When it’s right, you just know it.

“I promise, darlin’. They’ll work it out. Give them some time. They’re just like their momma and daddy.”

I burst out laughing and roll my eyes. “Is that right?”

I have to admit hearing Cain refer to us as Momma and Daddy does funny things to my stomach ... my heart, too. I could get used to that.

“Oh yeah,” he says as he trails open-mouthed kisses down my neck. “You see, Biz tries to give Eddie all the attention, and she’s just not having it. Her feisty little ass pushes him away at every turn. Sound familiar?”

I jump when he nips my earlobe, and goose bumps erupt on my skin as his breath tickles my neck. “Vaguely,” I whisper.

“Uh huh. I thought so.” He releases my hands and my fingers thread through his blond curls. He tugs my tank top up to my neck and takes one of my nipples into his mouth. He releases it with a pop and grins at me. “Then she’ll give him an inch … just a tiny inch, though. He’ll feel like he’s the king of the world, but sadly, it’ll be short-lived. Eddie will swipe the rug out from under him, yet again.”

“She’s finicky that way,” I stutter as his fingers curl under the waistband of my panties and pull down … down … down.

“Yes, yes she is.” I’m not sure if he’s talking about Eddie or me, but I forget to care when he slides up my legs and places a luscious lick between my legs. “And that’s when Biz will decide he’s had enough. He doesn’t need Eddie anyway.”

He keeps talking, seemingly unaffected, while I lay here writhing … panting.

“He doesn’t need her?”

“At least that’s what he’s gonna tell himself while ignoring the hell out of her.”

He lines his body up with mine, his shaft sliding effortlessly between my legs. My wetness offers an exquisite amount of friction to his thrusts. He stops mid-slide when a blood-curdling yelp echoes through the apartment.

“I’d say they are definitely still in the pushing away phase,” I say with a giggle that dies away as the tip of his cock pushes at my entrance. “Eddie won’t like being ignored.”

“No, she won’t like it at all. She’ll miss Biz’s masculine prowess and animalistic sex appeal.”

“Uh huh. She’ll miss the hell out of him,” I say. It’s the best answer I can muster as he slowly, deliciously works his tip in and out of my body. The more I push my body forward, the more he backs away. I love it and hate it in equal measures. “Cain, I need you now. Please…”

“That’s what Eddie’s gonna say. Just you watch, Tink.”

He keeps teasing … taunting…

“Cain?”

“Yeah?”

I pull his face down to mine and narrow my clouded eyes at him. “If you don’t take me deep right this very second, I swear I’m joining Eddie’s army for World War III.”

“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?”

In one smooth motion, he drives in to the hilt, ending my sweet torture. His corded muscles remain still, tension rippling through his body. All the energy, adoration, and passion filters through his gorgeous green eyes as he gazes at me. His long lashes flutter as his forehead falls to mine.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

“For what?”

“For choosing to share your life with me.”

Happy tears threaten to fall as I press my lips to his.

“Thank you for making it worth living.”

With full hearts and overwhelming need, we both succumb to the exquisite storm within us.

With each book, writing acknowledgments gets more and more difficult. My list of gratitude grows and my ability to say goodbye to my characters becomes unbearable. Saying “thank you” marks the end of Storms Over Secrets, and I’m in no way ready to say goodbye. Cain and Celia weaved their way into my heart like no other characters have. The only thing keeping the tears at bay is that I have one more book to write in The Over Series. Although the book is complete, their story will continue, even if it’s in the background.

I owe thanks to so many people, and this list is in no way exhaustive. There is no way to thank everyone who has helped me on this journey, but I’ll certainly give it a shot. I’m emotional and a bit weepy, so please forgive me any inadvertent omissions.

A big thank you to my husband and my professor for understanding the endless hours spent sitting in front of the computer. Thank you for your patience and enduring the ever-present stench of coffee that follows me around. That’s the price I pay for being a coffee shop writer. A million thanks to my parents for the sleepovers, fishing trips, and swimming so the professor didn’t die of boredom while I penned Celia and Cain’s story.

To the best beta readers a girl could ask for, hands down. You pushed, you questioned, you challenged, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Roxie, the ultimate beta fairy, thank you for your attention to detail and perspective. You always see what I can’t, and I thank you for that. But most of all, I thank you for your friendship. Casey, this wouldn’t be near as much fun without you. Thank you for being my sounding board and telling me when I need to slow it down, sex it up, or start from scratch. I hope to be sitting with you thirty years from now, in our rocking chairs, sporting our romance novels with Fabio on the cover, and shooting the breeze. Kristy, here we go for round three! I can’t imagine what it would be like if I never sent that PM. I’m so grateful to have met you. Natasha, thank you for being the push I need. So many times, I wanted to procrastinate, and all I could think was “Natasha’s gonna kill me.” I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you were relentless. One person at a time, right?

To my wonderful editor, Madison Seidler, proofreader, Alexis Durbin, formatter, Julie Titus, and cover designer, Regina Wamba, I truly appreciate all of your time and dedication. Thank you, Daniela, for making such amazing graphics and bringing my story to life. You’ve all been wonderful resources, and I’m so happy I found such wonderful people to work with. Your professionalism and hard work help me breathe easy when I press publish, and I can’t put a price on that feeling.

To the fabulous Indie Chicks Rock girls—thank you for the advice, the encouragement, and the endless shenanigans. I truly appreciate your friendship and feel blessed to have such a great support system. Indie Chicks Rock!!

To all the amazing bloggers and book clubs who take the time to review and post, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kind words and efforts have meant the world to me. You all are the heart of this indie community, and I’m so appreciative of every post, review, and comment.

To my late night cheerleaders, thank you for the laughs and writing fuel. Laura, Tracey, Sanzana, Kristy, and so many more, nothing brings a smile to my face more than talking with you ladies. Your friendship means the world to me.

To the amazing ladies in my Jezebel group, thank you so much for your friendship, encouragement, and support. I love this group so much. We are sassy, sexy, highly inappropriate, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This fun little group has become my safe place, and I thank you for that.

To all of the wonderful readers out there, I hope Celia and Cain grab you and don’t let go. That’s exactly what they did to me, and I hope you feel that when you read. Every message or comment I receive from a reader is the most amazing gift. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my stories—there is no greater compliment. I’ll keep writing as long as there’s someone listening.