by Beth Michele
“What?” Rex and Hunter ask in unison, exchanging a quizzical stare.
“The whole guy hug thing cracks us up, that’s all. It’s like there’s a timer or something on a guy hug and God forbid you go past when the buzzer sounds.”
Rex chuckles and Hunter follows suit, latching onto Olivia’s hand and holding her close. “So we need to go do some guy stuff, sweetheart.” He smirks, tossing a look in her direction. “And besides, I know you really didn’t want me seeing you before tonight.”
“Yes, that’s true.” She winks at me. “Vanessa and I have some things we need to get done too, right, V?”
“Yup,” I reply, and Rex’s lips pull down in a frown.
He grips my t-shirt and pulls me to his side. “Wait, you’re leaving?”
“For a little while.” I run the back of my hand across his stubble. “I’ll see you later, though.”
“Oh.” He draws his lip between his teeth. “I was hoping we could do some things together.”
“We’re going to do lots of things together.” I edge closer and whisper in his ear, “Later.”
Hunter stares at Rex, grinning, his eyes focused on a spot above his head.
Rex pats his hair, glancing behind us. “What?”
Hunter chuckles, his gaze full of humor. “Are those fairies I see dancing above your head?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Rex retorts, giving him a playful smack on the arm.
“All right, come on. I need to take the bride-to-be out of here.” I touch my lips to Rex’s cheek and let them linger there. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, you will.” He brings me in for one more kiss before Olivia and Hunter lock lips and I nearly have to drag her out of there.
I stop just outside the door once it closes. “Holy shit, Liv! You’re getting married today!” I beam, and I find my own heart thundering in my chest as if it were me who was getting married. That’s how much I love her. “I’m ecstatic for you.”
Her blue eyes light up with her smile as she fans her hand in front of her face. “I’m sweating already. I’m so nervous, but Hunter doesn’t seem nervous at all.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s nervous. He just doesn’t show it like you do. Gosh,” I glance around, shaking my head, “I can’t believe this.” I wave my hand in the air, gesturing around us. “I can’t believe Hunter put us up in The Four Seasons. My father was here a few months ago apparently, and he told me it was pretty spectacular.”
“Speaking of which, how are things going with your dad?”
“They’re good. I mean, it’s slow going, you know. But we’re both trying and that’s what’s important. Of course,” I giggle, “Rex has already charmed him. He’s even thinking about getting a tattoo.”
“Why am I not surprised.”
But there’s something in her voice that makes me hesitate. I stop in front of a huge pastel painting of the ocean and shift to face her. “What is it? Are you upset about your family?”
“No, I mean….” She shuffles her feet along the floor. “Well, just disappointed. I know my father doesn’t do well with planes, and my sisters had a hard time getting the time off. I understand. It just would’ve been nice for them to be here. But Hunter said in the next month or so we’ll fly out to see them and have a big celebration.”
“That will be great. Okay, come on now.” I hook an arm over her shoulder as we continue to stroll through the lobby, exotic flowers at every turn. “I want to see that big, glowing smile on your face because we are about to get pampered for the biggest day of your life.” A flower arrangement in the corner catches my eye. “Wait, hold on.” I run over and plunge my nose into one of the petals, inhaling its fragrance.
She lodges a hand on her hip and shakes her head. “You are not seriously snorting those flowers are you? I can’t take you anywhere.” She giggles, throwing her hands up in the air and plodding off as I chase after her, our laughter echoing throughout the hotel.
The trellis is absolutely stunning, decorated with pink and yellow hibiscus, a scatter of white lilies, and Hawaiian fern. The sun is beginning to set, hints of orange streaking the sky unleashing a fiery glow on the ocean water beneath it. A glorious backdrop to the promises that are finally being exchanged, Hunter and Olivia pledging their love to one another in this romantic tropical paradise.
I’ll admit, I haven’t heard all of their vows. I’m trying to listen but Rex is very distracting. The black tux that is donning his perfect shape, the spike of his hair, the light shadow of stubble on his chin. I can hardly stand it. Speckles of gold dance in his russet-colored eyes as the departing sun casts a warm glow on his skin. And the way he’s staring at me. The love shining in his gaze that I can’t look away from—the one that makes my heart soar, my cheeks warm, my body come alive.
He pulls his cuff back, revealing the tattoo that matches mine, holding it up to me, smiling. I take in a silent breath of salty ocean air, my lips leaping at the corners, keeping time with my heart. How did I get so lucky? He is everything I could ever want, but never expected to have. And while I know he’s not perfect, he’s perfect for me, and I can finally say that I’m perfect for him, too.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The judge’s words bring my attention back to where it needs to be, albeit a little late.
Rex claps and whistles while I let out a squeal. Hunter and Olivia affirm their vows with a kiss to put all other kisses to shame. When they continue to lock lips, Rex comes over to me, pushing a ribbon of hair behind my shoulder.
“Now I can tell you how stunning you look.”
“Well.” I fist my hands in the lapels of his jacket, pulling him closer. “You look pretty stunning yourself,” I murmur, my lips doing a soft brush against his. “Why aren’t we kissing? Everyone else is.”
“We are kissing, baby.” He seals his lips over mine and I sigh into his mouth, relaxing against him as his arms come around my waist.
Someone clears their throat from behind us and I’m so lost in our kiss that I don’t realize it’s Hunter. “Who got married here?” he jokes, and I rush up to Olivia, throwing my arms around her while Rex embraces his brother.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Grayson.” I squeeze her so tight, her happiness flowing right through me.
“Thanks, V,” she replies, beaming when I let her go.
“Congrats, bro.” Rex chimes in, hugging Hunter and lifting him off the ground. When he finally sets him down, I hug him, too.
“Congratulations, Hunter.” I kiss him on the cheek and then step back. “So, what now? Isn’t it time to party?”
“It sure is,” Olivia agrees, her blue eyes twinkling, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy.
I turn my head in Rex’s direction and it looks like he’s ready to party too. He removes his tux jacket, hanging it over the trellis, but I’m a bit puzzled when his hands lower to release buttons on his shirt.
The wrinkle that bubbles up whenever I’m confused makes an appearance. “What are you doing?” I ask, but am rewarded with nothing but silence.
Instead, he shoots me a mischievous grin before stopping midway down his shirt and popping the button on his pants. That’s when I glance over at Hunter and Olivia, crinkling my nose, hands darting out from my sides.
“Hunter, will you do something about your brother, he’s out of his mind!” I shout, but Hunter only shrugs in return, laughing with a huge smile on his face.
Rex continues to strip down, and I’m suddenly thankful we’re on a private beach. I’m not interested in sharing him with anyone.
“What are you doing?” I ask again, and still he doesn’t answer. Instead, I watch as his pants drop onto the sand, leaving him in a pair of swim trunks. When I look back to Olivia and Hunter for help again, they’re locked in an embrace.
Buttons continue to be released on his shirt, all the while I’m shaking my head, doing my best to fight back the grin on my face. He’s crazy, and this is exactly wh
y I love him.
His shirt falls to the sand, and when my eyes drift back up to his sculptured abs, I blink them several times to make sure I’m not seeing things. Written across his chest in bold, black marker are the words LOVE is Fucking Amazing.
“What on earth are you doing?” I mouth, gesturing with my hands, and he ignores me, crooking his finger as he walks backward, urging me to follow. He continues toward the water until he spins around and I drop to my knees, stunned, the words MARRY ME splayed across the rippled muscles of his back in that same bold marker.
My entire body begins to shake, tears taking a furious roll down my cheeks. Rex finally turns around when he realizes I’m no longer behind him.
He walks over, crouching down on the sand in front of me. “If I knew this is all it would take to bring you to your knees, I would’ve done it a lot sooner.”
“You’re insane!” I cry out as he lifts a hand to cup my cheek, tears trailing over his thumb. And while I might be making a fuss, this is the single most amazing moment of my entire life.
“I’m insanely in love with you.” He exhales a shaky breath. “You know, it wasn’t until I met you that I started looking forward to the next day. And the next day after that.” Sweat trickles down his skin as he takes a pause, meanwhile my head is spinning, my heart a wonderful jumble. Catching a tear from the corner of my eye with his finger, he continues, “I know that I may not always say the right thing, but I promise I’ll do right by you. I’ll jump over fucking hurdles for you, and I’ll do anything to make you smile.”
His other hand comes up to frame my face, his warm brown gaze holding mine. “I want you to know that you can be human with me and I’ll be right by your side, that you can be imperfect and I’ll love you no matter what. And that you never have to hide with me. I want to see how you feel, hear your thoughts, know your heart. I promise that I’ll help you continue to bloom like those wildflowers that you loved so much.”
With a loving smile on his lips, he presses a kiss to my forehead. “This is the real deal, baby. You and me. And,” he hesitates, presenting me with a beautiful diamond ring that he seems to pull out of thin air, “I know this isn’t a fancy restaurant, and the ring isn’t sitting in a strawberry, but—”
“Rex.” I refuse to let him go on. “It’s you and I fucking love it. I love you so much. And I don’t need anything else except what I have right here.” I touch my palm to his cheek and he leans into me. “You are all I need.” More tears spill down my cheeks and I feel as if I’m making up for lost time.
“I just wanted this to be perfect for you, you know?” The doubt in his stare makes my heart stumble, the need to reassure him the only thing that matters.
“You are perfect for me. So you need to stop talking now and just kiss me.”
“Wait, is that a yes?” he asks over the screech of the overhead gulls. “You see,” he grins, “even they want to know the answer.”
“That’s a hell yes. Now kiss me.”
And so he does.
She said yes.
I can’t fucking believe it. But as our tongues move against one another, I taste it. Life. Hope. Love. And it’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever tasted.
She leaves me, but stays close, her breath brushing my lips, both of us smiling against one another.
“So, this is what it’s like,” I murmur as she places gentle kisses around my mouth.
Her lips pause, a question in her gaze. “What what’s like?”
“Happiness.”
“Yes.” She smiles, her blue eyes dancing with it. I love the way her eyes look now. Gone is that cold sadness from before, replaced by light and life.
My heart is running a marathon, thumping against my chest. A feeling that I’m getting used to, that I welcome. I’m not really one of those people that believe in fate but somehow it kind of feels like we belong together… like we were meant to be.
Standing up, I lift her under the arms and she wraps her legs around my waist. Her dress bunches around her hips, which doesn’t concern her in the least bit. And it sure as hell doesn’t concern me as I cup her ass, feeling the silk of her panties beneath my hands. Her hair sways with the gentle breeze, cheeks and lips pink from the sun. She smiles, arching a curious brow, but not bothering to ask me what I’m doing because she knows it won’t make a difference.
My feet make contact with the cool, crisp water. All the while her eyes are on mine, gaze caressing me. “You’re not attached to this dress, are you?” I ask as I continue to walk further into the ocean.
“Nope,” she replies, not surprised when I set her down, knee deep in the clearest, bluest water I’ve ever seen.
“Give me your hand,” I order, and she holds it out to me as I slip the engagement ring on her finger. It’s a perfect fit.
“It’s beautiful.” She stares down at it, moving her hand from left to right, watching the sparkles as the sun continues to set behind us.
“So, I’m going to be Mrs. Rex Grayson.” She lets out a happy sigh, still admiring the ring with a beaming smile on her lips.
“I like the sound of that. Actually, come to think of it, I like all your sounds,” I tease, “and now I get to hear them for the rest of my life.”
“And there’s so many you’ve yet to hear.” She weaves her arms back around my neck, resting her forehead against mine. “I love you, Rex.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Our heads both lift and turn at the same time, glancing up at the sky. The moon is beginning to make an appearance, casting a warm glow on the rippling water surrounding us.
“There’s your moon, Rex. It looks so close, like it’s finally within your reach.”
My gaze slides to her, and I grasp her chin, slowly turning her face to mine. “You’re right. It’s in the palm of my hand now.” I brush the backs of my fingers down her cheek. “And I don’t have to run anymore.”
“Rex.”
“I really love you,” I breathe out, “you’re everything to me—my today, my tomorrow, my forever.”
And then I kiss my future, finally saying goodbye to my past.
If you’d like to read about Hunter and Olivia’s beginning, check out their story in Finding Autumn
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Lovely
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Scarred Beautiful
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Love Love
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To my family, as always, for being so incredibly patient while I sat glued to my computer for hours on end to write this story. To Richard, for always listening and supporting me, even when I sound like a crazy person. To Isabella and Richie for being so patient when Mom had just one more thought to get out, and always running into the bathroom with paper and pen when inspiration hit me in the shower. The main reason I’m able to do what I do is because I have your support—and that means everything to me.
To Nikki Groom for, well, the list is endless. For your friendship, your support, for making me smile bigger when I’m already smiling, and lifting me up when my smile falters. Thank you for taking the time to read and provide your thoughts and feedback!
To Cheryl McIntyre. I feel so blessed that I discovered your books, that ultimately led me to you and our friendship. You are a treasure of a person and I am so happy to know you. Thank you for your unwavering support, for taking the time to read, and giving me invaluable suggestions.
To Dawn McIntyre. I’m happy to call you my friend. I so appreciate you reading through my work and taking the time to provide me with insight and lending me your critical eye. I honestly can’t thank you enough!
To my pals Vi Keeland, Kristi Webster, Chris Carmilia, A.J. Warner, Cristina Arpin, Sunniva Dee, Natalie Catalano, Mary Tatar, Monica James, and Devon Herrera for your friendship, your
laughter, your kindness, and your support. You all rock my entire existence!!
To my fellow authors, thank you for your support. You inspire me every day with your words and your stories, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful community.
To Lea Marika. What can I say, Lea? You are amazing. Thank you for being so in-tune with my thought process, my tireless pursuit of perfection, and my crazy mind. You are a wonderful editor and I appreciate all of your feedback and your support in helping me make my books the best they can be!
To Sommer Stein at Perfect Pear Creative for designing a unique and beautiful cover that fit so perfectly with my vision for REX.
To Golden Czermak at FuriousFotog for being so amazing to work with, and for the fabulous photograph that couldn’t have been more perfect for my REX.
To Angela McLaurin at Fictional Formats for always turning my books into beautiful works of art. I am so appreciative of your creativity, your hard work, and your time.
To all of the bloggers who willingly take the time to read, review, share, and promote. There is no way that I could get the word out about my books without you. From blog tours, to reviews, to ARCs, to all the little messages I receive containing your enthusiasm and excitement for my novels. I can never thank you enough. Thank you to Love Between the Sheets for always doing such a wonderful job organizing my release blitz’s, blog tours, and anything else that my mind conjures up!
Finally, to my readers. I honestly don’t know how to express what it means to me that you take the time to read my work, send me messages, mention me in posts, and spread the word about my books. You always manage to put the biggest smile on my face. Knowing my writing has made a difference in your life is what makes a difference in mine. Thank you.
