by Portia Moore
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” I say coolly. “See you around, Holly.” I guide Madison away from her, back towards Jackson and Cassandra.
I hand Jackson the scotch he asked for, and he smiles at me. “Thanks, Son,” he says.
“Hell of a party,” I tell him, gesturing around us. “Throw one like this for Madison and me, yeah?” I nudge him jokingly, but he doesn’t quite meet my eyes.
“Of course, Son,” he says, but he looks distracted.
“Have you seen Tiffany?” Cassandra asks. “I haven’t gotten a single second with her all night.”
“She’s having the time of her life,” I tell Cassandra, smiling at her. “You planned a great party. You and Dad both. She looks like she’s going to float away.”
“I’m so glad.” Cassandra smiles so widely that she’s practically glowing. “I remember Jackson and my wedding in the Caribbean. We had the best party beforehand, and the reception too. All of our family was there; it was wonderful. You were probably too young to remember, but your mom brought you. She was there with John—I’ve always been so grateful for how our families blended together. Family is the most important thing. It could have been so different, but Katie has always been so sweet and gracious.”
“I’m glad the family is back to what it was,” I say quietly. “I know we had a rough patch there, but things are better now. I want it to stay that way.”
“I do too, Son,” Jackson says, and there’s that odd note to his voice again. Madison is very quiet next to me, and I feel slightly unsettled again, as if I’m missing something.
“I’ve got some business partners I want to introduce my Cassandra to,” Jackson says, patting me on the shoulder. “You and Madison have a good time.” He takes Cassandra’s elbow and steers her away, leaving Madison and I standing there.
I look down at Madison, who looks slightly pale as she sips from her water glass. “Does he seem off to you?” I ask, watching him and Cassandra disappear into the crowd. “Something feels wrong. A lot of people seem off tonight. You seem anxious, too.” I laugh shortly, looking down at her. “Don’t tell me there’s some secret I don’t know about.”
I can’t imagine what it would be, but Jackson and Madison both seem cagey, and then that nonsense with Holly earlier…
“Weddings are stressful,” Madison says, looking up at me. “I’m sure Jackson is just worried about it going off without a hitch. There’s always the possibility of drama when family is around each other. And Holly being here is probably stressing them out, too.”
That makes sense. I know that even though my family sided with her at first, they love Madison and are happy to have her here. And Holly adds tension to that dynamic no matter what. I wrap my arm around Madison’s waist. “I think I’ve had enough of this for tonight,” I tell her, catching sight of Holly again and wincing. “What do you say we make our way back up to the room?”
“I like that idea,” Madison whispers, and she leans up to kiss me softly.
I don’t know whether it’s the whiskey I’ve been drinking, or the general vibe of the party downstairs, or just my happiness despite that about my future with Madison, but the moment the door to our room shuts behind us I can’t keep my hands off of her. I bend my head to kiss her, pulling her hard against me as I reach for the zipper of her dress, letting the soft fabric slither over her body and down to the floor. She’s wearing pink lingerie under it, a matched bra-and-panty set, and it makes her look soft and innocent, her dark hair falling in waves around her shoulders.
I can’t get my clothes off fast enough. I’m hard as a rock as I step out of my suit, pulling Madison onto the bed and astride me, my cock brushing between her thighs as she leans down to kiss me, all of her thick dark hair falling around my face. I’m suddenly desperate to be inside of her, desperate to feel her enveloping me, for the pleasure and the intimacy of it. I kiss her hard, my fingers tangling in her hair, and Madison seems to feel the same way. She matches the intensity of the kiss, her hands clutching my face, running over my chest, her tongue tangling with mine as she reaches between us to guide me into her, her body squeezing around me the moment I start to slide inside of her as if she needs it as much as I do.
That thought pushes me on, making me even harder as I thrust up into her, my hands roving all over her body—breasts, waist, her flat stomach, her curvy hips. I grab onto her hips, squeeze her ass, plunging into her as hard as I can as she arches her back and drives herself down onto me. Earlier was sweet and slow, but this is different. It’s passionate, but it feels like there’s something else driving her, and I don’t know what it is. This is a different Madison than I’m used to, even when she’s crazy with lust the way she was after we came home from dinner when I proposed to her. It’s like she’s afraid this is the last time, and she’s desperate to have me.
It’s not enough. I grab her hips and roll her onto her back, managing to stay inside of her. I want to fuck her harder, pound into her, make her mine. But once she’s beneath me, I suddenly have the urge to slow down, holding myself inside of her for a moment so that I can feel how good she feels around me. I look down at her beautiful face, gently brushing her hair away from it as I whisper, “I love you.”
Her eyes are wide as she whispers it back, and she clings to me as I start to move again, her body pulling me deeper into her like the tide of the ocean. I want to keep going, but as I feel her shudder under me, her nails digging into my shoulders as she moans and cries out, I know I’m not going to last much longer. I hold off just long enough to feel a second orgasm come over her, to feel her legs and body tighten around me as she cries out my name, and then I let go, the climax making my whole body convulse as I come inside of her.
I don’t want to move. I’m sweaty and breathless, my body still shivering with the last wave of pleasure, and I’ve never felt so close to her, so in love. This is the rest of my life, I think, and I kiss her again before regretfully rolling off of her into the soft cocoon of blankets.
Sleep claims me almost immediately, but not before I catch one last glimpse of her sweet, satisfied face, her own eyes flickering closed as she curls against me.
Even getting ready for the wedding the next morning can’t keep me from cornering her in the shower, pinning her up against the wall as I kiss her and run my hands over her hot, damp body. “Just a quickie,” I whisper in her ear as I sit on the ledge in the massive shower, pulling her astride me and quickly plunging into her. I hear her gasp in my ear, the sound mingling with my groan as I feel her envelop me, and I’m true to my word. It doesn’t take me long at all to bring her to a shuddering orgasm first, my climax following hard on the heels of that as I feel her quiver against me with the hot water and steam all around us.
“If you’re going to be like that every time we go on vacation,” she tells me as we dry off, “I’m going to make sure we go on vacation more often.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” I tell her with a grin as I walk stark naked out of the bathroom, making sure she gets a good look at me. I can feel her eyes traveling over me as I pass, and I feel a fresh shiver of desire.
We really should try to get away more often, I think to myself as I start to get dressed. Our sex life has always been good, but it’s easy to get distracted and lose a little of the spark with all of the stress and busy days and nights that come with our jobs. This weekend away has already made me feel closer to her than ever and made me want her more than ever. I could take her back to bed right now, and I feel myself get a little hard just thinking about it. If we didn’t have a wedding ceremony to get to, I’d keep her in bed all day.
But we have the rest of our lives for that. I think about our honeymoon, about having a week or more all to ourselves in Europe or some tropical location, with nothing to do but make love over and over again and occasionally venture out for food or drinks or some sightseeing. I decide then and there that if my father does offer to foot the bill for anything, I’m going to ask him that it b
e our honeymoon. A long trip away with Madison sounds like heaven.
When she comes out of the bathroom, I can’t help but smile, looking at her as she crosses the room in the blue dress she picked out for today and walking straight into my arms. I hold her tightly, bending to kiss her as I whisper, “I love you,” against her lips, and she whispers it right back, the scent of her perfume filling my nose.
“Let’s go watch my sister get married, shall we?”
The wedding is being held in a chapel at the back of the resort grounds, tucked away nicely at the edge, and I squeeze Madison’s hand as we approach. “Find us a spot in the family section of the pews, okay?” I ask her. “I’m going to go check in on the groom and my dad for a second.”
“Sure,” Madison says, leaning up to give me a quick peck on the lips.
I find Philip and my dad in the back room of the church, waiting to come out to stand by the altar. Philip looks appropriately nervous, tugging at his tie as Jackson brushes off his suit jacket.
“Ready for the big day?” I ask him cheerily as I approach. “You look a little pale. No cold feet, right?”
“Not a chance,” Philip assures me. “I just hope your sister doesn’t come to her senses about marrying me,” he laughs.
“Nonsense,” Jackson says firmly. “You’re going to be a great husband for my daughter. And I wouldn’t say that to just anyone.”
“In fact, he’s said the exact opposite to several of her boyfriends,” I chime in. “Loudly, where they can hear it.”
Philip grins. “I’m glad you approve,” he says sincerely, looking at Jackson. “I’m grateful to have you and Cassandra as my in-laws. Lots of men aren’t so lucky.” He casts me a sideways look. “And you’re not bad as a brother-in-law, either,” he says jokingly.
“Glad I make the cut,” I shoot right back. Jackson steps aside, cocking his head for me to follow him.
“I’m thrilled you made it, Son,” he says.
I frown. “Of course. There was never a chance I wouldn’t.”
“I know. After what happened with…”
“Let’s not say her name,” I suggest, laughing shortly.
“Of course. But I know you didn’t feel supported. And it’s good that the family can come together now. Weddings are a fresh start. A chance to start over, to put things behind us…” He trails off for a moment and then puts a hand on my arm. “I hope you know how much I love you, Son. And how happy I am for you and Madison. Truly. I wouldn’t have wanted things to work out any other way.”
I smile at him, but inwardly I wonder what’s going on. It isn’t like Jackson to be so sentimental. He’s a good dad, but he’s never been the affectionate type, not even when I was younger. It could just be the emotion of the wedding making him like this, but I can’t shake the feeling that everything over the last several days adds up to something deeper, something that I’m missing. But that doesn’t make sense. Everything is good. The wedding is going off without a hitch. Madison and I are getting married. I think of John’s stomach flu, and a shiver of fear goes through me. Could someone be sick and they’re not telling me? I push that thought out of my mind. No, it’s all going to be okay. I’ve got to stop being paranoid.
“I’m glad things are getting back to normal, too,” I tell him. “I just needed some time.”
I can’t read the expression on his face as he looks at me. “I just hope you know, Son, that no matter what, I love you. You’re one of my greatest gifts.”
He hugs me then, a quick, one-armed embrace, but a hug nonetheless. “Let’s get your sister married,” he says, stepping back and straightening his suit jacket, the normal poised Jackson that I’m used to returning.
“I should go find Madison. I’m sure she’s got a spot for us,” I say. “Congratulations on becoming part of the family, Philip,” I tell him as I pass. “We’re all happy to have you. Always have been.”
The minute I find Madison, I slip my hand in hers as we watch Philip take his place at the altar as the ushers keep helping everyone find their seats. I see Jackson walking to speak to Cassandra in the front row, and he looks at us, that same expression that I don’t quite understand on his face. Madison leans her head against my shoulder, and I kiss the top of it. “I can’t wait to be up there waiting for you, whenever we get married,” I tell her.
“I can’t wait to marry you,” she whispers, and the words flood me with happiness.
The one moment I’m dreading comes shortly after when the music changes and the wedding party starts making their way down the aisle. As Holly passes, I see her look at Madison, a spiteful glare she keeps on her, followed by a smug grin. When she looks at me, though, I can see the envy on her face, resentment. I pull Madison a little closer to me, determined to ignore her. I won’t let her ruin this weekend for us or anyone. I meant it when I said that. I’m in love and happy, and all I can be is happy that Holly showed me her true colors before I wasted any more time married to her.
As Tiffany walks in, I forget all about Holly. She’s glowing in the sunlight, absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress, and I’m almost misty-eyed thinking about Madison in a gown like that, floating down the aisle towards me. My heart beats a little faster in my chest just thinking about it, and I suppose this must be the way it feels when you finally find the person meant for you. All the things you once thought were stupid and overdone now seem right. I can’t wait to marry Madison.
Jackson is escorting her, and he walks her up to Philip, kissing her on the cheek under her veil as he places her hand in his. He steps back to join Cassandra, but not before looking over at us again, and then quickly away. He almost looks guilty or sad, and I can’t understand it.
I wonder if something is wrong between him and Cassandra. It would explain how he’s acting, especially if he said something to Madison about it. A wedding at a time like that would be hard. I’ve wondered a few times if he’s strayed and if Cassandra found out about that.
Their marriage has never been my ideal; it’s always my mother and John that I’ve looked up to. Jackson and Cassandra remind me more of what Holly and I were like…except Cassandra isn’t a lying bitch. Still, I hope that things are okay between them. Their marriage certainly isn’t as loving or affectionate as it once was. Maybe they’ve grown apart.
I’m pulled out of my thoughts by the start of the ceremony, and I squeeze Madison’s hand as Tiffany and Philip begin their vows. I run my thumb over the back of her hand as we listen to them make their promises to each other, and I can’t help but think of the ones I’ll make to Madison, someday soon.
Promises to love, to cherish, to honor, to be faithful…I can’t think of anything more natural when I’ve found a love like this one. There’s no other woman for me, no love that could feel better than this one. I pull Madison close as the preacher pronounces them man and wife, and they kiss—a kiss full of passion and love—and turn to walk back down the aisle as husband and wife.
I feel her squeeze my hand when it’s our turn to follow the bridal party out, her fingers wrapped tightly around mine, and that feeling of reassurance washes over me again.
After today things will go back to normal, and Madison and I can start planning our future together. Everything will be just fine.
The reception is a buzz of people everywhere. Madison and I wander through the crowd, picking at appetizers and talking to family members, waiting for the bride and groom to come back from taking pictures. When they enter, everyone stands and claps, the cheerful music playing loudly as they walk through the door with Jackson and Cassandra, Philip’s parents, and the bridal party behind them. I’ve never seen my sister look so happy, and Philip is beaming next to her. Even Madison seems more relaxed, coming back from the bar with a drink in her hand and a Manhattan for me. Cassandra is holding onto Jackson’s elbow as they walk in, whispering something to him, and he smiles at her—a real, genuine smile.
Maybe my earlier fears were for nothing.
Madison and I are
seated with Jackson and Cassandra and Philip’s parents, and as the waiter comes around and pours the wine for the first course, I lean across the table. “The wedding was perfect,” I tell Jackson. “Cassandra did a hell of a job helping Tiffany plan it.”
Cassandra blushes and waves a hand at me. “Oh, I didn’t do much,” she says. “We hired a wedding planner.”
“Tiffany says you helped a lot. Anyway, it’s a perfect wedding.”
I glance over at Madison, who is toying with a bite of appetizer.
“Hmm? Oh, yes. Of course,” she chimes in. “The wedding is gorgeous, and this sort of thing is definitely not my strong point,” she laughs. She doesn’t quite meet Jackson or Cassandra’s eyes, and I look at her with concern. But I don’t want to ask if she’s okay in front of the rest of the table, and maybe embarrass her, especially if she’s still feeling sick.
Jackson looks away before I can say anything else, starting a conversation with one of my uncles who walks by, and I turn my attention back to Madison. “I hope Dad’s okay,” I say, feeling that anxiety rise again. “He seems different, like something’s wrong. I just don’t know what.”
“I’m sure it’s just the wedding stress,” Madison says quickly. “And maybe thinking about the bill for the open bar.” She laughs, and I can’t help but join in. I can only imagine how astronomical it’s going to be, with the top-shelf liquor that I saw there earlier. “I plan to take full advantage of it,” I tell her. “And then maybe you, later.” I give her a wink, and she returns a small smile.
Dinner is served then, cutting short the conversation, and it’s nothing short of amazing. Madison seems to be enjoying it, and I’m glad. It’s a sign that she’s feeling better, but I can’t help notice Cassandra looking at her carefully. Maybe she’s picked up on how different Madison has seemed this weekend too.
