Page 28 of Dirty Fantasy

“I’d already made up my mind about what I wanted.”

“You are crazy, aren’t you?”

“Crazy about you, Ms. I Want Three Babies, Six Ducks, Eight Chickens, and a Husband Who Sings with Me and Makes All My Dirty Fantasies Come True.” He repeated her answer to that interview question almost verbatim.

“Oh my God … Mick. That was my answer.”

“Damn right. You were so sweet, so shiny, so honest and real. I knew I had to have you. I wrote that duet while you sang your ‘Sugar Pie.’ And I knew there was no way I was letting you get away.”

“So, the publicity stunt was …”

“A publicity stunt that fit my purpose perfectly. And look at us now.”

Warmth filled her chest. “Did you know my daddy proposed to my mama on their third date?”

His smile stretched his cheeks. “Really?”

She nodded. “They were married for thirty-nine years before he passed.”

“I’m sorry about your daddy.”

“Don’t be. He was a great man. He would’ve loved you.”

“Maybe, but what I know for sure is that he is gonna love how I take care of you. I love you, Tana. This life of ours is never gonna be normal, but you’ll never regret this, and I will do everything I can to make your life better every single day. That’s my promise to you.”

She moved into his arms and hugged him. “I love you, Mick. It doesn’t matter what happens next, as long as I’ve got you.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You wanna call your mama and tell her we’re getting married as soon as possible?”

“But what about the tour?”

“It’ll be one heck of a stop, won’t it?”

“You’re crazy.”

“Where you wanna go on our honeymoon? Graceland?”

She laughed. “I don’t care, as long as I’m with you.”

EPILOGUE

The First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge was standing room only.

As the organ played and Tana walked down the aisle, Mick knew this was the best decision he’d ever made.

The six ducks were already on his pond, and the eight chickens were roosting in their new henhouse he’d given Tana for a wedding present. He sang with her every chance he got, and he was working on those three babies too.

Their tour, plus some extra dates, had wrapped before the wedding. It had all worked out perfectly.

They were already knee deep in recording their new joint album and planning the launch of their Goin’ to the Chapel tour.

Life was sweet, and his sugar pie was even sweeter.

All dressed in white lace, she looked like a princess, with her long veil trailing behind her.

Mick teared up as he realized this was the very best day of his entire life, and the woman walking toward him was his life now.

Come what may, they’d enjoy the ride together and figure it out along the way.

In the front row, the late-night TV host gave him a thumbs-up and a wink.

Thank you, man. Thank you, God.

He sucked in a breath as he met Tana’s gray eyes.

Thank you, baby.

Now, all he had left was making all her dirty fantasies come true.

Facts were facts, and as she stopped in front of him, Mick Vines knew he was the luckiest man alive, bar none.

THE END