all, my amazing family.

COMING NOVEMBER 2014

Sy’s Story

I
can’t believe I’m even writing an acknowledgement page. So in saying that, there are many people I need to thank.

Alissa Evanson-Smith
:
Lovely, there are no words. I feel like I found this friend at this amazing time in my life. You have become part of my daily life and I honestly feel lost if I don’t talk to you at least once a day. You have been there for me from day one, and I can’t thank you enough. I love you hard woman.

My C.O.W.s
-
Alissa, Ash, Jess and Bel:

You ladies seriously are the best. Thousands and thousands of messages, laughter, tears, miles, you name it. You all have been so supportive of me and there is no way I would even be sitting here writing my final words of Nix and Kadence’s story. This one is for you guys.

P.S Seriously, if ANYONE ever read our private MSG threads, I would die. Fall over and die. You girls are crazy, funny, smart, and beautiful. Oh, and downright dirty. I don’t know what I would do without all. I DUCKING love you all...
Quack!

Thank you
to my lovely beta readers, Jodie, Gil, Stephanie, Bella, and Angela. Your enthusiasm for Nix and Kadence pushed me to be better. Get ready for Sy and Holly; things are only just getting started.

Kylie, from Give Me Books
:
Do you get sick of all the acknowledgments you’re in? No? Good. Thank you for the hard work you do. I appreciate it more than you know. You are the blogger to end all bloggers.

C.P. Smith:
You really went above and beyond and really helped me more than I can thank you. You are a gem and I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you have done for me.

Nina Levine:
Dude, I think you must cringe every time my name comes up on FB messenger. Ha-ha. You, my friend, have shown me the true meaning of helping out your fellow author. You, lady, have class and I will be forever grateful.

Louisa from LM Creations:
Girl, I feel like I should dedicate Nix and Kadence to you. You, my friend, rock my world. I can’t believe you still like me after the many changes, and the many mess-arounds we have endured. I promise
Sy’s
book will be less painful. If not, then I’ll dedicate that book to you also.

Thank you
to the many people who saw me through this book; to all those who provided support, talked things over, read, wrote, offered comments, allowed me to bug you with questions. Thank you.

To my Rebels:
You ladies truly are amazing. From the hot naked men, to the outrageous things we get up to. You all rock my world. I love you hard. (Even if you spam my news feed with cock.)

To the Bloggers:
Thank you for your support. I wouldn’t have been able to get my name out without you guys pimping my book, sharing my teasers and just supporting me through.

And finally:

My husband
, who cheered me on, kept me fed, looked after the children and didn’t complain once. You married a crazy person, do you know that? This year, hell, our life, has always been crazy. Without you none of this would even be possible. I could never have accomplished half the things I have without you by my side. You get me. You love me. And most importantly, you’ve never left me. I love you.

A
n avid reader of romance and erotic novels, River’s love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined that her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable. With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.

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