“I’m not running. I’ll always need a girls’ weekend, and anyway, look how that turned out. Here I am, back in your bed.”
“Our bed.”
“Our bed.” I smiled.
“I want to marry you because I want you to be my wife. Sooner rather than later.” He slid a warm palm around my neck, his thumb working soft circles on my cheekbone.
“Yeah?” Tears sprang to my eyes as I watched the love pouring from him. He had so much love to give. He’d been cheated from his mother’s love when he was little, but the love he held inside him overwhelmed me.
“Yeah.” He brought his lips to mine in a soft kiss, his tongue caressing my lips, letting him once again own my heart.
“Okay.” I pulled away from his lips, a smile lighting my face.
“Okay what?” His emerald green eyes searched my own.
“Okay, let’s get married.”
“This weekend?” His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“We’ve been engaged long enough. I’m ready to make you mine.” I grinned up at him. A heart-stopping smile lit his face. His teeth were on full display, lips curved up in a brilliant smile.
“God, you’re so fucking beautiful.” He threaded both his hands into my hair and crashed my lips to his. “I’m so fucking ready to tie myself to you forever.”
“Thanks, I think.” I laughed.
“Smart ass.” He flipped me over and took my lips with his again, before moving along to my neck and across my collarbone. He discovered my body with his lips and his hands, skimming, sucking, caressing, and loving and it was the most beautiful wake-up call I’d had with him yet.
“Will you walk me down the aisle, Silas?”
“Georgia . . .” He leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek. “It would be my honor.” I could see tears swimming in his eyes. “Now let me see you.” He held me at arm’s length to inspect the lace dress that hugged my lean form. “This is way too old-fashioned, we need something sexier.” He swatted me on my ass and I giggled before turning back into the dressing room. Drew, Silas, and I were at a local dress shop. I was forced to buy off the hanger, but I was glad to have a wedding dress at all after Tristan sprang his “let’s get married right now” proposition on me.
The consultant zipped me into a flowing champagne-colored dress. I stepped out of the dressing room and onto the pedestal to take in my reflection in the three-way mirror.
“That’s what I’m talking about. Spin.” Silas turned his finger in circles.
“Oh my God, G.” Drew stood with her hands locked to her lips, tears pooling in her eyes. “It's breathtaking.”
“Really?” I turned in the mirror. “You think he’ll like it?” I took in the short train before my eyes zeroed in on the intricate beadwork on the straps. They came together across my shoulder blades and then connected in a waterfall of lace and beadwork down the center of my spine to the small of my back where they attached to the champagne satin.
“He will be breathless, love.”
“Yeah?” I turned, a smile curling my lips, tears swimming in my eyes as the overwhelming emotion came to the surface. I was marrying Tristan today. My heart thudded in my chest. I was excited, but didn’t have a single second thought. I expected Drew and Silas to second-guess me, but instead they'd squealed and pushed me into the car to get a dress before our evening ceremony.
“Ho Hey by The Lumineers rang through the dress shop and Drew fumbled for her phone. “I have to take this, it’s the officiant. But that’s the dress. He’s going to be hard for you all through the ceremony.” She winked.
“Drew.” I laughed before looking in the mirror again.
“And don't forget we have to swing by the town clerk's office for a marriage license. You're going to be Georgia Howell,” Drew sang, answering her phone.
“She’s right. You're stunning, love.” Silas stepped onto the pedestal with me and wrapped his arms around my waist, setting his chin on my shoulder.
We locked eyes in the mirror. “I love you, Silas. For everything. For being there for me, for being you, for making me laugh, for telling me how it is when I don’t want to hear it.”
“I love you too, Georgia.” He swiped tears from his eyes. “Enough with the sappy shit. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”
“Okay.” I smiled softly. “Silas?”
“Yeah, love?” He turned to look back at me.
“Do you like him?” I whispered, my eyes searching his bright blue ones.
“I love him, Georgia. And more importantly, you love him. I can see it every time you look at him, and every time he looks at you. Even with everything going on, I knew you'd get through it. Do you think I’d let you marry just anyone?”
“No.” I smiled and wiped a tear from my eyes.
“So why the sad face?” My best friend held my cheeks in his palms.
“It's just . . .the way we started . . .” I stopped as more tears slid down my face.
“Hey, hey. Just because you started off ugly, doesn’t mean you can't have a marriage that's just as strong and beautiful as everyone else's. Okay, love?”
I nodded as his words eased the fear in my heart.
“Good. Plus, he’s nice to look at. I don’t mind sharing holidays with that face.”
“Silas, you’re a married man.” I sniffed the last of my tears away.
“You think Justin doesn’t agree with me? We’ve got our list. We get a pass with anyone on our list, and your boy, if he ever goes bi, is on my list.” Silas winked.
“Silas. Fuck, seriously? That’s my future husband.”
“I know.” He shrugged.
“Would you really?” I arched a concerned eyebrow.
“Not for a minute. I’m just teasing you, love. But if I would have gotten hold of him a year ago . . .”
“Oh my God.” I giggled and smacked him on the cheek. “You’ll never change.”
“You wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Not for a second.” I pecked him on the lips.
“Go change. We have to go to the flower shop and then Drew has big plans for us at home.” He passed me a loving smile.
“I need to see her.” I heard Tristan growl from the other side of the door.
“You can’t see her before the wedding,” Drew’s voice replied, anger seething in every word.
“I don’t care. I need to see her.” I heard a scuffle.
“Tristan. You fucking caveman.” I heard a thud and imagined it was Drew’s fist meeting Tristan’s solid chest.
“Babe?” A soft knock hit the door.
“Yeah?” I whispered.
“Can I come in?”
I licked my lips. I knew Drew was going to be pissed. We were less than a half hour away from the ceremony, my hair and makeup were done, and I was trussed up in a backless lace corset and garters, the last step before putting on my dress.
“Just a sec.” I scurried, dress in hand, to hang it in the bathroom before closing the door so he wouldn’t see it. “’Kay,” I whispered as I stood in the middle of the room, waiting for him.
“Georgia,” Drew shrieked. Tristan opened the door, ducking his head in, blond waves falling over his eyes. He was dressed in charcoal slacks and a white shirt, untucked but buttoned, a beautiful grey blue tie hanging loose around his neck.
“Five minutes,” Drew ordered before Tristan shut the door in her face.
“Hey.” His eyes held mine, his gaze hot and fierce. Passion simmered just beneath their emerald depths.
“Hey,” I murmured. His eyes flicked down my body, over the lace hoisting my breasts to my chin, the boning whittling my waist, the scrap of lace panties and the garters attached at my thighs. He inhaled a sharp breath. I pressed my lips together nervously.
“Are you good?” he muttered as he stepped closer, taking my face in both of his hands.
“So good,” I answered, never breaking his intense gaze.
“’Kay.” He pressed his lips to mine in a kiss that
meant so much more than just our lips pressed together. It conveyed his longing for me and anxiety that I still might run. I wouldn't run. Truth be told, I was surprised how calm I was. If anything, I was afraid he would cave, decide he wasn't ready after all.
“Are you good?” I pulled away and searched his face. His eyes flicked down to my lips, swollen from his kiss.
“I’m so fucking good.” He pulled me to his lips again. One hand smoothed down my ribcage and held me tight to him at the waist. I snaked a hand around his hips and held him to me.
“I love you,” I murmured as I rested my head on his shoulder and took a hit of my favorite scent. That ocean fresh scent that calmed me, soothed my nerves, made me feel at home.
“I love you too, baby. More and more every day.” He threaded his fingers through the loose waves that trailed over one shoulder. “You look beautiful.” He lifted my head and dusted his nose along mine.
“Thanks.” I closed my eyes and enjoyed this moment before we got married. Our last single moment together. My mind ran through the last year and a half remembering the instant he stepped into the beach house kitchen last summer, and tipped his head at me, his eyes taking me in. Then he'd helped me cook dinner and swiped a blob of paint off my temple. He took my breath away then and he was still doing it now.
“Time’s up.” Drew knocked on the door.
“See you in twenty?” He pulled away from me, worry dancing in his eyes, his full bottom lip sucked between his teeth.
“I’ll be the one in white.” I grinned and traced my thumb along his upper lip before freeing the bottom one from his grasp.
“Can’t wait.” He sighed before leaning down to capture my lips with his own. He held my cheeks firmly in his hands, his thumbs resting on my cheekbones, holding my face while he took my lips, something he’d been doing since the beginning of us. He owned me with that kiss. Possessing me, reassuring me, reassuring himself.
“See you, beautiful.” He pulled away, bringing my hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on my knuckles.
“See you,” I breathed. His lips turned up in his beautiful, lopsided grin before he turned and whisked out of the room. He past Drew, and she gave him an angry glare. He only winked as he passed her.
“Stubborn bastard,” she murmured before stepping in and heading for the bathroom for my dress. I laughed as butterflies danced in my stomach. He was my stubborn bastard and I loved every single bit of him.
31
I held her hand firmly in my own as we sat at the table. Every moment of today, she’d taken my breath away.
When she’d walked down the makeshift aisle in the sand lined with petals to meet me at the end,
when she'd told me she promised to love me forever and said, “I do,” and
when she kissed me, she left me breathless.
But it shouldn’t have been a surprise, because every day since she’d entered my life a year ago, she'd been stealing my breath.
Now we sat outside at the table Drew had set up, covered in white linen, champagne glasses half full, candles flickering in the evening light. I had finally married the girl that had been stealing my breath from day one.
My fingertips worked small circles, fingering the satin of her dress high on her thigh. Seeing her in that white dress, walking toward me, I'd closed my eyes because she was the most stunning fucking thing I’d ever seen. I’d never imagined my wedding day, never thought I would get married, never cared to, but seeing her walk toward me, watching her give her life to me, promising to love me and let me take care of her, wake up with her every morning—the enormity of the moment nearly stopped my heart.
“I can’t wait to peel this dress off you,” I leaned into her neck and whispered in her ear.
“Tristan.” She looked up at me with hooded eyes, biting her bottom lip. I knew that look. That was the look that told me she wanted me. She squirmed and pressed her thighs together. Another one of her signals. White dress or not, she always looked better naked, and we’d been putting on appearances all fucking day. The minute her lips locked with mine after we'd said, “I do,” I had wanted her. I wanted to consummate our love. Show her she was mine and I was abso-fucking-lutely hers. Every inch of me, every beat of my heart belonged to her.
“Let’s duck out of here. They won’t mind,” I murmured as I traced a fingertip up her thigh. “You look gorgeous, but I like you better naked,” I growled. She turned me into an animal.
“Yes.” I could see her chest heaving with labored pants.
“Fuck, you’re wet already, aren’t you?” I nipped at her earlobe as a small moan escaped her throat.
“Come on.” Gavin threw his cloth napkin at me. “Like we don’t know what the fuck you’re doing, man.” He laughed as Drew shook her head and ducked under his arm, snuggling up close.
“I can’t help it if I want to get this dress off her.” I ran my nose up the delicate line of her neck and felt her shuddering beneath my breath.
“Remember how we were, honey? You can’t blame them.” Justin passed Silas a knowing look.
“Jesus, spare me the details,” Drew groaned before she tipped the glass of champagne to her lips.
“All night.” Silas grinned and then pressed a deep kiss to Justin’s lips. A smile lit my face because I loved it when Silas fucked with Drew.
“Can we call it a night? I want to get my wife in bed,” I murmured, swallowing the last of the champagne in my glass.
“Tristan,” she chided.
I shrugged. “You guys are staying in the beach house, right?”
“Yep. Go on. We’ll take these few things in so you guys can get started on your wedding night.” Drew winked at Georgia.
“I can help.” Georgia stood and I whipped my head around to look at her. I couldn’t stand another minute. I’d been suffering with a tent in my pants all through dinner.
“They can get it, babe.” I tried to signal her with my eyes. She arched a knowing eyebrow at me before I stood up and clasped one of her hands in mine. “Trust me, they can get it,” I growled in her ear.
“Problem, lover boy?” She palmed my dick through my pants and my hips jerked involuntarily. The air escaped my lungs in a whoosh.
“That’s it. We’re starting our wedding night now if I have to carry you over my shoulder to our bedroom.”
She giggled and gave my cock a squeeze.
“Vixen.” I tugged on her hand. The breeze whipped her thick chestnut hair around her shoulder as the wind carried her laugh and she looked back at our friends and gave a small wave. They whooped and hollered at us as we walked up the sand to the deck. I lifted her in my arms, the soft satin of her dress caressing my skin as she wrapped her arms around my neck and giggled. I thought the champagne had gotten to her.
“You're such a caveman sometimes,” she murmured.
“You bring it out in me.” I flashed the crooked grin that always had her melting in a puddle at my feet before I stepped across the threshold of our house for the first time as husband and wife.
“My caveman,” she murmured as I crossed into our room and set her down in front of the bed. She nipped her lip between her teeth and looked up beneath hooded eyelids.
“God, that look, baby.” My heart pounded in my chest. I traced a finger along her collarbone, ran it across her shoulder, and then gently turned her away from me. I slowly unhooked the tiny hooks on her dress and watched it pool at her feet on the floor. The sexy corset she was wearing accentuated the perfect curve of her ass, down to her creamy thighs. I ran my fingers down her soft legs and unsnapped the garters. They dropped as I ran my hands back up to her waist, dusting my fingers along the lace covering her pussy. She moaned and arched into me and my dick throbbed in my pants. I was so fucking hard for her; I’d been thinking about this moment all goddamned day.
I moved my fingertips to slowly unhook each hook of the corset before it dropped to the floor at her feet. I pulled her long hair around her neck and let it lay over one shoulder
. She arched her neck and opened up to me. I leaned in and dusted my lips along her skin, over her shoulder, following the curve of her body.
“So beautiful. Every inch of you.” I inhaled the skin beneath her ear, taking in her soft scent. “I can smell you, how turned on you are. You have no idea what it does to me.” I thrust my aching hard-on into her ass to let her feel just how fucking turned on I was. A muffled groan escaped her throat as she arched her back and threaded her fingers into my hair from behind. I sucked on the skin beneath her earlobe before I slowly turned her to face me.
“I have something for you.” I pulled back, a seductive grin lifting my lips.
“I know, and I'm ready and waiting.” She pressed her open palm to my rock hard erection.
“I have something else.” I shook my head and bent to the duffle bag under our bed where I'd been keeping something for her.
She smiled before taking the present from my hands and hooking a finger in the wrapping paper. She peeled the paper away and I watched her eyes as they rose in surprise, her mouth forming a perfect O, before she put one hand to her mouth.
“Tristan,” the word escaped her lungs on a puff of air.
“It's the 1903 edition of Tristan and Iseult. I found it in Jacksonville before I came back here . . . I was just waiting for the right time . . .” I pressed my lips together, worrying them. Maybe this wasn't enough, maybe she had expected more.
“Oh, it's beautiful.” Her hands ran over the worn fabric of the cover.
“Is it okay? I didn't know what I could get that would mean enough. I always associated so much pain with the story after my mom left, but after last summer . . . those were some of the best moments, my best memories, reading with you on the beach . . .”
“Tristan, it's so perfect. I never told you, but Tristan and Iseult is what brought me back here, back to you . . .” Soft tears fell down her cheeks.
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