JG: I think kids are definitely part of the big picture. Someday. In the future.
GS: What do you like to do in your off time?
L: Have sex.
JG: Jace!
JG to GS: Don’t put that in the interview.
L to JG: Who cares? Anyone who looks at you will understand my answer anyway.
JG:
L: BLEEP. BLEEP.
GS:
JG: I like action movies. And family dinners.
L: I like working on my cars.
GS: One last question before I cease fire. Who said I love you first?
JG: Pretty sure that was me.
L: But I said it back.
There you have it, race fans, my Rapid Fire Round with Joey Gamble and Lorhaven—who, by their own admission, are soon to be married!
If you enjoyed this RFR interview, be sure to check out our bonus RFR in the back of this issue with GearShark’s favorite couple, Drew Forrester and Trent Mask!
It only took me a little over a month to plan the wedding. I didn’t want anything over the top, but I wanted something I would always remember.
My father was so supportive. When I offered to invite some of his business contacts, he shot it down instantly. He wanted our wedding to be all about family. I had to admit it surprised me, but it was a pleasant surprise, and I certainly wasn’t going to question him.
Because Lorhaven didn’t want to wait (I didn’t either!) I chose a day in early September. The weather here in Maryland was cooling down but wasn’t so cold we couldn’t be outdoors for a beautiful fall ceremony.
The Gamble estate was the perfect location. The vast property my father’s house sat on and the privacy it afforded was a no-brainer.
The guest list was small, just our family and close friends. Oh, and my mother flew in as well. It was the first time I’d seen her in several years. She was completely charmed by Jace, which annoyed me to no end.
All my life, she barely approved of anything I did, until she caught one look at my soon-to-be very attractive and rich husband and decided I was once again the daughter she always wanted.
Yeah. Don’t think so, Mom.
Get your own man and keep your paws off mine.
Luckily, Jace was no fool. It was so terribly bitchy, but it gave me intense glee to watch him treat her so coolly and her get so flustered, unable to understand why.
I didn’t have any close girlfriends, something I never really cared about until I was planning this wedding. My entire family was a bunch of men. I liked men… but let’s face it; men were morons sometimes.
And they didn’t care at all about weddings or gowns or bridal hairstyles.
I didn’t think I much cared either until I started planning Arrow and Hopper’s wedding and then my own.
I don’t know how, but Trent knew. He always knew. He had some sort of deep, emphatic way about him, of anticipating someone’s deepest emotions.
He and Drew showed up one day with their sisters in tow. Ivy Forrester was pretty much becoming a twenty-first century style icon. Rimmel was a self-proclaimed hot mess, but Ivy made a tsking sound and told her she was coming into her own.
I thought the tiny, dark-haired football star wife was pretty gorgeous, in an understated way. Even if she did some dress shopping in an old hoodie.
I’d met the girls before, of course, when I was “training” Drew for the NRR, at other races, and Jace and I had spent some time at their family compound because Arrow loved it there so much. Even so, I was too shy (Me, shy? Guess so.) to call and ask them to basically do girly stuff with me. Besides, I could do this on my own. I didn’t need anyone to help me pick out a gown or makeup…
I kinda wanted someone, though.
Like I said, Trent knew. I didn’t even have time to feel awkward when they all showed up, like I was pathetic for not having any girls as friends to rely on, because Ivy was like a tornado.
She swept into Dad’s house as if she’d visited a thousand times and started girl talk as if we had every day for years. Meanwhile, Rimmel made coffee and gave suggestions, to which Ivy would gasp and proclaim to be the “best ever.”
I sat at the giant island, a little overwhelmed but also kind of emotional. Trent caught my eye and smiled, which made me shove off the barstool and hug him spontaneously.
About thirty minutes into the visit, Drew announced he’d had enough torture and wanted French fries. Ivy called him a butthead, and Rimmel laughed.
Once the boys were all gone, the three of us put our heads together and came up with something I thought was perfect. During the weeks that led up to the wedding, I kept in touch with both girls, and to my surprise, they became real friends, not just girls who would help me with my big day and then disappear from my life.
The day of our wedding dawned. The sky was a perfect shade of blue and only the fluffiest, whitest clouds filled the sky. There was a cool breeze in the air, and as I dressed, I imagined it gently ruffling the petals of the sunflowers I’d chosen as decoration outside.
“You look absolutely stunning,” Ivy said after adding the finishing touches to my makeup and stepping away. “Rim?”
Rimmel was standing nearby in a wine-colored, one-shoulder gown that skimmed the floor when she moved. The flowy fabric also did an expert job at concealing a barely-there baby bump. “Perfect.” She agreed.
Butterflies danced low in my belly. I pressed a hand there and stepped up in front of the giant mirror leaning against the wall. We were in my old bedroom here at my father’s estate, which I’d basically turned into wedding headquarters over the past few weeks.
“How in the world did you do it?” I asked, staring at my reflection, disbelief heavy in my voice.
“Do what?” Ivy asked, wrinkling her nose.
“Make me look like this in half the time it takes me to make myself look half this amazing.”
Rimmel snorted. “It’s her God-given gift. She does it to me all the time.”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “It’s hardly difficult. You two are beautiful to begin with.”
Gazing back into the mirror, I took in the way I looked, noting I’d never looked so good. Which was so appropriate because I didn’t think I’d ever been quite this happy.
“That gown is so beautiful. It inspired me to write an article for my column in People all about the designer,” Ivy said.
My gown was the most stunning thing I’d ever worn, designed by Galia Lahav for the most recent fall collection. The gown was designed with a beautiful, classic silhouette that hugged all my curves expertly. From the waist up, the bodice was completely fitted, boasting a high, sheer neckline and lace cap sleeves. There was a wide cutout between my breasts, but instead of being open and too exposing, it was filled in with sheer lace and heavier 3D appliques that sparkled with fine beadwork.
The waist itself was also slightly sheer and made of the same material as the neck, which sort of looked like the fanciest kind of white, sheer netting a person could afford. From the waist, it draped over my curvy hips and fell to the floor in a white, sparkly curtain.
The entire gown was so white it was near icy. The lavish beading was so intricately done, on first glance, one thought it was the lacy fabric that shimmered so.
Because of the beading and appliques, the gown had some weight to it, but I didn’t mind. It helped me feel grounded on a day I felt I was floating.
Due to the dress being such a showpiece, I went very simple on accessories, my only two being the cuff bracelet Hopper and Arrow gifted me and my engagement ring from Jace. I bucked tradition and chose a pair of wine-colored heels.
Ivy did my makeup in a natural, glowy way that gave me a “lit from within” look. My usually wild curly hair was blown out and pulled back into a simple twist with a few wispy pieces around my temples and ears.
“Just one more thing,” Ivy said, pulling a small white box out of her bag. �
��For you.”
My eyes widened. “You got me a gift?”
“You are the bride,” Rimmel said, stepping closer.
“Yes, but you’ve already done more than enough. Just being here—”
“Are you kidding? We’re friends now! Practically family. We don’t work that way in our family,” Ivy boasted.
Rimmel nodded sagely. “We like to give presents.”
I laughed and took the box. “Seriously, though,” I said, feeling all emotional. “The best gift of all is getting to know you both better. I’ve never had friends that were girls.”
“That’s because bitches be tripping,” Rimmel quipped.
“Word,” Ivy deadpanned.
I laughed. “Well, you two aren’t bitches.”
“Open it!” Rimmel insisted.
It was a pair of diamond earrings. In the shape of the Eiffel Tower. Tears flooded my eyes.
“Oh no you don’t!” Ivy went into crisis mode and started fanning me with everything she could find. “Don’t cry! You’ll ruin your makeup.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I forced back the tears. “They’re beautiful.”
“A little birdie told us you got engaged there,” Ivy said.
Rimmel added, “And you can wear them on your honeymoon to see the original!”
Still holding the box, I threw my arms around them both.
“We need to go take our seats,” Ivy said, sniffling. “Put those on and then meet your father downstairs.”
I nodded.
When I was alone, a calmness settled over me. A bone-deep rightness. Suddenly, all I wanted was to make it to Jace and look into his deep, chocolate eyes.
My father was waiting at the back door when I stepped into his view. He straightened immediately, his eyes turning misty.
“You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, Josephine.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
Moving forward, I took his arm and gazed out the back door toward the wedding setup on the rolling lawn.
“Joey,” he said before we stepped outside. “I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of you. How much I love you. I know I haven’t always showed it the best I could, but—”
I leaned over, kissing his cheek and silencing his words. “I know, Daddy. I love you. Thank you for always being here for me.”
Blinking rapidly and adjusting his wine-colored tie, he cleared his throat. “I’m not sure this fellow is good enough after all. Maybe you should ditch him and just move back home.”
I laughed, and the music started up outside. “I’m doing this,” I said. “You coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
We walked together across a long white path that was laid just for this moment. It led up to a large white archway dripping in sunflowers and other greenery. On each side of the arch was a door. Old wooden barn doors that were weathered and opened as if they welcomed us into the wedding.
Beyond the archway and the doors were a bunch of white wooden chairs where all our guests sat smiling. I barely paid them any attention. My eyes went straight to the second archway that served as the altar. It too was draped in sunflowers and greenery. Huge pots of deep-burgundy mums flanked the wooden platform, defining the space where Jace stood.
He was dressed in a classic black tuxedo with a white vest and black tie. It’s true what they say about men in suits.
Well, not all men—just Jace.
It was an aphrodisiac.
Our eyes collided instantaneously, as if they’d been waiting for the moment they would at last meet. He liked the way I looked. I knew because of the way his eyes widened and filled with awe when I first stepped into his sight.
Arrow stood behind his brother, also dressed in a classic black tux, and on the other side of the altar, on my side, stood Hopper.
When I glanced at him, he winked.
“Did you change your mind?” my father whispered.
I giggled and stepped through the doors beneath the arch.
Everyone stood as I walked down the aisle, arm in arm with my father, holding a giant bouquet of sunflowers. The autumn breeze stirred, spreading the scent of fresh-cut flowers t. I inhaled, knowing I would acquaint this scent with this day for the rest of my life.
I quickened my steps toward Jace, and the closer I got, muffled laughter filled the space. I glanced over and saw Romeo standing beside Rimmel. He was about four times her size.
“Young lady, slow down. Have some decorum,” my father muttered mildly.
“No way, Dad. You know I like speed.”
He laughed, and we powerwalked the rest of the way down the aisle.
Jace was grinning when I finally got there. “Took you long enough.” He teased.
“Do you give this woman to this man to be married?” the minister asked my father.
“I guess so,” he replied.
I elbowed him lightly in the side.
“I do,” he said louder.
After kissing his cheek, finally, finally, I stepped up beside Jace.
The ceremony went quickly, and when we finally said I do, Jace wasn’t shy about pulling me tautly against him, wrapping me in his arms, and planting the mother of all kisses right on my lips.
Everyone cheered, and we ran back down the aisle hand in hand as bird seed came flying from every direction.
The reception was in a nearby building my father had built just for this purpose. I thought it was a little overboard to build and entire barn just for the sole purpose of a wedding ceremony, but my father did what he wanted and that would never change.
The interior was rustic and chic at the same time. White lights hung everywhere. Sunflowers and white pillar candles wrapped in cinnamon sticks filled the tables.
We dined on lobster tail and steak, all the guys roasted Jace with their toasts, and our wedding cake was chocolate.
Yes, chocolate. Just like my shoes, I bucked tradition and went with what I wanted (and maybe I was kinda craving chocolate). It was five layers of rich, dark chocolate, and the side exploded with sunflowers.
Besides Jace, the cake was my favorite part.
Just after polishing off my second piece (It was my wedding; I could do what I wanted.), Jace pulled me outside, pushing me up against the side of the barn.
“I’ve been waiting to get you alone.”
Lifting his left hand, I gazed down at the steel band on his finger. It had tire treads engraved around the band and my name on the inside. “The bad boy of racing wears a wedding band at last,” I murmured, smiling.
“It’s not nearly as painful as I thought it would be,” he cracked.
Glancing down at the large engagement ring adorning my finger, which was now accompanied by a thin band of diamonds, I had to concur. “Doesn’t hurt at all.”
Sliding his arms between me and the wooden barn, Jace lowered his face to capture my lips. Music from inside filtered out and danced through the air, giving a rhythm to our kiss and making my body sway.
With one final stroke of his tongue, Jace lifted his head. “How much longer until we can blow this joint?”
Giggling, I shook my head. “We have guests.”
Sighing, his forehead dropped to mine. “I’ll share you a little bit longer, and then all bets are off.”
“Deal.” I nodded once, shoving my hand between us.
He knocked it away and claimed my lips again. This time the music faded away, and so did all our surroundings. It was just him and me… husband and wife.
The best part about a wedding? The wedding night!
Seeing Josie walk down the aisle was actually pretty freaking amazing, though. The second she stepped through the archway, I felt I was driving down a narrow two-lane road in the dead of night and a Mac truck came out of nowhere, blarring the highbeams right in my eyes.
Blinded.
She blinded me.
I actually lifted my hand to shield my eyes, still staring.
I’d think she somehow had some sort
of witch make her gown to vex me, but I knew better. Josie was gorgeous. Seeing her walk toward me in an all-white gown of lace and some sort of sparkly shit was no exception. Shit, if anything, she was the reason the dress looked so fucking sexy. Her curves filled it out in all. The. Right. Ways.
Basically, the wedding was foreplay for me. A giant buildup to when I would finally get her alone in the honeymoon suite at the nicest hotel in town.
Which was right the hell now.
The elevator opened with a silent glide, revealing a set of pristine white doors with a gold plate in the center that read: PENTHOUSE.
The small space between the elevator and the entrance to the room was silent, hushed.
Barely noticing the way the doors whooshed closed behind us, I quickly pulled out the keycard, then whisked Josie off her feet to carry her over the threshold.
Before the door even shut behind us, I heard her breath catch. “Did you do this?” Her voice held a note of reverence.
“Wish I could say yes,” I murmured, surveying the setup.
The suite was filled with lit candles and richly pigmented red rose petals. A little farther into the room, on a stone countertop, was a large gold bucket with a bottle of Dom sticking out the top. Two crystal champagne flutes sat waiting beside the bucket, along with what looked like a giant box of chocolates with an even bigger red bow.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, gazing over the path of red roses that led out of this room and into the next.
Holding out my hand, I wagged my brows. “Two guesses on where those petals lead.”
Josie took my hand, but before we started across the carpet, she reached down and pulled off her wine-colored heels, tossing them near the door.
“Ahh,” she sighed.
Following her lead, I kicked off my shoes as well, and then hand in hand, we walked over the silky petals. On our way by, I grabbed the bottle of Dom and the glasses, along with hte notecard sitting with them.
The petals led us straight into the bedroom, but they didn’t stop. Instead, they bloomed out, scattered all around the room, even on the side tables and dresser. The all-white bed had a giant red heart in the center, made entirely of the flower petals.
#FinishLine (GearShark #5) Page 23
