The mission was over, but I still had to get out of Kabatur. With the amount of landmines and snipers between here and the airport, that wasn’t going to be as simple as it sounded.
I had to get to the base without getting blown up.
I shielded my eyes from the sun. I wondered what Kaitlyn was doing right now. I hoped she was buried under wedding books and trying on her dress. I tried to picture her with her mom and her friends doing all the stuff girls did before their weddings.
I leaned against the Jeep and splashed my face with water. This wasn’t what I wanted to do days before my wedding. Ryan owed me a fucking bachelor party.
I hung my head and then the sergeant called my name.
“The road is clear. We can go, sir.”
I nodded and hopped in the passenger side. “How long until we make it to the perimeter?” I asked.
He careened around the patrol officers.
“Two hours? Maybe four if there are more bomb threats. I just drive.”
I looked at my watch. I was supposed to catch a flight to London tonight. I couldn’t get out of this hell hole fast enough.
“I heard your mission was a success, sir.”
He changed gears and pressed the pedal harder.
“Yeah. We got the bad guy.” The dust flew around us.
“Good to know there’s one less out there.”
I nodded. The problem was we took out one, but there were five more in his place. I had to remind myself I wasn’t the expert on those five. My knowledge ended. My usefulness to the Corps had an expiration. I had completed the mission.
I should be able to go home without the guilt that I should be doing more. That was the problem with this fucking place. It was addictive in a dark way I had to resist. I didn’t want to be here, but leaving felt just as wrong. There were men and women who would never leave. I took a deep breath. I pictured Kaitlyn.
I closed my eyes and imagined her in a white gown. I tried to see the snow falling in her hair.
The Jeep started to slow again. I opened my eyes.
“We’ve got another bomb squad, sir. I don’t know how long this one is going to last.”
“Fuck.” I hit the front of the seat.
24
Kaitlyn
“Nothing? Really, Ryan? Not a text? Nothing?” If I could claw it out of my brother I would.
He shook his head. “Look. Making calls from the desert isn’t that easy. If he had to rush to catch a flight, we wouldn’t hear from him,” he explained.
“He was supposed to be here yesterday.” I wasn’t hysterical yet. “We’re getting married tonight.”
He put his hands up in defense. “I can try to make some calls. Maybe there are some guys who could get in touch with the base over there. Ok?”
I nodded eagerly. “Yes. Make those. Go. Go.” I shooed him out of the guest house.
I faced my dress. It hung between the bedroom and the living room. I didn’t know how I was going to put it on today if I didn’t know where my fiancé was.
In the backyard, the garden was being transformed from Christmas central into a Winter Wedding Wonderland. Santa had been packed in the attic. The candy canes were in the garage. My mother left the trees up. We were the kind of family who didn’t take the Christmas trees down until after New Year’s Eve.
There were volunteers from the neighborhood arranging chairs and some of my father’s friends from church had offered to help set up a white tent for the reception. The water feature that circulated through the garden was frozen over.
Sasha and Mary Ellen walked in.
“How are you doing?” They smiled.
“I want to throw up.” I cringed. “Not the pregnancy kind, but the kind when you don’t know if your fiancé is going to make the wedding.”
Mary Ellen walked into the kitchenette. “I’m going to make a cup of tea for you. Sasha is here to do your nails. Your groom is on the way. And he’s going to be at the end of the aisle.”
I looked between them. “Did you hear something?” I asked eagerly. “Please tell me he called someone and it’s just that my phone is acting crazy.” I had checked it no less than a hundred times today.
Sasha shook her head. “No. But I’ve known Cole Thomas a long time. He will be here.” She opened a make-up kit and started lining up different bottles of nail polish. “This is your bridal pampering party.” She grinned. “You were there for me when I thought I was going to run, and I’m here for you. He’ll be here.”
Mary Ellen walked over with the hot tea. “Here. No caffeine. And extra soothing ingredients.”
“Thank you. I appreciate everything. I do, but this isn’t how I pictured my wedding day.”
“I hope my wedding day looks like this.” Mary Ellen scooted next to me on the house. “The house is gorgeous. And it’s supposed to snow this afternoon. Tonight is going to be perfect.”
“I haven’t even looked at the weather. But I wanted snow. Snow is good.”
I extended my hand. Sasha started to remove my polish. “Your mom bought these huge glass globes with big vanilla candles to line the aisle. I think it’s going to be magical.”
“I never once thought about having a holiday wedding. But it is kind of romantic, isn’t it?”
Mary Ellen nodded. “New Year’s Eve is the best day to get married.” She looked at Sasha. “Except for when you got married. Also, a great choice.”
I laughed.
“Is Aiden going to be here?” I asked.
“Yes. And he can come sooner if we need his help. He’s working from the hotel right now on a file. I don’t understand his business. He buys and sells a lot of real estate.”
“What happened at your mom’s house? Why is he in a hotel?”
She rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t really his style. Millionaires like their space. He’s happier in a hotel. And I don’t have to be quiet during sex anymore.”
Sasha snorted. “That’s something.”
Whatever their plan was, it worked. Two hours of pampering and girl talk and I actually felt like a regular bride. By the time Sasha was done with me I had my hair swept up in one side with a crystal clip. My nails were painted, and my makeup was extra glittery around the eyes.
“It’s time for the dress.” Mary Ellen lifted the hanger from the door.
“But he’s not here.” I shook my head. My hands landed on my belly. Where was their daddy?
“The photographer is here, though. You have to get dressed so we can take pictures. That’s going to take at least an hour and then you need to be back in here thirty minutes while the guests are seated.”
I nibbled on my lip. “What if he doesn’t show up?”
Sasha led me to the bedroom. “He will be here. You be the bride. Let us do the bridesmaid things. That means we take care of all the problems. Even the groom’s.” She winked.
Mary Ellen nodded. “Exactly. You will feel like a winter queen with this dress on. And I’m dying over this white fur cape.”
“If I had to get married in the snow, might as well go all in, right?”
“Right.”
They helped me step into the long white gown. Cole was going to love it. I knew he’d appreciate how my breasts looked in the deep V. The waist line wasn’t fitted and flowed like an A-line so the rest of the guests wouldn’t suspect the twins. I knew they could do math. Once the babies were born, they’d count backward. I’d let my father deal with that. I didn’t care anymore. All I cared about was making sure Cole was safe. That tonight he’d finally be my husband.
“My necklace.” I pointed to the dresser.
“This is beautiful.” Sasha gawked at the diamond.
“It was a Christmas present from Cole.”
She fastened it around my neck. “It’s perfect with the dress.”
I exhaled. “So I just need a groom to do this.”
“You’ll have one. Come on. The photographer is in the garden.”
25
Cole<
br />
The taxi slowed. There were cars everywhere. The driver could barely make it down one side of the street.
“Holy shit,” I whispered. People were walking up the steps to Kaitlyn’s parents’ house carrying gifts. The snow had started to fall. The street was white.
I recognized the paper luminaries, lighting the way up the sidewalk and around to the backyard. How the hell was I going to get past that crowd?
I had twenty minutes until the ceremony.
“Just drop me off here,” I urged the driver. “I’ll run.”
“But not the address.” He pointed at his GPS.
“I don’t care.” I pulled on the handle. I had to make a run for it.
He yelled something, but I didn’t have time to argue. I tore down the sidewalk. I ran past a couple shuffling along in the snow. “Excuse me. Coming through.”
I hurdled over a set of hedges, missing garden stones. Fuck. I could have twisted my ankle.
I ran around the opposite side of the house and hopped over the low gate. I paused for a second. To my right were rows of chairs. I saw an archway wrapped in lights and glittering in the snow. I was getting fucking married. I could study this later.
I kept running. I threw open the door to the guest house.
My heart stopped. There was a tightness in my chest. I didn’t know if I could breathe. It hurt just forcing air into my lungs. I wanted to drop to my knees.
“Kaitlyn.” Her name sounded like a guttural groan from my throat.
“Oh my God. You’re here.” She rushed toward me, throwing herself in my arms.
It didn’t matter that I needed a shower and looked like I had been in the field for a week.
She’d never looked more beautiful. Never more perfect than she did right now. I tangled my hands in her hair, dragging her lips to mine. I was rough and possessive, but I missed her. I needed to drown in her. I needed her innocence and purity to wash over me. The good in her to bring me back from where I had been. I drank from her lips, thirsty for her sweet mouth.
Her body fell into mine. Her soft curves glowed like she was an angel. I licked my lips, raking over her tits.
She breathed heavily. “The wedding.”
“I want you,” I groaned, dipping my hand under her dress. “Twenty minutes. I have twenty minutes to fuck you.”
“Oh God, yes.” She nodded. “I missed you. You’re ok. I can’t believe you’re ok.”
Her mouth covered my neck and cheek. Her breath was hot and rapid. She fumbled with my zipper, shoving my khakis to the floor. My cock was aching. Throbbing to be home buried deep in her pussy.
I leaned backward, turning the deadbolt with one hand as she hiked her leg around my waist. I gripped her ass and she moaned. There were layers of fabric, but not enough I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. I ran a finger through her slick folds. She was wet. I growled.
“Fuck me, baby,” I groaned. “Fuck me.”
She slid her panties to the side and I nestled my cock between her folds. I growled as she sank her walls around me.
“Cole,” she whimpered. Her hips rocked into mine. Her nails dug into my neck. She panted my name.
My knees locked, holding her in place. One hand gripped her ass tightly while the other urged her up and down.
“You’re going to be my wife. Say it,” I demanded.
She nodded, clawing at me. Her pussy was on fire. It consumed me. Took me to nirvana. Her walls clutched and squeezed my cock like a vice. I couldn’t remember whenever we’d been this rough with each other. Every time I fucked her it wasn’t enough. I needed more. I had to have her. Every part of her. I loved her more than I could put in thoughts or words.
“Your wife,” she groaned through heavy breaths.
I slammed into her, feeling the knot in my spine start to fire with pulses. Her hips were wild as she slid over my dick.
She quivered in my arms and we both came fast. Our bodies overcome with a violent crash as our climax rocked us. It was a savage collision as I claimed her pussy as if it was the first time we’d fucked.
“Holy fuck.” I lowered her to the ground, trying to get my pulse under control.
There was a slow smile on her face.
Her breasts heaved. Damn. Had her tits gotten bigger since I was gone?
I kissed her full lips again. I could do that all over again. I could that the rest of my life if I got my ass to the alter.
“I have five minutes?”
“Yes.”
I tilted her chin upward. “I told you I’d be here.”
I knew my scruff was long and I had sunburn on my face. But there was a tuxedo in a bag on the door. I could fucking pull this off. If I could make it half-way around the world, I could turn into a groom like Clark Fucking Kent.
“I’ll tell everyone you’re here,” she whispered.
I pulled her into another kiss before I hit the shower. “I was always going to come home to you, Kaitlyn.”
Her green eyes flickered. “I’m going to marry you tonight.”
I chuckled. “Yes you are.”
26
Kaitlyn
It seemed like it took less than two minutes for the behind-the-scenes crowd to know Cole was back. My body was still flush and my skin warm from his touch when I peeked my head out the door and whispered to Ryan he was back.
I thought I’d wait and take off the wedding dress before sex, but one look at Cole and I knew that was never going to happen.
He was back. He was alive. He was safe. I needed him. He needed me. A wedding dress wasn’t going to stop me from loving him with my body. When he was inside me, we were melded like the metal around my neck. There was no Cole. There was no. There was only us. Our bodies belonged to each other and no one else.
Aiden had volunteered as a family member to stand up with Cole and Ryan since I had Mary Ellen and Sasha as bridesmaids. I appreciated the offer, but I didn’t know if Cole was ok with the arrangement. But he went with it.
Grayson carried the rings. The guests all melted when they saw him give his dad a high-five at the end of the aisle.
Everyone was wrapped in coats and blankets. There were heaters scattered throughout the yard, but we didn’t want to overdo it. They would just melt the snow. I didn’t want the magic to melt until after the ceremony.
Finally, it was my turn. I took a deep breath and stepped into view. My red roses were dusted with a layer of snowflakes. The fur cape draped along my shoulders, and tied between my collarbones.
My dad held out his arm for me. Somehow this week I had learned how to forgive him. I didn’t know that I would understand, or ever believe what he did, but I knew he loved me. I knew he cherished me. And he was going to be a wonderful grandfather.
I saw how he played with Grayson. I saw the knowing looks he and my mother exchanged. They were excited about the twins, even if I brought them into their lives in an unconventional way. We had violated their trust in a way that hurt them. I never wanted that to happen. I couldn’t make my values be theirs, but I could marry the man I loved on New Year’s Eve without a second doubt. Without any regret or remorse. Because he belonged in this family. He belonged to me.
Dad kissed me on the cheek. “You look beautiful, pumpkin.” He smiled. “Are you ready to get married?”
I nodded. “I’ve been waiting to marry Cole Thomas since I was fourteen.” I giggled.
“Then I guess it’s my turn to do the right thing. I’m proud of you.” He squeezed my hand. And I knew that was his way of giving me his blessing. The past was over. Once we said our vows in front of our friends and family. In front of the church congregation and our neighbors, our marriage would be sacred to everyone, not just us.
The snow crunched under my foot. All eyes turned toward me.
I was walking forward.
Toward my future.
Toward Cole.
Epilogue
The ocean crashed on the beach. My hair whipped around my neck. I turned just as C
ole walked up behind me, his arms circling my waist. He kissed my neck.
“It doesn’t look anything like Padre.” I leaned into him.
“I don’t plan on staring at the waves.” His hand slid under my shirt. I closed my eyes as he took my nipple between his fingers.
“Ohh,” I mewed. “It’s our honeymoon view,” I protested. “These islands are pretty too.”
“Come inside,” he requested. “I need my wife.”
“Wife,” I whispered.
I looked down at my hand. There was a platinum band under my engagement ring.
“Get in bed, now,” he growled.
I turned slowly to face him. His chest was bare. The moonlight made him look dark and dangerous. “My husband is demanding.” I lifted my eyebrows.
He yanked my hair, crushing my mouth with a powerful kiss. His tongue twisted along mine as I relaxed into his body. I felt him lift my legs and carry me inside the palatial suite overlooking the beach.
He pulled the tie on my silk robe, letting it fall to the side. It was a wedding gift from my bridesmaids monogrammed with my new initials. He cupped my breasts, bringing his mouth to my nipple. His hands coasted over my hips as he pushed me back on the bed.
“Mrs. Thomas, you’re not leaving this bed tonight.” He nipped at my throat.
“You promise?” I looked in his eyes.
His kisses dropped lower until his head was between my legs. I pushed his head lower, needing his tongue, loving his hot mouth at my center.
“Fucking demanding,” he growled, spreading my slick folds.
I hissed when he flicked over my clit and sank a finger inside me. God, it felt incredible. Our bodies had a new connection. A married connection.
His tongue lapped between my slit, sucking my clit until I screamed for him to let me come. “Please, Cole. Please.” I panted.
He traced my thighs with his finger and I felt the emptiness without him filling my pussy. “Please,” I begged. “Fuck me.”
Don’t Tell: The Series Page 40
