Happily Ever After

By Jennifer Gracen

Former bad boy Pierce Harrison is ready to tie the knot—if his wealthy family doesn’t tie him in knots first—in this Harrisons romance novella.

The prodigal son of the wealthy Harrison family, Pierce Harrison’s wedding to lovely schoolteacher Abby McCord promises to be extraordinary—from the lavish Hamptons resort where the family is gathering to the ocean views where the couple will say their vows. Conspicuously absent are the groom’s estranged parents—who nonetheless seem poised to ruin Pierce and Abby’s big day . . .

Pierce’s siblings, Tess, Charles and Dane have pulled together to protect their brother from their meddling parents. But Pierce’s wounds run so deep that he begins to wonder if it’s really possible for someone like him to have the kind of happiness that’s meant to last a lifetime. Will he realize that he’s the only one standing in his way before Abby walks down the aisle?

This eBook edition includes a teaser chapter of the next Harrisons novel, Between You and Me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Release date: Jun 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781420146196

Jennifer Gracen

Jennifer Gracen hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two young sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and has fully embraced her lifelong passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance and romantic women’s fiction for readers who yearn for better days, authentic characters, and satisfying endings. When she isn’t taking care of her kids, doing freelance copy editing/proofreading, reading, or talking to friends on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She’s shocked her family hasn’t yet staged an intervention for her addiction to social media. But the concerts she gives in her car and the dance parties she has in her kitchen are rumored to be fabulous.

Book preview

America

Chapter One

Pierce Harrison looked around with something he’d only gotten used to feeling since he’d met Abby McCord: content satisfaction. It was a bone-deep, easy warmth, that contentment and sureness . . . and now the only person who’d ever enabled him to feel that way was about to become his wife.

He’d promised he’d give her the wedding of her dreams, and it seemed like it was going to be. So far, anyway. Everything had gone pretty smoothly, without much of the typical wedding planning drama he’d heard about from others. He’d simply given Abby carte blanche to do whatever she wanted. Being a millionaire had its benefits at times like these.

But his woman was no diva, and her friends and family were as down-to-earth as she was. There were times Pierce had actually had to insist that Abby choose the more expensive option if it was something she really liked, be it the entrée choices at the reception or the flowers for the tables. Abby had made his world a better place; he wanted her to have the wedding she wanted.

They’d gotten engaged the previous Thanksgiving, high on a mountain in Sedona. After a morning hike up the red rocks, under a crisp blue sky, he’d dropped to his knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. Thankfully, she’d said yes and thrown her arms around him so hard, he’d fallen off balance and they’d gone crashing to the ground. They’d laughed and kissed and held each other in the red dirt, happy beyond measure. Every time he thought of it, he smiled again, infused with love.

The past nine months had flown by. She’d asked for an August wedding because she was a first-grade teacher and a summer wedding and honeymoon meant she wouldn’t miss even a day of work. It made sense. But that was Abby: sensible, focused, smart . . . how Pierce had gotten someone like her to fall in love with someone like him, he sometimes still didn’t know, but he thanked his lucky stars every day. This strong, grounded woman had seen past his bad-boy reputation, not cared about his tumultuous history—both in the English tabloids and within his own family—and seen the real him . . . the decent man he’d never realized was inside him until he met her.

Now he stood on the terrace of the bridal suite of the lavish, elegant Oceanview Hotel and Resort, drinking a bottle of his favorite IPA while admiring the panoramic view from seven floors up. Located in Westhampton, on the eastern end of Long Island, the five-star resort boasted magnificent lawns and grounds, with the beach and Atlantic Ocean fanning out only a few hundred feet beyond. He and Abby had arrived half an hour before, his idea. It was Wednesday afternoon and things were quiet. He wanted the two of them to have some time alone before all the friends and family descended.

There would be more than 120 guests coming to the wedding, most of whom were staying in the hotel at the resort. A select few—his older brother Charles and his family, for example—had rented some of the eight luxurious guest cottages on the property. The rehearsal dinner was Friday night and the wedding was Saturday evening. Afterward, there’d be a bonfire on the beach for the after-party and a brunch on Sunday morning . . . a long, busy weekend of celebration. Pierce had wanted to savor the last bit of calm before the storm.

Out on the terrace, he stared out at the ocean for a while, thinking about how different his life was now than it’d been before. Two years ago this month, he’d returned to Long Island with his life in shreds. Since leaving his professional football career in tatters and leaving England altogether, life in New York had been the 180-degree turn he’d desperately needed.

He had bought partial ownership of the New York professional soccer team and gotten immersed in management there. He was heavily involved in the Edgewater Soccer Club, the local kids’ league where he’d first met Abby. It was his way of giving back. Along with coaching and giving clinics, he’d been asked to join their board of directors for the new season and accepted, knowing he could make a difference. His relationships with his two older brothers had not only improved but he felt close to them, almost as solid as his always-strong bond with his sister, Tess. He spent time with his nephews and nieces . . . he was truly part of the family at long last, and it was more satisfying than he’d ever thought it could be.

And, of course, there was Abby. Loving her, and being loved by her, had been the single best thing that had ever happened to him. They now lived in a lovely four-bedroom house in Edgewater, right on the Sound, and only half a mile from her parents’ house—which was what they’d wanted, for whenever the family needed babysitting help for her nephew, Dylan. Abby loved her job as a first-grade teacher, still volunteered as a soccer coach for Dylan’s team, and was involved in community activities. Pierce couldn’t be prouder of her or more in love with her, and that just seemed to grow with every day.

If someone had told him two years before that this was what his life would be like, he would’ve laughed in their face. Small-town living? Getting married? No way.

He’d felt alone and misunderstood for most of his life. He’d acted out and rebelled in every way, even leaving the country altogether for over a decade. He’d found fame and fortune in England, living the fast life until he’d crashed and burned. And still, somehow, he’d ended up back on Long Island, with the support of his family, a career he enjoyed, and an amazing, special woman at his side. His life was richer, better, and so different from what he’d envisioned for himself. He was the last guy in the world he’d thought would have a happy ending . . . yet it was happening for him.

A soft breeze off the water ruffled the front of his dark hair, and he narrowed his eyes at the crashing waves, out to the horizon beyond. On the other side of that ocean was the life he’d left behind. He was very lucky to be where he was now, and he knew it. Small, quiet miracles . . .

He tipped back another swallow of beer, set the bottle down on the little glass table, and went back inside the bridal suite. It was elegant and lavish, all whites, taupe, glass, and chrome. A big, soft couch and plush armchairs, a tremendous flat-screen TV, a small bar in the corner . . . but no fiancée. Abby?

Back here, she called from the bedroom.

Was she still unpacking? Pierce crossed the wide front room to find out. The carpet was blissfully lush beneath his bare feet. He peeked into the bedroom to find her bent over as she rustled through a suitcase on the floor. The back of her pale blue tank dress lifted a little, showing the backs of her legs. Unable to resist, he moved in behind her, gripped her hips, and rubbed himself against her. The feel of her soft, sweet ass against his cock stirred his blood.

Oh! she gasped, rising up and whirling around in the circle of his arms. She laughed, her dark blue eyes sparkling as she wrapped her arms around his neck. You’re naughty.

Damn right. He grinned and squeezed her ass, pressing her close. Blood surged south and he ground his pelvis against hers as he quipped, It’s one of the many reasons you’re marrying me.

Damn right. She grinned back, running her fingers through the back of his hair, which was a drop shorter than usual, freshly cut for the wedding. Her fingertips caressing him sent a little shiver over his skin. I’m so glad you wanted to do this. I mean, us getting here early, being alone today and tonight before the chaos takes over . . . She brushed her lips against his and smiled warmly. Even driving out here with you—the windows down, the scenery, just the quiet of it—was a pleasure. Thank you for thinking of it. She kissed him, long and sweet, then looked into his eyes. He saw the deep affection there and it warmed his heart. "Thank you for everything, she whispered and kissed him a little harder this time. I love you."

I love you more. Pierce pressed his lips to hers, savoring the feel of her. Of her sweet mouth, her silky blond hair in his fingers, her warm body against his. This woman was everything. All he wanted to do this long, special weekend was show her how much she meant to him. Remind her that the coming chaos was about one single thing: them. And their love for each other. Edging her backward as they kissed, he lowered her onto the bed, himself on top of her.

Let’s get this wedding weekend started properly . . . he whispered in her ear, nipping the lobe before he worked his way down her neck with hot, openmouthed kisses. A low hum of pleasure floated from her as his hands glided over her body. "I