Hidden Pleasures (15 page)

Four months later

G
alen glanced around the room at all the Steeles in attendance. The last time they’d all gotten together had been at Donovan’s wedding in New York. Now they’d all assembled here in Phoenix to watch the first of Drew’s boys take the plunge. And very happily, he might add.

Nikki had been Brittany’s bridesmaid and his father had been his best man. They’d wanted it simple and decided to have a wedding on the grounds of the home Brittany’s mother had left her. Brittany felt her mother’s presence there and wanted to start their life off surrounded by love.

“So, what were the nasty things you said to me when
I told you I was getting married?” his cousin Donovan said, pulling him out of his reverie.

Galen smiled. “Okay, that was before I knew better. Before I understood the power of love.” He glanced over to where Brittany stood with his mother and his heart expanded twice the size.

“You have a beautiful bride and I wish the two of you happiness always.”

“Thanks, Donovan.”

Deciding his mother had taken up enough of his wife’s time, Galen crossed the room and when Brittany glanced up and saw him, she smiled. She had been a beautiful bride and looked absolutely radiant. And when he opened his arms, she stepped into his embrace. They would be leaving later that day to fly to London where they would catch a ship for a twelve-day Mediterranean cruise.

“I love you, Mrs. Steele,” he whispered, holding her tight in his arms.

She smiled up at him. “And I love you.”

Over his shoulders he saw his mother eyeing his brothers, who seemed oblivious of her perusal. Galen knew exactly how their mother’s mind worked. She was thinking, “One down, five to go.”

His brothers would deal with Eden Steele as they saw fit. Galen knew he would have his hands full with the beautiful, sexy woman in his arms. She would continue to teach him manners and he intended to make sure her pleasures were never hidden again.

“Are you ready for your wedding gift now, Galen?”

He arched a brow. “I have another one?” A couple of days ago she had given him a new digital camera. And she’d given him a book on manners. He had given her a gold bracelet with the inscription “Galen’s Lady.” And he’d given her a toy yellow cab to replace the one he’d taken from her that day in New York.

“Yes, you have another one. I’m not going to blindfold you but you must promise to close your eyes and keep them closed until I say you can open them.”

“All right.”

He closed his eyes and felt himself being led no telling where, and after a few minutes, Brittany instructed, “You can open them now, Galen.”

He did and sucked in a quick breath when he saw the car he’d wanted, the 1969 Chevelle, parked only a few feet away from where he stood. He couldn’t believe it. It looked beautiful, but then when he glanced over at Brittany, he knew she was the most beautiful thing in his life.

“But how?” he asked, barely able to get the words out past his excitement.

She smiled. “After you confessed to eavesdropping on my and Nikki’s conversation that day, I felt bad that you missed out on the chance to bid for this car because of me, so I gave your brothers the job of locating it for me. Luckily, they did. I hope you like it.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I love it, but not as much as I love you.” He pulled her into his arms intent on showing her
how much. He took her mouth in a lingering kiss, not caring if his brothers or any of the other wedding guests could see them.

She was his and he was hers. Forever.