Marriage, Mayhem & Happily Ever After Read online

  Why does it feel like she just walked out of my life?

  Levi opens the back passenger door of his SUV. “Congratulations, Mrs. Easton.” He tips his head, wearing a serious expression, but his eyes are dancing with humor.

  I narrow my own eyes. He’s up to something.

  “Thanks,” I chirp as I slide into the back seat.

  “Congratulations, man,” he says to Zach as they shake hands. “Treat her right and I won’t have to kill you.”

  I knew it. I press my lips together and try not to laugh.

  “Ha ha, asshole,” Zach tosses back carelessly before sliding in beside me.

  Levi dips his head, wearing a shit-eating grin, and shoots me a wink before closing the door. He rounds the back of the Range Rover and slips behind the wheel. “Disney World, here we come,” he cheers as he pulls away from the curb.

  I throw my head back and laugh out loud. Troy chuckles from the passenger seat.

  Zach shakes his head and laces his fingers with mine. “Do we really have to take them with us?”

  It’s a rhetorical question, because he already knows the answer is yes. Always yes.

  I’ll never take my safety for granted. Ever again.

  “Levi, who was the pretty blonde I saw you with earlier?”

  Levi scoffs. “That was my sister, Gabbi. She was in town for the weekend, and she wanted to see me. Your mom said it was okay if I brought her.”

  “Of course it’s okay. I wish you would’ve introduced us.”

  “Maybe another time.”

  I look over at Zach and give his hand a little squeeze. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile as much as you have today. And I still can’t believe you got up on stage and sang to me.”

  He wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me closer to his side. “Because I’m happy.” He dips his head and kisses my cheek. “You make me happy, Jay.” He presses another kiss to my neck just below my ear. “And I’m gonna spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

  Zach

  Two hours later, Levi pulls the SUV up to the valet of the Ritz-Carlton. Troy climbs out of the passenger side and speaks briefly to the valet attendant before going inside to check us in.

  A few minutes later, Troy emerges with a hotel attendant pushing a cart. After our bags are loaded, the four of us head up to our designated suites.

  Once our bags are unloaded in the bedroom of the Royal Suite, I tip the attendant and thank him before he leaves. Just as the door clicks shut, I pounce on my wife, devouring her mouth with a mixture of passion, love and pure need.

  Breaking the kiss, I work on the buttons of my dress shirt—I’d already taken the jacket and bowtie off in the car. Jay reaches for the button and zipper of my pants.

  Sliding the dress shirt over my shoulders, I toss it to the floor. Reaching behind me, I pull the undershirt over my head and drop it on top of the dress shirt.

  “Turn around, babe.” She does as I ask. “I’m so glad you changed. This is so much easier to get you out of than your dress. And the sooner I can get you naked, the sooner I get to be inside you.” I press my lips to her bare shoulder, and she moans softly as I lower the zipper of her jumpsuit, letting it fall to a puddle at her feet along with her strapless bra.

  Dipping my head to the crook of her neck, I gently bite down on the delicate skin as I move my hands around to cup her breasts, brushing my thumbs over her nipples. Trailing a hand down her stomach, under her lace panties, I circle her clit with my middle finger before sliding lower and pushing inside.

  “Ah,” she moans, her back arching as her pussy clenches around my finger.

  “You’re so ready,” I growl in her ear.

  “So ready,” she purrs, pressing her ass against me.

  Releasing her, I step back and hold out a hand, helping her to step out of the jumpsuit puddled at her feet. “You are so fucking sexy.” Cupping her perky little ass with both hands, I lift her and hold her against me. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I carry her to the bedroom.

  Laying her down on the bed, I sit on the edge and pull off my shoes and socks before standing and shoving my pants to the floor, kicking them off to the side.

  Jay kicks off her heels and scoots to the head of the bed.

  Placing a knee on the mattress, I hook my fingers into the sides of her panties, sliding them down her legs and tossing them on the floor.

  “I love you,” she says.

  “I love you, too,” I reply.

  I press an open-mouthed kiss to her mound before sucking her clit between my lips. Her hips jerk upward, thighs tightening against my head as I circle my tongue around the little bundle of nerves.

  Pulling back, I press a kiss to her inner thigh before moving over her and settling between her legs. Bringing my mouth to hers, she parts her lips and lets out a soft moan when our tongues collide.

  Trailing a hand up her thigh, I lift her leg to wrap around my waist, rocking my hips and sliding my cock between her soft flesh and over her clit.

  “Please, Zach,” she pants, lifting her hips, urging me to get inside her.

  Rolling to my back so she’s straddling my hips, I tell her, “It’s your turn to drive.”

  “My pleasure,” she breathes.

  Leaning forward, she places her hands flat on my chest as I position myself at her entrance. Her mouth parts on a gasp and her eyes roll back as she takes me all the way inside.

  I dig my fingers into her hips as she moves over me in slow, steady strokes. Bending down, she brings her mouth to mine, kissing me hard.

  Hooking an arm around her waist, I hold her steady and shift on the bed so my back is against the headboard. I kiss her neck and shoulders as she begins to move faster. Dipping my head, I suck a nipple into my mouth, biting gently and eliciting a deep, breathy moan from my wife.

  Her hands fly to the headboard behind me and grip it tightly, using it for leverage as she rolls her hips, pressing her clit against my pelvic bone.

  Her moves become more frenzied, and I feel that familiar rippling before she stiffens. Snaking my arms around her waist, I kiss her hard, thrusting upward once, twice and I come, groaning against her lips.

  I will never get enough of her. Ever.

  Jayla

  This was a bad idea, I tell myself as I swipe at the sweat pooling at the base of my throat, my face twisted in disgust. It’s 90 degrees, but with the humidity it feels like 150. I’m pretty sure the guy in front of us has farted at least three times, and the kid beside us has been screaming for the entire twenty minutes we’ve been standing in line.

  Can’t really blame him. It’s friggin’ miserable out here. Which is why we upgraded our tickets to FastPass so we wouldn’t have to wait in line, but apparently everyone else had the same idea.

  Is this really the ‘Happiest Place on Earth?’ I think not.

  I sneak a look over my shoulder at Levi and Troy, who are standing behind us. Troy is facing forward, mirrored shades covering his eyes, arms crossed over his chest, and a pair of wireless earbuds shoved in his ears. He’s obviously done this before.

  My gaze shifts to Levi, whose eyebrows are jacked up to his forehead as he stares down at the screaming toddler with a scowl, as if he’s silently asking ‘What the fuck is your problem?’

  Pressing my lips together, I quickly turn around, my body shaking with silent laughter. Tilting my head, I look up at my gorgeous husband. His stance is similar to Troy’s: facing forward, eyes hidden behind a pair of mirrored shades, and arms crossed over his broad chest. He’s been really quiet for the last five minutes.

  Reaching up, I lift his shades, and his eyes pop open.

  Zach tilts his head down and smiles. “You okay?” he asks, and I shake my head. He lifts an arm, and I wrap my arms around his middle. Oh my God, he’s soaked. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t remember being this miserable at Disney,” I mumble. “This isn’t how I want to spend my honeymoon.”

  He chuckles. �
�I was wondering how long it would take before you gave up.” He looks over his shoulder at Levi. “How’d she do?”

  Levi pulls his phone from his pocket. “Forty minutes.”

  “I win,” Troy chimes in as he stuffs his earbuds into the front pocket of his shorts.

  “You guys bet on me?” I scoff.

  “No bets, babe.” He presses a chaste kiss to my lips. “Levi said you’d be miserable, but you’d stick it out for an hour. I said forty-five minutes tops. Troy said forty.”

  I roll my eyes behind my sunglasses. “Can we go now?”

  “Yes,” all three of them agree at once.

  Zach falls back on the bed with his arms raised above his head and a towel around his waist. “This bed brings back so many memories.” He wiggles his brows suggestively, as if we didn’t just screw each other’s brains out five minutes ago in the shower.

  Zach and I only have a few days together before I have to get back to Heritage Bay, and I want as much couple time as we can squeeze in.

  As we were leaving Disney, Levi called my pilot, George, and arranged for him to pick us up in Orlando and fly us to St. Thomas. We had a few hours to kill, so the four of us grabbed some lunch, then went back to the hotel to pack. It had been a long day, so the first thing we did when got here was head straight to the shower.

  “So, how long do I get you to myself?” he asks as I straddle his waist. He instinctively thrusts his hips.

  “Three days. It’s still kinda early. Want to go out for dinner?”

  He tugs on my towel, and it falls to my sides.

  “First—” He rolls me over to my back, rises up to his knees, and begins thrusting his hips. “—I’m gonna fuck you like an animal.”

  I bark out a loud laugh, smacking him in the stomach. “You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

  “Not a chance.” He laughs as he leans forward, planting his hands on either side of my head, hovering over me on his hands and knees. “I have a plan. Let’s stay here, and I’ll eat you for dinner.”

  “Mmm,” I hum, pushing his towel away and wrapping my hand around his length. “Sounds like a very good plan.”

  “Oh em gee! You’re Jayla freaking King,” a female voice squeals as I step up to the sink to wash my hands.

  I turn my head toward the woman standing just a foot away in a big puffy wedding gown, flanked by her two bridesmaids wearing gowns made of chiffon and ruffles in a shade of green I’d only ever seen in one of Willow’s diapers. I want to laugh, but instead I offer her a polite smile. Either she’s a bridezilla, taking the whole ‘bridesmaids shouldn’t outshine the bride’ to a whole new level, or she just has terrible taste. Either way, she should count her blessings to be able to call these girls her friends.

  She takes a small step forward but keeps her hands at her side. Terrible taste or not, she understands boundaries. Since my attack, being confronted by a stranger without my security or Zach nearby makes me anxious.

  She extends her hand. “I’m Valerie, and these are my bridesmaids and best friends, Tara and Stephanie.”

  Ignoring the tightness in my chest and my racing heart, I shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “I’m sorry. I can tell you’re a little uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to freak out by going all fangirl on you… in the ladies’ room of the Ritz-Carlton of all places.” She laughs nervously. “But I am a huge fan of yours. ‘Piece of Me’ was our wedding song.”

  That’s probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard and the biggest compliment. I relax a little.

  “Thank you. I don’t know what to say. I can’t even tell you how good that makes me feel. Congratulations, by the way.” I gesture to her gown.

  “Same to you.” She points to my left hand. “Your wedding news is all over social media.”

  I grin. “What are you doing in the ladies’ room? Shouldn’t you be out there dancing with your husband?”

  She rolls her eyes. “I had to pee, and I need my army to help me with all of this.” She pinches her poofy dress. “Are you here on your honeymoon?”

  “Just for a few days,” I admit.

  A loud knock has all our heads turning to the door, and a second later, Zach pokes his head inside. “Babe—oh, sorry. I was getting worried.” His gaze moves to the three women in front of me, and his eyebrows pulled inward. “You okay?”

  Damn, I freaking love him. And the collective “aw” from the three other women reminds me that I’ve done well.

  “Yes, Z. I’m good. This is Valerie. She just got married today. And these are her bridesmaids, Tara and Stephanie.” Without crossing the threshold, Zach reaches in and shakes their hands. “I’ll be out in just a minute.”

  He nods and steps back, letting the door swing closed.

  “Damn,” Valerie says as she turns back to me with her perfectly plucked eyebrows raised. “Your husband is fucking hot.”

  Her bridesmaids giggle.

  “I know,” I say with a wicked grin and a wink.

  As I exit the bathroom, my three new friends follow. Zach gives me a reassuring smile, silently telling me everything is gonna be fine.

  “Hey, if you guys don’t have any plans, you’re more than welcome to come to the reception. Open bar.”

  Zach’s arm snakes around my waist, and I turn to Valerie. “You want us to crash your wedding?”

  “Yes, please.” She presses her hands together in front of her chest like she’s praying.

  I tilt my head up to look at Zach, and he shrugs.

  So we do.

  Valerie and Mason Montcroix are college sweethearts from Chicago. Mason is an investment banker, and Valerie is a kindergarten teacher. After Valerie introduces Zach and me to their families, we join in on the fun.

  It doesn’t escape my notice that there are more than a few cell phones aimed at us. My gaze darts to the entrance to see Levi, Troy, Jessif, and Felipe keeping their eyes on Zach and me.

  Zach and I have a blast, and I realize this is the first wedding I’ve been to that wasn’t my own. We dance, drink champagne, and eat cake, and just before the reception ends, I present my wedding gift to the bride and groom by taking the stage and performing “Piece of Me” for another first dance.

  On the way out, we stop for a few pictures with the bride and groom, autograph a few napkins, and promise to send Valerie and Mason tickets to see Royal Mayhem at Soldier Field in the fall.

  “That was so much fun,” I say as Jessif pulls the SUV into the valet area. Zach and I climb into the back, Levi and Troy take the middle, and Felipe slips into the passenger seat.

  “You know that performance is all over the internet by now,” Levi informs me.

  I shrug. “What can anyone say? I gave that couple something extra for their wedding video.”

  “What was up with those bridesmaids’ dresses?” Zach asks. “That was just cruel.”

  That makes me laugh. “I’m sure she’ll be regretting that color choice when she’s flipping through her wedding album five years from now.” Or when she’s changing her kid’s diaper.

  Zach throws his arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple. “Our wedding was much better.”

  I let out a playful scoff. “That’s because you married me.”

  “Damn right, and I’ll marry you every day for the rest of my life.”

  After three days of honeymoon bliss, Zach and I head back to Heritage Bay. Because we flew out of Orlando, we had to go back to get Levi’s SUV before making the two-hour drive home. Pulling my phone from my bag, I power it on. Zach and I had both turned off our phones so we could enjoy our honeymoon without any distractions. Levi and Troy both had theirs in case of any emergencies, but since neither has said anything, I assume all is well in Heritage Bay.

  An email notification pops up on my screen from Brian Fuller at The Gossip Police.

  Opening the email, I expect he’s likely inquiring about the impromptu appearance Zach and I made at the Montcroix wedding in St. Thomas. />
  But it’s not. My body breaks into a cold sweat, and everything around me spins as I try to process the words:

  Rosewood Winery heiress Kalista Rosewood missing less than twenty-four hours after Austin Boyd, son of Congressman Callum Boyd, is released on bond.

  Three months later…

  Zach

  The stadium is packed with fans, and the game is sold out as usual. Some fans are here for the game and others are hoping this will be the day Jaybird makes her appearance. Trust me when I say I know the feeling. Every day I wake up hoping today is the day she finally comes home.

  Three and a half months. That’s how long it's been since I’ve seen my wife. Held her in my arms. Kissed her. Loved her.

  The Project Mayhem tour wrapped up over a week ago, but she’s still in LA dealing with Lucas’s mopey ass.

  The day we arrived in Heritage Bay after our honeymoon, all hell broke loose. Austin Boyd was released on bond, and Kali was missing. That’s what the news reported, anyway. But she wasn’t missing. She was hiding. She disappeared right after our wedding, leaving her friends, Lucas, and her entire life behind.

  Austin was under house arrest, but that wouldn’t stop him from trying to get to Kali. We still don’t know where she is, but we’ve been assured that she’s safe. Jay was devastated but she understood. She knew what Austin Boyd was capable of.

  The case is still awaiting trial. Both Austin and Tripp have really good lawyers, but Harper’s dad, Patrick, assures us the state attorney still has a solid case.

  Lucas, on the other hand, isn’t taking it so well. And Jay, being a good friend, is stuck in LA looking after him. I’m sick of waiting. I want her home. After this game, I’m getting on a plane to California and bringing her ass back to Heritage Bay. We’ve only been married four months. We’re still newlyweds. We should be together, under the same roof, fucking like rabbits.

  “Please rise for the national anthem,” the announcer says.