“My husband,” she murmured softly.
“My wife,” he replied, kissing her deeper this time.
Chapter Fifty-two
They came up for air when Eli felt a tap on his shoulder. He drew back from kissing Rachel to find his father-in-law standing behind him, waiting for his dance with his daughter. Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” was already playing, and he apologetically released Rachel into her father’s arms and went to Renata and asked her to dance with him, which she did happily.
“Welcome to our family, Eli.” Rachel’s mom glided expertly with him over the dance floor.
Smiling, he said, “Thank you, Renata. Now I know where Rachel gets her natural grace and dancing skills from.”
Blushing, his mother-in-law thanked him. “You are such a sweet talker, Eli. You make Rachel very happy. We’re glad she found such a good man. Peter has always thought highly of you, and I have, too. I’ll never forget the first time I met you. Do you remember?”
“The hospital.” He nodded thoughtfully. He wondered what she must have thought of him. A train wreck.
“Yes. I remember you called us regularly while we were on the road coming home, giving us regular updates about her condition. You met us at the main entrance of the hospital and took us to her instead of waiting for us to come find you. And you never, ever left her side while her condition was so serious. Every mother wants a man for her daughter that loves that deep and knows how to show respect. The love you felt for her was in your exhausted eyes. I was ready to claim you as a son-in-law then.”
He felt his cheeks warm a little at her words. “I had already ordered her ring by that time, hoping she would say yes to me when the time was right.”
“And here we are,” she said as he spun her, the song coming to an end.
Renata hugged him, and he kissed her cheek and walked her to her husband, who was holding a weeping Rachel. Peter looked up at him apologetically as he returned her to Eli. For now, nobody else had noticed, and he hoped to keep it that way. He gathered her to him and kept dancing, knowing stopping would draw every eye to them. Peter and Renata nodded approvingly as he held her and spoke softly.
“What is it, angel?”
“It’s Daddy. You won’t believe it. I’m not sure I do. He told me he saved money all these years for my wedding, which I already knew, but he didn’t tell me he invested it. It’s been a really good investment. What Grace spent on the wedding and reception didn’t even scratch the surface on the little bit he pulled out to pay for all this. There’s enough to buy our ranch, Eli. Or we can put it all in savings and investments and let it keep growing. Eli, I had no idea. He said it was just a lucky break that paid off for the family. He said that was why he taught me to always save my money and handle it wisely, so I’d be able to handle this money after I got married.”
“There’s enough to pay for the house?”
She whispered the amount, “Two hundred thousand dollars.”
Holy cow.
“I wasn’t sure what to say for a minute.”
“How do you feel about your dad buying your house for you? Be honest, angel.”
“He raised me to take care of myself, and I’ve trusted you to put a roof over my head, Eli.”
“I can pay for the house you live in, angel. Why don’t we wait and talk about it while we’re gone and get your dad’s advice later. It sounds like he has some experience with investments and money management. I suppose it’s just the pride thing for me.”
“Yeah, me, too, but I understand what you’re saying. We’ll figure it all out. It sure does give us some options, though,” she said, her beautiful face radiant despite her tears.
“True. I’m so glad those were happy tears you were crying.”
“I’ll say.” She dabbed gently beneath her eyes with her hanky. “Now, I want to celebrate with you. You know how much I love you, right?”
“Yes, I do, Mrs. Wolf.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She sighed shakily. “Say it again,” she said with a watery giggle.
“Mrs. Wolf, Mrs. Wolf, Mrs. Wolf. My wife, my woman.”
“My fantasy come true.” She blushed as he slid his hand down her back to just barely above the upper swell of her ass.
“Mine,” he growled.
“Mine,” she growled softly back.
* * * *
They were joined by others on the dance floor as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sang “It’s Your Love.” Rachel was as light as a feather and positively euphoric when Eli pulled her to the center of the dance floor as the song ended. She thought he wanted to dance with her again but noticed Grace and Ethan putting two chairs in the middle where all could see. The guests speculated quietly, wondering what was going to happen.
“Eli, we already talked about this,” she said, making a giggling assumption. “No garter groping!”
He turned to her and chuckled. “Oh, there will be garter groping, but only when we’re alone tonight. Then I plan on groping all the interesting articles of clothing you have on under this pretty dress, and not just your garters, Mrs. Wolf. This has nothing to do with me sliding my hand up your leg, though I do like the way you think.” He laughed. “I have a little surprise for you, angel.”
“A surprise?” she asked, conscious of the guests pulling their chairs to the edge of the dance floor.
He seated her in one of the chairs and handed her the glass of wine Grace brought to him, placing his glass by his chair. Grace brought another chair, and the DJ turned down the music. Rachel turned and looked behind her when she heard movement. It was Ethan approaching with two guitars. She turned and looked at Eli and smiled up at him as he winked at her. She got comfortable in her chair and took a sip of her wine. Ethan handed Eli his guitar, and they both took a seat before her, Eli directly in front of her and Ethan at his side. They checked tune quickly, and Grace spoke from the DJ’s table.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you may or may not know it, but we have some real musical talent in our midst. Eli wanted to do something special for Rachel tonight, and he and Ethan have been working on this for weeks. We hope you enjoy it.”
They began to play their guitars in a slow, sweet rhythm that she recognized instantly. “She’s Got a Way With Me” by Billy Currington. They must have been practicing on the sly, very faithfully because they were smooth and in synchronization with each other.
She had no idea he could sing. None.
It’s a gentle touch, but more than enough.
She can stop this ol’ world from spinning too much.
It’s a natural thing, and I do believe
I’ve found my reason to be.
* * * *
Eli sang the chorus, gazing into her expressive, brimming blue eyes. The words flowed from the depths of his heart. Ethan’s background vocals were dead-on and made the song even better. He was so glad he’d discovered that Ethan had some serious skills. It was obvious Rachel loved this.
I’m not the same man, since she’s been around.
There’s more to this life, I’ve suddenly found.
I look at myself now so differently.
It’s her love that brings me peace.
* * * *
Rachel felt tears slide down her cheeks as she listened. From the first note to the last, this was not a nervous, uncomfortably performed declaration of love. This was a well-rehearsed, polished, and professional performance. They played together like they had for years, and they could both sing. Ethan provided back-up vocals for Eli as he sang the song to her. Eli’s voice was like a rich, luxurious caress, making love to her senses. When they were done, the guests clapped and cheered wildly for them.
Eli smiled at her, and so did Ethan as he rose from his chair and took Eli’s guitar from him. Eli held out his hand to Rachel as Ethan, and Justin returned with filled wine glasses. Both men raised their glasses and toasted Eli and Rachel then Grace and Kelly joined them and offered toasts as well.
Rachel was still flabb
ergasted but took a minute to profusely thank Grace and Kelly for their hard work, grabbing Charity and thanking her, too. The girls giggled when Eli picked her up and bodily carried her back to the dance floor in mid-sentence.
She looked up at him and said, “Eli, I had no idea you could sing like that.”
“There have been so many times when I’ve wanted to sing to you, especially as you fell asleep. Both Ethan and I were given classical guitar lessons when we were growing up. One night at the bar, we were talking and we discovered that we both could play and sing.”
“Your voice,” she murmured happily, “your voice makes love to my ears.”
“Wow! That good, huh?”
“I want to throw myself at you shamelessly right now.”
“Well, it’s interesting that you mention that because Grace is about to dim the lights for Ethan so they can dance, and I’ve requested two or three songs for just…that…reason, if you’re feelin’ me?” He growled quietly and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Pressing her body to his, Rachel felt the growing hardness at his groin. “Oh, I’m feelin’ you all right.” The lights dimmed, and she smiled up at him softly as the first bars of “Let’s Make Love” by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw began to play, and a soft sigh left her lips.
Grace had already joined Ethan on the dance floor, speaking softly to him. They began to dance, and he tilted his head down and pressed his lips to her ear. Her eyes shut in bliss, and she turned her face into his shoulder.
Rachel smiled up at Eli. He kissed her, and she tilted her head into his shoulder, his long, coal-black hair shielding her face from view as he whispered in her ear. And his voice really did make love to her.
* * * *
After the dance, Eli returned with Rachel to their table. He drew her into his lap and gave her a chance to collect herself and drink some water. She told him she was thankful for the dimmer lights that disguised her spreading blush. Eli playfully fed her bites of cake, and it was a sweet, quiet moment between them before the others began coming up to visit. By the time she recovered, a blissful Grace and smiling Ethan had joined the group. Corina and Brice came and congratulated them, and so did Ace and Kathleen. Rosemary twirled by with Evan and Wes, dancing with both of them at the same time. Somehow, that girl managed to keep both their hands full. Rachel pointed out Eli’s dad dancing with Jane Jensen, who was looking pretty in a red satin dress.
Grace returned to the table after dancing with Jack and caught Rachel’s eye. She enthusiastically signaled that the girls wanted to dance. Rachel nodded, and Eli grinned, helping her up from his lap. She and the other girls made their way to the dance floor as “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry ended.
“Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” started playing over the loudspeakers, and the girls started rocking. Eli stood next to Jack, Adam, and Ethan and groaned, watching the way the gown moved sinuously with her body, her little silver sandals flashing in the muted light as she danced.
Eli smiled over at Jack when he heard him groan, watching Grace grind with them. At the center of the group, Rachel gradually moved closer and closer across the dance floor until she was right in front of Eli. Her eyes flashed in the twinkling lights as she trailed a finger down his chest and abdomen then freaking stuck it in her mouth and sucked on it!
Damn! That song ended, but not the torture, as the DJ played “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” by Trace Adkins next.
* * * *
Ethan stood with Jack and Adam, conversing quietly as he watched the woman he loved dance. Grace exuded happiness and confidence, but he remembered how shyly she had stepped into their lives, not realizing she was about to win the hearts and devotion of not one, but three men. Now, she moved sensuously and gracefully, with joyful freedom, looking beautiful in her blue dress, supremely confident of their love as she gazed at them watching her from the edge of the dance floor.
Ethan spoke up. “Her other gift came today.”
“Oh, yeah?” Adam asked with a crooked smile. “She find it?”
“No, I was there when UPS brought it. It’s hidden in your closet, Jack. I need to attach an anchor to a beam in her bedroom ceiling to support it.”
“Grace will wonder what it’s for. She’ll talk the surprise right out of us,” Jack warned. They all knew full well her persuasive abilities.
“We’ll put it in the day before Christmas while she’s away from the house. She’ll be so busy with Christmas festivities and stuff that she won’t even notice it in the ceiling. I’d rather do that because you know the moment she opens it, she’s going to want to try it out.”
“I like that plan,” Adam said then groaned as she rolled her hips seductively to the music.
Ethan smiled and blew her a kiss and put his hand on his heart when she smiled at him. “She loves making love on that old porch glider so much. Wait till she gets a load of her love swing,” he murmured, imagining her in it right then. The men smiled and agreed, watching her indulgently as the song came to an end and she moved gracefully across the dance floor to them.
Jack kissed her as she reached for him first. “Darlin’, I’d say the wedding is a huge success. Are you tired?”
“Yes, but also very happy. It all turned out perfect, and Rachel was a gem through the whole process. Eli, too,” she added as she hugged Ethan. “It was a great idea to suggest the photo shoot, honey. She loved the pictures.”
“Well, you did, Gracie, so we figured it was worth a shot. I hear hers were pretty well received also.”
She grinned. “Yeah, you know what that’s like.” To which they all nodded, remembering her unveiling their boudoir portraits to them before their wedding.
Smiling playfully, Grace said, “You have to take opportunities like that when they come your way, right?”
Adam grinned and nuzzled her neck as she hugged him. “Seize the day, baby?”
“That’s my motto!” As her men crowded a little closer to her on the dim edge of the dance floor, she caught Adam looking straight down her cleavage. “Is that what you’re doin’ right now?”
He growled. “Yes, because I’d regret it if I didn’t take the opportunity. You’re luscious, baby.”
“You all say the sweetest things. What were you talking about while I was dancing?”
“Your Christmas surprise,” Ethan replied, and eyed her insatiably.
“Oooh! Is it that good? You look at me like you want to eat me!” She giggled softly as they came close even closer.
Ethan growled softly. “That’s only for starters. Then we might play a little hide and seek, maybe a little Twister.”
Grace pressed her lips together and blushed prettily.
“But eventually we’ll be done playin’ games,” Jack murmured softly so only they could hear.
“Then we’ll make love to you,” Ethan murmured, kissing her warm cheek.
Adam lifted her palm and kissed it and said, “Until you lose track of who is touching you where.”
Jack kissed the knuckles of her other hand.
“Oh, mama.”
* * * *
Rachel laughed as she collapsed into Eli’s strong arms when the song ended.
“How long before we can leave?” he asked with a deep, sexy growl. She loved when he growled like that. It was a sexy, primal sound that her body always responded to with an equally primal reaction.
His big, strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him tightly. That move squeezed her breasts up so that they nearly overflowed her gown. He smiled crookedly before glancing around to see if anyone watched. Quickly, he pressed a kiss to the top of each breast then released her. Rachel had to hold on to him breathlessly for a few seconds. Her skin tingled where his warm lips had touched her.
She looked up at him flirtatiously. “A few more dances?”
“With you in my arms, yes. You girls were torturing us poor guys standing here watching you.” The soft smile on his face told her he hadn’t suffered too badly, but the hard co
ck pressed against her belly hinted at his impatience.
Looking all business with a happy gleam in her eye, Grace came to Rachel and said, “Time for the bouquet toss!”
All the single women in the room crowded the front and jockeyed for position as Rachel looked over her shoulder, giggling at them and making them wait. She tossed it high in the air. Rosemary jumped a split second after Erin, who was taller. Rosemary’s well-timed move intercepted the bouquet in the crucial moment. She came down the winner and held up the prize in triumph. Jack and Ace nudged Wes and Evan in the ribs when they saw who had won it. Wes and Evan grinned at her when she returned to their sides with it in her hands.
“Eli wants to know when we’re leaving,” Rachel said as Grace rejoined her after the bouquet toss.
“I was coming to see if you want me to help you change here or if you want to get to the bed and breakfast and let Eli undress you.”
“I’d rather let him since what’s underneath is a surprise.”
“It’s no fun if he doesn’t get to unwrap the gift first,” Grace quipped. “Your luggage, including your makeup case, is in the truck, which is securely locked. Some of the kids may have decorated the outside of the truck, but everything inside is safe.”
Rachel scoffed good-naturedly. “Come on, Grace, I saw you hand Charity’s kids the bag with crepe paper streamers in it.”
Grace hid a gleeful snort behind her hand. “Oh, well! A little bit of decorations on the truck won’t hurt. People love that stuff! I warned them they could not use shoe polish, though.”
Rachel hugged Grace happily as Kelly joined them. “This was the happiest night of my life. You both made it beautiful and perfect. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Rainier, Heather - Her Gentle Giant: Remember to Dance [Divine Creek Ranch 2] (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Page 29
