Forbidden Kiss (Carson Cove Scandals 1)

“This is hardly justice…” Bryant sighed and shook his head as we watched the sentencing on the news.

“No, but she’s gone.” I shrugged. “A lot of people are sleeping easier in Carson Cove right now knowing that the blackmail she had against them is gone.”

“Your sister’s boyfriend deleted it all, right?” Bryant narrowed his eyes. “He seems like a good kid, but that kind of power can be tempting…”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I watched it myself. As soon as we decided what to send to the television station, the rest of it was wiped out—permanently.”

“Good…” Bryant kissed my forehead. “Oh, I’ve got a surprise for you—we got distracted by the news story—come with me.”

“A surprise?” I raised an eyebrow as he stood and helped me to my feet.

“Yep.” Bryant led me down the hall—to a familiar room—one that we shared a moment of passion in during the midst of Alexis’ tyranny.

“What is this?” I blinked in surprise as he opened the door.

“Since you’re going to be spending a lot of time here, I thought you should have your own art studio.” She walked into the room and turned back towards me. “It might be a little more comfortable than painting in your bedroom.”

“Oh my god…” I smiled and hugged him. “This is—amazing!”

“That’s not all.” He hugged me, and then pulled away. “I’ve got one more surprise…”

Bryant presented me with a card—it was an invitation—to an art show at Wellington’s. My eyes nearly bulged out of my head when I realized that my name was the featured attraction. Bryant explained that a few of his friends had seen the painting in his living room—and demanded to know who the artist was. They were able to show enough interest for Mr. Wellington to come to him with a proposal for an art show—as long as I agreed not to sell anything until the next annual auction. Mr. Wellington was sure that people would be salivating to own one of them by then.

“I don’t even know if I have enough paintings for an art show…” I stared at the invitation in disbelief.

“Then you better get started immediately.” He motioned to the canvas. “You’ve got a few months until the show, and then you can figure out what you want to sell at the auction.”

“What if they hate them?” I felt a lump rising up in my throat. “I gave you the best one…”

“They’re amazing.” He pulled me into his arms. “Just like you…”

* * *

Six months later

“Taylor, can you come into the living room for a minute?” My mother called out to me as I was walking towards the door.

“Yeah?” I stopped in my tracks and turned towards the door

“Don’t go anywhere…” She stood up and walked through the door on the opposite side of the room.

She called me in here to—wait?

“Hey there…” A voice from behind startled me—a voice I knew as well as my own.

“Bryant?” I turned around and tried to hide the confusion on my face. “What are you doing here? I was just on my way to your place…”

“I wanted to do this here—well, after I talked to your mom, of course.” He smiled.

“Do—what?” I tilted my head inquisitively.

Before I even realized what was happening, Bryant dropped down to one knee and pulled a square box out of his pocket. My head started spinning, and I barely even heard his proposal. He opened the box and revealed a beautiful diamond solitaire. I stumbled over my words as I tried to say—anything. Bryant went from smiling to slightly concerned as I mumbled my way towards the one word that mattered.

“I—yes!” I nodded quickly.

“I thought you were going to reject me there for a minute.” A look of relief swept over his face as he slid the diamond on my ring finger and stood.

“I’m sorry!” I hugged him. “You caught me off guard!”