“One more gift and you are off the hook,” Karsen states enthusiastically.
“Please, don’t tell me you got me something, too?” I ask.
Karsen laughs. “Of course, I did. Did you think I was going to let everyone else have all the fun?”
Morgan hands me Karsen’s box which is rather large and quite heavy. She didn’t bother to wrap it with paper, rather she just put a huge bow on top.
I lift the lid off and hand it to Morgan, who takes the bow off, hoarding all the satiny décor that has been removed from the packages. Inside the box is a feminine, raspberry-colored, lace garter chemise and thong set that is sophisticated and equally as sexy as the previous gift.
“Hold it up so we can see,” Karsen exclaims.
Leisurely, I lift the lace chemise in the air for everyone to see, silently admiring this beautiful gift. It’s very pretty and the texture of the material is silky and smooth. It will fit me like a glove and cling to the little curves that I have.
When I raise the lingerie up, I notice there are other gifts in the box.
My eyes narrow at Karsen. “You didn’t.”
She smirks. “I did.”
Morgan leans over to peek in the box. “This is going to be fun. Are you going to share what else is in the box with everyone?” she asks happily.
“No,” I say through gritted teeth.
Under the lingerie, there is a set of furry black handcuffs, a blindfold, a rather large, pink vibrator, and a set of balls. God only knows what I’m supposed to do with those. There is some circle thing attached to a cord and a controller. I’m assuming that is for Jamie. A bottle of lube and a variety of oils are in a clear zipper case. The labels on the lubricants make me chuckle. Whipped Berry Crème Brûlée, Just Lick Me Cherry, and Hot Buttered Rum lubricant. On the bottle of butter rum, the tag line reads ‘the more you lick, the hotter it gets’.
Karsen laughs. “That, my friend, is for when you are on your honeymoon and need to spice things up.”
A few of the guests double over in laughter at her comment.
“Or when you decide to have a little fun making a baby. I’m ready to be an aunt. Just sayin’,” Karsen declares.
An unwelcome blush creeps across my cheeks. Tingling sweeps up the back of my neck and across my face. I squeeze my eyes shut and cover my face with my hands.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Cami. We all have some of that stuff stashed in our nightstands,” Lindsey calls out.
A fake smile appears on my face. “Ah… thanks.”
Laughter spews in the room.
“I’m ready to be a grandma,” Michelle states loudly.
Laughing, I say, “I’ll be sure to let your son know that.”
I get up to stretch my legs. My mom walks over and pulls me in for a hug.
She leans back to look at me, "Are you happy with everything you got?"
I nod. "My shower was beautiful. You and Michelle did an amazing job today."
“Jamie had his hands in it, too.”
“He did?”
“Of course, he did, sweetie, we included him in the details. Who do you think was responsible for selecting the candy?”
My eyes well up, overcome with emotion with all of the days’ activity centered around me. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
"Your father and I would like to speak to you and Jamie before you leave today."
"Is everything okay?" I ask.
My mom cups my cheeks in her hands. "Everything is perfect. We'd like to speak to the two of you in private."
My brows draw together.
"Everything is fine. Relax. Go enjoy yourself, talk to your guests."
She taps my nose with her finger. "Now go."
With that, she walks off. I wonder what my parents need to speak to Jamie and me about. Pushing that thought to the back of my mind, I go mingle before our guests leave.
The aroma coming from the dining room makes my mouth water, my stomach growls. In each corner of the room, there are stations set up, each with a different type of food. Italian, American, even a sushi station with fried rice. Following my nose, I head over to the sushi station and interrupt Karsen and Morgan.
Karsen bumps my hip with hers. “Figured you’d hit this one up first.”
“You know it. How could I resist?” Morgan places a few pieces of a California roll on my plate. I reach for the tongs and take a helping of edamame to add to my plate.
“There is so much to pick from. How am I going to fit into my dress?”
Morgan laughs. “I’m sure it will fit perfectly.”
“I’ll meet you in the dining room, I’m going to head over to the carving station and see what else I can add. Did you give me the receipts for that lingerie because I’m sure I won’t fit into it after this party?”
A quiet laugh escapes me when I see who is standing behind it with a white chef hat on and a red apron that says ‘I'm not old, just well-seasoned' in bold white embroidered stitching across his chest.
"Hey, sweetheart, would you like ham or prime rib?" my dad asks.
I point to the small piece of ham. "Give me that, and just a small piece of the beef."
My dad cuts the meat, placing it on a smaller plate near the basket of rolls and salad. "Here, sweetie. This way the meat doesn't mix with the sushi. I can't imagine it would taste good."
I laugh, taking the plate from his hand. "Good idea. Thanks."
By the time I make my way around the food, my plate is filled with a little from each station.
“Here, sit over here,” Lindsey says and points to the empty chair next to Karsen.
“The food is incredible, and I can’t wait to fill my take-out box with candy,” Lindsey says.
“Everything is perfect.” My eyes bounce around the room, seeing everyone enjoying themselves.
“Have you seen the desserts on the island in the kitchen. I am definitely getting some of that to go,” Karsen says as she rubs her belly. She leans in close to me. “You know, your mom and Michelle wouldn’t let us help with anything to do with the shower. Morgan somehow managed to get them to let us handle the favors.”
“I didn’t get a chance to see the favors. What are they?”
“Morgan found this cute bath shop in Chelsea. We each picked out a different bath bomb.”
“That’s a great idea. Something everyone can use, rather than the traditional type of favors. I love the idea,” I reply.
“Did you give it to her yet?” Morgan asks when she appears at the table.
“Give me what?” I ask.
“No, I was waiting on you,” Lindsey says as she reaches under the table and pulls a box out.
“Here, this is from us. It’s our bridal party gift to you.”
“You guys didn’t have to get me anything.”
“We know we didn’t, but we wanted to,” Karsen replies.
I scoot back my chair and place the box on my lap. The box is wrapped in sparkly silver paper with black swirly designs. When I lift the lid up, a red bikini, a black bikini, and a beach towel are folded neatly inside.
“You know Jamie and I aren’t going to get much beach time in on our honeymoon after he sees those lingerie sets.” We look at each other and smile in earnest.
“They should fit. You borrow mine, so you should be good,” Morgan says when I lift the bikinis out of the box. Underneath is an envelope with my name on it. “What’s this?”
“Open it,” Karsen says as she bounces in her seat excitedly.
Inside the manila envelope is a brochure to The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana with four airline tickets sticking out of the top.
“Oh, my God,” I screech. “Are you kidding me?”
“We’re heading to Punta Cana. Five days, four nights of lounging by the pool, relaxing in the sun, plenty of drinks with umbrellas, and dancing the night away,” Morgan announces.
“How did you do this?” I ask.
“We have our ways,” Karsen proclaims.
“
Don’t worry about work, we cleared it with your assistant. All you need to do is pack and show up at the airport.” Lindsey’s smile radiates off her face.
“This is awesome. I cannot believe you did this.”
Morgan leans in and whispers, “The crazy mothers wouldn’t let us pay anything toward the shower, so we thought,” Morgan taps her finger against her chin, “we would pay for a little girls’ trip for your bachelorette party.”
Tearing up, I can’t even put words to the emotions I’m feeling. Looking around at my best friends who surround me at the table, I say, “You all went above and beyond. You really didn’t need to do this. You know that, right?”
Karsen puts her arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to her. “We know we didn’t have to. Look at it as more of a girls’ trip for all of us to get a break from stress and work… and celebrating you, too.”
I lean in and place a kiss on Karsen’s cheek. “Did I ever tell each of you that I have the best girlfriends a girl could ever ask for?”
Morgan laughs. “I’m not sure. But feel free to tell us again.”
“You girls are the best,” I exclaim happily.
After finishing my food and discussing all of the details of our trip, I mingle with the remaining guests.
"Alright, ladies," Morgan hollers from the living room. "Can I have your attention for a second?" She claps her hands in an attempt to silence everyone. The room grows quiet as all eyes fall on my best friend. "Before you leave today, there is a basket by the front door where your favors are. Can you please take a wooden block and write a memory you have with Camryn and Jamie? On the bottom of the block, please put your first name. When you've done so, put it in the glass jar next to it. The girls and I thought this would be a great thing for the soon-to-be bride and groom to save as a keepsake. The blocks are from the game Jenga.” Everyone nods in agreement and I hear rumblings of comments about ‘what a fabulous idea’ and ‘oh, let’s use that for so and so’s wedding’. I just love my best friends, they’ve made this entire day so incredibly special.
My eyes zero in on the person I am looking for. I come up behind him, my arms locking around his waist. “This is amazing. I heard you helped with everything.”
Jamie circles around in my hold. His arms envelop me, one hand on the small of my back. Lowering his mouth to mine, he gazes into my eyes. “You deserve this, Tink.”
The touch of his hand was suddenly almost unbearable in its tenderness. I lean toward him, inhaling his scent.
One brow goes up, along with the corners of his lips. “I saw those little outfits the girls got ya. I heard Morgan’s big mouth and snuck a peek in just in time to see you hold them up for everyone to see. I hope you don’t plan on saving those for the honeymoon, right.”
“You did, did you?” I stare with longing at him. My wide-eyed innocence was merely a smoke screen.
Jamie’s eyes glow with a savage inner fire. His lips leave mine toward my ear.
“I did. I like the black lacy one the best.” His voice is low and smooth. “Think of all the fun we can have tonight.” He nips my earlobe. “You sprawled out in the middle of the bed...”
Jamie looks at me and the double meaning of his gaze is very obvious. He’s turned on, his hardened arousal pressing against my stomach only confirms it. My insides ripple with excitement.
“You can’t do this here. People are watching us.” Fortunately, no one notices the tremor in my voice. His gaze meets mine, my heart turns over in response.
Jamie’s eyes only flame further as they rake over me seductively. His gaze drops from my eyes, to my shoulders, then to my breasts.
“Let them watch. I’m simply having a conversation with my fiancée about all the ways I plan to pleasure her, while wearing the lingerie she just got.” He pauses. “I think we should make sure they fit.” The underlying sensuality of his words captivate me. Jamie claims my lips. The kiss is slow and thoughtful. His tongue traces the soft fullness of my lips sending shivers of desire racing up my spine.
“Is that what you think?” I ask in a silky voice. My lips still warm and wet from his kiss.
A throat clears behind us. Looking over my shoulder, my brother leans against the counter with his arms crossed across his chest.
"Really, dude?" We're in my parents' kitchen." Christian glares at Jamie. He swallows hard, lifting his chin and boldly meets my gaze.
"What?" Jamie raises a brow at my brother.
"Don't ‘what’ me." Christian growls, shoving his plate away from him on the counter. He wipes his mouth with a napkin, tossing it on the plate still piled with food.
"I don't need to hear what you plan to do to my sister later tonight. And I sure as hell don't want the visual," Christian says.
“Well if you weren’t eavesdropping on a private conversation, you wouldn’t have had to hear what Jamie plans to do to me in the sexy little outfits,” I reply, taunting my brother.
Jamie laughs. "You do know what married couples do, right?"
"No shit, asshole. I know they have sex, I just don't need to know that the two of you have sex. You got me?" Christian responds sharply.
Jamie’s hands move to my hips. His lips brush against my temple. My assumption is he’s trying to get a rise out of my brother.
“Oh, dear brother, if you only knew what your best friend was capable of,” I say with easy defiance.
“I don’t know who’s worse between the two of you,” Christian grumbles and turns on his heel striding out of the kitchen.
I bite my lip to stifle my laugh.
“Some things never change.” Jamie leans down capturing my lips for another kiss.
A few hours later after cleaning up, I flop down onto the couch as my knees buckle with a grateful sigh. Jamie settles into the deep cushion next to me, his arms spread expansively.
I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. “Today was perfect.”
“You deserve perfect, babe.” He leans down and places a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.
My mom’s voice fills the room. I open my eyes and she holds out an envelope toward me. “This is for the two of you,” she says.
“What is this?” I ask.
“Open it,” she instructs me.
My father sits on the couch in the den next to me and Jamie. In that moment, I’d forgotten all about my mom saying she wanted to talk with us privately.
With shaky hands, I take the envelope from my mom. Immediately, I recognize the writing on the front. My name is written in bold, black cursive letters. Brushing away tears to see, I tear it open. My hands continue to tremble as I slide the folded stationery out. I take a deep breath through the river of tears that are threatening to fall.
Dear Camryn:
If you are reading this, then your Papa and I are no longer here with you. We want you to know that you have always been the apple of our eyes. The day you and Christian were born, our lives changed forever. To have grandchildren is a gift. A gift from God that Papa and I were going to cherish. We were blessed to have you and Christian. When I held you for the first time, my heart soared. Your dark eyes stared back at me as I promised to love you. Promised to spoil you. I knew you were going to conquer the world. You ask how I knew. A Nana just knows. One day, I hope you experience that for yourself. Your Papa and I knew you and Christian were going to do great in this world. That you were going to blossom into a strong woman one day. Watching you and Christian grow has been a privilege.
You ask why I wrote this letter. Your Papa and I placed money into an account for both you and your brother when you were born. The money was invested quite wisely, and over time it has grown to be a large sum. We have stipulations on how this money is to be used. You can only withdraw from it for your college education, to start a business, or to buy a home. If you do not use the money for any of these things, then the money will continue to sit and it will be left to your children, if you choose to have any someday.
I hope you get into the colleg
e of your choice. You were always a smart, stubborn little girl, who never took no for an answer. As your teachers said, “you never let the grass grow under your feet.”
I want you to always remember that love is a gem. You may go through a few bad rocks but there’s one that will always catch your eye that turns out to be a diamond in the rough. For all you know, it could be the one you’ve had all this time but didn’t know its worth. When you find that one, grasp onto it.
If I had to guess, I think your gem was always very close. Quite possibly by your side your entire life. To see the smile on your face when that boy next door is around makes me know that when I leave this Earth, I know you will be surrounded by people who love you.
Sometimes in life people are taken away from us too soon. As I write you this letter, know that I love you. Papa loves you. A few months back, I received a diagnosis that I don’t know if I will be able to beat. I will do my best, but sometimes in life, God has other plans.
I wish we were there to see the beautiful, strong woman you’ve become. Just know that we watch over you every day. When you miss us, look inside your heart, we are there with you. When you need guidance, we are here to listen. Here to guide you along the journey of life.
Love,
Nana and Papa
Tears blind my eyes and choke my voice. “It’s from Nana and Papa.”
Jamie pulls me against his chest, embracing me tightly. His hand rubs up and down my back, consoling me.
I gulp hard, hot tears slipping down my cheeks.
“We were told to give this to you if both Nana and Papa weren’t here. Your brother used a good portion of his money when he and Jamie opened the studio,” my mom declares.
My dad clears his throat. “Your mother and I paid for Christian’s college education. We didn’t want him withdrawing from his inheritance. Your mother and I opted not to tell him about the money until he approached us with regards to starting the business with Jamie.”
He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “As you know, you went to Stanford on your athletic scholarship. So, the money we spent on your brother’s education, we added that to the money your grandparents set aside for you. It was only fair.”
Unspoken Vows (The Unspoken Love Series) Page 2
