Forgotten Desires (Whitlock Family, #4)

by Corinne Michaels

She should turn me down, but God, I pray she won’t. I thought that the freedom I felt with Brynlee when we were kids was because she didn’t know who I was. That it was just that the stigma and expectation of being wealthy and powerful was gone. I was so fucking wrong. It’s her. Just her.

“Why did you fly out here?” I ask, not really able to hold back. His beautiful Nordic eyes meet mine. “Marry me.”

I didn’t realize how starved I’ve been. How much I’ve missed him. How good this man kisses. Much too soon, he pulls back, both of us fighting for breath, and he looks down at me. His blue eyes are swimming with desire. “I’m sorry I got . . .” “Carried away?” I finish for him. “You always made me lose my sanity.” He brushes my hair from my face, smiling down at me. “You always made it easy.”

“He wasn’t good enough for her then, and he isn’t now, and when she’s ready to leave, he’ll let her go because she is too beautiful to be in a cage. I know you want more than a marriage of convenience, and I fucking hate myself for taking this from you, but this ring represents how I’ve always seen you, Brynlee—perfect. I won’t ask the question. I won’t take that from the man who deserves to give you a proposal with his heart on his sleeve. When you’re ready, put the ring on, and I’ll know it means you’ll do this.”

I grab the ring and place it on my left hand, where it fits perfectly. Like a moth to a flame, I will burn and turn to ash.

I answer. “I have space in New York City. With Brynlee’s new company based there, and since my daughter lives there as well, we’ll spend our time there.” “Of course we’ll visit,” Brynn assures him quickly. Asher’s mask slips for just a moment and I see sadness fill his eyes. “You’re going to leave the farm?” I reach out and take Brynn’s hand, lending her any support I can. “We’ll visit—so much that you’ll be sick of me.” “Right. Sick of you.” Asher looks away and Phoebe rubs his arm. “I’m going to check on the baby and call Grady and Rowan. They’ll want to hear this joyful news as well. I’m surprised you didn’t ask them to be here so we could all get it over with at once.”

I nod with a smile. “It seems that way. Really, I need to thank you both, if you hadn’t invited me to your wedding, I never would’ve found her again.” Rowan clears his throat. “Yeah, about that, you slept with my sister and disappeared? You’re so fucking lucky I didn’t beat the shit out of you at my wedding when I found out. I watched my sister sob on the bathroom floor because you hurt her, and now you’re getting married?”

wake up to Brynn curled against my chest, leg thrown over mine, hair in my mouth, and I can’t think of any other way I want to wake up.

“You are the best pillow in all the world.”

I pushed her long red hair back, not sure where her face was under that mess. “I swear you’re in here. At least you were when we went to sleep.”

Apparently, he has a thing for bugs. I’m his honeybee and she’s his ladybug. It’s kinda cute.

Dear Brynlee, Ten years ago you caught this ball. I’ve had it, held it, and kept it with me. I never forgot a moment we shared, and just like this ball, I’ll hold onto today’s memories the same. Thank you for all you’ve given me. Yours, Crew

“So you want to divorce me to date me after?” Crew smirks. “It makes sense in my head.” I roll my eyes. “I’m glad it does somewhere because that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” He steps closer and I gasp as he pulls me against him. My head doesn’t even reach his shoulders. So damn embarrassing. “I thought about you, us . . . marriage, for so long and I hate that this is how it happened. If I could go back, I would’ve found you years ago, begged for your forgiveness, worked every fucking day to prove that I was worthy of you, not stolen you like this.” “You didn’t steal me,” I say, my heart beating frantically. “No?” he asks, pulling my left hand up between us. “I didn’t win you, Bee. I didn’t do or say all the things I should’ve. I married you so that my custody case wasn’t blown. I married you so that you’d have insurance and the means to save your father. We married for other people and while all of it makes sense, I’m having a really hard time remembering it. Because when I look at you, in this house, on that couch where we slept, all I can think about is what a fucking asshole I am to have taken something else from you. So, yeah, I stole you, and now, I plan to try to earn you.”

Asher, Grady, and Rowan came in the room before they brought Howie in. He was going through his own prep and then they wheeled him in here. All three of my brothers showered me with love, the way they always have, and left me to have time with Crew. There’s been something calming knowing that the four of them are here. As though the might of the Whitlock men and my husband can bend the whim of the world to their desires.

As Crew runs the brush through my hair, I fall asleep, feeling so much hope that we’ll talk soon, and I can tell him that I don’t want our marriage to end. I love you Carson Benjamin Knight and I want to keep you.

“Brynlee.” I hear Crew calling my name softly. There’s a light pressure on the top of my head and then I can feel his lips there. “Open your eyes, Bee.”

“I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m going to hope you can. I love you so much, Brynlee Knight. Come back to me, sweetheart. I choose you every day, every hour, every minute. I choose you forever, I just need you to wake up.”

“Hey there, Mootilda! I’ve missed you, girl. Look at how pretty you are.”

When I get there, Charlotte laughs once when I explain my reason for being there and grabs her walkie-talkie. “Rowan, Crew is here to see you.” There’s a touch of static then he comes in. “Understood, Angry Elf. Is he waiting or does he want me to come see him later? Over.” She sighs heavily. “He wants you to come here.” Charlotte’s eyes widen as she turns to me. “Right? You want to talk now?” “If he can.” “He can,” she replies without asking him.

“Angry Elf, do you read me? Over.” She mutters under her breath, but I can hear it. “He’s going to see what the hell angry looks like.” Then she brings the walkie-talkie to her mouth. “Rowan, come back to the house so Crew can talk.” “Angry Elf, this is Skittle Titties, do you copy? Over.” Her face turns a shade of red and she groans loudly. Then she forcibly grips the communication device. “Rowan! I swear to God! You are going to taste the rainbow of your teeth if you keep this up.” “Ten-four, Angry Elf. Message received. Over.”

He cups my face. “I didn’t know it was possible to love you any more than I already do. I didn’t know that . . . Bee, we’re going to have a baby.” A tear slips down my cheek. “I know.”

Crew brings his lips to mine in a soft kiss, then he scoops me up in his arms and starts to walk away from the barn. “Crew! What are you doing?” “You, my gorgeous, wonderful, pregnant wife, are going to your bed, where you will stay until you give birth.” I laugh, slapping his chest. “Put me down.” “Prepare, my love, I’m going to be overprotective and overbearing.”