by Joanna Blake
“You are amazing and I can’t wait to try them all.” He pulled me against him. “But maybe we can make plates for the guys outside first.”
I nodded, feeling oddly lifted that he wanted to eat my cooking.
“I was thinking that.”
“Well, I’ve been thinking too.”
He pulled out a box and stared at it. Then he lowered himself to one knee. My heart seemed to stop and then start pounding fast and hard.
What was he doing? Oh, my God, WHAT WAS HE DOING?
“I don’t want to wait. I want to marry you now.”
“What?”
“Will you marry me, Kelly?”
I stared at him, completely taken off guard.
“I know it’s not all that romantic, but I love you, woman. That’s not going to change. I want to grow old with you.”
“Old? I’m barely twenty-one!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get old first.”
He was still kneeling. Still holding out the box.
“I want to see it.”
He cocked an eyebrow at me.
“Does your answer depend on the ring?”
“No! I mean, my answer is yes. I will marry you. But I still want to see it!”
He was laughing as he opened the box. I sighed dreamily. It was perfect. A rounded square diamond in a simple white-gold band. The solitaire was surrounded by smaller diamonds. It wasn’t huge but it wasn’t small either.
“Oh, Cain . . .” I clutched my hands against my chest. “It’s perfect!”
He stood up and took my hand, sliding the ring onto it. Then he kissed me. I couldn’t stop smiling. I leaned back and stared at my hand.
“Now I’m going to have to get my nails done.”
He laughed.
“Okay. We have forty-eight hours to get ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“The wedding.”
My jaw dropped.
“What?”
“We are getting married. You said yes, remember?” He squeezed me tightly. “You can’t back out now,” he teased.
“What the hell, Cain! I can’t get ready in forty-eight hours! Especially on lockdown!” I pushed him away and started pacing. “Plus, how are we getting married, anyway? Where can we even go?”
He grabbed me and lifted me up in the air. Then he kissed me again.
“It’s taken care of. All of it.”
“It is? How?”
“Yes. We are leaving town. Tomorrow.”
“What?”
“Trust me, baby girl.”
I threw my hands up in exasperation.
“But . . . I’m a girl, Cain! I’m supposed to plan all this. Little girls think about their weddings all their lives!”
“Did you do that, Princess?”
I chewed my lip.
“Not really. Not until you.”
“It’s going to be very romantic, I promise.”
I sighed. He really was being sweet. But I was still reeling from the engagement. Now he wanted to get married in two freaking days!
I had an idea though. Turnabout was fair play. Maybe if I agreed to this, he would agree to a little bit of revenge on my part.
I crossed my arms and lifted my chin.
“Fine. But only on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You do whatever I say on our wedding night.”
His eyes narrowed, with a suspicious look in them. But I could tell he was also intrigued.
“All right, sweetheart. You’re in charge.” He set me down again. “But only for one night. Or until I lose patience.”
Ha! Little did he know! I smiled sweetly at him.
“That’s all I need.” I breezed past him into the kitchen to start making plates for the guys. “Oh, and Cain?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t forget to pack those handcuffs.”
The look on Cain’s face was pure shock. He looked dazed through dinner and all the way to bedtime. He kept looking at me and shaking his head. But I could tell I’d set my revenge in motion. He was already thinking about it. It would make our wedding night that much sweeter.
For me, anyway.
I spent the rest of the evening smiling.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Cain
“I can’t believe you pulled this off, man. I’m impressed.”
Mason slapped my back for a fourth time and I glared at him. Nobody seemed to be taking me seriously today. Ever since we got to the hotel the night before, actually. The guys had insisted on getting drunk on my behalf, though I’d drawn the line at a nightclub. No, I’d sat at the hotel bar, texting with Kelly while all her girlfriends piled into our suite.
Yes, we spent the night before the wedding together. I didn’t give two shits if it was bad luck. I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.
Thankfully, she had not been at the bar to hear the guys roasting me. They’d made jokes at my expense, slapped my back more times than I could count, and even tried to hug me.
Christ almighty. I was a man. I did not want hugs.
I was used to absolute respect, not this overfamiliarity. But nothing would spoil my mood today. This was the best day of my life and I wasn’t going to let something like personal boundaries get in the way.
Today, I was getting married to the girl of my dreams. I was happy. I was fucking ecstatic.
Well, except one little thing that had me on edge.
“Man, love that sea air!”
I gave Mason a look. He was being overly jovial. Everyone was. Part of it was the wedding, sure. Part of it was the beautiful setting. But I knew we were mostly all relieved to be so far from home.
There was no way in hell the killer could have followed us here.
We were at an all-inclusive resort all the way down the coast near the border. The water was crystal-clear and the hotel was five-star. And they’d miraculously been able to accommodate a small wedding on two days’ notice.
It was perfect.
I straightened my tie. I had to be the first man alive who was actually nervous about his wedding night. Not that I couldn’t handle what Kelly doled out. I was tough. But I didn’t want to be weak in front of my woman. I knew she loved me. I was determined not to ruin that.
I was afraid that I’d reveal how desperate I was. I’d never been eager for a woman before. Sex had been a means to an end. But it was different when it came to her. I was like a starving dog, begging for a bone.
What if she kept me hard all night without satisfaction like I’d done to her?
What if I actually begged?
I was supposed to be the strong one. I couldn’t humiliate myself like that. I couldn’t let her know how vulnerable I was when it came to her . . . to her touch. She could control me easily if she knew how she impacted me. She wouldn’t need chains.
I was already getting hard just thinking about it.
Fuck me.
Think about puppies, Cain. Think about the God-awful food in the Corps. Think about nuns serving you the God-awful food they served in the Corps.
Yeah, no. That might have worked if I hadn’t accidentally visualized Kelly dressed as a sexy nun. Her habit was short and swingy, revealing her upper thighs and the bottom of her juicy ass cheeks. I groaned and closed my eyes.
Focus on security, Cain. Focus on keeping your bride-to-be safe. Not boning her six ways to Sunday.
Hunter and Vice were walking the perimeter, even though I’d hired local talent so my guys could enjoy the wedding. They were protective of me and mine, just like I was for them. We were family.
I was surrounded by people who considered themselves my family, I realized. Through Kelly, I was getting a whole bunch of family. Cass, Mason, and even Connor, the fucker. Never mind my guys from the Corps.
I smiled, suddenly feeling like things would work out for the first time in a long time. We were safe here. Kelly was safe.
And I would make sure she stayed that way.
Some of my Marine Corps buddies had flown in from all over the country. I had only told one guy. A single-line text and suddenly, they were all here. Every guy I’d served with except for Pulson. But he was in Japan.
He was pretty pissed off at me for not giving him enough time to get here.
Apparently, they all thought hell was freezing over and they wanted front-row seats.
I wasn’t used to people paying attention to me, other than a show of respect or biker groupies throwing themselves at me. The whole experience was foreign to me. It was so against my nature to draw focus to myself.
My mom had fussed over me, of course. Before she got sick. I said a silent hello to her in Heaven. I didn’t believe in much, but I could feel my mom with me sometimes. All those years after she’d passed, when I’d been alone, I hadn’t truly felt that way. And now, I truly wasn’t alone.
I never would be again.
SO the next time Mason slapped my back, I just smiled.
And slapped the fuck out of his back in return.
Hunter cleared his throat and nodded to me.
“It’s time.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kelly
“Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?”
I rolled my eyes, my white dress billowing out around me. It was off the rack, but a little nip and tuck and it looked like it was made for me. Just like everything else about this wedding, it was unexpected.
Unexpected and perfect.
Well, except for my pig-headed brother.
“Connor! The ceremony is about to start, for Goodness’ sake!”
He scowled, looking like a cranky Captain America.
“You can still back out.”
“I love him, you big oaf!”
“You really do? It’s not just his . . .”
“His what?”
I crossed my arms, nearly forgetting the bouquet in my hand. I uncrossed them just as quickly, not wanting to crush my flowers. They were so pretty. Tropical whites and blues. I didn’t even know what most of them were, but I wanted to ask the hotel staff who had provided them. They really had thought of everything. So had Cain.
“Sex appeal?” Connor ventured, looking uncertain and uncomfortable. We’d never talked about sex before. He probably wanted to pretend I never had any, which was fine with me.
I burst out laughing. My brother was ridiculous. I was the one who’d caught him tying up Cass in bed, long before they were married! Now he was the one being a prude!
“No, though thank you for noticing how sexy he is.”
“I didn’t! I have just noticed other women noticing.”
“Who?” I demanded, instantly on wifey alert. “What women?”
“All of them?”
I started laughing again. It was true. My soon-to-be husband was sexy as hell. He turned heads wherever we went. But who knew that Connor worried about such things?
“Listen to me, Big Brother.” I took Connor’s hand and faced him. “Yes, Cain is a big, sexy biker, but he is so much more than that. Cain makes me feel safe. That’s not surprising. What really surprised me is how I am my best self around him.”
Connor’s forehead was still furrowed.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, like you know how I love cooking shows?”
“Yes.”
“But I never cook?”
“Right.” He gave me a lopsided smile. “Because you’re lazy.”
“No, Con!” I smacked his arm. “Because I never thought I’d be good at it! Mom always did all that stuff for me. Cain encouraged me to try for myself. He gave me free reign in the kitchen. He even ate everything I made!”
The brow was slightly less forward.
“And he never pressured me for anything, sexually, I mean. I was the one begging him on our first real date!”
Connor covered his ears.
“No! No, no, no, do not tell me that. La-la-la-la.”
I smacked him and kept talking. He needed to hear this. Maybe he would ease up once we were married, but I couldn’t be sure.
“He was so gentle my first time, Con. He treats me like I’m strong but also shows that he values me. He respects me. Even if he is the bossiest man alive.”
Con was smiling faintly, pretending to be offended.
“I thought I was the bossiest man alive!”
“Second-place. Sorry.”
He shook his head and sighed. He was giving in, I could tell. He looked at the sky and back at me.
“Well, you do seem like you love him. And he is obviously stuck on you. I guess that has to be good enough for me.”
I leaned up and pressed a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you for your blessing.”
The music started at that exact moment. Con offered me his arm. I placed my hand on it. We walked out of the hotel and down the steps to the beach.
Tears filled my eyes when I saw the small crowd gathered below.
Everyone we loved was there. Every single person. It wasn’t a big wedding, but everyone I needed to be here was.
There were about thirty chairs in rows on the beach, facing the water. The club’s very own preacher was waiting next to Cain. He was imposing, even next to Cain. He was older and surprisingly handsome, with beautiful white hair. I’d asked about the motorcycle-riding Preacher, but Michelle had told me just to wait with a secret smile. Hunter and Vice were his best men, not surprisingly. Cass and Michelle were my dual bridesmaids. I said they were both my matrons of honor, and they had both rolled their eyes. Cass said she was too young to be a matron. Michelle just giggled.
We’d stayed up late in the suite last night, eating room service and giggling. A couple of bottles of Champagne will do that to you. They were such good friends to me but they were more than that. They were my sisters.
My mother and my Aunt had flown in from Texas. My two cousins were there as well. And a lot of bikers and ex-military. Some active-duty servicemen as well. They’d worn their uniforms to serve as ushers.
Light was shining from my eyes as they finally rested on Cain. My gorgeous groom. He stood under an archway with white flower garlands pinned to it. I could smell them as I got closer. The sea air, the flowers, the soft lighting just before sunset.
It was perfect.
I walked down the aisle with my brother. He placed my hand in Cain’s and nodded. Then he took his seat.
“We are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony. Cain is a good leader. We all respect him and fear him. He’s also a cold bastard with ice running through his veins. Somehow, he’s convinced this beautiful woman to marry him.”
Cain snorted as laughter started to build behind me. I glanced at Michelle and she shrugged, her face saying, ‘I told you so.’
“We haven’t met before, Kelly, but I can tell you have a perfect body under that dress.”
I burst out in surprised laughter. This was the preacher? No wonder Michelle had been laughing last night.
“Hopefully, you can use that smoking hot bod to melt this man’s heart.” His smirk faded. “Because he needs it. He needs warmth and love and laughter. And from what I’ve been told, you are the perfect woman to do it.”
I teared up again, his sincerity all the more potent for his wisecracks.
He turned to Cain.
“Cain, do you take this gorgeous woman who is clearly too good for you to be your wife, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do.”
Cain’s gravelly voice rang out strong and true. Tears started to form in my eyes. I glanced at him, and he was staring at me, his eyes holding mine as the preacher spoke again.
“Kelly, if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, or if you need to feel a hot-blooded man’s arms around you, I’m here.”
I stared at him, not sure if I was supposed to answer.
“If you insist on marrying this man . . .”
“I do.”
He nodded in approval.
“Do you take Cain, one of the best men I have ever met, to be your husband, to have and to hold, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?”
“I do!”
I looked around, wondering if I was supposed to say ‘I do’ twice. Everyone was smiling so I hoped I had done it right. Cain squeezed my hand and growled at the preacher.
“Get on with it.”
Preacher raised a white eyebrow and smirked.
“By the power vested in me by the state of California and the lord almighty himself . . .” He paused dramatically. “I now pronounce you man and wife!”
He stared at Cain.
“You may kiss the bride! And kiss her well, or I will!”
Cain grabbed me so fast I almost fell over. He tilted me back and kissed me, long and deep. I gripped his shoulders and held on for dear life. By the time he set me on my feet again, I was a little woozy.
Everyone cheered and clapped as we made our way to the bonfire area further down the beach by the bar restaurant. I took off my shoes and wiggled my toes in the sand. The sun was just starting to set and the staff had lit torches all around the area.
It was the perfect spot for a celebration.
We drank champagne and tropical drinks with big straw umbrellas. We ate fresh seafood and grilled veggies. We danced under the stars to a surprisingly good local acoustic band.
I sat in my wedding dress on a log with Michelle and Cass and made fun of our men as they danced. Yes, danced. All three of them.
Connor was more graceful than you would think, though he was acting goofy for Cassandra’s amusement. Mason looked like an aging rock star with some serious moves. And Cain . . . well, Cain didn’t actually move all that much, but he was out there. And what small movements he made were at least on the beat.
Finally, Cain drew me close for a slow dance while everyone watched. He might not like dancing to fast music, but he was smooth as silk when it came to the slow numbers. Our bodies pressed close together, and we knew it was time to say goodnight.
Because what we really wanted was to be alone together.
