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Authors: Lisa Alder

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“So maybe Jake Forrest does have some redeeming qualities.”

Lilah smiled. Now would be a bad time to bring up the fact that she thought she was pregnant. “He has lots.”

Little Peter Jr. hicced quietly. Peggy said, “I’d better go feed the prince. See you later.”

Lilah wiped sweaty palms down the sides of her outfit and wiggled trying to settle the tight mini-skirt further down her thighs. She wasn’t used to wearing such clingy fabric and this skirt was on the tight side of snug. But it would be worth it if she could convince Jake to stay.

Peggy was right. Her aunt was probably rolling over in her grave.
Ladies do not make spectacles of themselves.

Well this lady was about to.

***

Jake scoured the carnival looking for Lilah. He was anxious to find her. Her note had said to meet her at one o’clock, but not where. She’d said he’d be able to find her.

He’d drunk a gallon of coffee in the last two hours. He was ready to find her. Ready to tell her he loved her.

Children squawked and screamed. The scent of cotton candy and popcorn drifted in the air. The Dixie Chicks blasted from speakers somewhere nearby. And Jake tapped his foot while he searched for Lilah.

“Jake!” Peggy hurried up to him, a huge smile on her face. Apparently his status as the anti-Christ had been downgraded. “There you are. Come with me.”

Peggy tugged him through a gathering crowd. He could hear murmurs and gasps, but he was too intent on Peggy to pay much attention. “I’m looking for Lilah. Have you seen her?”

“We’ll be there in a second.” She pulled him off to the side of the booth where the Dixie Chicks were still singing and pushed him into a chair. “Sit right there.”

“Where is Lilah?”

“You’ll see.” Peggy waved and scurried away.

“Holy cow, is that Lilah Mason?” The awed tone in the guy’s voice made Jake scowl. Lilah was his.

“And folks, this year we’ve got ourselves a Kar–EE-Okee machine, donated for the day by the Knights of Columbus.” He cued up a song. “First up to try it is Lilah Mason.”

Lilah?

“This song is for Jake. Hopefully he’s here and listening.” Her voice was husky and tinged with emotion. Just the way it sounded right after they made mind-blowing...love.

What could she possibly be doing? Jake got up from the chair and rounded the partition. He stopped in shock when he saw her. She stood in front of a crowd that encompassed at least half the town. Her back was to him, and he was pretty sure she didn’t know he was there.

Christ. It was another of his fantasies come to life. The black skirt skimmed her legs at mid-thigh. An equally tight tank top molded her torso and she stood balanced on three inch heels.

The soft sounds of a guitar strummed through the crowd, but Jake barely heard it. Then, Lilah began to sing. She crooned of love. And Jake knew, she was singing to him.

Finally, he walked slowly toward her. Wanting to hope, wanting to believe that she loved him. That she would do this for him. Miss Priss had been buried deep for her to do this.

Jake went up behind her and touched her shoulder softly.

She whirled around, then stood still as the final words of the song echoed in the silent crowd.

Jake took the microphone from her limp hands. He looked into her eyes, as clear as the Pacific on a summer day, and brimming with love and hope. And Jake knew everything would work out.

He knelt down on one knee, and looked up at her. He figured if she went out on a limb, he could too. “Lilah Mason Forrest, I love you.”

A soft ‘oh’ went through the crowd.

“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife. Again.”

Lilah put her hand over the microphone. “What about the baby?” she whispered.

A gasp went through the crowd. Apparently her hand hadn’t stopped the sound from carrying.

“I promise you, our child will grow up in a house full of love.” His child had a lot more going for it than Jake ever had. Jake loved Lilah. They would make it work. She could show him. “I’ll get there.”

She tugged him up to stand in front of her. “I love you too.”

She loved him. Joy buzzed through his body. How had he ever gotten so lucky? All from one wild night in New Orleans.

Lilah glanced at the crowd and thought about what her aunt would say. Her aunt would never have believed what Lilah had just done. She'd be appalled.

“Yes. I’ll marry you.” Lilah pressed her lips to Jake’s for what was supposed to be a quick peck.

But when her arms went around his neck, he pressed her closer and she was lost. They broke off the kiss to the sounds of catcalls and hoots.

“This keeps happening to us,” she murmured against his mouth. “Have you noticed that?”

Jake grinned at her. “Yeah.”

And her heart stopped. He was hers. And she was his.

“Show’s over folks,” Jake called.

Someone in the crowd yelled, “When’re ya getting married?”

“Tomorrow,” Lilah said clearly.

“Can’t tomorrow,” Jake replied.

“Why not?”

He gestured over to where Tom stood with Marion. “Reverend Tom and Marion are getting married tomorrow.”

Another gasp went up in the crowd.

Marion and Tom waved back, smiling.

“How about the weekend after that?”

“Sounds good to me.” Lilah’s eyes filled.

“Don’t cry.” He curled her into the sweet embrace of his arms.

“Tears of joy,” she whispered.

His arms held her tight. Jake’s wild bride had found her home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Alder has a split personality. Naughty Lisa writes HOT Demons, Fae and Humans in a post-apocalyptic world. Nice Lisa writes sexy, contemporary romantic romps.

She
has been writing romance for years. All manner of stories lurk in her mind, with all manner of fictional creatures vying for her time and attention. Right now she’s consorting with Demons and Fae (Demons Unleashed Erotic Novellas) or innocent small town girls (One Wild Night). But she’s been known to play with Angels, hot CIA dudes, and kick-ass heroines as well.

You can find her on the web at
www.authorlisaalder.blogspot.com
, on Twitter @LisaAlderBooks , on Goodreads
www.goodreads.com/lisaalder
and on email:
[email protected]
She loves to hear from readers!

Happy reading!

Acknowledgments

To all the usual suspects:

Madeira James for your fabulous covers.

Gigi for your discerning eye and design experience. You are an inspiration to everyone.

Martha at Alpha Division for
everything --
I couldn't do this without you.

Adrienne, LGC, Sophie, Cecilia, and Rebecca--thanks so much for the encouragement and pep talks.

Finally to my family--love you all!!!!!

Also available from Lisa Alder:

Demon's Unleashed Erotic Novellas