Taken as His Wife Read online

  Taken As His Wife—The Complete Series

  Wedded Bliss:

  Taken As His Wife

  Taken On Her Honeymoon

  Taken At Home

  By Alana Alix

  Copyright © 2014 by Alana Alix

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Table of Contents

  Taken As His Wife—The Complete Series

  Taken As His Wife—Book #1

  Taken On Her Honeymoon—Book #2

  Taken At Home—Book #3

  Note From The Author

  Taken As His Wife—Book #1

  Our wedding was as much the beginning of a new life with my husband as it was a goodbye.

  Each dance and speech brought us closer to the end of the night. I loved it all—the sparkling fairy lights decorating the rooftop party, the string quartet, the constant barrage of desserts—but we’d leave in the morning. The beautiful reception was my last chance to see my family before the honeymoon and our cross-country move.

  “Our little Charlotte.” My aunt dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “I can’t believe you’re leaving us.”

  I hugged her, but honestly? I couldn’t believe it either. Adam’s company relocated across the country sooner than we expected. He knew it frightened me, but he promised he’d take care of everything. Our new home finished construction early, and he showed me pictures of a beautiful bedroom with a perfect bay window that framed the sunrise. He said I’d love it, and I believed him. But the excitement of moving to the northern cost of California tempered and turned bittersweet. I greeted and parted from my friends and family in the same breath.

  “Christmas.” My cousin darted away to console my sniffling aunt and mother with more champagne. “I’m still enlisting you to bake the holiday cookies.”

  “I’ll be there,” I said. I hoped. Adam promised me Christmases back home, though his work schedule and responsibilities didn’t allow for many visits. He didn’t really need to work as hard as he did, but he liked it. And he liked providing me with the perfect life I never had before.

  Marrying him was another goodbye—a farewell to struggling. My family couldn’t afford a wedding this luxurious. The dress I wore cost more than my mother’s car, and our full course dinner provided my college roommates with more food than we ate all semester. After so many pictures and preparations, my glitzy rooftop party in the city’s most glamorous hotel felt more like a royal marriage than my whirlwind romance with Adam Ramone—CEO and philanthropist.

  “You deserve the best, Mrs. Ramone,” Adam whispered in my ear.

  He caught me staring at the twinkling lights encircling the tiered wedding cake. He liked chocolate. I was more than willing to agree to the fudgy slices. I hoped my mother understood. The family tradition was cheesecake—a recipe my great-grandmother invented. But I didn’t want to make a fuss, not when Adam paid for the wedding of every girl’s dreams. His hands lightly grazed my shoulders and down my back, lingering low. My cheeks warmed. Everyone could see.

  “Nothing to be ashamed of now.” Adam scolded me with a cocked eyebrow. “I’m your husband.”

  I still couldn’t believe it. I tucked a lock of straying hair behind my ear. “I know.”

  “Happy?”

  I didn’t contain my smile. “Happiest I’ve ever been.”

  His hands heated my skin. My husband’s hands. The thought rocked me. Everything happened so quickly—my own modern fairy tale. Adam wore his tuxedo like knight’s armor, and the ten years he had on me aided the illusion. He established himself as a wealthy businessman. A dragon in the financial world, and the prince charming who met me at the altar.

  His dark hair framed hardened cheekbones and dark eyes. Royal, but more warrior than poet. His angled jaw set in a perpetual serious countenance. I didn’t know if he meant it or not, but his every glance demanded respect and radiated authority. His confidence intimidated me. Intimidated everyone, really, but that never seemed to bother him.

  Adam turned me, surveying the sleek, blindingly white dress sheathing my figure. The A-line dress fit delicately over my thin frame. Adam insisted I wear it without high heels, so I chose simple white flats instead. Of course, he towered over me at the altar and while we danced, but I assumed it was part of our charm. The unlikely couple—the math major scheduling a wedding after graduation and the wealthy CEO who visited his Alma Mater and took a wife.

  “You look absolutely beautiful.” His eyes colored like the night sky, flaring with excitement as he watched me nervously nibble on my lip. “I can’t wait to make you mine.”

  His hands teased to my waist. I wished I could stop blushing. It wasn’t as though my guests and family didn’t know what was going to happen now that we were married.

  I knew what would happen now. It was all I could think about.

  Adam respected my wishes to remain a virgin until marriage. He was a good man and never once pressured me to compromise that ideal. But his hands curled over my hips. Possessively. His expression hardened as I tensed. I supposed he earned the touch. He took a kiss as a few couples chimed their forks against their champagne glasses.

  That was my final goodbye. A farewell to my virginity. A start of a new life.

  “Dance with me.” His voice resonated in me. An order. “I want to hold you.”

  I nodded, but a hand grabbed me from behind. Adam scowled, but Mary Beth pulled me away, her blonde curls falling after a hard day of maid-of-honoring around the reception.

  “Gotta steal my Charlotte,” Mary Beth said. “Sorry, loverboy. Girl stuff.”

  “We were about to dance.” Adam rarely asked questions. Somehow, everyone knew exactly what he wanted when he spoke. I stilled, but Mary Beth faked a smile.

  “Super quick, promise. Just need to talk to Lette.”

  Adam’s eyes darkened. I knew he wouldn’t miss her when we moved, and Mary Beth couldn’t care less what he thought. My nerves frayed into glitter during the rehearsal dinner, but they put aside their differences for my sake. I was glad the wedding pictures wouldn’t feature my husband and best friend brawling outside the church. I surrendered to Mary Beth and she pulled me to the bathroom, locking the door behind us.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Mary Beth searched for the compact in her purse and patted my cheeks for me. “Say the word. I found a way out through the kitchen. I can have us out of here faster than you can say Restraining Order.”

  I smoothed my dress and did a once over in the mirror. My eyes widened, overwhelmed, but I hoped it passed for tipsy.

  “Give him a chance,” I said. “Adam’s been nothing but wonderful to me and my family.”

  She snapped the compact closed. “Generous. He’s been generous. He bought you.”

  “He did not.”

  “He paid off your student loans. Bought you a car.”

  “He didn’t want me worrying about part time jobs or transportation for my last semester.” I wondered how weak the explanation sounded. A BMW wasn’t the most inconspicuous of cars, but he wouldn’t say no when I refused. “He’s kind. He wanted me to enjoy my time at college.”

  “Oh yeah?” Mary Beth arched an eyebrow. “What about after college? Have you started looking for a teaching job?”

  I shook my head. “I can’t. We’re going on a month long honeymoon and then moving across the country. I couldn’t look for a job. Not yet.”

  “Right. The honeymoon with poor cell phone service and the house three thousand miles away.”

  “Please don’t make this harder on
me. I’m homesick already.”

  “Then don’t go. You rushed into this.”

  Was a four month engagement rushing things? We wanted to get married on our year anniversary. It seemed romantic at the time. I sighed.

  “I can’t stay here forever. Bridge night with my great aunts? Finding a teaching job at the same high school where we grew up? I wanted more than that. Adam is giving me a chance to escape. We have a beautiful home waiting for us to start a life. It’s like a dream.”

  Mary Beth snorted. “Have you even seen the house?”

  I stayed silent.

  “No?” She said. “That’s right. Adam decided on that. Adam chose the house. Adam chose the honeymoon. Adam chose everything.”

  “He knows the housing market in the area, and he vacationed at the resort before. It’s no more complicated than that.”

  “Look, Lette. You’re super naive, but that’s why I love you. Adam is trying to control you. I just can’t figure out if he’s a messed up dom or a serial killer.”

  “Stop.” I never raised my voice, but Mary Beth went silent. “I love Adam. Yes, he is a bit...dominant. But you said you liked that in a man. You said I would like that.”

  “I like when I have a word I can use to make him stop.” Mary Beth held my hand. “Adam doesn’t come with a safe word. He knows you’ll submit to him.”

  My cheeks flared. “Oh, no. Please—”

  “You don’t understand sex enough to know what to expect.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this—”

  “Give me five minutes. I’ll talk you through it. Christ, I’ll draw you a diagram. Just please, Charlotte. Don’t learn what sex is from him.”

  I knew she didn’t like him, but my best friend spoke of my husband like he was some sort of villain. I hated that I didn’t have time to fix it. I loved them both, and being apart from either would probably kill me. But it wasn’t fair to put me in the middle.

  I steadied my voice. “He’s my husband. I trust him. He’s kind to me. He respected me and my choice to wait, and I love him for that.” I eased her with a smile. “I know you’re just worried about me, but I’m fine. And Adam is a good man. I wish you could see that.” The music echoed from outside, and I edged towards the door. “We should get back before the others wonder where we went.”

  Mary Beth hesitated, pawing through her purse for lipstick. “Sure. Go ahead. Don’t want to disappoint Adam.”

  And the truth was, I didn’t want to disappoint him. I never did, though I feared I eventually would. A calculating man like Adam Ramone never rushed into any decision. He invested wisely in his company and made millions from his instincts, efficiency, and judgment. And then there was me. The girl he met while visiting his former campus. I did my homework, worked a part-time job in the library, and filled my weekends with laundry. Not CEO-alluring material. But Adam called me lovely. He said I was shy and timid, but I only needed someone strong to give me a push.

  I didn’t need a push. I needed help back up after falling head over heels for him.

  The dance floor cleared for me as I crossed back into the party. Adam excused himself from his brother and crowd of friends and gathered me in his arms. I inhaled as we embraced, savoring the clean scent of his aftershave.

  “Everything okay?” He asked.

  “Yep. Dance with me?”

  He kissed my hand. A perfect prince. “Of course.”

  Another two hours passed, and I didn’t know if my feet or head would fall off first. Everything ached and complained—most of all Mary Beth. It was a perfect wedding, but waking at four in the morning after a row of sleepless, nervous nights had me dead on my feet. Adam swept me away and promised my family would see us off at breakfast in the morning. I ignored the whistles and teasing as we crossed from the rooftop party and back to our suite.

  Adam reserved the best room in the hotel, and while he joked about the hot tub, I wanted nothing more than to crash and sleep. Married or not, I could hardly move. My friends warned the wedding night was nothing but a myth. There was no way anyone could function after a wedding, much less enjoy their new partner. The Aruba honeymoon would give us all the time in the world for that. A slinky white teddy waited in my bags, the perfect outfit to celebrate becoming man and wife.

  Adam pulled me back as I headed for our luggage.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I can’t wait to get out of this dress.”

  “Me either.”

  I smiled, nodding towards the suitcase. “I’m going to grab a pair of sweats.”

  “Why?”

  “To sleep.”

  “Sleep?” Adam laugh rumbled deep in my chest. “It’s our wedding night. No one sleeps on their wedding night.”

  I closed my eyes. “I am. See? Right now. Sleeping on my feet.”

  “Well, wake back up.” Adam’s hands curled over my arms. “I want my bride to be awake for this.”

  “For what?”

  His grip tightened. He kissed my forehead. “For when I make her mine.”

  I sucked in a breath. We hadn’t really talked sex, not unless he counted my stuttering declaration of waiting till marriage. But he hadn’t spoken to me like that before. So possessively and assuredly. I swallowed. He wanted me.

  Well, of course he wanted me. He probably wanted to take me to bed months ago. I wondered why I waited so long to give in. So many opportunities when I wasn’t drop-dead exhausted.

  “Adam.” I gave him a timid shrug. “I’m...I’m really tired.”

  “Oh, princess. I know.” He cupped my cheek. “But it’s our wedding night.”

  “I thought...” I had to look up to meet his eyes, but I couldn’t meet his gaze. “Could we wait until Aruba? I can’t even stand anymore.”

  “Good thing I plan on laying you down.”

  I forced a smile. “Adam.”

  He didn’t. “Charlotte.”

  My shoulders tensed. I rolled my arm back to ease the tightness, but Adam’s grip on my arms prevented me from moving. I shifted, the rustling of the dress capturing his attention.

  “You look so beautiful,” he said. “My perfect little bride in her perfect little white dress. I can’t let this opportunity pass. I’m your husband.” He tilted my head back, capturing my lips in a brief kiss. “And you are my little virgin wife.”

  I shuddered. The way he said virgin. It wasn’t the pure, respectful way everyone revered it. I thought of it as a source of pride, something rare in this day and age. Something virtuous.

  Adam spoke the word like it excited him. Something for him to take. To make his.

  It excited him.

  I supposed that’s how it worked. While my virginity felt like it was something I owned, something I choose for myself, the entire point was to give it to my husband. I saved myself for him. He would be the only man to love me, to ever touch me.

  Except...I hoped it would feel more romantic. White dresses and flowers, declarations of love and a union of body and soul.

  Instead, it seemed weird. From the wedding ceremony to the games and speeches at the reception. Everyone knew what would happen to me tonight. The ceremony built around it. My father gave me to this man. The dances and dinners and family gathered to wish us well, but also because they understood. I was his now. A bride. They remembered what happened on their wedding nights. What was expected.

  My virginity was his to take. My body his to possess.

  I just didn’t think he’d want it now. Not when I was so tired and sore from the preparations. Not before I had a chance to recover and realize what was actually going to happen to me.

  Who was I kidding? I had no idea what would happen besides the rudimentary lessons offered during R-rated movies. Catholic schools and religious colleges didn’t offer the best sexual education.

  Adam leaned down, cupping my face with his hands. His gentle kiss did warm me, easing the trembling knot in my stomach. He was my husband, but he was no virgin. He made that clear when
we agreed about waiting. He didn’t want me upset by his past, but I didn’t judge him. My choice was inherently personal. He was a handsome, successful, older man. Of course he had sex before. It actually relieved me. At least we wouldn’t be fumbling around in the dark. My college friends had horror stories of their first times, and I wanted to make sure mine was absolutely perfect.

  I imagined him laying me back, whispering his love, and kissing me slowly as I was made his.

  I also imagined being rested, comfortable, and not so blessed nervous.

  “Shh,” Adam whispered. “This is our wedding night. This is what’s supposed to happen.”

  I nodded. “I just want it to be special.”

  “It will be.”

  “But I’m so tired.” I almost whined. My lip extended, and all the stress of the week—late florists, organizing the music, dealing with family, my horrid manicure—settled into a pout for the ages.

  Adam kissed my lower lip, nibbling against me. I sighed deep as he pulled me close.

  “Take off your dress.”

  My heart bounded around my chest.

  “What?”

  Adam’s voice caressed me. “I said, take off your dress.”

  I looked up, but Adam’s expression didn’t soften. He gazed back, eyes dark. Intense. Daring me to ask again.

  I swallowed. “I don’t want to fight. I want to do this, I really do, but—”

  “Either you take off the dress, or I’ll remove it for you.”

  I wavered on my feet. Adam’s voice hardened. I don’t know what made me blush—the order to remove my clothes or the shame in hearing his chastisement.

  “It...there’s buttons in the back.” I spoke softly. “I need help getting it off.”

  Adam’s lips twitched. Almost a smile.

  “Then let me help you, princess.” He twirled a finger. “Turn around. Let me see.”

  I moved stiff, the layers of silk weighing me down. My heart fluttered faster than it did when I walked down the aisle. Adam appraised me from behind, moving my hair so he could kiss my shoulder. Once. Twice. Some of the tension faded. His fingers traced delicate circles over my back. My gentle Adam again. I probably imagined his coldness. Projecting my own nerves onto him.