I sighed, watching the firelight flicker in her hazel eyes. “My family doesn’t have a good record with those. Besides, like I said, we’re good.” I tipped my head. “Well, I will stay out of their entanglement for a while … but she’s my niece.” I lifted my shot glass in a gesture for her to do the same.
Natasha reached for her vodka then gasped. “How will we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas?—”
“Photoshop ourselves into?—”
“So not funny, Lachlan. I already agreed not to photograph our wedding or most of your memoir.”
Her eyes had practically bugged when LaShawn broke the news that the publisher wanted images ofusin the memoir. While Natasha would still capture the cover photo, she wouldn’t grace any pages. The Resnov Bratva had raised her in shadows. We, savage Clan MacKenzie Scots, would continue to shield this gorgeous woman from the light.
I chuckled. “Hear me out, lass, we’ll just pop ourselves into both our family Christmas pics while we vacation in Thailand.”
Smiling, Natasha slid into my lap. She growled, “Shuddup and kiss me, Lachasha.”
“Gladly, as long asthatname doesn’t appear in the memoir … along with any other deadly facts about either of our families.”
My fingertips feathered over her spine as she leaned in. Though the space between us was nearly nonexistent already, I bridged the gap, leaning closer too. This was marriage. Compromise. And I was ready for it, now that she’d stopped running from me. My lips found hers. I had tasted her tears, but tonight, I treasured the champagne taste of my wife, Natasha MacKenzie.
THE END
Who areyou ready for next?? Sima & Jake or Vass & Mia? Let me know in your review.
Also, I need your support. I’ve written my first romcom. If you enjoyed the banter between Lach and his best bud, Big Country, keep scrolling for the first chapter preview & grab BIG COUNTRY NOW. You can read it just in time for Fat Tuesday!
JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
Consider joining my newsletter to stay up to date on new releases and discounts.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Thank you for reading. Be sure to check out the Resnovs and the MacKenzies. Prior to their clash.
In Fearless an arrogant MMA fighter, Vassili Resnov, must decide whether to lead his father's bratva, all while falling for the LA Police Chief's daughter.
In Lawless, Simeon Resnov grapples with his inner darkness while searching for his missing beloved.
In MacKenzie Crime Family BWWM series, the Scots fight through hell for their women!
And…. Now I’ve started writing romcoms. Hang onto-your-weave, laugh your asses off! Meet me in NOLA this February for Mardi Gras/ turn the page for a taste of BIG COUNTRY!
With love and purpose,
Amarie
BIG COUNTRY- SAMPLE
CHAPTER ONE
Zuri
I backed through the swinging kitchen door into the Hot Chicken & Peach PitMaisondining area, a French-Creole hotspot on Royal Street. Sunlight poured through tall arched windows, hitting emerald banquette booths and velvet chairs around dark wooden tables. A classy setup that whisperedBlack, bad, bougie… and prepared to ruin your diet on sight. Creole spices twirled the air. Honestly? Stretchy pants should’ve been the uniform because these slacks would hold on by grace if they let me sample the menu.
Balancing two peach cobblers, I scanned the restaurant, studying patrons’ faces before settling on Darius, who sat coloring dinosaurs.Safe … ish.
These days, I had a PhD in reading faces. One wrong look, and I snatched my four-year-old and ran. Momma Bear: Witness Protection Edition.
It wasn’t always this way. Once upon a time, I was Dr. Zuri Caldwell, ER trauma specialist. Steady hands, cool nervesduring a cold blue. Now, I tried to remember what it felt like to save lives instead of just surviving mine.
The French doors of the entrance swung open, carrying in jazz off the Quarter andtrouble. I halted mid-step. A white T-shirt hugged a massive chest and broad shoulders like it had a crush. The man’s smile promised danger. I swear my survival instincts threw in the towel as my gaze took a joyride over skin deeper than midnight and smoother than all these velvet seats.
