Prologue

PROLOGUE

NOVEMBER FOWLER

On the morning of my Freshman Orientation at Delaware University. I met a man. He was tall, with red hair and a chiseled jawline. He exuded an air of confidence that drew me in immediately. I wasn't expecting to fall in love, but he swept me off my feet with his charming smile and smooth words. However, it didn’t feel like he was using recycled lines on me—lines he’s used a thousand times before.

When he asked me out earlier today, I was hesitant. I had just gotten to college and wasn't sure if I was ready for a relationship. I mean, my first class isn’t even until tomorrow morning, but I kept seeing him all over campus as if he were purposely crossing my path. The second time he asked me out, I said yes. His alumni event went long, so he was still on campus after my orientation and tour ended. They say God works in mysterious ways, and I’m inclined to agree.

Now, as I stand in front of my dorm room mirror, trying on different dresses, I can't help but think of Lincoln Hughes. Despite growing up in Wilmington and my parents living less than ten miles from campus, all freshmen must live on campus. I think it’s a crass money grab, but rules are rules, and I’m a good girl. I follow all the rules.

I settled into my dorm room and introduced myself to my suitemates, Micah, Jonah, and Elise. We’re all freshmen. When I said I had no preference on my roommates, I didn’t realize it would be co-ed, but it’s too late now. All quad dorms are two males and two females in four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and one shared kitchen space. For forced housing, of course, I chose the cheapest option available. I had to. I’m here on a scholarship. I have to be frugal. I’m currently working two jobs, and I’ve earned my place here. Becoming a lawyer is something I’ve worked for my whole life, but it’s not necessarily what I want to do with my life, but that’s a problem for another day.

Once I unpacked my suitcase, I looked him up online to ensure he wasn’t a creep. I discovered that he is the current Vice President of Continental Couture, a fashion empire. It was no wonder he had such impeccable style and charm.

As I settle on a light blue silky tank and dark jeans, my heart flutters excitedly. None of the dresses I brought from home look right… look perfect. Lincoln is picking me up for our date, and I can't wait to spend more time with him. I've thought about him all afternoon. He’s so freaking hot. He looks like a younger version of Eric Stoltz, which is strange since he has always been my dream guy because he was in two of my favorite movies, Little Women and Some Kind of Wonderful .

I should be nervous about this date, but I'm not. Something about Lincoln sets me at ease as if we were meant to be together. I can't wait to see where this evening will take us. I meet him out on the quad because non-students aren’t allowed in the dorms at any time.

“You look beautiful, baby,” he says, leading me off campus to his car.

Dinner and dancing led us back to his place, a condo downtown. Inside, he closes the door behind us, and I slip out of my shoes while he does the same. Then he presses me against the door, and I regret wearing jeans tonight. I wish I had a skirt on or, better yet, nothing at all right now. I want his hands on me. I want to be pleased by him, and I want to please him. He kisses me roughly and then suddenly stops. He kneels down in front of me, slowly unbuttons my jeans, and peels them down my legs. I step out of them while holding onto his shoulders.

“Are you sure you want to do this? Once we do this, you’re mine forever,” he warns me.

“I want to do this. I want you,” I reply, knowing full well that men say whatever they have to get laid. But for once, I’m going to do what I want when I want; consequences be damned.

He pulls my panties down my legs, then lifts one of my legs up and places it on his shoulder without another word. Before I can say anything else, he licks my clit and then sucks on it just hard enough to make me moan. Then he sucks my pussy lips into his mouth. I’ve never been so wet or felt so alive. I’m on fire, and at this moment, I feel like I’ll never be lonely again.

“You taste so fucking good,” he groans before doing it again. And again. And again. Slumping back against the door, I let him do whatever he wants to do to me. His fingers grip my thighs, and I just know they are going to bruise. My fingers grip his hair as I feel my orgasm coming out of nowhere… pun intended.

“Linc!” I shout as I come. He moves up my body and kisses me. Then he lifts me up into his arms and carries me to the bed. I strip off my shirt and bra while he takes his clothes off. My mouth drops open when I see how big his cock is. He’s going to rip me in half, but I know I’m going to love it, I think as he climbs onto the bed. He strokes his big dick, and my mouth waters. Oh, God. Yes.

Everything is moving so fast for us, but I just want more from him, so I open my legs for him. He places the tip of his cock at my drenched opening and pauses. Leaning down, he sucks on my nipples before kissing me again.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, November.” All I can do is moan as he dips into me and then pulls back out. “So tight, so wet.”

Then he drives into me, breaking through my virginity. A moment of panic hits me. Should I have told him? I scream, not so much in pain but in shock. I gave away everything I was saving for my husband without a second thought. He made me feel like a queen, and he’s given me everything. I look up at him; his mouth is thin, and his eyes are wide. “Move. Please,” I whimper, but he doesn’t.

“Fuck, baby. I didn’t know. I shouldn’t have been so rough.”

“You couldn’t have known,” I murmur, brushing his hair out of his eyes. He looks so vulnerable right now.

“You’re mine now,” he tells me, and my pussy clenches involuntarily. “You like the idea of being mine? That’s fucking good, November. Real good,” he says, leaning closer to my ear. His breathing is harsh and ragged, just like mine is. “You’re it for me. I’ll never fuck another woman again.” My pussy does that clenching thing again, and my ovaries pretty much explode at his declaration. It doesn’t even cross my mind that this is a line. I don’t think this man does lines. It’s his eyes. They are kind and truthful.

“I…I like that,” I decide. What is wrong with me? I just met this man, and I shouldn’t be agreeing to anything so rash, but I want to. I want him for more than just tonight.

“Marry me,” he growls.

“What? You don’t even know me,” I say, wanting to say yes more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.

“I’d say I know you better than anyone else ever will,” he says, chuckling. I roll my eyes, but he’s not wrong. He might be first, but at this moment, I know he’s my last, too. My only. My always.

“Are you going to finish fucking me?” I ask instead of answering him. My pussy quivers in anticipation. I can’t believe he wants to marry me.

“Are you going to be my wife?”

“That’s extortion,” I moan as he flexes his hips, making his cock jump and pushing into me further.

“Have me arrested,” he says, smirking down at me.

“Fine. Yes. I’ll marry you,” I reply. This will either be the worst thing or the best thing ever happening to me—no in-between.

“Good girl,” he says, grinning at me. Then he begins to pound into me. I thought he’d pull out or something, but instead, he comes inside of me. I’m not on birth control—I’ve never needed it. I feel his hot release branding my insides. Why do I love that so much? Over and over, he commands my body in ways I didn’t think was possible. I didn’t think anything like this was possible. You can’t fall in love in two hours, can you? I didn’t think it was possible, but it has to be.

All night long, he takes me to newfound heights of pleasure until I fall asleep. When my alarm goes off on my phone at six-thirty, it wakes me from the most delicious dream I’ve ever had. My eyes pop open; the sun is shining into the room. Lincoln is still lying beside me, with his arm draped over his eyes.

“Where are you going so early?” he groans.

“Ugh, I have political science at eight.” I don’t want to go, but I know that I will.

“I’ll get dressed and we’ll get breakfast before I drop you off at campus.”

“I can just get a ride share.”

“Not happening. I brought you here, and I’ll take you back. Speaking of, I’ll be picking you up after your last class.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“If you think I can sleep alone after last night, you’re sadly mistaken, my love.”

“Your love?”

“You know I love you. I must have told you a hundred times last night.”

“I didn’t think you meant it.”

“That’s the thing about me, baby. I don’t say things I don’t mean. Now get dressed, you need to eat before your first day.”

“Fine,” I say, leaning over and kissing him.

Lincoln Hughes was unexpected. He is larger than life, and he’s shown me things I never thought I’d see in only six weeks. Now he’s asked me to be his wife, and what else could I do but say yes…