Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family #2) -Carly Phillips Page 0,71
rehashed and hopefully left there and Linc’s blessing for what Beck planned to do next, it remained a possibility.
Linc grunted and Beck laughed. “I’m taking that as a yes. Have fun,” he said.
The couple said their goodbyes and took off in a white 1930s Touring Rolls Royce rented convertible, and the wedding guests made their way back inside.
The band took the stage. Meeting Beck’s gaze, he tipped his head.
Beck turned to Chloe. “I’ll be back in a second. Stay put, okay?” He didn’t want her disappearing into the ladies’ room and being missing when he needed her.
She nodded and sat down in a chair.
Beck made his way to behind the stage, meeting up with Dash and Xander. Aurora and Melly, Chloe’s mother, had been alerted and were sitting at their seats near the stage.
To Linc’s credit, upon hearing Beck’s plan, he’d suggested Beck arrange for his parents and brothers to come after he and Jordan left. If they’d been invited to the actual ceremony, Chloe would know something was up, and Beck wanted this moment to be a complete surprise. Damn Page Six for alluding to the moment, but he still didn’t think Chloe had a clue.
Dash pulled out the box he’d stashed somewhere safe and handed it to Beck. “Good luck,” he said, slapping him on the back. “And take care of my sister.”
Beside him, Xander’s expression said all Beck needed to know. It was going to take some time to warm up to the more solitary of the brothers.
He glanced out into the audience and saw his family standing in the back, which meant this was his cue. He didn’t want Chloe to catch sight of them first.
“Ready,” he said to Dash.
The lead singer headed up on stage and took the mike. “Thank you all for coming tonight. Before we get to the last set before the festivities end, we have something special for you first.” He gestured toward the side of the stage, and Beck squashed his nerves and walked out to join him.
Taking the mike from Dash, he turned toward the guests, focusing on a wide-eyed Chloe, who obviously had no idea what was about to happen.
“Since today was Linc and Jordan’s wedding, I didn’t want to do anything to take away from their moment, but as the oldest Kingston brother, I did need his blessing, which he gave me.”
“It’s contingent,” a familiar voice said from the back of the room. “Treat her right and we’ll be fine.”
Beck narrowed his gaze. He hadn’t expected Linc to come back.
“Do you really think we’d miss this? We circled back around and snuck in. And no, you’re not taking anything from our day. Now get on with it.”
Chloe rose to her feet. “What’s going on?” she asked, her cheeks flushed.
Beck handed Dash the microphone and took the few steps from the stage to the dance floor. “Chloe, I could think of only one way to prove to you that you’re it for me forever. Both of our families are here to see this.”
She gasped and looked around, her eyes wide when she turned back to him.
He strode up to her and dropped to one knee. He’d already waited long enough and cut to the chase without flowery words that weren’t him. “Chloe Kingston, I love you and always will.” He opened the velvet box. “Will you marry me?”
She didn’t even look at the ring he’d had made special for her, merely throwing herself into his arms and saying yes, over and over as he held on to her tight.
Finally he couldn’t wait another moment and whispered in her ear. “Don’t you want to see the ring?”
She pulled back, tears falling from her eyes. “I already have what I want.” She looked into his eyes, her happiness something he shared. “But of course I do.”
She looked inside the box and squealed with utter glee. “It’s a princess cut!”
He grinned. “You’re damned right it is. Because you’re my princess.” Taking out the ring, he slipped it onto her finger. “They say it’s the most brilliant cut of all diamonds and you deserve it. And every time you look at it, you’ll know you’re mine.”
A round of applause followed and he rose to his feet. Then they were surrounded by family and friends wishing them well.
Beck’s brothers pushed their way through to welcome their new sister to the family.
“Just what I needed. More brothers!” Chloe exclaimed, then hugged each of them, who she’d already formed tight bonds with.
His parents came next, then Chloe’s mom and sister, with her baby in her arms. Once they’d been duly congratulated and Beck had been warned again not to hurt the woman he loved, everyone finally dispersed, leaving Beck alone with his fiancée.
He loved the sound of that word.
Pulling her into his arms, he said, “I can’t wait to make you Chloe Daniels.”
She grinned. “Maybe we can get away with the smaller, intimate wedding.”
They glanced at their mothers, who had their heads together, no doubt planning already. “Or maybe not,” he muttered but his smile remained.
The only person standing alone was Xander, making Beck wonder if the other man would ever put his hurt behind him and move on. The way Beck had.
“Let’s go home and have our own private celebration,” Chloe said.
He picked her up and carried her out of the room. Just the way a princess deserved.
Xander Kingston’s latest novel is being made into a movie, and when the female lead is cast, how will the former Marine turned thriller writer handle having the woman who betrayed him back in his life?
Click HERE to order JUST ONE CHANCE:
He thought she was the one . . . until she walked away. Now she’s back and he wants her more than ever.
As a former Marine, Xander Kingston’s writing keeps him sane. Bonus? His thrillers made him one of Hollywood’s most desired screenwriters – and also introduced him to a fledgling starlet who broke his heart. With his close-knit family in New York, Xander returned home and found peace. Until Sasha Keaton shows up at his Hamptons retreat. Now an A-Lister, she’s as beautiful as he remembers. And just as dangerous to his heart.
Sasha learned from watching her mother to never sacrifice her dreams for anyone—only to discover how empty life could be without the man she loved. Now cast in Xander’s latest movie, she needs his insight to play the part, but secretly hopes for a second chance.
Xander has built emotional walls to keep Sasha at a distance, but their physical attraction can’t be denied. When a stalker’s threats intensify, Xander moves Sasha into his house to keep her safe. Before long she’s back in his bed and making inroads in his life.
But when the danger passes and the movie wraps, Sasha and Xander face a familiar choice—put career first or give love a fighting chance.
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About the Author
NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.