Ripples Read online

  Tony nodded. “I hate that you’re thinking that way, but you’re right. Don’t worry. He won’t know what hit him.”

  “And Nat? What if she truly loves him?”

  “Then he needs to earn it, not take it.”

  Claire took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I know that, too.” She looked into her husband’s dark stare. “It could still happen. After a terrible beginning, it could happen. She could forgive him. They could be happy.”

  “Then he better be ready to pay the price and earn her forgiveness. He needs to want it too, enough to work for it. To admit what he’s done and let Nat be the one who decides.”

  “I guess time will tell.”

  Tony swallowed, his eyes silently repeating the apology Claire refused to allow his lips to utter. He’d said it many times, but now they were beyond that. Their past was over. They’d moved on. Life was too short to harbor resentment over the past.

  Yet at times like this, as Claire settled against the couch, the memories were more vivid than they’d been the day before. The colors were still real. Closing her eyes, she saw the white woodwork of her suite and the black of his eyes.

  As Tony and Phil began to discuss options, Claire’s cell phone rang. Their daughter’s name appeared on the screen. “It’s Nat.” She wiped her cheeks. “I have to talk to her. I never know when she’ll call again.”

  The other three all nodded.

  “Invite her home,” Tony suggested.

  “Okay...” Claire worked to steady her tone.

  Chapter 29

  The trust of the innocent

  is the liar’s most useful tool. ~ Stephen King

  “Nat, it’s so good to hear your voice.”

  “Mom,” Nat said, smiling at her fiancé as she spoke through the speaker of the phone. “I’m just calling about the wedding. Will next month work for you and Dad?”

  “It’s a lot to plan. Maybe you could come home and help?”

  Dexter’s hand splayed over her bare thigh. She used to get completely dressed before calling her mother. It seemed odd to be talking to them wearing only one of Dexter’s shirts. But over time, it no longer bothered her. This is how she often was. When she spoke on the phone, it didn’t make sense to don an outfit first.

  Dexter shook his head and grinned, encouraging her to say what they’d already discussed, to stay the course he’d determined.

  “Mom, we’ve decided we don’t want to wait any longer, and we want it small. Just family and very close friends. I’d love to have Phil and Taylor, and of course the Simmonses, and Uncle John and Aunt Emily. But not all of Dad’s associates.”

  “I’m sure we can plan it,” Claire said.

  “The thing is, we want to get married at our house.”

  “Oh.” The disappointment was evident in her mother’s sigh.

  “Will you and Daddy come out to Vermont?”

  “Yes,” Claire answered quickly.

  Nat looked at Dexter. His expression was one of satisfaction, one she adored. “Good. If you can visit soon, we can make the final plans together.”

  “Of course, Nat. Tell Dexter we said hello. Remember, I love you, and we’re here.” She seemed to pause. “The most important thing is that you’re happy.”

  “I am, Mom.”

  Nat’s insides pinched as Dexter signaled for her to end the call. “I need to go. I’ll talk to you later.” Her mind went to their upcoming Dexter-time as anticipation flooded her body.

  “When would you like us to come?”

  Nat smiled, certain she heard her father’s voice in the background saying they’d get on a plane today. “Next week.”

  “What day do you want us next week?”

  Nat looked to her fiancé. “Day, next week?” Dexter mouthed the word as Nat spoke it, “Wednesday. Wednesday would be great. Dexter can take a few days away from the office.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  “Bye, Mom.”

  “Are you sure you couldn’t come home sooner? Your dad can send a plane.”

  Nat shook her head. “Mom, next week is good. I’ll talk to you again.”

  “Okay. Goodbye, dear.”

  After disconnecting the call, she handed Dexter the phone.

  His finger traced the edge of her chin. “Bug, you knew it was Wednesday.”

  “I forgot.”

  “That’s not acceptable.”

  “I was too busy thinking about you.”

  He shook his head as his finger trailed down the gap left by the open buttons on his shirt. When Dexter reached her breasts, he traced each one, over and over, until her nipples became hard nubs. He looked up with a smile on his face. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Whatever you want, my king.”

  “Marry you and announce to the world that you’re mine.”

  “I am yours,” Natalie Rawlings confirmed. “Forever.”

  “Forever.”

  Thank you for reading Natalie and Dexter’s story, the story of how they found one another. Ripples was meant to be a stand-alone novel, and as their story, it is. Perhaps in time, we’ll learn more about them, their future, and the rest of the Rawlings family if Nichol’s or Nate’s story ever presents itself to me. Please let me know if you’d be interested in more.

  Thank you!

  For More

  If you haven't read the beginning of this story...if this was your first introduction to Tony and Claire Rawlings or maybe you began their story but didn't complete it, it's not too late.

  The Consequences series is five full-length books: Consequences, Truth, Convicted, Revealed, and Beyond the Consequences. For more insight into Tony Rawlings, after the series has been read, there are two companions: Behind His Eyes Consequences and Behind His Eyes Truth. Book one, Consequences, is free on all channels.

  Thank you for reading Natalie and Dexter's story, Ripples, a story where physical chains are more freeing than figurative ones, and in finding a new life, the princess becomes the queen.

  I hope you enjoyed the consequences...

  LINK to Consequences series on all platforms:

  https://www.aleatharomig.com/consequences-series

  The individual links can be found under Books by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig in the table of contents.

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  Books by New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig

  ALEATHA’S LIGHTER ONES:

  PLUS ONE

  Stand-alone fun, sexy romance

  Released May 2017

  ONE NIGHT

  Stand-alone, sexy contemporary romance

  Coming September 2017

  THE INFIDELITY SERIES:

  BETRAYAL

  Book #1

  (October 2015)

  CUNNING

  Book #2

  (January 2016)

  DECEPTION

  Book #3

  (May 2016)

  ENTRAPMENT

  Book #4

  (September 2016)

  FIDELITY

  Book #5

  (January 2017)

  RESPECT

  A stand-alone Infidelity novel

  (Coming January 2018)

  THE CONSEQUENCES SERIES:

  CONSEQUENCES

  (Book #1)

  Released August 2011r />
  TRUTH

  (Book #2)

  Released October 2012

  CONVICTED

  (Book #3)

  Released October 2013

  REVEALED

  (Book #4)

  Previously titled: Behind His Eyes Convicted: The Missing Years

  Re-released June 2014

  BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES

  (Book #5)

  Released January 2015Released January 2015

  CONSEQUENCES COMPANION READS:

  BEHIND HIS EYES-CONSEQUENCES

  Released January 2014

  BEHIND HIS EYES-TRUTH

  Released March 2014

  THE LIGHT SERIES:

  Published through Thomas and Mercer Amazon exclusive

  INTO THE LIGHT

  Released 2016

  AWAY FROM THE DARK

  Released 2016

  TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE SERIES:

  INSIDIOUS

  (All books in this series are stand-alone erotic thrillers)

  Released October 2014

  DUPLICITY

  (Completely unrelated to book #1)

  Release TBA

  About the Author

  Aleatha Romig

  Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

  Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.

  In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

  2017 brings Aleatha's first "Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha" with PLUS ONE, a fun, sexy romantic comedy.

  Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

  Stay connected with Aleatha

  Do you love Aleatha's writing? Do you want to keep up to date about what's coming next?

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  You can also find Aleatha@

  Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5131072.Aleatha_Romig

  Instagram: http://instagram.com/aleatharomig

  You may also listen to Aleatha Romig books on Audible:

  Aleatha’s Audibles

  www.aleatharomig.com

  [email protected]