Off Limits: A Bad Boy Romance Read online

Mom smiled, then shook her head. “No, Oregon isn’t for me either. But I do promise Alix, I’ll visit, and I hope you two will do the same.”

  CHAPTER 31

  KADE

  “Hey Kade? It’s time.”

  I looked up from between my knees, where my hands had been dangling. Vince was standing in the doorway, his tuxedo fitting him well. I checked my cuffs one last time and stood up, taking a deep breath. “I have no idea why I’m so damn nervous.”

  “I do,” Vince replied, with a smile. “Let’s face it, you’re worried about fucking it up.”

  I laughed and shrugged. “Maybe,” I said, looking as Vince shifted and reached down, adjusting himself. “Vince, are you really wearing that thing today?”

  “Rita didn’t tell me to take it off,” Vince explained simply with a small grin. “And despite you paying my paychecks, she outranks you in certain areas.”

  “I should have said something to her. She’s just that kind of woman,” I said, then laughed. “Which is probably why you love her. So did you ask her?”

  “At the reception,” Vince said. “I’ve just got to make sure I give you the right ring for your part. Right pocket Kade, left pocket Rita.”

  “Good man,” I said. “So you’ll be able to handle the office while we’re gone?”

  “Of course,” Vince said. “Rita is amazing, even better than Monica was. She even keeps the new secretary in line with barely a glance.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “I need to ask Rita, because we both know she’s going to be the boss for the next three weeks. Just promise me one thing. No whips in the office.”

  “Don’t worry, boss. Rita will obey your orders, you know that.”

  We left the small waiting room in the back of the church and headed toward the front. Just as we reached the double doors to the sanctuary, Rita came running around the corner in her bridesmaid dress. “Kade!”

  “Slow down, Rita,” I said, catching her before she could slip and fall. “What’s wrong?”

  Rita’s grin reassured me as she shook her head. “Nothing. Just . . . Alix asked me to give this to you.”

  The envelope was on the church’s stationery, and I wondered what it was. “This couldn’t wait until afterwards?”

  “No, sir. She said that I had to deliver it to you before you went into the sanctuary.”

  I nodded and gave Rita a quick squeeze and kiss on the top of her head before glancing at Vince. He shrugged and I unfolded the flap, looking at the single sheet inside. “You read this, Rita?”

  She shook her head. “No, I was there when she wrote it.”

  “So this isn’t a surprise to you.”

  She shook her head again and grinned. “Go on, Kade, open it. I promise, you’ll like it.”

  I couldn’t wait any longer, so I took out the single sheet of paper and unfolded it. In Alix’s clear, graceful hand was a short note.

  My dearest Kade, my Prince and soon to be husband,

  Before you go into the sanctuary, I wanted you to know that we’ve gotten a gift a bit earlier than I’d expected, but am no less happy for.

  It seems that I may have to delay going to college for another semester. I know that you and I were both excited about that, but I’m not going to be able to finish the first year.

  Kade, in addition to our little brother being born in the next few months, we’re going to have a new member of our family by the time the Fourth of July comes around.

  I’m pregnant.

  “Boss, what’s wrong?” Vince asked as I blinked, wiping at my eyes. “Seriously, what’s wrong?”

  “I’m going to be a father,” I whispered, looking at Vince and then Rita. “Alix is pregnant.”

  Rita’s beaming grin and Vince’s nod of happiness gave me assurance, and Vince clapped me on the back. “Well then, Dad, let’s make sure this baby is started off right, with a loving mother and father that are properly married.”

  “Then we get to explain that his uncle, who’s less than a year older than him, is also his cousin,” Rita said with glee. “Can I do that job?”

  “Of course, Aunt Rita,” I said, smiling. “Vince is right. Rita, I’ll see you inside.”

  Vince and I went into the sanctuary, where the small gathering was already seated. While we’d only invited fifty people, it was a pretty high-profile society event, with three NBA players, an NFL pro-bowler, and one each from the WNBA, MLB, and NHL. And of course, more than holding her own, was Layla. “Hey, Mom,” I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Have a read, you’ll love it.”

  Layla looked at the envelope and nodded, her belly swelling hugely underneath her dress. She was living in Sunnyvale, much closer to us than before, and had found herself a nice house in a gated community. We’d visited a few times, and she was moving on. At least, she wasn’t crying at night any more. “Thanks. Now go get married, okay?”

  I grinned and took my place at the front of the sanctuary, next to the altar. “Ready, son?” the minister asked. I nodded. “Then let’s begin.”

  The organ music started up, and the bridesmaids made their way in. First was Karla McDonald, who’d flown in from Australia especially for the event after making the cover of Vogue for the second time just the month before. She and Alix had patched up their friendship. I was glad she was there.

  Next was Rita as the maid of honor, her confident walk and demeanor causing heads to turn even away from the beautiful model that had preceded her.

  The organ music changed again, and the classic Wedding March started up. I watched in anticipation as Alix came into the doorway, resplendent in her white satin dress. The long train dragged from her waist, allowing her soft, glowing skin to show through the thin lace on the back. As Alix walked, she rubbed her tummy and smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

  “My Prince, my Kade,” she whispered as she came up.

  “My Queen,” I answered, using the new name I’d told her about. “Ready?”

  Alix nodded and we both turned to the minister. The ceremony itself went like you’d expect, and to be honest I didn’t remember much of it. All I do remember, after the kiss, was stopping to hug Layla, who had heaved herself out of her seat to stand through the ceremony. She patted my cheek and kissed both of us.

  “Your father would be very proud,” she said. “Of both of you.”

  “I love you, Mom,” Alix said. “So much.”

  “I love you too, honey. And you, Kade.”

  I hugged Layla again and turned to Alix, who’d turned her head to say something to Rita. As she was turned, I saw the tattoo on her left shoulder blade, visible through the lace of her dress, that had become her trademark and her symbol.

  A white rose, rimmed in red. A symbol of royalty, a symbol of a queen.

  A Tudor Rose.

  My Tudor Rose.

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  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Off Limits: A Bad Boy Romance

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17
>
  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Dirty Little Secrets

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  About the Author

  Also by Lauren Landish