“I’ll see you soon, baby,” Caleb said when he kissed her in the foyer.
“Promise?” Addison was already starting to miss him.
“Promise,” he whispered and lightly nipped her nose before leaving.
“You were looking an awful lot like a couple right then,” Noah commented when Caleb entered the limousine several minutes later.
“Don’t start, Noah,” Caleb said as he pointed his finger at him.
Noah shrugged. “I’m just saying, last night and just then you looked really happy.”
Caleb turned to look at Noah. “Really?”
“Yeah, I think it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”
“Well, I am,” Caleb said and stared out the window, effectively ending the conversation. He didn’t want to talk about Addison. He was having a good time and that’s all that mattered. He couldn’t stop thinking about the softness of her skin or how good she’d tasted when he’d made her sit on his face last night and come. She’d been so shy and nervous, but once his tongue had invaded her, she’d been shy no longer.
Caleb was the first to jump out of the limo and head to the grooms’ suite. The party had already started because when he and Noah arrived, the men were already sipping champagne.
Several hours later, Caleb grinned when he saw Rylee come down the aisle. His sister was stunning in the one-of-a-kind designer dress that Amar insisted she have, but as much as Caleb loved her, she wasn’t anywhere near as beautiful as a certain woman sitting several pews behind the bridal family in the cathedral.
He’d only seen her briefly when he’d stopped by the bridal suite earlier. She’d donned the pale pink, strapless tulle gown and looked like a goddess. Chynna had tried to shoo him away, but he had reminded her he wasn’t the groom and wanted to see his lady.
“Caleb.” Addison had grinned. “You’re supposed to be in position.”
“I know,” he had said, “but I had to see you, make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m a big girl. You need to stop worrying about me. Your family is amazing, and they’ve all treated me wonderfully. So you can stop worrying and go back and fulfill your groomsmen’s duties, okay?”
“But ...” He had pouted. “What about a kiss?”
“You’ll mess up my makeup. Now shoo.” Addison had pushed him toward the door.
He made another pouty face before taking his leave. When he had returned to his position, the guys made fun of him and told him he was whipped, but Caleb had brushed it off. He’d seen Addison, and now all was right with the world.
He brought himself back to the present. Minutes later, Rylee and Amar were about to recite their vows, and then Kenya and Lucas would follow suit. Caleb listened as Amar spoke first.
“From the moment I laid eyes on you, Rylee,” Amar began, “there has never been another woman for me. You’ve seen me at my best and worst. You’ve gotten me through grief and all my emotional baggage. And yet you still love me. I’m a better person, a better man who is capable of loving and being loved because of you. You’re my soulmate, Rylee Hart, and I look forward to sharing our life together as a married couple.”
Rylee looked up into her soon-to-be husband’s teary eyes. She thanked him for never giving up on their love, which she acknowledged had had a rocky start, and for not letting his fear of commitment get in the way of their happy ending. “Your strength, confidence and loyalty have shown me that you’re the man I want to spend the rest of my life with,” she said, her voice shaking with joy. “You’re the man I want to father my children. You’re the man I want to grow old with. And I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Kenya and Lucas’s relationship had also not had an easy trip to the altar. The sentiments they expressed to one another were similar to Rylee’s and Amar’s.
“You learned my true identity in the worst way possible,” Kenya said as she held Lucas’s hand, alluding to the fact she’d been impersonating Chynna at the start of their relationship. “Many wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d walked away, but you forgave me the lies and saw deep down inside to the real me that I rarely let anyone see. You helped me grow into the strong, confident woman who can stand here today and say that I love you more than life itself.”
Tears fell from Lucas’s dark eyes. “We know what we have because we’ve fought hard to keep it,” he said, losing his battle to fight back more tears. “I know you’re not perfect, and I accept you with all your flaws because I love you. And that’s why I know that we will thrive in the sanctity of marriage—because we know how to endure the hard times. Why? Because love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. That’s the kind of love we have, Kenya. And I promise to be patient, kind and loving and to always protect you and our family, to always preserve us and never give up, because you’re the woman of my dreams, Kenya James.”
At those words, family and friends burst out in clapping, tears and smiles.
Caleb was so stunned by what he’d heard that he failed to clap. He had been struck by how each couple had endured heartache to get to the point where they could commit to each other in front of God, their family and friends. He wasn’t sure he could ever do it. He glanced over at his parents. He had an example of what enduring love looked like, yet it scared him to death. Would he ever be able to let go? And was Addison the woman to make him want to?
Addison was enjoying the wedding reception at the Ritz- Carlton about thirty minutes outside of Tucson. The mountain setting was picturesque. The double wedding was nothing short of spectacular. She couldn’t believe she was amongst royalty and then there was the press all eager to get an exclusive of Oscar- winning actress Kenya James’s wedding dress. Because they’d had a double to fool the paparazzi, they hadn’t caught sight of Kenya. The press had also been shut out of the reception even though helicopters were flying overhead. In the bridal suite, she’d heard Kenya and Lucas would release wedding photos in their own time, the way they wanted to.
Addison was happy she didn’t have those kinds of problems, but she also knew that her weekend was almost over. She would be heading back to Dallas the day after tomorrow and her time with Caleb would come to its inevitable end. During the day, she’d imagined that they were as happy and in love as the other couples in his family.
She’d pictured them dancing the night away and announcing their engagement to everyone. His mother would be over the moon, and his father would be tickled pink to add another member to the ever-expanding Hart clan. She thought about all of Caleb’s cousins congratulating them and talking over wedding plans. But none of that happened except the dancing.
She’d been sitting at one of the round tables with Duke and Caleb’s cousins London, Jada and Bree when Caleb suddenly appeared, having left the main wedding party table on the stage. He’d removed his overcoat and tie and loosened the first few buttons on his tuxedo shirt. “May I have this dance?” He offered her his hand.
“Yes, you may.” Addison accepted the proffered arm and allowed him to lead her onto the floor, where the newlyweds were having their first dance. When Caleb’s large masculine hand joined with hers, Addison’s breath hitched. She was amazed at how giddy she became at his touch even after they’d shared a bed for nearly a week.
One hand moved down to rest on her waist while the other led her around the dancefloor. Caleb was smooth on his feet, and Addison easily followed along. “Did I tell you how beautiful you looked today?” he asked, peering at her.
“A few times.” Addison smiled. “But I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”
He looked deep into her eyes and said, “You’re beautiful, Addison.”
She could see that he meant it. He wasn�
�t bullshitting her or telling her what she wanted to hear. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Have I told you how much I’ve enjoyed the wedding, your family? It’s been wonderful. Th-thank you for-for including me.” She hadn’t meant to get choked up, but the words came out in a rush.
“There was no one else I wanted to bring.”
That warmed her but wasn’t exactly what she needed to hear. She would take it though because it was all Caleb was willing to give.
They continued to sway to the music and even danced a few fast songs until it was time for the bouquet toss.
“Okay, we need all the single ladies over here,” Rylee and Kenya yelled. “There are two opportunities to catch a bouquet.”
Addison tried to stay in the background and allow Caleb’s cousins to be front and center, but Rylee came forward and pulled her to the front next to her best friend, Camryn. “Don’t you dare,” Rylee teased. “One of you or both,” she said, pointing to Camryn and Addison, “have to catch these.”
Kenya threw her bouquet first, and Bree caught it. “You’re next, you’re next,” several women teased Bree, including her sister Jada.
“No, I’m not. Marriage is not on the table for me yet,” Bree replied stiffly.
“You’re up next.” Kenya looked over at Rylee as she lifted her wedding dress and left the dancefloor.
Addison glanced across the room, and if she wasn’t mistaken there was a bead of sweat on Caleb’s forehead. He probably didn’t want her to catch the bouquet, but fate had something else in mind because Rylee’s flowers came right toward her and she had no choice but to grab them.
Rylee was beaming and clapping her hands. Addison held up the bouquet and smiled. She glanced around for Caleb, but he seemed to have disappeared. Was he afraid that now that she’d caught it, she might be looking for something more? She didn’t know how right she was.
Caleb felt ill on the other side of the dancefloor. Addison had caught Rylee’s bouquet. Damn! Visions of wedding dresses were probably already dancing around in her head. He must have looked petrified because Noah came over to see him.
“Hey, man, don’t sweat so much. Otherwise it goes right through your shirt,” Noah said, laughing.
“Does it show?” Caleb asked.
“The absolute look of terror on your face? It’s just a bouquet, so lighten up, okay?”
Caleb inhaled deeply. He supposed Noah was right. He was probably making a bigger deal of it than it was. He was just catching his breath when Lucas and Amar yelled, “Where are our bachelors?” Then Amar added, hollering across the floor, “C’mon, Tariq, you know you’re one.”
“So are you, Caleb.” Lucas eyed him standing in the back of the room with Noah. “Get your butt up here.”
“Go take your medicine,” Noah said, pushing Caleb toward the dancefloor.
Caleb stood next to Uncle Duke, Tariq, Sharif, Chynna’s manager Deacon and several other single men quaking in their dress shoes. God, please don’t let me catch this garter, Caleb prayed. His prayers were not answered. It was like the gods were against him because he caught Amar’s garter; Tariq caught Lucas’s.
“Put it on, put it on,” the crowd chanted, urging both men to slide the garter on each of the women who’d caught a bouquet. As annoyed as he was that he’d caught the garter, Caleb wasn’t about to let Tariq slide his hands up Addison’s thigh.
He sauntered toward Addison, who was standing along the sidelines. “You ready to do this?”
She didn’t say anything and merely walked toward one of two chairs that had been placed in the center room, as did Bree.
The DJ turned on some music to pump up the crowd. Tariq was very formal as he kneeled in front of Bree and asked if he could lift her skirt before sliding the garter up her leg.
Not to be outdone, Caleb danced around Addison before finally making his way to kneel in front of her. Addison’s eyes were so focused on his that once again he became lost in those depths, but his conscience kicked in. He knew he had to stop this before it got out of hand.
“You know this is just for show?” he whispered, sliding the garter up her silky leg and thigh. When he was nearly to the promised land, he stopped and said, “To be continued.” He rose to his feet and everyone clapped.
Addison was not happy, however, and quickly exited the dancefloor.
“Shit!” Caleb said underneath his breath. He was about to go after her when Rylee came toward him and put a hand on his chest.
“Don’t!” she said. “I’ll get her.”
Addison paced the terrace as she thought about what had just happened. In her daydream, she’d caught the bouquet and then Caleb had stated his undying love for her. But reality was far from that. Once Caleb had slid the garter on, he’d made it clear it was all for show and that it meant nothing to him, other than a means to an end later in the bedroom.
Why did she have to be so foolish? Why did she want something she would never have? Caleb was never going to be her prince charming and sweep her into his arms and declare his undying love for her. She needed to get her head out of the movies and romance novels.
She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Rylee standing there in all her wedding glory. She broke down and started crying as she made her way to a nearby stone bench.
“Addison,” Rylee said as she rushed toward where Addison was sitting, “don’t cry.” Rylee sat next to her on the bench. “Please don’t cry.”
Addison shook her head. She didn’t want to talk, especially to Rylee, who had everything that Addison one day hoped to have.
Rylee reached for her hand. “Addison, look at me.”
“I can’t.” Addison lowered her head.
“Why not?”
“Because.” Addison turned her head away. “Because I’ve been a fool.”
“For falling in love with my brother?”
Addison turned around and stared at Rylee in bewilderment.
“If you’re wondering how I know,” Rylee responded, “it’s because it’s written all over your face. And all over his.”
“It’s not, Rylee. I don’t know what you’re seeing but Caleb is not in love with me.”
“Not like you are with him?” Rylee said. “You can admit it to me, Addison. I won’t betray your confidence.”
“But Caleb’s your brother.”
“And you’re the first woman to ever make my brother feel. And I want that for him. He’s been more real with you than he ever has been. He’s finally blossoming into the man I know he can be, not just some playboy with wanderlust and a love of riding bulls. There’s more to my brother than that, if he’ll only allow it.”
Addison smiled through her tears. “I know that. He’s amazing and I am falling for him, but he doesn’t want me, correction, he only wants me physically. And I thought that would be enough, but, but it’s not.”
“Don’t give up on him, Addison.”
“I don’t know, Rylee. I can’t promise that. Not if he won’t let me in.”
Rylee nodded. “I know it’s hard. Amar was that way too, but in time, I wore him down.” Addison couldn’t help but smile. “You just have to be patient, Addison, because I believe you’re the woman for my brother, but you’re going to have to fight for him, ’cause trust me, he won’t make it easy for you.”
“He sure as hell hasn’t.”
“Listen, I have to go.” Rylee rose to her feet and gathered her skirt. “I’m headed for my honeymoon, but I hope to see you again real soon.”
“Thank you, Rylee.” Addison certainly hoped that was the case and that one day she too might be part of the Hart family.
Chapter 13
The following morning, Caleb woke up ornery. He hadn’t slept well the night before. It was the first time he and Addison had gone straight to bed without making love. Since they’d reconnected in Texas, every time the
y were together, they’d spent the night and much of the following morning being intimate, but last night he’d gone to bed horny, all because he’d opened his big mouth.
He knew why Addison was upset. It was because of what he’d said when he’d slid the garter up her thigh. He’d told her that it meant nothing, that if she had any ideas that the symbol might mean marriage, she was wrong. Dead wrong. And now he had the blue balls to prove it. Damn! Why had he been so harsh?
When he opened his eyes this morning, he’d found the bed and his room empty. No Addison. He showered and eventually went downstairs to find she was having breakfast in the morning room with his parents and the rest of the Harts.
“Good morning.” He inclined his head to his father and kissed his mother’s cheek before joining Addison, who was sitting next to his mother.
“Good morning,” everyone echoed at the table.
Caleb kissed Addison’s head as he sat beside her. “How are you?” he whispered so that only she could hear.
“I’m fine.”
Fine? That didn’t bode well for him. It meant he was definitely in the doghouse. He glanced up and saw Noah shaking his head. Caleb rolled his eyes. He knew he was in the wrong. Although he’d been honest with Addison from the start, he didn’t have to be so crass and throw it in her face at such a sensitive moment. He’d regretted it as soon as he said it, but it had been too late. The hurt look on her face before she’d run away had spoken volumes.
It was no surprise that she’d steered clear of him for the remainder of the evening. When she’d returned to the ballroom, she hadn’t spoken a word to him nor in in the limo ride with Noah and Chynna. As soon as they’d made it back to the ranch, Addison had gone upstairs with barely a whisper of goodnight.
Harts of Arizona Series Page 69
