Burned Hearts (40 page)

Ari gave me a coy smile. “Leaked all over Mother's ecru-colored Prada dress to be exact.”

“Gross!”

“I swear, it was practically on-cue! I knew he was a little gassy before we arrived. Was sort of banking on it, to be honest, since he'd just had a bottle.”

“Remind me not to piss you off. Like, ever.”

“Precisely.”

“What was the reaction?”

“Picture, if you will, the ladies who lunch all prim and proper, sipping their Cristal and planning their summer wardrobe during the fashion show. The smell wafting their way was disturbing enough. But Mother … Wow. She pitched a temper tantrum the likes of which I have never seen—right there in front of Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, and everyone.”

“Did you take the GoPro with you?” I had to ask.

“Damn, didn't think of it. Wouldn't that have been something? I could have uploaded the video to YouTube.”

Okay, so she had the same warped mind as I did. Maybe that was why we were such great friends.

Ari continued. “I very sweetly let her know there'd be more to come if she didn't leave us all the fuck alone. I could see my tone scared her, but clearly the threat of baby poop or vomit—and the damage to her reputation when she threw her snit fits—trumps it all.”

“You're kind of … disgusting, Ari. Anyone ever mention that?”

“I just homed in on
her
weakness.”

“Okay, maybe ingenious.” I gave this some thought and added, “You get props.”

She searched around the immediate area, as though looking for something soft to throw at me.

“Come on,” I said. “I'm in Armani. You don't want to ruin the tux.”

“Consider yourself off the hook for the moment. But I'd sleep with one eye open, if I were you.”

“I always do. I live under your husband's roof, after all.”

“And he's a little less menacing these days, right?”

“Yeah. Right,” I deadpanned.

“Anyway, what do you think of the decorations?”

“Um … plentiful?” I ventured.

“Kyle!”

“They're great, Ari,” I assured her with a nod. “Really great.”

“Phew.”

I crossed to where she stood and pulled a small box out of the inside pocket of my tux. Handing it over, I said, “My wedding gift.”

“Kyle, you didn't have to do that.”

“I didn't get you one last time. And since I now hold a percentage of the Lux, I can definitely afford it.” An arrangement Dane had made for me, Rosa, and Amano. Quite generous of Dane, even I had to admit.

Ari took the box from me. “This is nice of you.”

“Don't get too excited. I'm not good at selecting gifts.”

“My dad said the same thing. He gave me these earrings.” She showed off the sparkly, dangly things that actually looked perfect with her gown.

“Not too bad,” I said with a head bob.

She opened my gift and gasped. Likely just for dramatic effect.

“Kyle, this is awesome!” She lifted the delicate chain from the velvet folds and held up the platinum and diamond–encrusted locket.

“Open it,” I quietly urged.

She did and another gasp filled the tent. A photo of Amsel was on one side, with his date of birth on the other. Not that she'd forget it or anything. I just didn't know what else to include.

“It's perfect,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Well, it's not the Hope Diamond or anything, so don't get all weepy on me.”

“It's better than the Hope Diamond, you ass.”

I gave a half snort. “Nice to see your sense of sarcasm is still intact.”

“Always. Help me put it on.” She swept a hand under the thick mass of curls that cascaded between her shoulder blades, and I latched the necklace. She admired it in the mirror and said, “A ring from Dane instead of a bracelet this time, earrings from my dad, a family heirloom from Amano—blue, no less—and a necklace from you that has a photo of Amsel. That covers the bases of all my favorite men.”

I lightly kissed her cheek. “Happy second-wedding day.”

She laughed. “A mulligan.”

“I did call it a redo.”

“So better luck to us all this time around.”

“I think we're in for a pleasant surprise. No more bad guys.”

“No more bad guys.”

Tamera came back to fetch me, so I said to Ari, “Don't trip in those skyscraping shoes on your way down the aisle.”

“I think I can handle it. Outpatient rehab for my leg at your aunt's retreat has done wonders.” She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “And you are the best friend,
ever
.”

“Go get married.” I rolled my eyes. “Again.”

ari

I thought it'd be different this time around.

As though having all these people here to watch Dane and me joined in holy matrimony would make it more significant. As if all the decorations and the incredibly gorgeous courtyard of 10,000 Lux would
really
solidify our marriage.

I remembered when Dane had proposed the first time and had then told me it'd have to be a small, private affair no one outside our circle could know about. I'd been upset because, yes, as a bridal consultant, I wanted to plan my own picture-perfect wedding.

More than that, though, I'd wanted the entire world to know I was marrying the most devilishly handsome, amazingly tempting man on the planet.

But as my father had walked me down the creekside aisle that magical night, I hadn't even noticed the decorations or the guests. I was grateful for it all, of course. Yet the only thing I saw was what awaited me at the end of that aisle.

The only person I saw was Dane.

So breathtaking.

And all mine.

This time around was really no different, as my father escorted me toward the altar on the spectacular grounds of the recently launched 10,000 Lux.

“Breathe, sweets,” he whispered beside me.

“Dane's just so perfect.”

“And you're already married to him, so…?”

“Dad,” I said on a rush of air, my heart fluttering at the sight of what I walked toward. A future that finally shone bright.

“Fine.” My father guided me to that coveted spot in front of my dear friend Tamera and then kissed me on the cheek.

Rosa sat on the end of the first row of chairs, with Amsel in her arms. I flashed my son a smile and gave him a little wave. In return, I believe he gave me his first fist pump.

Go, team Bax!

Then I faced Dane. My dad placed my hand in my husband's.

Amano, not quite fully healed, though no one would ever guess it by the way he carried himself, stood beside Dane. As did Jackson Conaway, once more.

Tamera started the ceremony and, as was the case last time, I barely heard a word. My entire focus, my full attention, was on Dane. And vice versa.

We exchanged vows and he slipped the mammoth skating rink he'd picked out for me onto my finger. Because now we weren't worried about who knew we were married. There were no more threats. Not to the Lux and not to us.

I admired the huge diamond, as did Tamera—with a gaping mouth.

“That is ginormous,” she whispered.

“Ari deserves something spectacular,” Dane whispered back.

I shook my head and said, “That adjective does not do this ring justice.”

“Enjoy it.” He smirked.

“If you say so.” I beamed up at him and added, “By the way, I'd like to convert one of the extra bedrooms into another nursery.”

His jaw fell slack. But he quickly recovered. “You're not—”

“Not yet. But I'd like to be.”

Dane grinned.

Then Tamera said to him, “You may now kiss your soon-to-be pregnant bride.”

I was pretty sure my dad squirmed uncomfortably as the scorching kiss went on and on. I didn't care.

When Dane and I finally came up for air, Tamera made her grand announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Dane Bax.”

And with that, the whole world knew we belonged to each other.

For the rest of our lives.

 

also by
calista fox

burned deep

flash burned

 

about the author

Calista Fox
is a former PR professional, now writing fast-paced, steamy books to set your pulse racing! Her debut St. Martin's Griffin trilogy opened with
Burned Deep
and concludes with a new fourth book, starring the trilogy's secondary hero! She has won many reviewers' and readers' choice awards, as well as best book awards and other competitions with publication as first prize. Calista is a past president/advisor of the Phoenix chapter of the Romance Writers of America national organization. Visit her at
www.calistafox.com
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