by Megan McCoy
He could spend a lifetime loving her into happy submission. Figuring out what they wanted to do with themselves.
How was he going to break this news to her? She wasn’t going to be happy. Could he dominate her into accepting? Is that what he wanted to do?
Matt stared at the ceiling. Ceilings were boring. Why had no one since Michelangelo realized that? He didn't know what else to do besides stare at the ceiling. He didn’t want to look at Liz and he didn’t know where else to look. He had to stay calm and quiet and listen to her.
Taking a deep breath, he said, slowly, “Are you canceling our wedding?”
“I love you. This is not about loving you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I promise,” Liz said, and took hold of his hand. He still didn’t look at her, but he felt her snuggle up against him. He had no desire to be either the big or little spoon right now.
Trying to fight down his instinct to tell her not to be stupid, he said, “So what are you telling me? ‘I don’t want to get married’ sounds pretty cut and dried to me.”
“Okay, let me paraphrase. I don’t want this wedding,” she said.
“I don’t understand,” he said. “It's in a week. It will be over, and it will be just you and me on our honeymoon. We can fly Ben out if you miss him. We talked about all this.”
“It's too big and too much, and I’m not interested in being the showpiece of the day. It scares me and I don’t like it,” she said. “I’m not a prize-winning horse. I’m not Candy who loves being in front of people. I’m not Rayne who has no fear of throwing the boss’ almost wife out of her kitchen. I’m not even Holly who feels happy and secure in her relationship with my big brother who can be a big asshole, for all his good qualities.”
“I know you aren’t,” he said carefully. “I don’t want to marry any of them.”
“Well, I’m not even Kim,” she said. “Who you did want to marry.”
“Liz, I am just a male. I don’t understand, but I just need you to tell me.” He finally turned to look at her tear-filled eyes. “Are we breaking up?”
“No,” she said, fiercely, holding him close and pushing against him. “We are not. But. I don’t want this wedding. It's out of my control and out of my hands and it's nothing I ever wanted. I wanted what Jeb and Candy had. A nice simple wedding. A few family. Some friends. Not the entire town.” She paused. “Matt, I feel like a social obligation instead of a bride. Like our wedding is something you all are using to pay back the community or promote your business. I don’t feel like it's about us, at all.”
“It's a ten-minute ceremony,” he said. “Then it's over. We don’t even have to stay long at the party.” Her tears overflowed and he felt even more frustrated. “What do you want? Just flat out say it.”
I don’t want all the attention on me,” she said. “It scares me and makes me unhappy.”
“If I can fix that, will you still marry me?” he asked slowly.
“I will marry you in that monstrosity of a ceremony, if that is what you want. I want to be your wife, but, I needed you to hear me. This is not what I wanted and I’m scared of it.”
Matt reached over and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “The only reason I want you to cry from now on, is from happiness or when I paddle you.”
“Such a gentleman,” she teased, sniffling. “What if I break a bone? May I please, sir, cry then?”
“I’ll think of exceptions as they come along,” he said, feeling a little better. “I’m going to fix things. Don’t you worry.”
“I’m a girl, we worry,” she said, but laid her head on his shoulder in such a trusting manner he almost cried.
How was he going to fix this? He could. He would. He had to. But how?
Matt sat in front of Candy. “What do I do?” he asked. “I can deal with anything else, but weddings are just not what I’m good at.”
Candy looked at him, and ran her hand through her short hair. Then she smiled. “I’m not the one you need to be talking to,” she said. “Go talk to your brother and your son.”
Matt looked at her as if she’d spoken Greek. “Why? How can they help?”
“I’m not solving all your problems for you, my child,” she said grandly. “Go talk to them, then come talk to me again. This is very manageable.”
“You should know,” he said, dryly. He’d hired her several years back because of her managerial capabilities She’d never taken a wrong step that he knew of. But he had no idea how his brother or son could help Liz get over her nerves of being the spectacle of the show. Trusting Candy felt right though, so he headed out to find his brother.
As he left, Jeb, who had silently lounged in the door looked at his wife. “Why didn’t you tell him?”
“He’s your son. So, he’s smart and will figure it out.”
“He’s not too smart if he hasn’t figured it out by now,” Jeb said. Then with a twinkle in his eye, crooked his finger toward her, “since that didn’t take long, let's go take advantage of some downtime.”
“You are full of good ideas,” she purred and headed to him.
“You’ve only known her a month,” Matt said. “You can’t want to marry her.”
“Yet, I do. She’s a virgin and I’m going to have one hell of a wedding night as soon as possible,” Cole grinned at him. “Then she’ll be mine forever.”
“She’s a jerk,” Matt protested.
“I know, isn’t it great?” Cole was still smiling and Matt wanted to throttle him.
“You can’t love her.”
“No, you can’t love her. But I can, and I do, and I want to marry her and keep her here. When was the last time you had to tame a wild filly? It's fun, isn’t it? And exciting and challenging and she’s never going to be tamed. I get to enjoy the fun all my life.” Cole smiled. “I can’t wait to tell her we’re getting married this week. She’s going to have a fit.”
“But will she want to?” Matt asked. “Who could plan for a wedding in a week? Girls can’t.”
“The wedding is planned. All she needs is a dress and to make the cakes,” Cole told him. “And I can pay someone to make those if it's too much for her. Brother, this seems like a win-win for us. Liz doesn’t want to be the focus of the attention and my little firecracker will help with that. A double wedding. How great is that?”
“I’ll talk to Liz,” he said, carefully. “But I rather think you’re right.”
“Want me to come with you to talk to her?” Cole asked. “I’d be glad to beg a little.”
“I don’t know, I’ll let you know,” Matt said. “Right now I have to go talk to Blaze. Another one of Candy’s orders.”
“Don’t disobey the boss lady. We don’t want a board meeting with the old man,” Cole teased him.
“Fact,” Matt said, and headed out. Would a double wedding appease Liz? Take the focus off her and make her more relaxed about this wedding? Then they could slip off early and let Cole and Rayne, both relative newcomers enjoy the party. Seemed like a good solution to him. But who knew what Liz would think. He wasn’t going to step on her toes about this wedding anymore. Anything she wanted or needed was going to happen.
Blaze looked at Gabe. “So.”
Gabe looked back. “So.”
“Now what?”
“We deal,” Gabe said firmly. “It's time. We’re two grown men and I’m done with this.”
“What if I’m not?” Blaze asked.
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve done it your way too long. Now I’m pulling alpha male. You are talking to your dad tonight. Telling him. I’m not sure why he’s coming but I’m done with all the secrecy. You know that.” Gabe leaned back and crossed his arms in stubborn attitude that made Blaze almost smile. “If you don’t tell him, I will.”
“I understand,” Blaze said, as stressed as he could remember being for a while. A Lyon man was not gay. It was easy for Gabe to say come out. His family business wasn’t on the line.
But. Yeah. He was tired of hiding. They both lo
oked up as the familiar whinny of his dad’s horse sounded.
Opening the door, he waited for his dad to tie up his horse and walk in. He’d half expected his grandpa, too. He wasn’t sure why but tonight was different. He just knew it and so did Gabe apparently. “Hi, old man,” he gave his usual greeting, as if he weren’t worried at all. Not nervous. Nothing was going on.
“Blaze,” he nodded almost formally. “Hi, Gabe. Any chance I can talk to my son alone tonight?”
Gabe answered, “No, there isn’t.”
Gabe didn’t move and Blaze flicked his eyes over to him for reassurance. “It's okay, Dad. You can say whatever you want.”
Matt sat down heavily. “I don’t know what I want. The wedding is this week. Liz is having a major meltdown. You know how women are,” he looked at them but Blaze refused to acknowledge this.
“Why is she melting down?” Gabe asked. Blaze shot him a grateful look. Helper!
“The wedding has gotten too big. It's too much for her and she’s worried about being in the spotlight. I just talked to Cole, and apparently, he wants to marry the new chef he’s only known about six weeks.” Matt paused.
Blaze shut his eyes and felt his head spin as Gabe asked, “So are you having a double wedding?”
“I think so,” Matt said. “I haven’t talked to Liz about it yet, but I think it will take the focus off her. And she wants that. But, guys, I’m still not sure why I’m here.”
“Blaze,” Gabe prompted and Blaze wanted to throw up. “Now, Blaze,” he said, and Blaze knew that tone. He would do it or else.
“Dad,” he started. “Dad.” He reminded himself he did not want an ‘or else’ from Gabe.
“I can help with that focus thing.” There. That was good, wasn’t it? A start.
“What?” Matt said, and Gabe got over to sit by Blaze, who leaned on him appreciatively. His dad stared at them as if seeing them for the first time.
“Dad,” he said again. “Dad.” He looked at Gabe for a lifeline.
“Matt. We’d be honored to be the third set of wedding participants, and I can guarantee Liz will melt into the background, if that is what she really wants.” He grabbed the hand Blaze had out, grasping for him.
Matt looked at them as if he’d never seen them before, as if he had no clue what was happening. Then it finally appeared to dawn on him. “Well,” he said. “Well.” Then got up and left the cabin, shutting the door very carefully behind him.
Blaze glared at Gabe. “That went well.”
“It did. You got a tux?”
“It's too damn hot for an outdoor wedding in a tux, asshole.” Blaze felt uncomfortable and nervous and Out. He didn’t like this feeling.
“We’ll figure it out. Hey, baby, we need a license, we’re getting married in a week,” Gabe said, and leaned over to kiss him.
Damn. Were they? Could they? Did he want to? How was this going to work?
Rayne looked up from her cleaning and tried to fight down her automatic smile. Cole. There he was. She’d missed him today. Then she quickly looked down. Wasn’t she upset with him? Why? She couldn’t remember.
“Dinner service almost over?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “You know when dinner is served,” she said, trying not to be sarcastic. Trying to stop the butterflies in her stomach. Neither worked.
“Finish up and delegate,” he commanded. “I need you outside in ten minutes.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but really. Was there anything she wanted more? No. She’d been here ten hours already today. Her staff could finish up. Why did she like his domination so much? His authority? She’d never been one for authority. She was the boss. But. Something about this man.
Walking out of the kitchen, she shook her long hair loose. He liked her hair down. “Cole?” She called.
“Rayne,” he said from over toward her cabin. Walking over she saw him. Candles. Flowers. Soft music floated in her ears. Heart pounding, she looked at this man she had only know a short time and could barely breath. Was he trying to seduce her?
“What?” she choked out.
“Rayne? Can you give up New Orleans for now? Not forever. But for a while?” He stood, tall and strong and confident in front of her. She wanted to melt into him, be with him. New Orleans? What was he talking about?
She couldn’t think of anything else to do, so she nodded.
He smiled at her and her knees shook. “Rayne. There’s a wedding this week. Want to be one of the brides at it?”
She looked at him as if he’d grown horns. Was he making fun of her? What was going on? Whirling around, she started to walk away, mortified tears pricking at her eyes. How dare he? That was a mean trick.
He came up behind her and grabbed her arm. “Stop.” That didn’t sound like a request, so she did, but didn’t turn around and didn’t look at him.
“Leave me alone,” her voice shook.
“No, I won’t. Rayne, look at me,” he commanded.
“What part of no and leave me alone is confusing you, cowboy?” She just wanted to run away. She thought he’d actually kind of liked her. He kept coming around, kissing her, and yes, spanking her. A man didn’t do that unless he felt something for you, did he? What did she know? Apparently, he only wanted the new chef to learn to behave, and then play some unspeakable trick on her. Mean. No, beyond mean, cruel. She didn’t have any feelings for him, of course, naturally, but if she had, then she’d be devastated.
“I’m not leaving you alone, and you will look at me,” he said, and forcibly turned her. Trembling, she took a deep shuddering breath and reminded herself she didn’t back down from a fight. She never would be the weak one. Not even in front of this man. She was in charge of herself and her life and she would not let some stupid weak emotions take over.
Jerking her arm out of his, she took a step away, then crossed her arms defensively. “What? I’m here, cowboy, talk.”
Cole looked at her and smiled just a little.
“I don’t know what you think if funny, but in case you haven’t noticed, I’m pissed off,” she told him.
“I did notice that. One thing about you, is that I usually know how you’re feeling,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking anything was funny. I was thinking what a beautiful bride you’ll be.”
“Whose bride? I’m not anyone’s bride and this isn’t a conversation I want to have. I have no clue,” she sputtered, not even sure what to say. But she felt more in control with righteous anger than with hurt feelings. Hurt feelings were for children and she was no child.
“My bride,” he said. “Rayne, I’m trying to ask you to marry me, and you go off and have a tantrum. I’m the one who should be pissed off.”
“Your bride? You don’t even know me! You can’t love me. We’ve only known each other a month! This is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous. Where did you even come with this stupid idea?”
“It's not a stupid idea, and who says I don’t love you? There’s a big old wedding coming up, and I want you there with me, at my side,” he said.
“If you wanted a date for the wedding, why didn’t you just ask for that? I don’t need to be bride number two to some stranger,” she took another deep breath, pleased to see she wasn’t shaking anymore, but starting to calm down. He didn’t seem to be making fun of her, he was just obviously having a brain fart. Okay, that happened in life. He’d been a soldier after all. Maybe he was having some kind of flashback or something. She could forgive him for that.
“Cole, honey,” she said very slowly as if he were one of the kitchen staff she was trying to teach a new skill. “We don’t love each other. We don’t know each other. We haven’t even had sex yet. It's just a nonsensical idea.”
“We could change that sex thing, right now,” Cole took another step toward her.
“I’m not having sex with a man I haven’t known a month, much less marrying him.” Rayne started to feel frantic. She had no idea what was happening here.
“How about six week
s?” He asked.
“What?”
“By the time the wedding happened, we’d have known each other six weeks,” he said.
Shaking her head, Rayne walked back toward her cabin in exasperation. Basically, she was done with this conversation.
“Do you want to fit in with this family so badly, you’ll jump in on your brother’s wedding?” She said it softly as she walked by him, and he didn’t answer.
There. She’d figured it out. One more way to let everyone know he was a real Lyon man.
Finally, she reached her cabin, ignoring the flowers and candles and musical setting. Sure, it was nice, but she wasn’t in the mood. Unlocking her cabin door with shaking hands she didn’t realize he was behind her until he stepped inside the room with her.
“Go away,” she said. “I don’t want you here.”
“I won’t,” he said, and picked her up. Shocked, she didn’t even react till he tossed her on the bed and then laid down on top of her. She wasn’t afraid, but she was very… she didn’t know. Aroused? Stubbornly, she stared him right in the eyes. He was not intimidating her.
But he was kissing her. Dammit. He knew what happened to her when he did that. It was cruel and unusual punishment.
Melting she arched toward him, trying to get closer. Opening her mouth to let his tongue enter her, she couldn’t help but wish there were other things, other parts, oh….
Finally, when he looked at her and grinned, she couldn’t help but smile back. “Fine. I like kissing you. Doesn’t mean I’m going to marry you.”
“It could,” he said.
She pretended to contemplate it. “Sure it could mean that, but it doesn’t.”
“You’re a stubborn little thing, aren’t you?”
He pulled both her wrists above her head and held them with one of his. “Not stubborn, and not little,” she protested watching him prop himself up on one elbow and reach over to trace her cheek, then her neck. “Practical.”
“Why not marry me? There’s going to be a big party. Liz doesn’t want to be the center of attention. It doesn’t bother you a bit,” his gently tracing finger went to her breast and her breath caught. “You’d be doing Liz a favor.”
