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  Unequivocal Love

  the Castaway Grove Collection, book #2

  DL Gallie

  “Is love enough?”

  * * *

  A novella by DL Gallie

  the Castaway Grove Collection, book #2

  Love has arrived in the Grove

  The connection between Hartley Bannon and Memphis Shawe was instantaneous.

  It was love at first sight.

  The stars had aligned and their souls were entwined for all eternity.

  From that moment they loved each other unconditionally.

  Nothing was going to tear them apart.

  * * *

  When Memphis proposed, Hartley thought all her dreams had come true.

  What they didn’t count on was bridezilla appearing.

  She threatened to rip their happily ever after to shreds and destroy everything.

  * * *

  Memphis and Hartley may have an unequivocal love, but will this be one hurdle they cannot overcome?

  Unequivocal Love Copyright

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  * * *

  Published by DL Gallie Author

  Published on 13th October 2019

  Edited by Karen Hrdlicka, Barren Acres Editing

  Cover Design © Designed with Grace

  Image(s) © DepositPhotos & EpicStockMedia

  Created with Vellum

  * * *

  Oasis

  Unequivocal Love

  Five Words – preorder now for 13 Jan 2020

  I’ve Loved You Since Forever - Coming April 2020

  Also by DL Gallie

  THE LIQUOR CABINET SERIES

  Liquor has never been so disturbingly saucy

  * * *

  Malt Me (Book 1)

  Tequila Healing (Book 2)

  Wine Not (Book 3)

  The Final Shot (Book 4)

  * * *

  The Liquor Cabinet: Series boxset

  THE UNEXPECTED SERIES

  When it comes to love, expect the unexpected

  * * *

  The Unexpected Gift

  The Unexpected Letter

  The Unexpected Package

  The Unexpected Connection

  * * *

  **Coming November 2019, pre-order now**

  STAND ALONES

  Out of Nowhere

  Antecedent

  Seven Nights

  * * *

  Titanic Tales, a charity anthology (no longer available)

  Gone Coastal, a sizzling summer beach anthology

  Leave Me Breathless: The Lilac Collection

  Contents

  Dedication

  PROLOGUE

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Sneak peek at Five Words

  Playlist

  Acknowledgements

  Also by DL Gallie

  Contact the author

  About The Author

  Dedication

  To Lauren “Lozzy O” Stratton

  * * *

  #SorryNotSorry

  You’ll know what I mean when you get to Chapter 2

  Love you

  PROLOGUE

  “Yes. Yes. Yes!” I scream as my husband—I love saying that—repeatedly thrusts his cock into me. Hitting that magic spot each and every time. “I’m coming,” I pant, as the most intense orgasm of my life ricochets through my body. Throwing my head back, I howl as pleasure spreads throughout my body. Every inch of skin tingling as I lose myself to orgasm number…I have no idea. My body is still zinging when I feel his body above me tense and he grunts, as he reaches his own climax.

  He collapses on top of me without crushing my body. We are both breathing heavily; his breaths hurried and warm on my sweat-covered skin. Rolling off me, we lie there, staring at the ceiling above. Turning to our sides, we stare at one another intently. I gaze into his honey-colored eyes, a feeling of peace, contentment, and happiness erupts within and I grin at him.

  “Happy honeymoon, wife,” he says, as he runs his fingertip down my cheek. My skin coming alive under his touch.

  “If this is how our honeymoon starts, we are in for one hell of a sexy schmexy time.”

  “Fuck yeah, we are. Now get in the kitchen and cook me some eggs, wench,” he playfully replies with a cheeky smirk.

  “I don’t think so, asshole,” I scoff in reply, as I dig him in the ribs and flip him the bird. Lifting my arm, I rest my head on my palm. “But I can order room service and while we wait, you can fuck me from behind so we can enjoy this view.”

  “I have the best wife ever.” Totally love hearing him call me his wife. He playfully pinches my nipple, which immediately sends a shockwave directly to my clit. It begins to throb and pulse, my folds become slick with arousal. What’s happening to me? I’ve turned into a sex fiend these last few weeks.

  “I’ll take that pinch as a yes,” I playfully reply. Leaning toward him, I place a kiss on his shoulder before I sit up, swing my legs over the edge of the bed, and climb off the mattress. He reaches over and lightheartedly slaps my ass. I squeal in shock, but if I’m honest, that smack sends another wave of pleasure directly between my thighs, to my already throbbing and engorged clit. Standing by the bed, I stare down at Memph, tempted to say ‘screw breakfast,’ and ride him again, but we need to keep hydrated and fed in order to keep our stamina up…this is going to be a weeklong fuckfest…bring it on.

  Gazing at my ruggedly handsome husband—I’ll never tire of calling him that. It’s a much nicer word than fiancé, boyfriend, or partner. Once again, I find myself grinning like the Cheshire cat, I seriously hit the lottery when I fell in love with Memphis Shawe, and when I married him, I became the luckiest gal in the entire universe. I have been in love with this man since I was sixteen years old, and thirty-six hours ago, I married him. Now, I get to spend the rest of my life with him. He is the complete perfect package and he’s mine—all mine—insert happy dance.

  Memphis is the pina to my colada. The yin to my yang and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. And as of three’s days ago, he’s officially mine, according to the state of California, now and forever…but I came so close to losing him and our happily ever after.

  1

  …three weeks before the wedding

  “GAH, you are so fucking frustrating, Memphis Shawe,” I scream and stare at him. “I’ve told you when you need to be there, don’t you fucking listen?” Throwing my arms in the air, I storm away from him in complete frustration. Stomping down the hallway into our bedroom, I slam the door behind me. The doorframe rattling from the force. Flopping down onto our bed, I burst into tears.

  This is meant to be the happiest time of our lives, but at the moment, the tiniest thing will set me off and Bridezilla rears her stupid head. I’m an emotional rollercoster
at the moment, I’ll erupt and fly off the handle, throwing an epic tantrum. Then the tears come and I cry like a little bitch, like I totally am at the moment. It’s always something small; something insignificant that sets me off and I become cray cray.

  Like just now, all Memphis did was ask when he and the guys needed to go for their final suit fitting. My blood began to boil as his words registered, and then I snapped. My head turned toward him. My eyes narrowed and I glared at him. My jaw clenched. I could feel the ager simmering below the surface, and then I lost my shit. Screaming like an irrational banshee for asking one simple question.

  This wedding is completely stressing me out—why didn’t I listen to his suggestion and elope? Because I’m stupid, that’s why, a big stupid Bridezilla. Stupid me wanted the big wedding. The beautiful dress. The stunning sunset ceremony followed by an out of this world reception. What I didn’t count on was Bridezilla rearing her ugly stupid face and ruining it all, possibly ruining Memph and me before we get our happily ever after. At the rate I’m going, I’m going push the one person in the whole entire universe who means everything to me away, and I’ll be left alone.

  The mattress next to me dips and I feel his hand on my back, gently rubbing soothing circles into my muscles. The action is exactly what I need right now. His gentle touch causes my body to relax and the tension begins to seep away. Moving my head to the side, I gaze up at my fiancé and sadly smile through my tears. “I’m so sorry, babe, I didn’t meant to flip out…again.”

  “It’s okay, Hart,” he says with a smile.

  “No! It’s not,” I snap. Sniffing in an unladylike manner before I sit up and cross my legs. Staring at the duvet cover, I wipe the back of my hand across my snotty nose. “I’ve turned into Bridezilla—”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” he soothes, trying to calm me, but in the process pissing me off further.

  Glaring at him, I snarl, “Don’t lie to me, asshole.” SNIFF. “I’m THE bitch of all bitches right now. Anything and everything and everyone piss me off.” SNIFF. “Everything is going wrong.” SNIFF. “And now, you are going to leave me three weeks before our wedding,” SNIFF, “because I’m a psycho bride-to-be and then,” SNIFF, “I’ll have to cancel everything we have planned and…and—” I lose it. My body shudders and I completely break down. It’s a total tears and snotfest. It’s not a pretty sight.

  Lifting my hands to my face, I cry into my palms. My body shaking violently with each new sob. Collapsing back into the bed, I stare at the ceiling above and sigh in frustration. I’m frustrated because I don’t know where this anger and unease is coming from. I’m normally cool, calm, and collected—well, except for when it’s that time of the month—no woman is sane during shark week. This crazy person is not me. I don’t recognize this person; she’s not me and I hate feeling like this, but I have no control at the moment. Bridezilla rears her grouchy head whenever she feels like going on a rampage.

  “Babe,” he says, lying down next to me as he slides his hand under my body and pulls me onto my side and into his chest. “I’m not going anywhere, and we are not cancelling anything.” He places a kiss on my head. With that one kiss, all my frustrations dissipate. I feel THE connection that’s always been there. The one that will not allow anything to tear us apart…especially not bitchzilla and her stupid face.

  Rolling over onto my belly, I glance over to him and stare into his gorgeous honey-colored eyes. The very eyes that have mesmerized me since I first saw him back in sophomore year. Back when I was a sweet, innocent sixteen-year-old girl without a care in the world. Lifting my arm, I cup his cheek in my palm. “I love you, Memph, and I’m so sorry about everything.”

  “No need to apologize. We just need to hurry up and get hitched so I can whisk you away to Bora Bora. Where I will have my wicked way with you daily for ten whole days.”

  “You’ll leave me before then.” I pause. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me at the moment.” I whine as I roll to my belly and press my head into the mattress, trying to suffocate myself and end this disaster before it becomes Armageddon.

  Memphis runs his fingers through my hair, I turn my head to him and watch. “Babe, planning a wedding is stressful, but I promise you, it will all work out. Soon you will be Mrs. Memphis Shawe and all of this will be behind us. In fifty years, we will sit back and laugh about Bridezilla and her outbursts.” He trails his finger down my cheek. “Now, we have two options. Option one, I fuck you right now. Option two, we finalize the last of our ‘to-do’ list together so everything is laid out and ready…and then I fuck you.”

  “Or…” I offer as I sit up and cross my legs next to him. “Option three.” I run my fingers up his chest, “Fuck me now, we sort it out the list, and then you fuck me again.”

  He taps his lip as if he’s contemplating my suggestion. He nods his head and grins at me. “I think I like your counteroffer and I am happy to accept option three.” He pauses. “See, I knew I was marrying the perfect woman for me, and your option, right there, solidly confirms that.” He sits up and leans forward, placing his lips against mine. Closing my eyes, I lose myself in this kiss. Any and all thoughts of the wedding and Bridezilla fade away. All of my anxieties and frustrations with the world vanish. It’s replaced with lust and carnal hunger for the man currently fucking my mouth with his tongue.

  He breaks our kiss and stares hungrily at me. He murmurs, “Let’s fuck.”

  Climbing off the bed, I grin at him as I stand beside it. I stare at him as I hook my fingers in the top of my pants and I pull them and my G-string down in one fluid motion. Kicking them to the side, I grab the hem of my shirt and lift it over my head. Dropping it on top of my discarded pants, I reach behind my back and unclasp my bra. Slowly, I lower the straps down my arms. My eyes are locked on Memphis. His eyes are glued to my chest. Tossing my bra, I stand naked before him. He licks his lips. His eyes darken with lust. Lifting my hands, I begin to massage my breasts. Squeezing my nipples between my thumb and forefinger, I close my eyes as the sensation of what I’m doing flows through my body. Dropping my head back, I moan as the pleasurable pain from squeezing my nipples shoots straight between my legs.

  Opening my eyes, I look down at Memphis. He’s now sitting on the edge of our bed, stroking himself through his shorts. The air around us is thick and filled with lust. Dropping to my knees, I crawl toward him. Nudging his hand away, I flick the button on his shorts open, pull down his zipper, and slide my hand inside. Gripping his cock over his briefs, I begin to squeeze and stroke him.

  Our eyes are locked on one another as I continue to slide my hand up and down his dick. Tapping his thigh, he lifts up and I tug his shorts and briefs down his toned and tattooed legs. He leans back on his arms and watches intently as I stroke him, his eyes full of fire and sexual hunger. Leaning forward, I lick my lips before I place a kiss on the tip of his fat, rigid cock. Opening my mouth, I wrap my lips around the bulging head and suck. My cheeks pucker and I lower myself down until the tip hits the back of my throat. We groan together. Wetness and arousal builds between my thighs but my needs can wait. Before I can relieve myself, I need to pleasure my soon-to-be-husband and make up for my meltdown earlier.

  Gripping the base of his dick, I squeeze and stroke as I continue to suck the tip. With my other hand, I begin to massage his balls. “Fuck, babe, that feels amazing,” he moans, our eyes still locked on one another. His balls tighten in my palm and I know he’s close. I increase the pressure of my sucks, when suddenly; Memphis pushes me off him. “Not like this, I want you to ride me as I come in your pussy.”

  He shuffles back on the bed, I climb up and straddle him. Leaning back, I run my fingertip down my chest. Circling my breasts before dipping down between my legs. Circling my clit, I moan. My gaze is locked on him but his eyes are focused on my finger. Sliding my finger up and down my folds, I slide two inside, moaning as my fingers slip in and out.

  Memphis lifts his gaze and we stare at one another. He sits up, wraps his arm
s around me, and kisses me deeply. Removing my finger, I drape my arms around his neck. Our lips press together in a heated, carnal kiss. Lifting my hips, I line myself up, and gently slide down his cock. We both moan in delight as I seat myself on him. Rocking my hips back and forth, we fall into a steady rhythm. From this angel, I can rub my clit with each rock. My body begins to tingle all over. My orgasm builds quickly. I’m ready to explode any minute now.

  “Come for me, baby. I can feel your walls tightening around my cock.” He lifts his hand and pinches my nipple. That is all I need to crash over into the abyss. My body shuddering as pleasure courses throughout me. A guttural moan slips from my lips. With one final clench of my pussy, Memphis’ orgasm follows. He comes inside of me and we ride out the rest of our climax together, with our eyes locked on one another.

  Tightening my arms around his shoulders, I pull him closer to me. We stay wrapped in each other’s embrace for a few moments. The only sound in the room: our hurried breathing and the waves crashing on the nearby shore.