Page 198 of Debts and Desires
As he picked up speed, I moaned and whimpered with each thrust. He slapped my ass. I cried out louder. He did it again and my orgasm built with each stinging smack.
Soon, I was orgasming again just as he emptied himself inside me with a feral cry.
Carter pulled out of me, causing me to moan softly at the feeling of loss. He collapsed, rolling onto his back beside me, both of us breathless.
A year ago, I took a leap and followed my dreams to Hudsonville, Georgia. Little did I know that fate would first throw me a grumpy six-foot-something asshole mechanic that was obsessed with me andthenmake my dreams come true.
But truthfully, Carter wasallmy dreams come true.
88. HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Five Years Later
The camera flashes were damn near blinding, but the muscled arm around my waist held me tight. I stood beside Carter, my heart swelling with pride and anticipation.
“Emmy Rae! Here! Look here!”
“We love you, Emmy Rae!”
“Carter! Oh my GOD! Carter!”
The crowd and paparazzi were calling for us every which way, people cheering for me, teenagers fangirling over Carter. We smiled and posed, relaxed, as if we’d done it a thousand times. Technically, we had. I had made Carter practice poses with me in front of the mirror at home until he was sick of it.
I looked him over now. He cleaned up well, looking so handsome in his tux. His whiskey inferno eyes looked down at me, a huge smoldering smile on his lips. I’d chosen a floor length yellow dress for the occasion. We gave the crowd what they wanted and kissed, earning more cheers and hoots.
We made our way in, sitting amongst the other stars. I looked around in awe, still surprised after all this time that I’d made it. I thought back on everything and how it led me to this perfect moment.
Our family had grown. Cara and Etta, our two little girls, aged five and three, were back home with their aunt Eva, Carter’s half-sister. He had reconnected with her a year after everything that had happened with Jed.
It took a little, but when he read his mom’s letter, he broke down and wanted to meet his sister right away. His mom explained all she had gone through with Jed, a lot that Carter didn’t know. It explained why she had to leave Carter, how those words she said were not true. She had to leave because she knew Jed was going to kill Carter if she didn’t. It also detailed how she ended up seeking and receiving help from a man named Mitchell that she later fell in love with. They had Evangeline, or Eva, as she went by. And now Eva and Carter had an unbreakable bond.
In an ironic turn of events, Eva had adopted Penny, Mac’s sister, from the same litter, from Tyler and Cass. Tyler, and his obsession with putting flyers miles away, had put one out in a coffee shop Eva went to.
Mac, who was now seven, was thriving alongside BJ, who was five. Both animals were constantly around the girls, loving and protecting them.
Carter went into a partnership for the garage with Miss Etta’s grandson, Braden, when he graduated from trade school. He told me he was retiring, yet still helped from time to time, though, because he couldn’t stay still for more than five minutes.
Braden and Kinsley were preparing for their own journey down the aisle soon, too.
This was my first time physically being at the Grammy’s. I’d been home the last two because I didn’t want to leave my babies. I had won three other Grammy’s the prior year and two the year before that.
In the middle of working on our current album—our fourth one—we had been nominated again for multiple awards. Since I was technically the face of the band, I was to accept any awards on behalf of the band. Carter, Tyler, and Cass were the best bandmates, and I loved making music with them.
“This,” Cass had said, motioning all around the studio, “is all because of you, Em. You’re the one that got here, not us. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” I almost cried when she told me that.
As the awards were announced one by one, I felt a rush of emotion sweep over me. Tonight was a culmination of that hard work, dedication, and unwavering passion for music. And I was damn proud.
Five additional Grammy wins later, I stood in our large suite room for the night on the phone with Mia. She and Callum were married now, with one child of their own.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said, and it made my heart melt.
For a long time, I had wished my family would come around to be proud of me. But after everything, I decided I didn’t care. If they wanted to reach out, I’d be willing to talk to them. None of them did. I moved on. Their loss, not mine.
When Mimi and I said goodbye, I hung up and looked out the floor to ceiling windows of the suite over the city below.
Arms wrapped around my waist from behind, a mouth kissing my neck. I placed my hands on his, melting into his touch. His soft caresses turned feral until he had my back up against the window, his hand between my legs.
“That’s it, baby,” he cooed. “Sing pretty for me.” I tumbled over the edge, my body spasming around him. “Such a good fuckin’ girl. How about another one? Huh? I think you deserve it after tonight. I’m thinkin’ five for every award you won tonight.”
