Captivated by Your Love (The Blue Heart Series Book 2) (16 page)

“Let me see that ring again.” Sydney grabbed my hand, her eyes lightened by the breathtaking sight while Destiny and Luciana stopped doing dishes to look as well. “It’s just stunning. Although I’m really upset with Justice, I don’t think he could have done a better job.” My ring caught the light and it glistened, casting rays of sparkles all over the room.

I brought my eyes down to my ring and looked at it adoringly; my belly took flight with tiny butterflies dancing around in it. I was married and my ring was absolutely gorgeous. He had told me that I could get whatever I wanted and I had actually picked out something smaller, but he had insisted I get this because my eye kept on wandering over to it as we looked through the large display of wedding rings and bands. I felt badly because I didn’t want him to spend so much but he assured me that was what he wanted to do. He had told me that he had been saving for the day he would meet the perfect woman and put a ring on her finger. It melted my heart knowing that woman was me and those butterflies continued to dance carelessly in my tummy.

Grabbing the pot from Destiny I set to drying it. I was helping out with the dishes after dinner. It was actually all of us ladies having a little girl time. The men were in the family room talking about sports and whatever else men talk about while Camden was playing video games.

I had such a good time with Camden today. I couldn’t be happier that he had accepted me as his stepmom and a warm smile curved up my lips just from thinking about it. We got along great before but today he was so much more open and loving with me. Throwing his arms around me and giving me little hugs here and there or raising his hands up and high fiving me when he won on a game. If he hadn’t approved of me, I didn’t think I would have known what I would have done. Him liking me meant the world to me. We only had him tonight but I couldn’t wait to spend more time with him. And just to think he could have had a little brother or sister had it not been for that bastard, Jensen. Placing my hand over my abdomen I felt the empty place beneath my hand and that emptiness crept up into my heart. My lips fell a little bit, however I quickly tried to recover as were talking about happy moments.

“So was he sweet when he proposed?” Destiny asked me, her eyes shining with hope. She was just as much a sucker for romance as I was. I really hoped that she would find a nice guy soon. It would be so much fun to do couples things together. If only I knew more guys here.

“He did get down on one knee.” I remembered him all demanding, crouching down on one knee in front of me after he had dragged me, almost kicking and screaming, by the hand out of the bar, my feet barely keeping up with him.

“That is so sweet. I’m proud of my son for at least doing that,” Luciana said to me.

“Well, you did raise a caveman.” There was a round of warm giggles from all of us. I think everyone in the family knew what he was like.

“Yes, darling, I know I sure did. He is so darn bossy.” She brought her eyes to me, concern filling them. “He does treat you well, I hope?”

“Ma, we fight all the time but when it’s good, it is really good. I love him so much.” My heart sputtered in my chest and my belly swarmed with butterflies just thinking about how much I loved him. Damn these butterflies, they sure were making an appearance today. I still felt like I needed to pinch myself at times to make sure this was real. Things had been such a whirlwind between us that I felt like I couldn’t keep up with the changes.

“Sounds like he swept you off your feet?” Destiny asked. “I wish some guy would sweep me off my feet.” Her lips set into a hard line and she cast her eyes down to the ground.

I looked at her, concern lacing my features. “You will have your time too, sweetie.” I set the pot down on the counter and then took my arm and swung it over her shoulder and gave her a one armed hug.

“Well, girls, it looks like we’re all done here,” Luciana said, then went over to the wine cabinet and grabbed another bottle. “Who is going to drink more wine with me?”

“You know I’m up for it, Ma,” Destiny said with a smile.

“Sure, I could go for another glass,” I offered.

“Well, you all know I can’t because I’m still breastfeeding.” Sydney’s lips formed a smile. She loved that intimate mommy-baby time.

It seemed that the four of us were all so very happy at the moment. I was so pleased that this evening had been as wonderful as it was. Yes, everyone was upset about Justice and my nuptials but they quickly recovered. I still hadn’t told my parents and I feared what it was going to be like when they found out. They were very cool and liberal though so I guess it could go either way.

“Syd, I’m glad to see Lucy is feeling better today.” I was so happy that she was her old self tonight. No fever, thank goodness. She was full of smiles and cooing. I could hear her sounds from the other room at the moment.

“Yes, she scared me yesterday. That was the first time she had run a fever.” My heart yearned for what it must be like to be a mother and have a sick child, especially one that couldn’t form the words on their lips to tell you because they were too small to speak.

“Hey, what is my sexy bride doing?” Justice ate up the distance with long strides to get to me. He settled at my side, placing a kiss on my cheek.

I peered up at him through my lashes, batting my eyes. “Hi, handsome husband.”

“You two are so sickening sweet you are giving me a bellyache.” Destiny’s lips turned to a frown; she put her head down and walked out of the room. I looked at Justice with concern for my poor sister-in-law.

“I didn’t mean to upset her,” Justice told me, concern lacing his rich masculine voice. “I know it’s been hard with her recent break up.”

“She just needs a good man in her life, Justice, that’s all.”

“Or no man at all,” he growled.

Taking my hand, I swatted him on the chest. “Don’t be such a caveman. Your little sister is allowed to date, she is twenty one for goodness sakes.” I looked to Luciana and Sydney and they were both nodding in agreement.

“So while I’ve got you two here let’s talk about your reception I plan on throwing for the two of you,” Luciana addressed both Justice and me.

“Ma, I actually have a better idea.” Justice’s mouth formed a mischievous grin. Oh shit, I had to wonder what he was up to. No telling with him.

“You do.” I looked up to him curiously.

“Yes.” He brought his mouth down to my nose and placed a kiss on tip of it.

“Do tell us, darling?” Luciana asked.

“Well, I was thinking that we should go renew our vows in the Virgin Islands on the beach and then have a small reception.” He looked down at me and I brought my eyes up to his in awe of this amazing man. “You know, just family and close friends.”

Luciana clapped her hands and I couldn’t control the excitement that was spilling over from me. I bounced up and down on my toes with enthusiasm and a huge grin curved up my lips. This was going to be so much fun. My daddy would even be able to walk me down the aisle. My heart raced with sheer excitement and if Luciana’s smile was any indication, I could tell this pleased her as well. “That sounds wonderful,” she told him. “Okay, we need to set a date and you two need to pick an island.”

I took my hand and brought it to my mouth and tapped my fingers slightly over my lips, thinking about what I wanted. The wheels where spinning out of control in my head.

Justice looked down at me again. “Baby, you aren’t saying anything, what do you think?”

Rising up on my tiptoes, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly to my body. Placing a tender kiss on his cheek, I said, “Honey, that sounds amazing. Thank you so much.”

“Glad you like my idea.”

“I love it!” I couldn’t control the megawatt grin that curved up on my lips again. This man was so damn amazing. Yes, he drove me crazy a lot of the time, but this I could totally do.

I started thinking about what would be the ideal location. When I was a teenager my parents had taken me on a cruise and we had gone to several islands. My favorite of all of them was Trunk Bay in St. John. That would be the perfect location.

“I know where we should do it!” I said as the excitement filled my voice.

“Okay, please tell us.” They both looked at me expectantly.

“St. John. There is a lovely bay there called Trunk Bay and it would be the perfect setting. The water is the clearest most breathtaking blue I’ve ever seen in my life.” I looked up into Justice’s eyes and realized his crystal blue pools reminded me of the water.

“Wonderful. I’ve never been there but I’ve been to St. Thomas on a family vacation.” She looked to Justice. “You remember going there don’t you, Justice?”

“Yes, I do. It was one of the best damn vacations I’ve ever had.” Justice beamed as if remembering the times of playing in the water and soaking up the sun on the beach. He raised his hand to his beard and scratched it.

This time it was my turn to clap my hands. I brought my hands together and bounced up and down on my feet, elation beaming out of me. “Yay, it’s settled. We just need to look at dates.”

“I don’t want to wait long,” Justice told us.

“I don’t either,” I told him and nodded my head in agreement.

“Why don’t you two go home and figure out a date and then we can start making arrangements,” Luciana said to both of us. She hadn’t stopped smiling and I could tell she was really pleased. Nothing could erase the permanent grin that had formed on my face.

Justice growled beside me. “For the love of God why in the world are you growling now, Justice? This is a happy time.”

“We’re going to have to get you a moo moo to wear on the beach,” he said in complete seriousness, his face forming a stern look of concentration like he was really giving it a lot of thought.

I had to silently chuckle to myself. “A moo moo?”

“Yeah, you are not going on the beach in a bikini.” He growled again. Jesus, this man drove me crazy sometimes.

I placed my hands on my hip and just stared at him. The laughter had faded from my eyes because he was totally serious. “One, I’m not wearing a moo moo and two, I’m so going to wear a bikini and you are going to deal with it.” My stare penetrated his. “You can’t tell me what to wear.” I huffed out a breath. “You are not the boss of me!” My cheeks began to get hot as I felt the redness creeping into them. He had really pissed me off now.

“You know, I think this beach wedding is a bad idea,” he told us and I wanted to spit nails at him, literally.

“We are so going, Justice. You just need to get the hell over it.” I took my hand and slapped him on the chest. It wasn’t a hard slap, but it was enough to get his attention and know that I was serious as well. He had met his match today because there was no way I was going to back down.

“What the hell is that for?” He brought his hand up to his chest, slightly rubbing it and then looked at me with an expression I couldn’t entirely decipher.

“That is because you are being an ass.” I turned around from him and focused my attention on Luciana.

“Can you please do something with your son?” I asked her. I really needed some help here.

“Justice, you are being unreasonable,” she told him.

“Ma, no disrespect, but this is between Abbee and me,” he replied, and her mouth set into a hard line. She walked away from us. I suddenly realized we were all alone in the kitchen. Sydney had long ago disappeared and now he had just pissed of his mother. I tell you, this man had no limits.

“You know what? I’m going to buy the skimpiest bikini complete with a thong. I’m going to lather myself up in oil and then I’m going to strut my ass up and down that beach and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.” I pointed at him, the rage erupting from my voice as it grew higher and higher. I was pissed.

He growled again. “I’ve had enough of the growling, Justice. You…” I pointed at him, “need to just suck it up and deal with it. This is the way it is so going to be.”

I could see the fire in his eyes and the stony look on his face. He was just as pissed as I was but I wasn’t going to relent. Maybe I wouldn’t wear a thong but I’d be damned if he was going to tell me I couldn’t dress in a bikini.

“You are not going to win on this issue, Abbee.” His lips were set into a hard line.

“For the last time the name is Bee!” This man drove me insane. I didn’t know what I was thinking even marrying him. He thought he could control me. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my shaking hands and frazzled nerves; I felt like I could pull each fine hair out at any minute. What was I thinking? Of course I was happy to be married to him but he wasn’t going to tell me what to do.

“Abbee, you’re not wearing a bikini and that is final,” he told me as he stared into my eyes, they blazed with rage.

I was so over this conversation. “You know what, I’m done talking to you right now. There is just no reasoning with you.” I turned my head in the direction of the sounds that were coming from the family room. I could hear baby Lucy crying. “I’m done with this conversation.” I spun around on my heel and walked straight out of the room.

“Abbee.” I could hear my name leaving his lips. Lips that I didn’t know if I should kiss or bite at the moment. And when I say bite I didn’t mean in a sexy way. He had really pissed me off once again. I was worried that our entire future would be filled with fights like today. The only way I was going to be able to handle him was if I stood my ground with him always. Yes, he was bossy but I didn’t take shit off of anyone. I couldn’t say I was bossy but I knew what I wanted and was determined to get my way.

Justice ran after me. “Wait,” he pleaded.

I turned around, my face impassive. “What, Justice? Just leave me be.” I really needed to cool off. But I didn’t have time to cool off because I was heated in an entirely different way when his lips crashed to mine. He swept his tongue in my mouth and I fought with him for control as our tongues swept one another. It was deep and full of meaning. I think he was trying to apologize in that one kiss without having to use the words. I pulled away from him, a bit breathless.