Forever Faith (Downtown Book 6) Read online

  She’s absolutely right. I haven’t done anything yet, and possibly never will. Although I feel somewhat relieved, there is still this pit in my stomach that tells me this isn’t over. Not by a long shot. Holding Faith tightly around her little body, her chest smooshes up with mine. I kiss the hell out of my woman for always being there for me and sticking by me no matter what comes our way. I’m fucking grateful for her.

  “What would I do without you?” I whisper along her cheek.

  She lifts her head and smiles her golden smile. You’d be dazzling millions of women around the world.”

  Moving my hands up to her face, I then lace my fingers around the back of her head and into her hair. I intently look into her eyes. “Life would’ve sucked no matter what if you weren’t in it.” I kiss her plump heart-shaped lips. “I’m ready to marry you. Like yesterday.”

  “Same here, rock star.”

  WE’VE KEPT OUR WEDDING DATE a secret. No one other than our family and close friends know when and where. It’s nice to have my mother and Harmony orchestrate the wedding details all the way down to the food. The catering company providing the food is under a strict non-disclosure contract, and if word gets out about our nuptials, they’ll be under suspicion with the possibility of being sued as a clause. Lucas and I can’t have a wedding with blazing, loud helicopters flying over our heads while we’re saying our vows. I refuse to let this day be ruined. It won’t be ruined. We’ve waited what seems like forever for this day to come. It’ll be one of the happiest days of our lives.

  We’re getting married today at La Jolla Cuvier Park. Scripps Inn, where I’m getting ready, is right across the street from it, for simple access. To make sure no one gets anywhere near our wedding, we have the streets blocked off, and with security in place. Yeah, it’s inconvenient for the beach goers, but I won’t have my day be ambushed. Not only are the streets blocked off, we have half the circle of the park tented so onlookers from the Inn and other hotel guests can’t get a glimpse. You might say I’m overly cautious, but it’s still worth the effort.

  My wedding dress is a one of kind, custom dress made by a good friend of my mother’s. It’s a beaded lace and tulle over a satin A-line gown, with a sweetheart neckline, beaded lace tank straps, and beaded lace fitted bodice with a detachable beaded belt at the waistline. The beaded lace applique through the tulle A-line skirt is so beautiful. It has a court train with an illusion beaded lace, over the low V-back interior with covered buttons. Thank goodness I haven’t gained any weight yet. I wouldn’t have fit in the tiny waisted dress if we had waited any longer to get married. Perfect timing.

  I’m not wearing a veil, just a pretty, sparkling tiara. My hair is made up in a low messy bun with a few curly strands hanging around my face. Gazing at myself in the full length mirror, I’m almost speechless. Today is finally happening and Lucas is going to be mine forever. I’ve dreamt of this day for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait to become Mrs. Lucas Jones.

  Marty Cooper, who’s been a family friend of ours since JINKS first became a hit and is a professional photographer, is silently taking pictures as June comes up from behind me. Her hands are cupped over her mouth and has tears glazing in her eyes with happiness. “Faith, you look absolutely breathtaking.” We stand here staring at the most beautiful gown, admiring each detailed bead on it. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

  “How are you feeling?” she asks me.

  Smiling, I turn around to face her. “Honestly? Surprisingly well. This is the first day I haven’t felt sick since before I’d found out about the baby.”

  “It’s fate.” She shrugs.

  I grab onto her hands, stepping back to get a better look at my gorgeous best friend and maid of honor. She’s got on a simple, above the knee, eggplant purple strapless satin dress with a mid-thigh slit on the side. “And look at you… You look amazing.” The dark pink highlights in her pixie cut hair help make June come to life.

  “Of course I do.” She laughs.

  While Marty continues taking pictures, June gives me my “something blue” garter to slip up onto my thigh. So far I have the something new—my dress and pearl earrings, and the something blue. Now I’m just figuring out I still need that something borrowed item. A few minutes later, the girls, including my mom, all make their way inside the room, getting a load of my hair, and dress, telling me how amazing I look, and how they can’t wait to see me walk down the aisle. I’m overwhelmed with joy and happiness right now. Having all my closest girlfriends in one room with me is a wonderful feeling. I love them dearly. Once they leave to go across the street, it’s just me, June, and my mom.

  “My baby girl,” my mom says with pride in her voice and through her beautiful smile. “I have something to give you that my mother had once given me when I married your father. It’s your something old and something borrowed gift. But of course, you don’t need to give it back.”

  She hands me a large, black velvet box. When I open it, I put a hand to my chest. “Grandma’s pearl necklace.” I gasp. I remember seeing grandma wear this in her wedding picture. I’ve always wanted to have it.

  “I only wore it the one time, and now it’s your turn. Someday you can pass it on to your little girl, if you have one.”

  I hug my mom. “Thank you.”

  I can faintly hear her sniffle, yet knowing my mom she won’t allow the tears to fall. “Oh dear, I better not turn on the water works. I don’t want my makeup running.” Typical Mother. She’s one of a kind and I love her for it.

  After she places the stunning pearls around my neck, I ever so lightly, glide my fingers along them. They’re perfect.

  Just then there’s a knock on the door. “Knock, knock. Faith—” Gary stops mid-sentence and blinks a few times. Although he’s my stepfather, he wears an expression that any father would show his own daughter. Pure love. “Wow,” he breathes out. He comes up to me and takes my face into his hands then kisses my forehead. “You’re a true princess, my lovely lady. Lucky’s going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

  “Thanks, Gary.”

  “Are ya ready?”

  “I’ve been ready my whole life.” I have an overwhelming set of excited butterflies flipping around inside my belly. I’ve never been more ready to walk down the aisle.

  “Let’s do this then.” He holds out his arm for me. I grab onto it then we begin making our way outside.

  It’s close to sunset, just when I planned the wedding to begin. The cool breeze doesn’t affect me as Gary guides me to the path down to my forever. The music, courtesy of our good friend, Justin from SINical, and the lead singer in the band, James, begins as June walks down the aisle holding a bouquet of white and purple tulip roses, a smaller version of mine. Justin and James sit on a couple stools on the far left where the ocean is. Justin plays his acoustic guitar and James sings. They’re playing “My Heaven” by Joshua Adams. James sings it beautifully as I look at what’s ahead of me. Lucas in all his perfection in his sexy black tuxedo; straight tie, fitted jacket, and pants, his favorite chucks, and black button-down shirt. He’s every woman’s dream and he’s all mine. Danny is standing by his side and my family surrounds us yet my eyes don’t stray from Lucas’s.

  As I get closer to my man, I can’t help but smile big and proud. Lucas’s panty melting grin would put any other man to shame. I’m not as emotional as I thought I would be, maybe because I knew we were already married in our hearts. This is just making everything be real and official. Finally.

  When Gary releases me, Lucas shakes Gary’s hand then takes mine into his and bends his head toward my ear. “You’re gorgeous as fuck, baby,” he softly compliments me with that deep, sexy rocker voice of his.

  I return the compliment. “You look pretty hot yourself, rock star.” He winks at me then stands straight as the minister begins the ceremony.

  Once we exchange vows and rings, the minister announces, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss—”
/>   Without hesitation, Lucas grabs me and quickly lowers his mouth to mine. My hands go around his neck while his are tightly wrapped around the lower part of my back. Kissing my husband for the first time is out of this world. A dream come true.

  “Woo! Give it to her deep, Luck!” we hear Wayne shout. Everyone is clapping, hollering, and whistling as we continue to kiss. I can’t get enough of my husband.

  When we break our kiss, Lucas says against my lips, “Couldn’t hold out.”

  “Neither could I.”

  He bends down one more time for another kiss before the minister tells our family andfriends, “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Jones.”

  We did it. We’re finally married.

  The reception is taking place at none other than Montgomery Suites. Harmony and my mother did a beautiful job at decorating. The room is done up in purple and silver. It’s a small reception, but I have everyone I love in the same room. After we settle down and have our catered food served and we’re almost to the cake cutting time, my brother Danny is being told by Harmony to do his best man’s speech.

  Danny grabs his newly filled champagne glass we all were given and clears his throat. He turns to me with more passion in his eyes than I have ever seen from him. He’s turned a total one-eighty on me in the last few years. Danny is not the same Danny from back when we had first met. “Faith, I was a pompous ass when Lucky was first dating you, and after you had both reunited, I was even a worse pompous ass. I wasn’t in my right mind back then. Being stuck in the past and having my head up my own ass, I didn’t see what was right in front of me; a brilliant business woman, a forgiving, big-hearted little sister, and a forever friend. You make my best friend and brother a happy man. I have no doubt in my mind you’ll make sure he stays that way until you take your last breath. Congratulations to you both. Cheers.” He holds up his glass and takes a drink with everyone else. That was the most genuine speech I have ever heard. My big brother makes me so proud I want to cry.

  Lucas picks up my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist. He smiles at me with more love than I could ever ask for. Before I can start to break down and weep, it’s June’s turn. In her hand is a half-drunk glass of champagne and tears sliding down her cheeks. “Wow, I thought I could keep these tears in check. Not possible.” We all laugh as she picks up a napkin and dabs her face then quickly begins her maid of honor speech. “Lucky and Faith, you two are my inspiration. If anyone knows how to stay in love and fight for one another, it’s you both right here. I knew from the second Faith mentioned you were her first love, I had an inkling you would find your way back together again. It just took a few years and fights and being stubborn to make it happen. I love you both to the moon and back. You’re my number one duo. Rock on for eternity! Cheers!” Everyone shouts cheers and drinks down the rest of their bubbly. As for me, I’m having sparkling cider.

  Once I give June a hug and we’ve ended our crying fiasco, we cut the cake, then after that everyone settles down and parties. They drink, dance, and have a fantastic time.

  While Lucas and I are slow dancing to the typical wedding songs, Phillip comes up to us. Phillip was the architect for Montgomery Suites. We had dated for a few months until Lucas walked back into my life. Inevitably, fighting ensued between the two. Although Phillip moved on and was now happy with June, Lucas never fully got over the fact that we dated. “May I cut in?” He appears rather nervous when Lucas ignores him and continues dancing with me. Although he’s been like this with every other person who’s wanted to dance with me, I know he hates the thought of Phillip’s hands on me. No matter what’s happened in the last four years, Lucas will never fully like Phillip. There’s nothing I can do to change that. It is what it is, unfortunately.

  Forcing my stubborn husband to stop dancing, I say, “Lucas.” I cock an eyebrow, demanding him to let Phillip in.

  Letting out a deep breath, he then goes in and devours my mouth, like he’s trying to claim his territory. And then in all seriousness he tells Phillip, “Two minutes. Tops.”

  Shaking my head, I laugh at my alpha rocker and lightly push him to get going. “Go on, rock star, go get a drink.”

  As he continues to walk backward with his hands buried in his pockets and intently watching me, June jumps in front of him. “Hey, Lucky! My turn.” Thank God for June to ease the tension.

  “That wasn’t easy,” Phillip says.

  He takes my hand into his big one and sets his other one on my lower back; my other hand goes onto his wide and strong bicep. We begin slowly swaying. I have to lift my chin up to look at him. He’s very tall. “Oh, he’s just being a grump head because he wants me all to himself. He wasn’t too thrilled Danny wanted to dance with me either. So it’s not just you.” I chuckle.

  “You look really beautiful tonight, Faith.” He changes the subject. The sincerity in his voice makes me blush. Phillip will always have a special place in my heart.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m happy for you. You ended up with the right man.” He quickly places his hand over his chest. “Ouch that hurt.” We both laugh. He and Lucas may never be good friends, but he knows Lucas will make me happy, take care of me, and protect me. There’s no doubt.

  “And you ended up with the right woman.” Who knew June and Phillip would find a path to each other. A rocker chick with wild hair, piercings, and tattoos catches the eye of the boy from next door. Opposites definitely do attract.

  “I can’t picture my future without her. She’s everything I need and want to complete my life. I can’t imagine not ever loving her.”

  Swoon. Any girl would go crazy hearing that from someone who looks like Phillip. He’s a total heartthrob.

  “You’re a good man, Phillip Caffrey. I’m so glad you found each other.” Phillip also congratulated me on the baby. I know he’s happy for us, but deep down I can feel the sadness about what he and June are going through. “I know this isn’t the right place to bring this up, but I’m so sorry about…” I can’t finish my sentence. Just saying it out loud makes it hurt.

  “So am I.” He sighs, sadly. “We’ll make it work though. We just have to have faith things will fall into place. Baby or no baby, I’m dedicated to having June make an honest man out of me.”

  This takes me by surprise. “Really? You’re finally going to ask her?”

  He smiles with a nod. “Just as soon as you leave for your honeymoon.”

  “That’s so great, Phillip!” I hug him. “This is incredible news. I’m so happy for you both.” June is going to go ballistic!

  We go back to dancing. “I’m happy to have your blessing. Once I asked her father I was relieved, but knowing I had to tell you too, I was kind of worried.”

  “Why? That’s crazy.” I laugh.

  “Because you and I have a history and you’re June’s best friend.”

  Our history is just that: history. He found his own forever after I got mine back. “Well, as June’s best friend, I couldn’t be more ecstatic. Take care of her for me. That’s all I ask.”

  “I plan on it. Don’t worry.”

  Before I know it, my sexy husband is back. “Two minutes is up.”

  Phillip knows he can’t win another round of dancing with me, so he releases me into my husband’s awaiting arms. Lucas wraps his glorious arms around me then kisses my temple down to my jawline. “Impatient much?” I ask with humor as he continues to nuzzle me.

  “Hells yes, baby. You’re mine,” he breathes into my ear. “Now that we’re married, no one gets more than two minutes with my wife. I can be selfish. Don’t forget that.”

  I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO stop touching Faith since the second we got married. She’s my wife now. My fucking wife. Feels phenomenal to call her that. Seeing her walk down that aisle toward me sent a throb of lust and love throughout my body. My dick was hungry for her and my heart was beating out of control. She looked radiant. So radiant, I couldn’t wait to spend the r
est of my life with her. The way she gazed at me… I never felt so much love from anyone in my entire life. Time stopped the moment we kissed as the minister pronounced us husband and wife.

  We were fucking married.

  For the last couple days we’ve been spending our time in bed in Cancun, Mexico doing nothing but having the greatest sex as a newly married couple. And not once has Faith interrupted it by getting sick. My cock has been very pleased indeed.

  “Have you noticed I haven’t gotten sick since before the wedding?” As if Faith had read my mind. We’re sprawled out on the bed, completely naked with our limbs tangled and Faith’s head on my chest.

  “Fucking miracle.” I kiss her forehead.

  “Maybe the morning sickness is finally going away?”

  I smack her ass. “Don’t jinx it.”

  She pops her head up and grins. “Oh? Should I knock on wood or something?”

  Quickly flipping myself over until I’m on top of her and my harden cock’s tip is at her entrance, I tell her, “The only wood you should be knockin’ on is right here, baby.” I glide the tip of my dick up and down her smooth and soaking wet clit.

  “You dirty boy.” She laughs, but the moment I push my way inside her heated pussy, all seriousness takes root. Fucking my wife is an exhilaration.

  Right after our sex marathon, Faith says, “I’m ready for a shower. Want to join me?”

  Her sultry and inviting tone has me getting hard again, but regrettably my dick needs a rest. “You go ahead. I’m gonna go outside and have a smoke.”

  “Sure. I’ll be right out.” She kisses me then scurries to the bathroom.

  We’re staying on a private beach in a small house, looking over the ocean. Nothing but palm trees, white sand, and clear blue water surround us. I go outside and sit on one of the lounge chairs and take out my smokes. One minute I’m thinking of my beautiful wife, the next my mind goes directly to Howard White’s invitation to meet with me. I know Faith told me not to worry about it until we get home, but since she’s not distracting me right now, I can’t help myself. My first reaction when Howard told me he only wanted to meet with me should’ve been an easy decision: never wanting to leave my band. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why would I blow off my brothers for the unknown? Even thinking of this possibility makes me feel like I’m betraying them somehow. I’m a dick.