Authors: Audrey Carlan
Before anything was said, I covered his lips with mine. Holding his head captive, my hands caressed his cheeks and chin. I poured everything into the kiss: the hurt, the anger, the remorse, the lost time. All of it. He took it in, gobbled it up and gave me back acceptance, gratitude and desire. Every speck of my body that could touch him was pressed deeply against his. I slid my tongue into his mouth, over and over until I couldn’t catch my breath. Winded, I pulled away and searched his golden brown eyes.
“You waited for me?” His gaze searched mine. There was something strong and definitive behind the question.
“Yes. I don’t want to be without you,” I admitted.
“Christ, London, I just may be in love with you…“ I placed my finger over his lips to shush the words I wasn’t ready to hear. It was too much, too quickly. It had only been a couple months since we met and less since we last were intimate. There were things we needed to do and say before we went there now, if ever.
“There will be time for those words but right now, I’m scared.” I felt the tension creep back into my body. His hands rubbed up and down my back, the silky fabric added a lovely caress to the movement of his strong hands.
“I know Beauty. And we have a lot of it. Time that is. But things between us are going to change. Considerably.” His gaze warned me almost as much as his words did.
“What things?” I tipped my chin, prepared to defend my life and choices, even though I’d probably concede anything right now to keep this man a significant part of my world.
“For starters, no more spending the nights with clients.” His eyebrow lifted as he gauged how the demand hit me.
Really, I had already started work on making that change but he didn’t know that. “Done! Next?”
“No working weekends?”
Now that was ridiculous. How the hell would I get my work done in the six weeks’ allotted time if I didn’t work weekends? I was already booked into next year. There was no way I could change that now. “Not possible. Collier. I have a schedule to keep. This could affect my livelihood.”
“Not if you’re living with me, it won’t,” he said calmly, with no more emotion than if he asked about the weather or to ‘please, pass the salt.’
“Okay, you went from weekends to me moving in with you? Are you insane?” Seriously this man was two steps away from entering the looney bin if he thought I was ready for a leap that grand.
“Certifiable.” He grinned, then kissed my nose.
“Hopeless.” He dragged his cheek along mine sending shivers of desire to dance along my skin.
“Desperate.” His tongue traced my lips then dipped into my mouth. We kissed a few more moments, just enjoying the intimacy after so long.
“Seriously, you’re not asking me to move in, are you? I’ll work on the weekend thing, but I’m not ready--”
This time his finger covered my lips. “I know, my love. Take off two weekends a month as a start. You need time with me and your family.”
“Okay,” I conceded needing to give in somehow. “I’ll work two weekends a month and I’ll make sure the reveal is part of that timeline.” He smiled wide and hugged me close. “God, you smell so good. Like fresh baked cinnamon pastries. I could just eat you up.” He licked, kissed, and bit along the column of my neck and down to my shoulder. Forget the wedding; I just want to find a nice quiet room with a bed so we could properly have makeup sex.
“Anything else?”
“I want you staying with me at my flat as much as you’re capable. Ideally, I’d also prefer it if Tripp moved out of your apartment.”
Hold the phone. Huge warning bells clanged. Sirens blared and big flashing lights skidded this love train to an immediate halt.
“Excuse me? You want me to kick my best friend in the whole world out of his home?” The words came out tight. I tried to step away from his comforting embrace. I felt anything but comfortable right at this moment. He wouldn’t let me move an inch.
“Yes. I’d like for the two of you to not live with one another, but I know that would be exceedingly difficult on you.”
“Difficult? Talk about life-altering.” The mere thought made me nauseous.
“Right, life-altering. Exactly what I’m proposing with you. A life-altering arrangement. I don’t want you as my fling, my back door trollop, London. I want you as my mate. My girlfriend. And in the future more.” The word ’more’ had my skin beading with a cold sweat. I opened my mouth to respond but he moved on. “I understand you’re afraid, so we’ll start small. First, we’ll be exclusive. You will be my significant other and I yours. We will spend evenings at one another’s homes as desired. No requirements, no set dates. Just when we have the ability.”
A giant weight lifted off my chest, fully understanding what he was proposing. This I could work with. A little more time for him, a little less time at work and with Tripp. I’d make Tripp understand.
“I can see all of this swirling around in that beautiful head of yours. Do you think you can try?” His tone was sincere, so filled with love and hope that I knew for
him
, I could try anything.
“For you, for me… “ I placed my hand over his heart. “For us, I will try.”
“I can’t wait until this pomp and circumstance is over and I have you back at the hotel, in my arms.” Collier nuzzled my neck and slid his hands around my waist, holding me close.
I whispered in his ear, “It doesn’t matter where we are, Collier. When I’m near you, it’s the only place I ever truly want to be.”
As we kissed, a door behind us slammed.
“The evil bitch better back off or so help me God!” Oliver screeched as he tore down the hallway. When he got to us, his face was flame-red and his hair a mess.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your mother. That’s what’s wrong! She’s making my Princess cry and not in a sweet, I love you, you’re getting married, this is the best day of your life way. No, she’s in there trying her best to talk Aspen out of marrying the cowboy.”
I looked at Collier in apology.
“No, go. We have plenty of time to catch up later. Do your maid thing,”
“It’s not maid. I’m the Matron of Honor.” I rolled my eyes and laughed. Ollie grabbed my arm and pointed me down the hall.
“Go get that evil woman out of the dressing room and do damage control. Aspen’s crying. I’m going to get Aspen a glass of champagne and a hunky cowboy.”
“Aspen’s crying her eyes out right now. She can’t see Hank before the wedding,”
“The hell she can’t!” Hank roared as he ran up the stairs near us. “What’s this about? My Angel crying? Where is she?”
“Hank, relax. I’ll handle it.” I tried to assure him. He wasn’t buying it. I grabbed his arm and took him down the hall. Collier waved over his shoulder and then went down the stairs to join the rest of the guests. “Now look, even if the she-bitch is messing something up, I’m her sister. I can fix anything.”
“I’m her man, about to be her husband. My power trumps yours,” he gritted.
“Oh, don’t you pull your macho cowboy bullshit on me. Just stay right there. I’ll have her speak to you. Just let me see what’s up, okay?”
He nodded and sat on a long red bench facing the room, positioning himself like a sentinel on guard. He crossed two massive arms over each other. Fury expanded in the space around him. Lord help the next person stuck in his presence while he waited to see my sister.
Once I made my way into the bridal room, I found Aspen wiping her eyes and our mother sneering in my direction.
“Can you speak some sense into her? She won’t listen. This has gone on long enough. She cannot marry below her class like this. It’s uncivilized.” Mother’s voice was tight and cold.
“Are you fucking insane?” Funny. That’s the second time I asked someone that today. “Aspen loves Hank. She’s having his child.” Our mother swallowed as if she had something disgusting stuck in her throat. ”Hank loves Aspen, Mother, and there really isn’t anything left to do but get your happy ass down to stand next to Rio and be escorted to the front of the line. If you so much as say one more word that is hurtful to my sister, I’ll have you removed. It won’t be hard. I’ve got a really pissed off groom sitting right outside the door ready to barrel in and sweep his bride off into the sunset.”
“But …” she tried again.
“No buts, Mother. None. Shut up. Keep your trap shut, put that plastic surgery-induced smile on your face and get down there and watch your eldest child get married.” She didn’t move.
“A pregnant bride, how cliché.” was her last dart in Aspen’s heart. That was it. I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her to the door. I pulled it open and threw her and her diamonds out.
“Hank, close your eyes and come in.” He immediately closed his eyes and let me lead him into the room. Aspen ran into his arms, her sleek strapless wedding dress swishing around his legs as he held her. “Keep those eyes closed. You’ve got two minutes. I swear to God I’m in no mood to be messed with.”
“Angel, are you okay?” he asked placing random kisses along her neck. True to his word, he kept his eyes closed tight.
“I am now,” Aspen sniffed. “With these pregnancy hormones, I wasn’t able to hold back the tears. She really got to me this time. Normally I can handle it, but not today.” She took a deep breath. “I guess I just wished she was coming to tell me she was proud of me. But no, she had to tell me I was making a mistake. Do you think we are?”
“Darlin’, no. Marrying you is going to make me the happiest man in all the world. Nuthin’ that hag could say would prevent me from doing so. Now how’s my baby doing? She comfy in there?” Hank’s large hand fit between their bodies where he covered her bump.
“Stop saying she. It could be a boy, you know!”
He shook his head. “Nope, I’m going to have me another little angel with golden hair to love and protect. Now can I make it official with her mommy?”
I should have left but I couldn’t. Seeing them together knowing how right this union was gave me hope for a future I didn’t think I deserved after James. Maybe it would be okay to want more.
Aspen nodded into his neck. “I love you, Hank.”
“Oh Darlin’, wild horses couldn’t prevent me from marrying you today. Now finish up. I’ll be the man in the tux at the end of the aisle.”
We both laughed and Aspen hugged him tighter. “I’ll be the one in white, Stud.”
“Forever my angel in white.“
***
“Isn’t she the most stunning woman you’ve ever seen?” I whispered to my brother as we sat a few rows back from the front where Hank and Aspen were saying their vows.
“Yes, she is, but women getting married always are.”
I hit his shoulder. “Not her, London.” My Beauty was stunning. Her long black hair hung down her back in sexy waves. Her tanned arms were sprinkled with something sparkly that kept catching the light like a beacon calling me home. She was my home. Soon, I’d get her to accept it, too.
Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “Shh, listen,” he whispered.
“Angel, I mean Aspen.” A hundred guests laughed at Hank’s slipup. “Oh hell, you’ll always be an angel to me. When we met I knew there was somethin’ different ‘bout you. You bring men like me to their knees with your beauty and intelligence. I know as long as we’re together, I’ll forever try to make you happy. In doing so, I’ll always be happy right along with ya. Today, I marry my friend, my lover--” He waggled his eyebrows and Aspen giggled, “--the woman of my dreams.” He placed a hand over her slightly rounded baby bump. “And the mother of my children. And I plan to have lots of em’, because the world will be a better place if there are more people like you in it.” Aspen blotted her tears away. “You’re everything I’ll ever want and need and I promise to be that in return. I love you and all your pieces.”
Oliver and London both blotted their eyes. His words hit home as I stared at London, knowing with my whole heart that she would be the woman I’d spend my life with. One day, she’d be my wife and both of us would move on and heal together.
“Hank, you not only saved my life, you saved my heart and soul. You’ve made me realize there is more to life than being successful. Now, I have new goals: to be the best wife to you possible.” She clasped her hands over her belly and Hank covered hers with one large paw. “And to make the best mother to your children. To teach them to never judge a book by its cover and to always follow your heart, because the one you love might just be wearing jeans and cowboy boots instead of Armani and wingtips.” She smiled and everyone laughed. “I’ll love you until my last breath. Thank you for fighting for me, for us. Today, you’re making me the happiest woman on Earth because you’ve chosen me to be your wife. I love all your pieces, too.”
They finished the rest of their vows and when the minister said to kiss his bride, Hank had already hauled her up in the air, spun her around and then sealed his lips over hers in a rather vulgar public display of his affection. Finally, his brother pulled him away from the poor thing. But she was grinning wide and holding on to Hank just as tightly. Hank lifted Aspen up and carried her down the aisle as he exclaimed, “This here is my wife, people!”
The audience cheered and hooted and hollered. Well, Hank’s side cheered. Aspen’s side of the aisle were quite a bit more reserved in their suits and cocktail attire.
Just went to show that regardless of where you come from, you never know who you’re going to fall for. Sometimes, opposites do attract and when they do, watch out. Explosion!
The wedding continued in standard fashion. The bride and groom did all the fundamental things one did at a wedding. Cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss… Now was my favorite part. Holding London in my arms, we swayed to the small orchestra. They were playing,
At Last
by Etta James.
I swirled London out and brought her spinning back to me. She was a stellar dancer and followed my lead magnificently. “You know this is our first dance, right?”
She closed her eyes, thinking about it. “You’re right. It is. And the song…“
“How apropos. I agree.”
“Wasn’t the ceremony lovely?”
I nodded. “I think you’re lovely. I can’t wait to get you alone. When is all this maid stuff complete?”
She twirled in a circle and dragged her arm from around my waist, to my back, then around to my chest once more. Once there, I pulled her in tightly so she could feel the effect her nearness was having on me.