Forgotten Desires (Whitlock Family, #4)

by Corinne Michaels

To the women who put everyone before themselves and find some solace in reading. I hope this one reminds you that you’re worthy of being someone else’s priority. Because you’re amazing.

The second I heard the name everything changed. I knew I had to see her.

“If you change your mind, you’re welcome to use my body in any way you want.”

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

Then I grab my bouquet and walk to my brother, ready to marry a man who has the power to obliterate me.

“You’re the best decision I’ve ever made, even if it won’t last.”

“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.”

What if I gave in? What if I . . . could have one night with him? I can handle the hurt, can’t I?

“Show me what you’ve dreamed of.”

“In New York, we have no privacy, and no one gives a shit about you. I’m not sure your end of the deal is all that bad.”

All I want to do is bite into a donut and kiss him until neither of us can think.

“What I want”—I drop my voice so only she can hear—“is for you”—I move my hand to her cheek—“to eat your dinner and then nap.”

“First we’re going to eat.” Again, I’d much rather toss her up on this counter and do exactly that, but there’s a look in her eyes that tells me she knows where my thoughts are and that’s not happening.

Then we clean the table a different way, one I’m all too happy to do nightly.

“I think tonight, I’m going to have to thank you for a very long time because my appreciation is going to take a while to show.”

“Aww, my marshmallow’s all burned on the outside but gooey in the middle. I love you too. I couldn’t imagine hitching my wagon to anyone else.”

“I love you, Daddy.” He blows her a kiss and I smile at him. “We’ll see you soon.”

I love you Carson Benjamin Knight and I want to keep you.

“You are my heart and soul. You are the reason that the world makes sense, and why it continues to turn. You’re everything good and for some reason, I get to love you twice. You’re my wife, but more than that, you’re the reason I draw breath. I choose you, Brynn. I love you and I want you to be my wife in every way. I want you to marry me again, not because we both want something from each other, but because we want to give each other everything. Marry me? Marry me because you love me and want to spend the rest of your life with me.”

“So, I’m here, on my knees, asking if you will be my wife in every single way. Marry me. Marry me because you love me. Marry me because you know I love you with everything that I am. Marry me because we want to build a life together, a family. Be at my side—for eternity.”

“My darling Bee, will you do me the honor of being my wife for the rest of our lives?”

You’ve turned into an incredibly kind, beautiful, and caring woman. Your mother would be proud.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I honestly keep wondering how I got so lucky in life. I have two beautiful children and a wife I would lay down my life for.”

I climb into the bed with my wife and our two kids, push play on the movie, and smile, because there’s nothing else in the world I need other than this.