Merry & Seduced Read online

  “You have to understand that Camryn put Max through hell before she disappeared. Then we didn’t know where she’d gone or what had happened to her. When she reappeared, I thought she’d just hurt Max again. I haven’t spent much time with her friends, but Max and Luke have. I have seen the way they interact. From what I’ve seen and heard, it was important for them to keep their word to Camryn to visit Max, and they wanted to support her.” Her laugh was wry. “All they wanted was a holiday. Rest, relaxation and some fruity drinks. Max loves his sister, and I’m trying to be supportive. I don’t want to do anything to hurt my husband. I admit it’s taking work accepting reality, but I’m trying, and they won’t be here for much longer.”

  Max went to his wife and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He gave her a quick, affectionate kiss. “Thank you.”

  “She’s your sister, Max. It was hard having her around at first and I was scared stiff she’d hurt you or Luke. But she enabled us to have our first holiday in years. I know you wouldn’t have been happy leaving the horses with the employees. Having her around allowed the rest of the employees to have a holiday too.”

  “I don’t know what to do,” Marcus said. “At first I thought I should just let Amme leave, but the idea of letting her go makes my chest hurt.”

  “Amme seems lovely,” Max said. “Would it be so bad having her around? You love her, right?”

  “Yes.” No problem admitting that. “But what about you, Ellen? She’d need your support.”

  Ellen hesitated, glanced at her husband then nodded. “You’ll have to be patient with me. I’ll do my best. Amme saved Autumn from that woman at great personal cost. That means a lot to me,” Ellen said.

  “What if she gets hurt again?” Marcus had trouble forcing the words past the lump in his throat and they emerged hoarse and tight with anxiety. “I can’t take her to see a doctor or to a hospital. And her friends wouldn’t be here to fix her.”

  “Marcus,” Ellen said in a sharp voice. “Can you hear yourself? That’s like saying you’re never leaving the house again because you might get hurt or…or forcing Autumn not to play with other children because someone might injure her. Accidents happen, and none of us should stop living because of silly fears.”

  Marcus frowned. Put that way, his worries seemed trivial.

  “Are you still having the party tonight?” Ellen asked.

  Marcus nodded. “You and Max are bringing Luke? And coming for dinner?”

  “Yes,” Ellen said. “I want to make my peace with Camryn before she leaves. Max said it might be a while before she’s able to make a return visit. Something about visiting Ry’s planet of birth?” She shot a glance at Max and he smiled, understanding and proud, and squeezed her lightly. “I was holding a grudge against Camryn, and I need to apologize to her. I’ve never seen Max happier and that makes me happy too.”

  Marcus nodded thoughtfully. Each time he considered letting Amme go, something frayed inside him. She’d brought color to his life, and he didn’t want to return to the way he’d been living. All business and seriousness with random women thrown in to relieve the boredom. He had a child to consider, his sister…

  “She wouldn’t have official papers, a birth certificate,” he said.

  “Marcus, you have pots of money. Surely you could find a way to sort that out? It’s not as if you’re intending to use false papers for crime,” Ellen said.

  Max barked out a laugh.

  “I know a bit of first aid,” Ellen continued. “Maybe if we get them to show us all how to avert any potential problems we can act as medical backup.”

  Max kissed Ellen before speaking again. “Thank you, Ellen. I know this isn’t easy for you. I think that’s a great idea. So if you love her, Marcus, all you need to do is convince her to take a chance on you.”

  “It’s too late to get a marriage license because of the public holidays, but we could have a commitment ceremony after Camryn and Ry get married,” Marcus said, the burden he’d felt weighing him down lifting. The final decision was easy. The solution boiled down to the fact he loved her and seeing her leave would leave him an empty husk.

  “Sorted?” Ellen asked.

  Marcus grinned. “Thanks. Wish me luck.”

  Chapter Eleven

  During the short drive home, Marcus considered various ways to approach Amme. There was no doubt he’d hurt her when he’d pushed her away and told her he needed time. Somehow, he needed to fix this. He could buy flowers, champagne…

  No.

  Honesty.

  He’d tell her everything—his fears, his concerns, his love.

  And if that failed, he’d produce his ring and beg, because if she left, he thought something in him would break.

  He saw Nanu and Kaya as soon as he climbed out of his car. “Do you know where Amme is?”

  “Why?” Kaya asked, her attitude hostile.

  “I intend to beg her forgiveness,” Marcus said.

  “She’s inside,” Nanu said. “Don’t hurt her, Marcus.”

  “I don’t want to hurt her.”

  “You’d better not,” Kaya said, and a sliver of fear sped through him. They’d all seemed happy and harmless. He was beginning to understand he’d seen what he wanted to see. All of them, including Camryn, would make bad enemies.

  Marcus offered a curt nod and strode inside. “Amme?”

  “We’re in the kitchen,” Olivia called.

  Marcus stalked in that direction. “I need to speak with Amme. Alone,” he added. “If that’s all right with her.” Unusual nerves juddered at the pit of his belly. He had to get this right first off because time wasn’t exactly a luxury for them, not with everyone leaving on the second.

  “Is that all right with you, Amme?” Camryn asked.

  Amme met his gaze and frowned. Finally, she nodded. “Could we go for a walk in the garden?”

  “She means so that none of us can listen in,” Camryn said.

  Marcus felt his brows lift. “You can do that?”

  “Certainly. Especially me,” Camryn said with a grin.

  Amme moved past him, graceful and whole again, her long legs tanned beneath the pair of chocolate-brown shorts she wore. Marcus followed her out into the rose garden, near the tennis court.

  “Are we far enough away here?”

  “Should be but I don’t mind if Camryn hears,” Amme said. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “You. Us.” He studied her reaction. “Seeing you crumpled at the bottom of the stairs… God, I thought you were dead.”

  “I’m a cyborg. A simple fall won’t kill me.”

  “I know that now.” He reached for her hands and threaded their fingers together. “I love you, Amme. I’ve never wanted or thought about another woman in the same way I think about you. I’ve never ever considered marriage or family, but thanks to you, I’ve changed. You make me laugh. You make me think, and I love experiencing life through your viewpoint.” Marcus stopped talking. This was way worse than doing a business presentation. He sucked in a fortifying breath and plunged onward. He pulled the ring he’d chosen from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”

  Amme’s hand tightened around his.

  “I thought I disgusted you,” she whispered, focusing on him instead of the ring.

  “God, no! No, please, don’t ever think that. I was surprised. Shocked. Concerned because all I could think was what might happen if you got hurt again. The next time you mightn’t be so lucky. I talked to Ellen and Max, and they reminded me to embrace life. Sweetheart, I’m sorry for the brain fritz, sorry you got hurt and I made the pain worse with my bloody stupid reaction.” He cruised his fingers over her jaw, thumbed her bottom lip, and his chest swelled with the love he couldn’t seem to contain. “I love you, Amme. I want to enjoy every moment we can have together instead of worrying of what might happen. I want to spend my life with you. Please marry me.”

  “But I’m an alien.”

  “No problem. We’ll get you identification
papers somehow. Ry managed to apply for a marriage license, so we can do it too. That’s the easy part. The hard part will be staying when your friends leave.”

  “You don’t mind that I’m an alien? That I’m different?”

  “To me you’re Amme. You’re Amme, the women who makes me laugh, the woman who bowls me over with her beauty and goodness, the woman who I love so much it hurts. I can’t imagine life without you, don’t want to think about it. So, will you marry me?”

  “I can’t have children.”

  His laugh held indulgence, a touch of exasperation. “I don’t care. Children have never been on my horizon, not until Autumn. If there comes a time when we decide we’d like more children, maybe we can adopt. Amme, you’re the one who’s important to me.”

  “My programming will lead me to search out a child once Autumn is grown. I can’t help it. It…it’s an instinct.”

  “Hell.” He raked a hand through his hair, mind busily searching for a solution. “What about if you found a job that puts you in contact with children? Maybe you could work at a school or in a kindergarten. You could train in childcare. Or maybe we could foster children. I’m sure we can work out a solution. We have time, right? Since Autumn is still young?”

  Amme nodded. A tear leaked from one eye and rolled down her cheek.

  Panic burst inside Marcus. Fear. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I get it. Your friends are leaving, and you’d be alone here and always in danger of discovery. It’s too much to ask of you.” He tugged his hand free and stuffed the ring into his pocket with his other hand. “I won’t bother you again.”

  “No! Don’t go.” She seized his arm, clutching it to the point of pain. “Ask me one more time.”

  Marcus stared at her beautiful face, his heart leaping halfway up his throat. His hand bore a distinct tremor when he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring for a second time. “Marry me, Amme. I love you, and I don’t want to be alone. The best life I can envision has you in it.”

  “Yes,” she whispered and her smile bloomed into a full-out grin—a blaze of happiness and perfect white teeth. “Oh, Marcus. I love you too. The idea of leaving you and Autumn keeps making me leak. Yes, I’d love to marry you and Autumn.” And she threw herself at him. The ring went flying, but he didn’t care because she was in his arms. She was staying with him. He kissed her, the rightness of the moment bringing serious leakage to his eyes too—not that he’d ever admit it to anyone.

  “She said yes. She said yes,” Camryn shrieked in the distance. “They’re getting married!”

  “I thought we were out of earshot,” Marcus said.

  “She is a leopard shifter.” Amme laughed up at him, ablaze with happiness. “Her hearing is exceptional. Mine is good too. You should remember that for the future.”

  “No secrets, huh? I love you so much, sweetheart. Thank you for agreeing to stay.” And he kissed her again before searching for the diamond ring, which lay somewhere at their feet.

  * * * * *

  Music filled the air, and the party was in full swing with Tarzan mingling with Little Bo Peep, a walking carrot and a sprinkling of aliens. Marcus guided Amme through the crowd of friends and neighbors, introducing his fiancée to everyone he knew.

  Finally, they neared their friends.

  Camryn, dressed in jockey silks, stood beside Ry who was a suave James Bond. They were chatting with a sheriff and a pregnant saloon girl, otherwise known as Max and Ellen.

  “Ellen seems to be warming to Camryn and her friends,” Marcus said in an undertone.

  Amme nodded. “I’m pleased for Camryn. She says herself she was in a bad place before Ry snatched her. Ellen has been slow to forgive. Understandable. She’s worried about her children. I appreciate her stance. Camryn does too. But I like Ellen. She’s been nice to me, and I think we’ll become good friends, despite the alien thing.”

  “That’s great. Would you like to dance?” Marcus asked. “Don’t worry, it won’t be anything fancy.”

  “Yes, please.”

  The light caught the sparkling stones on her ring, and her sweet smile tightened his chest. Happiness. Now that he had it, he didn’t intend to let go.

  On the dance floor, he took her in his arms and started shuffling in time with the music.

  Amme lay her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Marcus.”

  He brushed a gentle finger over her chin, emotion swelling inside him until he struggled to contain the surge. He swallowed, pushing aside the memory of nearly losing her. “And I love you. Have your friends enjoyed their visit?”

  “Thanks to you. We’ve had the best time, and they’re already talking about a return visit when time permits,” Amme said.

  “They have an extra good reason to detour now. Your friends are welcome anytime,” Marcus said. “I want you to be happy.”

  “Your friends now too.” She brushed a kiss over his mouth. “I’m very happy, Marcus. I have everything I want right here with you.”

  “It’s almost midnight.” Marcus stopped dancing to signal the DJ to halt the music. Silence fell and everyone peered at him in expectation.

  “Thanks for coming to share the beginning of the New Year with me and my beautiful fiancée.” He checked his watch then slipped his arm around her waist. “Does everyone have their whistles or their favorite person handy? Time for the countdown to begin. Ten. Nine…”

  Amme leaned into him. “Eight. Seven…”

  …Six, five, four, three, two, one.” Everyone chanted the countdown together.

  “Happy New Year,” Marcus shouted, and the cry echoed through the large room and spilled out onto the terrace and into the garden. Whistles shrieked and popping sounds indicated the spill of colorful streamers. The partygoers exchanged kisses and exuberant embraces.

  “Happy New Year,” Amme said, beaming. She stepped into his arms, and he kissed her, happiness huge and overwhelming inside him. He was the luckiest man alive, and he knew it.

  * * * * *

  The wedding, New Year’s Day

  A small group stood in the garden with the celebrant.

  “I’m nervous,” Camryn said as she peered out the window at her friends and family.

  Amme patted her hand. “You love Ry. You’re already mates. This is the fun bit you get to do because of your mixed races. You should enjoy the moment. Besides, you need to show off your beautiful dress.”

  Camryn glanced down at her dress—a plain white gown molded her upper torso before flaring out in a full skirt. Embroidered flowers and beads on the bodice took the dress from simple to special. Camryn’s dark hair piled up high while her eyes appeared bigger due to judicious use of makeup. Camryn’s peach-colored toenails peeked from her white wedges and matched the posy of apricot roses she clutched in her hands.

  “You’re right. I’m ready.” She lifted her chin and strode into the room where Max waited for her.

  “Wait,” Amme said, hand darting out to grab her friend’s arm. “You’ve been spending too much time with Jannike and Kaya. Walk slower, with dignity. This is a wedding not a war.”

  “I want to get to Ry,” Camryn said.

  “She’s right,” Max said. “Make him wait a little. You look beautiful, sis. Mum and Dad would be proud. Gabriel too,” he added, offering his arm.

  “You think?” Camryn asked.

  “I think Gabriel would like Ry,” Max said. “I bet he’s cheering from heaven.”

  Camryn closed her eyes for a brief sec, then opened them and gave a brilliant smile. “I think so too, but I hope he doesn’t peek in on our wedding night.”

  Max barked out a laugh. “Thanks for putting that vision in my mind.”

  Amme chuckled because she understood Camryn’s eagerness and her touch of trepidation. She felt the same way about Marcus.

  At a more decorous pace, Max guided Camryn outside into the garden. A saxophonist started playing the wedding march as they passed the first bed of roses.

  A m
ale celebrant—rotund and serious in a black suit—stood with Ry under an arbor twined with flowers and ribbons. Potted roses surrounded the arbor in a semicircle and the sweet scent of the flowers filled the air.

  Amme waved at Autumn and Marcus and flashed a grin at her friends and Olivia. Ellen stood with Luke. She waved at Max and Camryn and blew her husband a kiss. The Indy crew clapped, and Ellen, Olivia and Marcus joined in with the applause. A crack appeared in the celebrant’s grave demeanor, and his lips twitched.

  The music halted when Camryn reached Ry’s side and the celebrant began the ceremony.

  Amme listened to the heartfelt exchange of vows and contentment settled over her like her favorite butter-soft yakish coat.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife,” the celebrant said.

  Ry wrapped his arms around Camryn and kissed her long and tenderly.

  Everyone cheered and cameras snapped.

  When calm returned, the celebrant said, “Now, I have one more special ceremony to complete. Marcus and Amme.”

  “Amme,” Marcus smiled at her and she took his arm, even though she didn’t understand what was happening. “We can’t get married yet, because we don’t have a license, but I want to commit myself to you in front of your friends. The celebrant agreed to perform the ceremony for us.”

  Camryn and Ry stepped aside to join the rest of their friends.

  “Go on,” Camryn said, giving Amme a shunt in the small of her back. “We’re taking photos and everything.”

  Amme stepped over to Marcus and accepted his hand.

  “Is it time now, Daddy?” Autumn piped up.

  “Soon, sweetheart. You can come and stand by me so you’re ready,” Marcus said.

  “You can say your vows now,” the celebrant said.

  Marcus dipped his head in a slight nod and shifted to look at Amme. “You have become my best friend in a short time. Having you at my side has filled a gap I didn’t realize I had in my life. My love for you is bigger than the Earth, bigger than the universe, and I can’t believe how lucky I am that you return my sentiments. I intend to love and cherish you and can’t wait to start our life together. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.” He squeezed Amme’s hands then glanced down at his daughter. “Your turn, squirt.”