by Vivian Wood
One of the reasons they had chosen to wait a little while longer when they set the wedding date was so that Harper would be steadier on her feet and could be their little flower girl. Shiloh, of course, was the ring bearer and he was also carrying a cute sign down the aisle as he walked with his sister.
The dress she and Remy had chosen for Harper was soft and flowing white, and she had a crown of fresh flowers sitting atop her head. She looked like such an angel that Ashleigh’s heart squeezed when Harper toddled over to her and smiled, holding her hands up for a hug.
“Not now, Harper. Aunty Ash can’t pick you up in that dress, sweetheart, and she probably can’t bend down to hug you on the ground either,” Remy told Harper gently and looked to Ashleigh for confirmation.
She nodded, but Harper looked so heartbroken that she scooped her up, ignoring the feeling that she was about to topple over and gave her a big hug anyway. Remy and Rose tutted, but laughed as Ashleigh handed Harper back to Remy.
“Ladies, it’s time,” Marilee’s voice trilled through the door.
Ashleigh’s heart skipped several beats and she felt her chest flush as it always did when she was nervous.
“It’s okay, Ash,” Shelby assured her as she gathered the train of Ashleigh’s dress, ready to help her down the stairs. “Just remember who you’re going to. That’s Walker out there waiting for you. Just focus on him, no one else matters.”
As soon as the words were out of Shelby’s mouth, Ashleigh’s heart rate calmed and she suddenly wanted nothing more than to sprint to him.
The ceremony was being held in the Roman’s backyard, which of course opened up to the beautiful green pastures beyond. The aisle was a red carpet that started on the patio and led all the way to a gazebo covered in thousands upon thousands of fragrant seasonal flowers that had been set up right at the edge of the yard.
The girls helped her maneuver down the stairs, which was far more difficult than it should have been and had them giggling more than once at her apparent inability to move gracefully in her heels, and into the living room they were using as the holding area.
The processional music started playing as soon they were all in their places, and the notes seemed to reach deep into her heart to imprint this moment there forever.
Shiloh, dressed in a suit and a cowboy hat that he refused to remove of late unless he was sleeping, took his cue from Eulah, his grandmother, and accepted the sign that she held out to him. He shot Ashleigh a smile and quick thumbs up before a serious expression settled on his gorgeous little face as he held his hand out to his sister.
Remy edged Harper on and she disappeared down the aisle side by side with Shiloh, who was proudly displaying the sign that read ‘Uncle Walker, your bride is coming!’
Remy, Rose and Shelby followed and before she knew it, the opening bars of the bridal march started playing. Her heart stammered at the enormity of the moment and she knew that if it had been anyone else waiting for her at the end of the aisle, she wouldn’t have been able to move a muscle.
“But it’s not anyone else, Doll. It’s him,” she breathed softly as she took a deep breath and stepped through the patio doors, ready to start her brand new life as Ashleigh Roman.
Her eyes zeroed in on Walker waiting under the gazebo and everyone and everything else seemed to fade away, even Sawyer and Colt standing right there with him.
There was only him, devastatingly handsome in his wedding suit, shoulders squared and a strange twitch in his jaw as he drank her in, doing a clear double take.
His eyes remained fixed on hers as she approached, careful to walk slowly to the music as Shelby had coached her to do, even though she wanted to run to him and fling herself into his strong arms.
Once she was close enough, she could see the heat in his eyes, but she could also see the pure and complete bliss and overwhelming love that she was feeling reflected there.
He broke into a wide grin when she finally reached him, grasped her hand and brought it to his mouth to place a soft kiss on her palm as his eyes burned into her.
He brought his hands up then and lifted her veil. For just a moment, Ashleigh could’ve sworn there were tears in his eyes, but he blinked hard and the maybe tears were gone.
Ashleigh’s eyes, on the other hand, were brimming with unshed tears and her heart had swelled to such epic proportions that she was entirely certain it was about to explode. She’d never imagined this was what it would feel like to walk down the aisle and see the love of your life waiting there for you, waiting to claim you as his wife. It was the most indescribable feeling she’d ever had. Ecstasy didn’t even begin to do it justice.
Pastor Jim started the service, which they’d asked him to keep short and sweet.
“You wrote your own vows, I believe. So Walker, let’s start with yours,” he directed.
Walker cleared his throat and gathered both her hands in his as they turned to face one another.
“I’m usually not a man of many words,” he started, giving a little smirk as some of the guests chuckled. “And yet I find myself having so much to say to you right now, as I always seem to with only you, Ashleigh. I don’t know if I have the right words to say it all, but here goes. You transformed my life the minute you stepped foot in it, you brought me back to life when I had given up a long time ago and you did it without batting an eye. You brought a warmth to my home and then to my heart I never could’ve have imagined possible, that I never would have believed could feel the way that you have made me feel. You have made me a better man and I want to keep becoming a better man so that maybe one day, I can be the man that you truly deserve. So today, in front of the Lord, family and friends, I make the following vow to you. I, Walker Roman, will love you, honor you and cherish you. I will adore you and protect you, though I might not always obey you. I give myself to you Ashleigh, spirit, body and soul, everything I have and everything I am now and ever will be is yours. For as long as I live, I am yours.”
Someone stuffed a tissue in Ashleigh’s hand and she dabbed gently at the tears streaming down her face.
He squeezed the hand he was still holding, and held her gaze. She was captivated as she drank in his words and the fierce, yet tender expression that he’d had on his face the entire time he was reciting his vows to her.
Pastor Jim cleared his throat to get their attention, and then nodded at Ashleigh when she finally managed to look anywhere but at Walker.
She gave him an answering nod and then tried to steady herself by grasping onto both of his strong hands and meeting his warm gaze once more. She found her strength in him, and was finally able to form the words she needed as if his confidence and strength were flowing into her from their joined hands.
“I’ve never been a woman of many words, because there was never really anyone who wanted to listen to what I might have wanted to say and eventually, I honestly believed that what I wanted to say didn’t matter anyway. Until I met you, Walker. From the very first day you not only listened, but you really heard what I was saying. You not only listened, but you encouraged me to talk, you made me feel like what I was saying really did matter, that I mattered. You brought me back to life, then you figuratively and even literally saved it time and time again. You have taught me the meaning of unconditional love and you have shown me that somehow, you have it for me. I will spend every day for the rest of my life showing you that I have it for you. So today, in front of the Lord, family and friends, I make the following vow to you. I, Ashleigh Walsh, will love you, honor you and cherish you. I will adore you and protect you, though I might not always obey you. I give myself to you Walker, spirit, body and soul, everything I have and everything I am now and ever will be is yours. For as long as I live, I am yours.”
As she spoke the words that she borrowed from him because she couldn’t think of a single better way to say it, she saw a single tear roll down his cheek and smiled the widest, most genuine smile she had ever seen anyone wear.
There was a hush amon
gst the small crowd as they exchanged rings, but she heard Remy sniff quietly beside her and saw Colt and Sawyer beaming at them over Walker’s shoulder.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Walker, you may kiss your bride.”
“Finally!” Walker cheered, setting off another round of chuckles as he pulled her close and crushed his lips to hers, dipping her low and holding her there as he devoured her mouth like a man dying of hunger.
When their kiss finally broke, Ashleigh was breathless and only his arm around her waist kept her from melting into a puddle of pure delight and unbelievable happiness.
“Have I mentioned that you look exquisite, Mrs. Roman?” he asked as his lips brushed against her ear when the congregation leaped to their feet and cheered.
Sawyer, Colt and Carter wolf-whistled and the girls descended on them, pulling them into tight hugs and yelling congratulations in their ears.
Soon, it was all Ashleigh could do to hang on to Walker as a seemingly endless stream of people hugged them and congratulated them -- even The Colonel seemed happy and at peace as he hugged her.
The reception was set to take place under a tent that had been set up outside the barn, where Noir and Aislyn were waiting with gleaming coats to take them off to various parts of the ranch where they wanted to have photos taken.
Okay and maybe they had also planned it that way so that they could have some peace and quiet with just each other after the ceremony, so they’d opted out of having the photographer come with them. Instead, Walker had ordered a flexible portable tripod and had stashed it in his saddlebag with his digital camera.
Hours later, the photos had been taken, the delicious food devoured and her feet were aching from dancing more than she ever had when she felt his strong arms wrap around her and his voice in her ear just as she returned from the bathroom with Shelby. She turned in the circle of his arms, and he drew her in for a long, deep kiss.
“You ready to get out of here, Mrs. Roman?”
“As long as you’re coming with me, Mr. Roman.”
“Oh, I’ll come with you alright, but you’re coming first.” Walker smirked as he placed a palm on her lower back and guided her to their home.
SEAL’S Touch Extended Epilogue
An extended epilogue is waiting… just for you! It will be released to the entire Vivian’s Vixens mailing list on or before April 8th, 2017. Click on the picture above or go to http://vivian-wood.com/get-news to join the list!
If you loved SEAL’s Touch…
If you liked SEAL’s Touch, you’ll love Covet! Quick and dirty, this book will have you on your knees! Turn the page to begin.
Covet
1
Cameron Parker shaded her eyes against the bright lights that splashed against the wall of the smoke-filled punk club. She was in the very back, tucked against the wall near the door. The floor of the club slanted down to the stage, so Cam had a good view.
Not that she was finding who she sought. She was looking for her friend Liz, who’d sworn to meet her. She’d come here a few times with friends, but never alone.
Cam checked her phone, ignoring a deluge of texts and emails. They were work, and she’d promised herself a night of fun before her new assignment started.
It was 10:10. Liz was late, as usual. Cam looked around at the crush of people in the room and wished she were somewhere else.
It was loud as hell in here, although the band wasn’t playing. Raucous music seeped out of crappy speakers, making it impossible for Cam to call Liz.
Cam turned her head and caught a glimpse of herself in the cracked mirror clinging to the club’s wall, segmented and broken-looking. She was tall, whip-thin, and redheaded, wearing lots of dark eyeshadow and a strapless leather dress. The only parts of her face that weren’t covered in glitter were her big blue eyes and soft pink lips. Instead, she wore a ton of smoky eye makeup and lots of lip gloss.
The image bobbed in the mirror’s smashed surface, making her look insane. It seemed to fit perfectly with her surroundings.
She looked away from the mirror and took a big sip of her drink. She was nervous, being here without a friend. Being a woman alone looked pathetic, but then again that was sort of the whole vibe of this place. Pathetic.
She finished her drink and headed for the bar. People swirled around her, and the spot she’d held was immediately absorbed into the crowd. This bar was always busy, despite the lack of servers and seats.
If she was going to stay long enough to say hi to Liz, she was going to get another drink. She squeezed in between two big guys, waiting patiently for the bartender to notice her.
One of the guys moved. Cam had to do a double take when she saw the man that took his place.
Damn.
He was huge, at least six foot five, and built of pure muscle. Dressed in a black leather jacket and black jeans. Dark hair, dark blue eyes, tattoos up and down his arms. Hair cut in the popular Peaky Blinders undercut, long on the top and shaved on the sides.
But it was really the expression on his face that got her. Something like amusement flitted across his features, but she could tell that there was something raw there. Anger, or self-hatred maybe.
She realized she was staring a second before he looked at her, his eyes traveling from her face down to her long legs, then back up to her tits.
Then, he looked her right in the face and smiled.
A chill ran through her body at his expression. It was like having a big cat grinning at her, tightly wound and ready to pounce.
She blushed and looked down. That didn’t stop him from sliding over to take the spot next to her, though.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.
He was British, which was something of a shock. His voice was a lovely, velvety purr that matched his looks perfectly. She looked up at him again, a little awestruck. Cam cleared her throat, suddenly nervous, but willed her voice to remain steady.
“Sure,” she said. “Whiskey, on the rocks.”
He turned to the bar, looking around for the bartender. He waved him down, though the words of his order were lost in the melee all around them. He paid for the drinks, then turned to Cam with the drink dangling from his fingers.
“Thanks,” she said.
Their fingers touched as she took it. He took a sip of his drink without breaking eye contact. She had to smile, because either the man was a born predator or he did this a lot.
Not that she was dissuaded by it. She took a long swallow of her drink, thinking that maybe there was a cosmic reason why Liz hadn’t shown. She wasn’t really the type to take men home, but he was so good looking…
“Are you gonna tell me your name?” he asked, arching a brow.
His voice was cultured, polished, as if he’d just stepped out of Parliament. And yet, he was here, at a punk rock show. She looked at him with curiosity.
“Cameron,” she said. “Cam.”
“Smith,” he said.
He offered her a hand, which she shook. A thousand tiny spikes of energy crawled over her skin, and it was hard not to look at him with doe eyes. She resisted, though, playing it casual.
“So…” she said, reclaiming her hand. “Are you here to see the band?”
He shifted, making her all the more aware of his muscles beneath the leather jacket and Death From Above 1979 t-shirt.
“The Blinds? I am. The drummer’s a friend of mine,” he said.
She didn’t know what to say, so instead she filled the silence with taking another big pull of her drink. At the rate she was going, she was going to be tipsy before she knew it.
Cam looked at the ridiculously hot punk rocker, biting her lip. Would it be so bad to let her freak flag fly, just for one night?
“You want another drink?” Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome asked.
She looked down at the drink in her hands, surprised to find it empty.
“Yeah, why not?” she said. “It’s early, right?”
He grinned again and waved dow
n the bartender. She took the opportunity to check him out some more. He had a dimple on the right side of his face that flashed when he grinned. And his leather jacket was rolled up at the elbows, revealing strong forearms, veiny and muscular in a way that made her knees weak.
She looked away, running her hand down her hip, sheathed in the little leather dress. She had to get up early tomorrow for work. She was starting a new assignment, working undercover at Calloway Corp, posing as a secretary to try to find out if a few financial inconsistencies were just that… or more.
But since her last assignment as an investigative reporter had involved discovering -- via telephone call -- what went on at slaughterhouses, she’d promised herself a few days off before starting something new. She worked hard, and deserved every bit of it.
The band started assembling onstage as he handed her another drink. They weren’t especially memorable, but the lead singer had bright green hair, pulled into spikes all over his head.
Smith started to bob his head in appreciation. She smiled. It was hard not to admire appreciation, especially when it was expressed by someone so damned good looking
“Here,” he said, holding his cup up to give a toast. “To new experiences and living every moment to the fullest.”
Her lips curled up as she tapped her cup to his, then took a sip. He really was playing with her, teasing her with his salute. One glance at him and she was certain that he’d perfected his moves long ago, the toast merely the beginning of it.
Then again, he wasn’t saying much. Maybe his shtick was being good looking and mysterious, then. He was no doubt used to girls nervously standing next to him, looking at him with wide eyes just as she’d done.
Maybe it was time that she took control, that she put the moves on him. She had a vague desire to wipe the smirk off his face. Who was to say she couldn’t do that with her mouth?
