Warped (24 page)

“You look beautiful Ella. I love you.” I turn my head so I am staring directly into his beautiful chocolate eyes. Damon trails kisses down my cheek, and when his mouth reaches the corner of mine I turn my body and press myself against him, pulling him in to deepen the kiss. When his mouth gently parts my lips and I feel his tongue dart in I let out a quiet moan.

I hear someone clearing her throat and only then do I remember where we are. I pull away and a blush paints my cheeks as I hear people laugh. Spencer lets out a snide remark about climbing Damon which I choose to ignore.

Turning my body back to the officiate I smile awkwardly, but her return smile makes me want to chuckle as she takes in all of the glorious man that is Damon, letting me know she would be doing exactly the same thing as I.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today in the presence of family and friends to share with Ella and Damon the most important moment in their lives.  Love is something beyond the excitement of romance and being in love. It is a committed, thoughtful decision. Love is nurturing, and love is listening. Love is caring about your partner and love lightens burdens because you divide them. Love intensifies joys because you share them.”

My eyes fill with tears as I look up at Damon. I never thought this day would be possible, and I never thought I would love Damon unconditionally, as I do. I no longer care what the reasons were that lead us to this moment, all I care is that I'm here, that this is my life now, and this is the path we have chosen together.

“Damon and Ella have chosen their own vows to share today.”

Damon turns his body so that we are now facing each other. A lump forms in my throat as my heart beats faster, and I can no longer seem to breathe as I listen to Damon speak.

“Ella, I love you. You are my world baby.” He gently cups my face. “Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard. When our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, adore you and love you with everything I am. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our lives.” I can’t help the sob that escapes my throat as I try to get my breathing under control.

Damon drops to his knees in front of everyone and cups my bump. He does this a lot but never in front of so many people. I don’t take notice of our guests. My gaze is firmly locked on Damon.

He looks up at me and the love shining in his eyes steals my breath. He really does want me forever. Damon gives me a small smile and blows me a kiss. I let out a giggle then gasp as he speaks to our daughter.

“Hello Princess, it’s daddy again.” I roll my eyes at him. He always starts his speeches the same. “Don’t roll your eyes at me Mummy,” Damon growls without looking away from my stomach. I giggle and our guests join in. “Ignore Mummy, Princess. This is serious. Daddy loves you so much already. I can’t wait to meet you, and I want to promise you something right here in front of all these people who will love you too.” I sob, only just realising he’s making separate vows to our baby.

“I’ll be the best daddy in the world baby, I’ll love and protect you with everything I am, and I’ll fight for you no matter what. I’ll always stand by you, and I’ll be your best friend. I’ll encourage you to be the very best you can, and try my hardest to help you achieve your every dream. I promise to love you and Mummy forever. I promise to make you happy, and I promise to beat anyone up who upsets you.” I laugh through my tears and Damon looks up at me smiling. “I promise I’m keeping you both forever.”

I fall to my knees in front of Damon and wrap my arms around his waist. He wraps me in his arms and kisses my head. “Are you okay beauty?” I nod my head, and my words come out as a snuffle.

“I'm..... So....orry, I'm just so happy,” I tell him. Damon lets out a bellowing laugh at my words, his entire body shaking mine, and I playfully hit him in the stomach. He holds me as I take a moment to compose myself. When I pull back he kisses me sweetly on the lips before bringing us to our feet. He turns me so we’re now facing each other again, and I take a deep breath before I say my vows.

“Damon, before I met you my life was empty. I was lost, still figuring out who I was and what I’m meant to do with my life, figuring out who I’m meant to be. You are the sunshine that brightens up even my darkest days. You make me better, and you make me want to be the best person I can be. You are my other half that I didn’t even realise was missing until I met you. You make me whole again. I love you so much, more than I ever thought possible, and being your wife and the mother to your daughter are my greatest achievements. I will love you for eternity.”

Damon lifts my hand and places my ring at the tip of my finger, and I watch him as he repeats the words the officiate asks. His eyes never leave mine.

“Do you Damon, take Ella to be your lawfully wedded wife?” She looks to Damon, who hasn’t looked away from me, his beautiful smile fixed on his face as he says “I do.” He pushes the ring fully onto my finger and places a gentle kiss on my wedding band, then holds his hand out for me to do the same.

Tears are flowing down my face, and I can’t help them, I feel so happy and loved.

“Do you Ella, take Damon to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Before I can answer the baby gives a massive kick that makes me grip my stomach. “Okay baby, I'm getting there,” I giggle. Everyone starts laughing but silences quickly as I take Damon’s hand in mine again “I do.” 

Damon doesn’t wait for us to be declared husband and wife, he pulls me to him and his lips meet mine hungrily, my arms wrap around his neck as he pulls me closer. I can hear whistling and cheers behind me but I don't care, this moment couldn’t be any more perfect.

I am finally Mrs Ella Hunt.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

DAMON

I’ve never in my life seen anything as stunning as Ella. I watch her walk to me holding on to Tom’s arm. I smile so fucking big when she looks at me it aches my jaw, I must look like a fucking chimpanzee, but I can’t help it.

She’s mine.

I’ve been waiting for today for a long time, now it’s finally here. I know my plan has worked. She loves me like she needs to.

She looks fucking stunning in her dress, her baby bump showing nicely. It hugs all her curves, showing everyone exactly what I’m gaining by marrying Ella.

As soon as her eyes meet mine I’m lost. Everyone and everything around me disappears. She’s all I see, all I’ve ever seen. My beauty doesn’t know how much power she holds, but she will. She’s going to find out soon, and it needs to be before Leona can get to her.

Tom and Ella reach me and he kisses her cheek again before giving me a nod and walking off to Lacy. I pull Ella to me and enjoy the feel of her in my arms. I hope I get this forever. I hope I don’t lose her.

I need to tell her everything, but I can’t think about that, not yet anyway. I needed her to say I do first, and she has, but I need to enjoy it before my past comes to haunt me.

It's done, she's my wife. There is no going back, only forward. I look around the reception and notice Sandra and Steen. The gleam in Sandra’s eyes is enough to know a storm is brewing, that my time is coming to an end.

The past can never be washed away forever.

Ella needs to know who I am, see the beast in me. She deserves to. I know she’s wanted to tell me something but she doesn’t need to. Nothing will change who we are.

“Ella, I know you’ve wanted to tell me something,” I whisper. Her forest green eyes widen, she thinks I’m asking her what she wanted to say now, but I’m not. “I know who you are, Ella.” I lean forward bringing my lips to ear. “I knew your sister.” I pull back and look in her eyes as she takes in what I said.

It’s time she learnt the truth. She might think she knows who I am but she doesn’t, not really.

Ella Knight knew nothing.

Ella Hunt will know everything.

It's time I avow my sins.

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Alicia Taylor

Alicia Taylor was born and raised in the East Midlands town of Derby, England, where she lives with her family and mass of animals - she's a huge family and animal lover.

Writing powerful love stories and creating Alpha males with a dash of darkness has become a passion of mine, and I have many stories and characters swirling in my head that I can't wait to share with you all. Is it weird to have so many voices in my head? I'm not crazy, I promise... maybe a little bit.

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Natalie Townson

Natalie Townson is 33, a mother of one beautiful little boy and lives in Gloucester in the UK with her Husband. Corrupted is her debut novel that is a book one of the manipulation trilogy, that she co writes with Alicia Taylor. Warped is book two in the manipulation series. She has had a love of reading since a young age and her favorite authors are Sophie Kinsella, J.S.Scott, Melody Anne and Stephanie Meyer to name a few.

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Acknowledgements

Alicia

Holy smokes, it’s that time again, and this never gets easier. First and foremost to my Natty Noo Noo – yes I just went there, now they all know my nickname for you… it’s got to be better than sweaty flange!! LOL. What can I say other than I love your face?! You’re a diamond babe, and I’m so proud of us.

To our amazing beta readers – Bec Sheldon, Lacy Almon, Shawnte Borris, Kelley Hawthorn-Jefferson, Emma Keating and Joanne Swinney. Thank you for taking you time to give us your feedback and for loving the story as much as we.

To our Corrupted Beauties – you ladies rock! You pimp your asses off and get our name out there. Thank you for everything you do! We truly appreciate all you do.

Our editor Carolyn at
Write Right Edits
– Thank you for all you do. Your services are outstanding and always on point.

Becky McGraw – Thank you for everything. All your help and advice has been priceless and the covers are amazing.

Bloggers – Thank you for helping us get our books out there. We appreciate everything you do.

To the authors in SSRU – You ladies make sprinting fun. Thanks for the sessions to write as much as possible.

To my mum and pops – you both are my biggest supporters, even if I do get embarrassed when you’re telling everyone and anyone that your daughter is an author. I love you. Thanks for all you support.

To my family – thank you for all your support and encouragement.

To my hubster and step-daughters – thank you for dealing with my absence when I’m lost with the voices in my head. Love your faces!!

To you, the readers – Thank you for taking a chance on our books. It truly is amazing hearing you love our characters as much as we do!!

Natalie

Wow can you believe it book two is already out and I hope you all enjoyed it.  Where do I begin? As always my best friend forever and partner in crime Alicia, you are amazing lady and I loves ya, I'm so proud of what we have achieved. 

To our wonderful Beta readers, Lacy Almon, Shawnte Borris, Kelley Hawthorn-Jefferson, Emma Keating and Joanne Swinney, thank you so much for your feedback and for loving the story we have to tell.

To our amazing street team,  Alicia & Natalie's Corrupted Beauties you ladies work your socks off and I appreciate everything that you have done for me and Alicia.

Becky McGraw thank you for our amazing covers,  I love them

Our wonderful editor Carolyn at Write Right Edits your amazing lady

To all my wonderful family, I love you all thank you for always being there for me when I need you.

To my bestest best friend Colette don’t worry there isn’t a pebbled nubbin’s in sight in this one.  Your always there for me when I need you, no matter what I'm complaining about.  Besties for life. I miss you and Mr L you need to move back.

My husband Ben,  I love you so much, I will always love you, even when I'm torturing you with all my favourite TV shows.

My Beautiful little boy Joseph,  you make me want to be a better person, I love you more than words can describe, you make me smile everyday just by being you, I love you sweetheart

Lastly to each and every person who bought Corrupted, your positive kind words are what drove us to write Warped.  Thank you for all the support.