A Valentine's Quest (The Valentine's Trilogy)

by Sam E. Kraemer

  “Come with me, Gray Carson. This time tomorrow, you’ll be my Valentine,” he whispered as he pushed harder into me and sped up his hand, sending me over the edge in a mind-blowing orgasm which shot out of me like nothing I’d ever before experienced.

  I felt him pulsing inside of me, filling me with his love and a lot more, and based on the look on his face, I’d brought him with me when I soared to heaven. “I love you, Detective Valentine,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his neck to catch my breath. Thinking about becoming his husband the next day was more than I could comprehend in that moment, but I knew, for sure, I’d do everything I could to make him feel my love as long as we both shall live.

  ##

  Thankfully, we'd been able to get the marriage license with Judge King's help late on Saturday afternoon. When we left the courthouse, we were both very excited about the next day, and when I fell asleep in Derek’s arms later that Saturday night, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Happiness was coming out of my pores, I was sure, and I hoped Derek felt it as much as me.

  The wedding I’d planned without any of Derek’s input, the lazy bastard, was set to go off as scheduled. We were in the lobby of a nearby hotel on Sunday afternoon, waiting for the judge's wife, Sienna, who was running late. "I have no idea how that woman can take so damn much time getting ready for an event, but she should be here any minute," Judge King offered.

  I was doing my best to choke down a lemon-lime soda while Derek and the judge sipped bourbon, casually. The fact Derek was so relaxed made me happy but had me even more on edge for reasons I couldn’t work out. I glanced down to ensure he wasn’t wearing track shoes to take off on me at any moment. I was trying to calm myself and center my brain so I was present at the most important event in my life.

  Just then, Candace rushed inside, panic on her face as she sought me out. "Mr. Carson, can I speak to you outside?"

  I placed my glass on the bar and glanced at Derek, trying to calmly smile. "I'll be right back. Hopefully, the photographer just got here." He nodded as I hurried outside.

  I followed her, not quite sure of the problem. When we both stopped, I saw a small crowd in the area where I wanted the ceremony, and I understood, immediately, what was wrong. There were supposed to be six people, including the photographer, involved in the ceremony, but that group at the railing was larger than our wedding party.

  I turned to Candace. "I'll just ask them if they'll spread out a little. I mean, they're welcome to watch, but we just need them to back up from the rail, right? We need to get this show on the road because I want pictures with the sun in the background so we’re in silhouette for a few of them," I reminded her of the discussion we’d had the day before about my idea for the perfect pictures.

  “My fiancé is tall, and well, I’m not, but I think the pictures of us with the setting sun in the background would be perfect. I can visualize us holding hands and looking at each other with the sunlight shining on us. I’ve always dreamed of something like that. Does it sound hokey?” I asked.

  Candace giggled. “It sounds like something out of a romance novel. I think it’s perfect, Mr. Carson, and right there at the end of the pier is the perfect place for a shot. I can’t wait so see it,” she agreed. Yes, it would be perfect.

  And I was damn well going to ensure we had the perfect shot I’d dreamed about since I’d started watching those fucking movies with Beth which built up love and romance as something to be caught in a photograph. Those people in the corner where I wanted my perfect memory captured would move or I’d throw a fit the likes of which they’d never seen in their lives.

  I headed toward them but stopped dead in my tracks when everyone at the rail turned around to face me, nearly sending me into shock. There stood a very pissed looking Adsila Valentine along with Rick, Cara, who was showing more than last time we'd seen her. Quinn and Marisol were there, along with Craig, Ethan, Tyrone, and Kye.

  I hurried over to them, hugging everyone until I came face to face with Addy. "How'd you find out?" I asked, tempting fate.

  She actually pinched my arm…hard. "Ow!" I squealed.

  "Gray Carson, you should know nothing gets by me. You and Derek think you're going to keep me from being here for my only son's wedding? Shame on the both of you," she admonished.

  Craig stood forward and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "If you want the sunset ceremony, you better table this shit and go get your man." It was then I noticed everyone was dressed in lovely resort-style clothes. I was overwhelmed that they’d showed up, but I fought the tears because I didn't want to be red-eyed and puffy in my wedding pictures. I knew Derek would be surprised to see all of them, and thankfully, he couldn't be mad at me because they were there.

  I instructed Candace to go get him and the Judge before I walked over to Tyrone, hugging him and Kye. "Ty, would you be my best man?" I asked quietly.

  He laughed and swept me up in his arms. "Gray, I'd be more than happy to be your best man."

  When Derek and Judge King walked out of the hotel, I directed the photographer to get a close-up of Derek's face when he saw everyone there. He stopped cold, and then he began laughing…hard. He punched his arm up into the air before he jogged over and scooped me up. "I shoulda figured you'd do something like this. I knew…thank you, Gray. I love you so much," he told me as he dipped me and kissed me. I could hear the photographer's shutter going crazy along with a few other clicks before Derek put me on my feet.

  Just as I was about to disavow any knowledge of how they ended up at our wedding, Addy stepped up to us and hugged her son. "You've got a keeper here, Derek. Never forget it. If you want sunset pictures, we better get moving."

  Mrs. King took off the wrist corsage I'd ordered for her and put it on Addy, giving her a light hug. Candace took off hers and quickly disassembled it, taking two pins and fastening one of the orchids to Tyrone's shirt. She turned to Derek. "Who's your best man?"

  Derek turned to Quinn and laughed. "Get your ass over here." Quinn smiled and gave Marisol a kiss on the cheek before he walked over to Candace. She pinned the other orchid to his shirt, and we all moved over to the end of the pier.

  Judge King started with a laugh. "Well, this is a little different than the small ceremony I thought I was to preside over, but based on the smiles on our grooms' faces, I'd say it's a welcome surprise. So, let's get started."

  He performed the traditional ceremony we'd requested, and when we said our vows, we both cried. I glanced behind me as I took Derek's ring from Ty to see even he was a weeping mess. I laughed a little before I put the ring, which was white gold and not silver, on Derek's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed." Those six, simple words meant everything to me.

  "Gentlemen, by the power vested in me by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you married. Seal it with a kiss," the judge announced with a bright smile. He glanced at his wife who was standing off to the side and winked at her, which I thought was sweet.

  Derek took me into his arms, hauling me up so we were face to face. "I love you with all my heart," he whispered before our lips met. We were both crying, and when the kiss broke, a huge round of applause exploded around us. It wasn't just our family. It seemed we'd attracted quite an audience. I buried my face in Derek's hair because I was embarrassed to be crying so hard, but my heart was flying. It was perfect.

  ##

  After many combinations of photos were taken, we began making our way over to the restaurant. I had no idea how I was going to explain to the owner we had a lot of extra guests and I wanted him to alter the plans because I'd specifically requested a small, intimate table for five, but when I looked out under the canopy where the man had suggested we have our dinner, I saw a long table adorned with flowers and candles. I felt a hand slip through my arm and turned to see Addy looking at me with a smile. "Never again, son, do you leave me out of major events in our family, you understand me?"

  "Yes, ma'am. How'd you find out?" I asked as I glanced around, seeing Derek ta
lking with Craig and Ethan.

  "Derek will never know the invitation didn't come from you, Gray. There was a little underground grapevine at work here because Derek's boss, Carla George, is very good friends with Sienna King. Carla passed along information to Craig after Derek asked her about a judge to perform the ceremony. Craig called me, and we took care of all of it."

  I was shocked Derek was happy his family was there. He'd led me to believe he wanted it to be just the two of us, and I felt like Addy thought it was my idea not to invite them. I stopped her before we went into the restaurant. "Look, Miss Addy, I knew nothing of this before a few days ago when Derek proposed. He said he wanted it to be just the two of us, so I respected…" I began as tears of embarrassment began falling down my cheeks. I should have called them, dammit.

  She pulled me aside. "Now, don't do that," she began as she pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of her gauze skirt. It was a beautiful chocolate brown, and she was wearing a white blouse to match. She looked gorgeous.

  "You had a lot on your mind, so don't worry about any of it. I've told everyone to keep their mouths shut, and Carla was kind enough to put me in touch with Sienna King so I could find out all the particulars. The woman was very sweet to give me the name of the florist, and Candace gave me the name of the restaurant. It's all taken care of, Son. No worries. Now, call me Mom," she ordered before she shoved her hand through my arm and turned us to walk under the enclosure to a round of applause. Derek was escorting Mari, who looked lovely as well. I was too overwhelmed to make coherent conversation, so I left it to my groom. I was just happy.

  The rest of the night was a happy blur. The photographer was only scheduled for an hour, but he ended up hanging around all night. At the end of it, he gave me two memory cards and told me he'd never had as much fun in his life.

  The guy refused the money because he'd eaten with us at the café, and when we all began the bar crawl, he hooked up with Candace. After we arrived at Sloppy Joe's where there was a great band, the two of them disappeared. She hadn't charged us anything either.

  Derek tried to pay the bill at the restaurant, but Rick snatched it out of his hand and said, "Seriously? You've got to be kidding," before he went to the wait station and took care of it.

  From there, we danced, drank…even me…and had a great time. We got all kinds of marital advice from the patrons in the bars we went to, and everyone was buying us shots and drinks. I had passed most of mine to Quinn, seeing Marisol giving me the evil eye earlier in the night, but I laughed at her. "Hey, it's my wedding night. I need to be up to the task," I teased her as the two of us danced.

  She pointed to the bar where Derek, Quinn, Craig, and Ty were counting loudly with a group of people around them, encouraging their behavior. "Brother, that ship has sailed," Mari pointed out as they shot tequila. I saw Kye and Cara dancing and having a great time, and even Addy and Rick were dancing. Everyone seemed to be happy, and I decided to just let it go. I was only going to get married once, after all.

  We moved on to a tiki bar down the street and I had Addy, Marisol, Cara, and Sienna King sitting at a table with me while the men were out back smoking cigars. I was pretty sure Derek was going to puke his guts out the rest of the night, but if he was having a good time right now, I’d hold back his hair later.

  Mari looked at me and smiled. "So, all the men are hammered and will likely be sick tomorrow. Should we all go somewhere for brunch?"

  I thought for a minute and smiled. "How about you all come to the cottage and I'll fix us food. I'm sure you'll help, right, Mom? I'll go to the store in the morning while Derek is worshipping at the porcelain throne and grab some things so we have enough food. I guess…where's everyone staying?" I asked.

  Addy took my hand and leaned into my ear. "We're at the Westin. I got a block of rooms at a very good price. Craig helped with the guest list, and everyone paid their own airfare. So, about this brunch tomorrow," she began. We quickly made a grocery list and set a time of one in the afternoon to give the men time to come around.

  ##

  The group broke up around three in the morning. Derek and I took a pedicab back to the cottage. We'd taken a regular taxi to the pier earlier, but my drunken husband decided he wanted to take a bike-powered cart home. Unfortunately, he didn't enjoy the ride because he passed out.

  When the driver pulled up in front of the small cottage, he turned to me and smiled. "Don't tell me you can pick him up?"

  I laughed. "Not at all. I'll give you a nice tip if you'll help me," I offered.

  He hopped off the bike and walked around to Derek's side of the cart. "Come on, Buddy. Looks like you're gonna miss your wedding night," the man teased as he picked up Derek and tossed him over his shoulder.

  I hopped out and giggled, still feeling the effects of the few drinks I’d consumed. The guy wasn't as tall as Derek, but he was definitely muscular. He carried Derek as if he weighed nothing, which was impressive. I hurried to open the door to the cottage. “Where to?" he asked. I steered him down the short hall to the bedroom and turned on the light.

  He flipped Derek onto the bed and turned to me with a smile. "Dude, sorry. Looks like the honeymoon will have to wait." I chuckled as I went to Derek's pocket and grabbed his wallet because I didn't have any cash.

  "So it starts," I heard Derek mumble. I laughed as I fished out fifty dollars to hand to the guy.

  "Hey, that's way too much," the driver protested.

  "My gift to you. Thanks a lot for the ride," I told him as I showed him out. I locked the doors and turned off all the lights before walking back to the bedroom to see my husband…it was shocking to even say it…sprawled out all over the bed.

  I removed his calla boutonniere and my own, placing them in a small dish of water where I'd placed hibiscus flowers earlier in anticipation of a romantic wedding night that wasn’t going to happen. Hell, that was okay. Derek had a good time and so had I, so there was nothing wrong with him passing out. We’d already fucked many times over, so I wasn’t a virgin on my wedding night, and knowing my husband, he’d feel guilty as hell the next day and I’d get the benefit of it. Win/win.

  I proceeded to try to undress him, but it wasn’t exactly an easy task. The flip flops were easy. The shirt was more difficult, but I finally got it off him without ripping it, for which I was grateful. The pants were surprisingly easy because he seemed to sense I was stripping him and lifted his hips, but the underwear the man was wearing were impossible.

  I managed to somehow roll him onto his stomach and was presented with a great surprise. Derek was actually wearing his thong from the matching set he got us for Christmas. I laughed at him because I hadn't worn mine, which was back in Houston somewhere in the back of my underwear drawer. That string was wedged right up Derek's ass pretty tight, and I knew it wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep in. It was exactly what he deserved for getting hammered on his wedding night.

  I undressed and did my best to push him over to his side of the bed so I could climb in next to him, needing to at least feel him next to me to be able to fall asleep. I had left the light on in the bathroom and pulled the door nearly closed, certain he'd need it at some point, and I drifted off to dreamland, the events of our special day flowing through my mind.

  I wasn't really pissed Derek got toasted. He was happy to be marrying me, and he was happy to have his family there to celebrate with us. I felt guilty about not inviting them in the first place, and I knew I'd probably confess to him it hadn't been my idea, but in the end, he was pleased and that was all that mattered.

  As I thought about the future, I actually reflected more about the past. All I did was wait on a handsome guy in a shitty, all-night diner and I was blessed with meeting Derek Valentine. I never thought it was the beginning of a wonderful future, but as I lie in bed next to my new husband, I finally believed there were greater forces at work.

  My husband, Detective Valentine, had brought love and joy and a new life to me which I’d never anticipated I�
��d be given. I owed him my love and loyalty, which I’d give gladly. He was nothing I ever saw coming, but he turned out to be everything I never knew I’d get. How cool was that?

  Epilogue

  Derek

  My head was pounding like I had a herd of mustangs running through it, and my eyes didn’t seem to want to open on their own. What the fuck did you do to yourself?

  “Time to rise and shine,” I heard from the last fucking person whose voice I wanted to hear. I cracked one eye to see Craig sitting on the side of my bed looking very polished and holding up his fucking cell phone over my face.

  “Get the fuck out,” I mumbled as I tried to turn away from him and reached out for Gray. He wasn’t there which worried me, so I sat up quickly, hearing Baxter laugh. It was then I noticed I was stripped of my clothes and my bare ass was facing my friend. I was wearing the thong I’d bought to go along with one I gave Gray for Christmas, and Craig was fucking taking video of it to post on a website, likely.

  “Oh, now, don’t get pissy about it. Your husband is making a nice spread, and my boyfriend is helping him set up a buffet. So, how is married sex? Enquiring minds want to know,” Baxter teased as I quickly flopped down and pulled the sheet over my head to block out the hell I was actually enduring, though it was a hell of my own making based on the party animal I’d become the previous night. I was just so fucking happy to be married, and I let it get the best of me.

  “As I’m sure you know, mother fucker, we didn’t have sex last night because you kept daring me to take shots. You wait until your wedding. I’ll get you so fucking hammered you won’t be able to perform for a month.

  “Anyway, Josh is in FBI custody,” I told him as I tried to quell the urge to vomit. I didn’t expect him to rip the sheet off my head, but Baxter had boundary issues.

  “Why?” he asked, having put the phone down so he wasn’t taping my hellish-morning-after any longer.

  I had the urge to piss, so I grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around myself as I stood. “He and Cary Saunders were fucking, and Cary Saunders was also fucking Andrew. It’s a goddamn miniseries, but at the end of the day, Josh threatened that if I didn’t agree to say he was part of our investigation, he’d implicate Gray in the drug ring Cary, Clark Perkins, and Jeremy Corner were running out of the deli.