Poughkeepsie (65 page)

Beckett held his glass up high. “To my brothers. They’ve finally gotten the lives they deserve.”

The guests raised their glasses high, the clinking of the glass its own applause.

“Now, if I might have a little mood music?” Beckett continued. “I want to take this bride for a test ride on the dancefloor.” He drained the rest of his glass and hopped down to find Livia.

She grabbed his hand as he passed. “Whitebread, you’re edible. What a stunning lady you are. Blake’s a lucky man.” Beckett waggled his eyebrows at his brother as he spun, twirled, and dipped Livia out to the center of the dancefloor. Blake watched with a smile as other couples moved into the space around them and Lorraine filled the air with music again.

Having seen Beckett in action before, Livia just let his big hands show her body where to go. She concentrated on his face. His smile might fool others, but she saw that he was clinging desperately to the joy around him, as if he could somehow soak it in.

“Beckett, where’s Eve?”

He hummed the song and twirled her around again, avoiding the question.

When he had her pressed to his chest, she tried again. “Are you going to tell me or what?”

Beckett sighed and looked into her face. “I left her, babycakes. She needs wings, not handcuffs.”

He held Livia tighter, like she was a teddy bear.

She stopped moving her feet and hugged him around the neck. “You’re not handcuffs. Don’t you know that? She loves you. She does, I’ve seen it.”

Beckett resumed dancing, dipping her again. “Look around, Whitebread. She’s not here. She didn’t try to stop me from coming. Her heart belongs to a dead man and a dream. I’m neither of those things.” Beckett released her and clapped for the end of the song. He reached in his pocket and produced a crumpled envelope. “Here’s my gift to you guys. I’m sure Blake won’t want to accept it, but I’m hoping you’ll convince him. For me.”

Livia took the envelope and said thank you, trying to do something, anything that would make Beckett feel better.

“I better get over to your dad. I know he said later, but my job here is done.” Beckett’s voice was resigned.

“Beckett, would you do me a favor? For my wedding?” Livia asked suddenly.

He nodded. “You know I’ll do whatever you ask.”

She looked over her shoulder and back to his face. “In a minute I’m going to faint away from lack of food. When I wake up, I would appreciate it if you were miles away on Eve’s bike.”

“You’re going to crack your fucking head trying to pull a stunt like that.” He ran his hand through his hair. “And I gave your dad my word. I don’t want him to think that was all a ploy.”

“You said
anything
. Come on, big guy, give me what I want.” She looked at him hopefully. “I’ll explain it all to my dad later. I promise.”

Beckett leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Fine. You take good care of my brother. Tell them both I said goodbye. I can’t do it. I’m a pussy.”

Livia turned her back on him, not wanting to seem upset. She gave him a two-minute head start, making sure she was far from Blake’s fast arms and in full view of everyone. Livia went down as hard as she dared, her hands catching her despite her willing them not to.

But her ruse worked. She heard shocked gasps and quickly felt Blake’s assessing hands. She could barely hear the motorcycle revving over the booming music. She waited until it faded before she opened her eyes. Ted appeared at Blake’s side, looking concerned. After a quick evaluation he declared Livia fine. She made a point to tell those gathered she hadn’t eaten all day.

Blake escorted her, like she was made of blown glass, over to the dessert table. He sat her down and carefully extracted a cupcake from the tower of confections that served as their wedding cake. After Blake broke tradition and fed only her, she made a miraculous recovery and survived to feed him as well. But when she saw her father watching them, shaking his head, she knew her act hadn’t fooled him. However, he was still here, so it seemed he’d decided to let Beckett go—at least for now. Livia gave him a warm smile, so thankful he was her dad, and not strictly a police officer. She vowed to talk to him later—to clear Beckett’s name of at least this offense.

Once Livia had thoroughly convinced Blake she was fine, he asked her formally to join him in the center of the floor. He took off his jacket and slipped it over her shoulders. Now, with her train bustled and her veil removed, she could settle deep into Blake’s arms. Blake had picked the song for their first dance, and Livia laughed when she realized they’d selected music by the same artist, just different songs. She stopped laughing when she heard the lyrics. None present could miss the deeply felt meaning in the words.

The artist sang of dreams and a home. Blake moved slowly with Livia, and she could feel the lyrics vibrating in his chest as he sang softly with the music. Livia tilted her head so she could watch him mouth
home
. She loved the word on his lips and touched them with her fingertips. Blake stopped singing to kiss her hand. He took his gaze off of Livia to take in the guests surrounding the dancefloor. While the couple danced, the partygoers had lit floating lanterns. Blake and Livia were now surrounded by huge, glowing orbs.

With the last strains of the song’s guitar, the group released the lanterns, which took flight like little hot-air balloons. As they climbed silently into the dark heavens, Livia spun and leaned her head against Blake’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her, and together they watched the floating lights get smaller and smaller.

Livia took Blake to the gift table when the quiet show was over. She pulled Beckett’s crumpled envelope from behind a box. “He gave me this, and he left. He told me to tell you goodbye.”

Blake nodded and hesitated before taking the envelope. When he finally opened it, he found a simple account number and instructions in Eve’s handwriting inside. Livia and Blake looked at each other in silence. Then Blake pulled another paper from the envelope: a reservation at a bed and breakfast in Rhinebeck. Blake nuzzled Livia’s neck. “Now this I know what to do with. You’ve been my bride. I promise to spend all night making you my wife.”

50

Lose Count

B
LAKE
S
MILED
, A
ND
L
IVIA
felt absolutely sure as he unlocked their room at the bed and breakfast. She waited, knowing what was next from her traditional husband. Blake stepped inside, set Livia’s overnight bag on the floor, and flipped the light switch. He came out and smiled.

His eyes were a little glassy from the champagne Beckett had forced on him. She wondered if his lips still held a bit of bubbly. When she kissed him his perfect taste did have a hint of celebration left in it.

“May I escort you inside, Mrs. Hartt?”

Livia bit her lower lip and nodded.

Blake scooped her up.

To be carried was such a basic thing. And yet it felt…
Primal? Almost. Religious? Maybe
.

She focused on his deep, even breaths as he maneuvered through the doorway. Livia laughed a little at herself. She was grateful for the simple act of Blake’s breathing.

Blake set her down gently and began exploring the room. Livia took his tux jacket off her shoulders and rested it on the back of a chair. After a moment he emerged from the bathroom with a wicked smile and proceeded to light candle after candle from the supply he’d located in a cabinet. Soon the room flickered with tiny flames everywhere and smelled of hot, pecan-scented wax.

She snapped off the overhead light. Blake hit play on her iPod, which he’d propped up on its speakers, and a slow, sexy song gave Livia tingles.

They stood facing one another, he in his tux, she in her white gown. The night was meant for them, for this. Shyness crept up the train of her dress and found its way to her cheeks. How she could be shy now, with him, was beyond her. Maybe because they were legally required to make love. Maybe because the look in his eyes was that of a hungry man.

“I want to change. Can you help me with this zipper?” she asked.

Blake spun her around, as if they were executing a dance step.

“Lift your hair.” His breath tickled her ear.

She complied with her husband’s wish and held her hair out of the way. He opened the zipper slowly. Livia held her breath as he traced the V her dress framed on her skin.

“Change if you must, but leave the heels on, please.”

Livia wondered if all new brides had their knees refuse to bend after hearing their husband’s lustful requests. Blake gently pulled the tiara from her hair and set it on the nightstand. Livia quickly grabbed her overnight bag, afraid he would distract her from changing. In the bathroom she traded her wedding dress for a cream-colored satin slip with spaghetti straps and hints of lace. She slid her heels back on and checked her hair once more.

She opened the bathroom door to see the room bathed in golden candlelight, pulsing like a beating heart. Blake sat on the bed, his tux tie undone along with the first few buttons of his shirt.

Blake stood when she stepped into the room. He held his hand out, and she gently put her hand and her trust in his. The scent of the candles and the look in his eyes were intoxicating.

He moved to stand behind her. “How many times did I watch you? So many. Wondering what you smelled like, right here.” He lifted her hair and grazed his nose along the nape of her neck. “Exactly like fresh snow.” Blake grabbed two fistfuls of her hair, letting his lips brush her ear.

“And how often did I wonder what you tasted like?” He used her hair to turn her head. He leaned down to sample her lips. “Vanilla and lust.” He leaned down and ran his hands up her calves. “When you wore heels to the station? I couldn’t think for hours about anything other than this curve, right here behind your knee.”

She felt a chill of anticipation. He stood again, this time in front of her, and sculpted her shape against the satin of her nightgown.

“There isn’t a single spot I’ll miss tonight, my wife.” Blake pulled her against him, tilting her head until he could kiss her again. His fingers and lips made her moan. He placed a hand on her stomach and the other behind her neck. “How many times can I make you come before you can’t take it anymore?”

His green eyes smoldered, and his lips smirked. Livia felt her mouth go dry at the thought of his plans for her body.

“I think we might have one to count already.” Livia gave him an embarrassed smile.

“Really? Just from talking? Imagine what’ll happen when you feel my tongue inside you.” Blake backed her up against the bed.

“Get on the bed, Livia. That lingerie is about to be a very pretty necklace.” She sat and waited. Blake removed his tie. He kept his eyes on hers as he threaded the silky fabric around her wrists. “Is this okay?”

Livia smiled at his perpetual concern and nodded. He grabbed her around the waist and put her in the center of the bed, then stood and admired her.

“I love you so much, I think there are burn marks on my heart.” Blake touched his chest.

“Do they hurt?” Livia wondered aloud with a wink.

“Only when I’m not holding you.” Blake trailed his fingertips from her ankle to the top of her thigh.

“Hold me always then. I’m yours.” Livia batted her lashes playfully until one of his hands gripped her gently bound wrists, and the other abandoned her leg to trace her jaw.

Blake kissed her lips until she finally fidgeted with anticipation.

“Wait. I do believe there’s champagne, according to the receipt. Some for you?” Blake left her to open the mini-fridge.

Livia sat up and held out her clam-shaped hands. “How am I going to manage that? You’ve captured me.”

She batted her lashes again. He stopped and looked at her, his hands full of champagne, flutes, and a glass bowl full of strawberries. Blake bit his tongue.

After a deep sigh he gave Livia a command. “Do not do that again. I’m trying to exercise some self-control here.”

Livia pouted and batted her lashes some more.

He smiled and shook his head. “Damn it. You’ll pay for that.”