“Can’t you finish this later?” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes, if I had a good reason to stop.” Her blood warmed in anticipation.
Gab helped her up. “We both have to shower before going to your mom’s house. I suggest we not waste water, but get in together.”
She walked toward the bath. “I’m glad you’re so into conservation. And”—she winked—“we haven’t made love since before breakfast, two hours ago.”
“Who’s counting? I only know it’s been too long.” He pulled her close to him. “I’m glad you didn’t dress in anything but this satin housecoat. It’s quicker to remove.” He undid her belt and let the satin material slide off her arms and down to the floor. Then he swung her into his arms.
He put her down by the shower and adjusted the temperature of the water. Grace stepped in first, while Gab took his clothes off and tossed them to the side. Her hands were already lathered with soap when he joined her.
She ran her soapy hands down his neck and across his chest. Bending her head she listened to the catch in his breathing and the thumping of his heart. Then she rubbed his nipples and looked up to see the flash of lust in his darkened blue eyes. “When you’re excited your eyes turn a midnight blue and your lips tighten. I like watching the effect my touch has on you,” she said.
Moving her hands lower, she caressed his tight-muscled abdomen, and then she ran her fingers across the crown of his cock and up and down the sides. He let out his breath and groaned.
“I like the feel of your hands on me.” His voice sounded husky. “And I have a hard time holding back when your sweet hand closes around my dick.”
Grace cupped his sac and continued to caress his cock. She kissed his chest, and pushing him back out of the spray, she knelt and took his hard cock into her mouth kissing and licking along his satin-smooth length.
“Slow down, darlin’, or it’ll be all over.”
His words sent a shiver of excitement through her urging her on. His fingers ran through her wet hair as she took him deeper and ran her tongue all around his girth.
* * * *
Gab’s heart jumped and pounded against his chest wall. Grace had no idea of the full extent of emotions she aroused in him. Watching her with her soft mouth around his dick sent heated desire shooting through his veins.
He loved her so much sometimes it frightened him. He’d never thought he’d have such intense feelings of love and caring for any woman. Maybe that was the real reason he stayed gone so long. Even at twenty-one he’d known she was capable of wrapping herself around his heart, as no other woman ever could.
When she sucked on his cock, all thoughts left his head. He was only conscious of her scent and her warm, wet mouth sizzling every cell in his body.
Reaching down, he urged her up. Then he lifted her legs around his hips. Without a second’s notice, he guided his cock into her wet pussy. Her pussy walls clamped down hard.
“You didn’t let me finish.” She pouted, and her full lips taunted him.
He bit her lower lip and whispered, “Next time.”
She wiggled around on his cock. “You always say that.”
Gab shrugged. “Shoot me. I like my cock tight in your pussy. I love the way your pussy pulses around my dick when you come.” He kissed her shoulder and lowered his head to take her rosy nipple in his mouth. She shivered, and inside he smiled.
She was so responsive to his touch, so giving, so damn sexy.
He pushed his cock deeper, and then pulled almost out. His slow rhythm had her squirming against him. Taking his time he explored the soft curves of her waist and hips. His fingers caressed the underside of her breasts and her nipples grew tighter with each touch. A fierce pride swelled in his heart that she had accepted him and would soon be his wife.
A smoldering flame exploded in his core into a thrilling satisfaction. His hips moved faster and harder. Her breathing rasped in his ear, and her heart pounded against his chest wall.
Then her body stiffened in his arms.
She shook as her orgasm swept through her. Her pussy walls tightened and pulsed, sending him over the edge with her.
Grace’s head fell against his shoulder. He rubbed his hands down her back and up to her neck as he held her close until their breathing slowed. Then he let her legs slip to the tile floor, but he held on to her in case she wobbled.
Her beautiful sherry-brown eyes glowed up at him. “It kind of scares me how each time gets better. One of these days we may explode with joy.”
Gab grinned at her. “What a way to go, darlin’.”
“We’d better finish our shower and get dressed. Mom doesn’t like for us to be late. It throws off her timing for dinner.”
“Then we’ll hurry. I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with my future mother-in-law.”
* * * *
“Look, there’s a rental car parked in the driveway. Clay must have flown here from New York.” Grace pointed to a black sedan.
“Your mother must have commanded his appearance.”
“I don’t know. Clay’s been acting strange lately. Sylvia told me when she ran into him in New York at a play he didn’t have a date. I think the fun part of New York might be wearing off for him, too.
“We’re the last to arrive. There’s my mom standing at the door.”
“Welcome. You’re just in time. Clay got here just before the two of you.”
Grace went right over to Gina. She glowed, and Graham stood to her side, a contented look on his face. “He’s beautiful,” Grace said as she touched the baby’s hand. She glanced at her brother. “And every day he looks more like you. Gina was right, but he does have some reddish hair mingled with the dark brown.”
Gina looked up at Graham. “He has a little of me in him, but I’m glad he looks mostly like my tall, handsome husband.” The group, who’d gathered around her and the baby, laughed when Graham blushed.
* * * *
Grace and Gab waited until dessert time. Although it had been a struggle not to blurt their good news out. They’d wanted to let Gina, Graham, and the baby have the attention.
“Mom, this is the best coconut crème pie. No restaurant or bakery in New York can beat it,” Grace said. She took a sip of coffee and added. “Gab and I have a surprise, too.”
All her brothers frowned at Gab. “She’s not pregnant is she?” Clay asked.
Gab blushed, and Grace chuckled. “Not yet, but we are engaged.” She slipped her ring from her purse beside her, and Gab put it on her finger.
A cheer resounded around the table. “It’s about time,” Rand said.
Sam clapped Gab on the shoulder. “I knew she’d eventually say yes. But I’m surprised she didn’t make you suffer longer.”
“I’m glad she didn’t.” Gab shook hands with the other brothers.
Her mother smiled, and then frowned. “If you’d have let me know, I’d have invited Gab’s parents.”
“We talked with them last night. They said they’d join us next time. They wanted you all to enjoy the surprise.”
“When’s the wedding?” Marian, Rand’s wife, asked.
“Grace and our moms have four weeks. If she’s not ready, then we’re going to the Justice of the Peace,” Gab said confidently.
“You certainly will not.” Mrs. Brodie wrinkled her forehead at Gab.
“Mom has that look,” Dirk warned him.
“Yes, madam. Whatever you say.”
“Good, but I do think we might manage in that time frame. We’ll try.” She beamed at Gab and gave him a hug.
“Mom, I thought I’d take my wedding dress plans to our local seamstress and work with her on having it made. Then I plan on seeing our house is fully decorated by the wedding. I’d hoped you and Gab’s mom would make the other plans and arrangements.”
“We’d love to, and we’ll show you what we’re doing as we go along. I’ll call Gab’s mom tomorrow morning to get started. My goodness, blessings are flooding this family
, a new baby, and a new son-in-law.” She added, “My only son-in-law.”
“There is one more surprise.” Clay spoke up and all eyes focused on him.
“You have a surprise?” his mother asked.
“I’m having a house built on some acreage at the back of the ranch, toward the mountains. After it’s done, I’m moving home.” A gasp went around the table. “And I’m thinking about starting a consulting business in Frontier City.”
“You’ll be here all the time?” Rand asked.
“Except one week a month. I need to keep in touch with my friends, and be aware of the financial climate in New York.”
His mom let out a breath and said, “Well.”
Sam laughed and the others joined in. “You’ve almost made Mom speechless and none of us have ever done that before.”
Mrs. Brodie raised her glass. “To the future of the Brodie family. I’m sure your dad is smiling down on us.”
Chapter Fifteen
Four weeks flew by. Grace had their home decorated just the way they liked it. She stood in the living room admiring the plush tan carpet and the medium-blue sofa and love seat that had arrived yesterday. There were other chairs with stripes in blue and brown scattered around the room.
She walked into the family room and smiled. A large television hung on the wall at Gab’s request and there were two comfortable brown-leather loungers in front of it. At the other end Gab built bookshelves to fit against the far wall. Two smaller chairs were arranged around a table and lamp.
“Your corner, and my corner,” Gab whispered in her ear, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Our house is lovely and comfortable. You’ve done a great job getting it finished in time for our wedding.”
“Speaking of weddings, you need to go to your parents’ house. You can’t see me tomorrow morning until I walk down the aisle.”
He turned her in his arms and kissed her. “What a silly rule.” She wrinkled her forehead at him. “I know that look already. OK, I’m on my way. But you’ll miss me tonight.”
“Probably, but Sylvia, Gina, and the baby will be keeping me company.”
“Probably!”
Grace pushed him out the door. “Leave. After tomorrow you’ll have to put up with me every night.”
“Somehow, I’ll manage.” He waved and got in his truck.
She watched until he was out of sight. She would miss him. They’d become very close this past month. In spite of all the scurrying around to get their wedding planned, they’d made time for each other. It had helped her stay grounded and sane.
Grace took a deep breath. Tomorrow, she’d be Mrs. Gabriel Forrester. It had taken time, but her dream had come true. She strolled into the bedroom and pulled out the gown she’d hidden in a zipped bag since bringing it home yesterday. She took it out and fluffed the skirts. The sequined top was strapless except for thin, fine lace that went from the heart-shaped neckline across her shoulders and back and down her arms. The underskirt was a long, white satin gown that hugged her curves in the front and fanned out in the back. The two layers of overlay were made of the same fine lace covering her shoulders and arms. During the reception she could remove the overlay and her long, satin skirt would complete her wedding gown.
“It’s beautiful and uniquely you,” Sylvia spoke from the doorway.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You should keep your doors locked. Although your ex-fiancé is in jail, there are other bad guys that aren’t. And a locked gate isn’t foolproof protection.”
“You’re right. Gab says the same thing. I feel so safe here that I tend to forget. Where’s Gina?”
“She’ll be along. She wanted to drive her car to bring all the baby’s necessary equipment.”
“I can’t wait to spend time with Danny. He’s so adorable.”
“Watch out. I think you’ve caught the bug of wanting a baby,” Sylvia teased.
“I have. And I’m thrilled about tomorrow. I’d go crazy if I didn’t have you two and Danny to keep me entertained.”
“We’ll each keep hold of one leg or arm so you don’t float off on a cloud of joy.”
“Let’s open a bottle of wine and celebrate. I’ll show you the house as soon as Gina gets here.”
“It sounds like a good plan to me.”
* * * *
Grace’s wedding day dawned bright and sunny. Sylvia helped her dress and drove her to her mom’s house.
“I’m going to join the others at the gazebo. Mrs. Brodie and Gab’s mom will bring you when it’s time.”
She watched Sylvia walk off toward the wedding site. Her mom came to the door. “Hurry on in. It’s almost time for the ceremony.”
Mrs. Forrester hugged her and she and Grace’s mom fluffed out her skirt and straightened her veil. “You’re beautiful,” Mrs. Forrester said.
Her mom took her hand and walked with her to the door. “We’ll go on ahead. I had the white runner put down so the bottom of your gown wouldn’t get grass stains.” She kissed Grace’s cheek. “Be happy.”
Grace waited a few minutes while the butterflies in her stomach settled and until her heart didn’t pound so hard she thought she might faint. Then she stepped on the cloth laid out for her.
When Grace walked to the end of the aisle, created between the seats set around the gazebo, her eyes went straight to Gab. His warm smile calmed her fluttering heart and urged her feet forward.
The faces of her family and friends blended together. Her mom and Clay walked her down the aisle to give her away.
Most of the ceremony was a blur except for Gab’s strong, calm voice and his hand holding hers tight. She must have said the right words, because the minister was introducing them as man and wife. Gab leaned down and kissed her gently.
“Welcome into my world, darlin’,” he whispered as the audience clapped and cheered.
Someone released a bunch of butterflies and they flew around her and Gab as though giving their blessing before climbing higher in the sky and disappearing.
Gab grabbed her hand and ran down the aisle. He swept her into his arms and headed to the house. “Can’t get that dress dirty. You look like an angel in it, and one day one of our daughters will want to wear it at her wedding.” He set her feet on the carpet inside the living room.
“One of our daughters?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“You didn’t think we’d have only one daughter and one son did you? After seeing all your mother’s cute grandchildren, I thought two of each might be nice.”
“Hmmm.” She leaned against his handsome frame dressed in a dark-blue suit. “We’d better get started then. I’m quitting my pills after this month.”
The door opened and the guests swarmed inside. “None of that,” her brother Rand said. “It’s party time.”
* * * *
They’d taken pictures in her wedding gown with the lace overlay and with the overlay off and the satin skirt showing.
Then there had been toasts, cake to cut, and people to thank.
When Gab and Grace got a chance to talk with Mac and Stella, who’d arrived just as the wedding started, it was right before they planned to leave.
“Not to bring up an unhappy subject, but I checked on Fred Vine. He’s out on parole, but wearing a monitor. His parents took him in. I’m in touch with the guys who monitor him, so don’t worry. His trial starts in six months. You two will be called as witnesses.”
“I know,” Gab said. “We’ll be ready. Afterward, we can put it behind us.” Gab’s arm tightened around Grace’s waist. “You aren’t worried are you, darlin’?”
“No, but I will be glad to see him locked up for a long time.”
“Before we leave, we have some good news,” Mac said. “Do you want to tell them, honey?”
“Honey?” Gab asked. “Let me see your hand.” He reached for her left hand. She wore a large diamond solitaire and a plain gold band. “You two got married?”
“You don’t have to pret
end to be surprised. You kept telling us at different times that we were meant for each other,” Stella said. “But I did have to threaten to quit before he came to his senses.” She smiled up at her new husband. “We eloped last weekend.”
“I’ll be darn. I never thought you’d beat us to the altar. Congratulations and my wedding gift to you is the rest of the business. Have the papers drawn up and send them to me. I’ll sell my part for one dollar.”
“You can’t do that. It’s too much,” Stella protested.
“I have the ranch and my wife. Hopefully we’ll have children. I can’t be flying back and forth. I’m home and staying here.”
“Well come to town sometimes for fun, and we’ll get together,” Mac said.
“Oh, we will. I have my designer shows to attend, and I have a nice condo we can use,” Grace added.
“Hate to break this up, but I want to take my new wife home. See you two and best of luck.” Gab hurried Grace out the front door amid a shower of birdseed.
“Where are we going? Do you have your dad’s truck?”
“No.” He led her down a row of mostly trucks, but a few cars. Then he stopped beside a dark-red sedan. He watched her face. She looked puzzled and so sweet he wanted to take her in his arms and never let her go.
“Whose car is this?” Her sherry-brown eyes looked at him.
“Yours.” He handed her the keys. “Happy wedding day, darlin’.”
Grace gave a whoop and threw herself into his arms. She’d surprised him, and he almost lost his balance. “I take it you like the car.”
“I love it. A truck is convenient at times. But during many of the trips I had to make, I wished I’d bought a car instead of my truck.”
“I suspected as much. There’s one more present at home for you.”
“No fair. I didn’t give you anything special.”
He cupped her face in his hands and brushed his lips across her mouth. “Yes, you did,” he whispered. “The most special gift of all, your love.”
Enticed by the Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 13
