by Dakota Trace
She propped her hands on her hips. “You love that boy like a son. Why are you acting like this? And don’t bother to deny it. I was there last night when you told him, he could stay with us if he decided to go to the University of Iowa.”
“He caught me at weak moment.”
She glared at him. “Don’t give me that crap! Was it a weak moment when you wrote to him in Egypt? I was there, big boy. You love Liam like a son. That’s why you asked him to be your best man.”
He scowled at her before running his hands through his already mused hair. Her heart softened. He really is a growly bear before his coffee. Maybe some incentive is in order here. She loosened the belt on her robe. His eyes caught hers.
“Don’t you dare! You aren’t using sex to soften me up. I shouldn’t have to deal with him before my coffee.”
“Ah, come on Noah. You’re his hero.”
He uncrossed his arms before throwing his legs over the edge of the bed. “Yeah, the one he dumped coffee on last night. Of course, that was only after he managed to drop my pie on the floor which Rufus ended up eating.”
She just shook her head when he stalked over to the suitcase. “It’s only because he wants to impress you. He wants to be just like you. Give the boy a chance, Noah. He’s sixteen, all gangly arms and legs, and huge feet that he trips over. I’m sure you were the same at his age.”
Rummaging through the suitcase, he finally looked over his shoulder at her. “I know. It just scares me.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I had a guy I worshipped at his age too. I thought he could do no wrong. While I was away my first year at college, I found out from Mom that he’d been arrested. For stealing supplies from the local hardware store, of all things. He’s at such an impressionable age. What happens if I screw up and disappoint him?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. Now his cold and hot routine with Liam makes sense. Why he wants him to be his best man but treated him like a pest last night. Why would he think he’s even capable of disappointing Liam? “Noah, if you were truly afraid of that, you’d never have let him get as close as he is. You’re a good man and you’ll be even a better husband and father.” She nuzzled his back. “Even before coffee, you’d never do anything to hurt him. Have a little faith in yourself. You’re not like the man who disappointed you as a young man.”
He gave her arms a squeeze. “Thanks, sweetheart.”
“That’s what I’m here for, Noah.” Pressing a kiss against his spine, she released him. “Remember, we’re partners.” She headed towards the showers.
She had shampoo in her hair, when she heard him say something to her.
“Huh? I can’t hear you over the water, Noah.”
“Partners, you said?” The naughty gleam in his eyes should’ve warned her.
She nodded.
“Good, then you can wear this.” He held up a small egg with its cordless remote. “If I’m going to be tortured, so are you.”
Her breath came fast. “Noah…”
“That’s the deal, Jenna. No egg…no Liam.”
She groaned but nodded. “Alright, but if you embarrass me, I’ll kick your ass.”
* * * * *
Jenna’s breath caught in her throat. Under her beautiful wedding gown, deep inside her the cordless egg buzzed to life. I’m gonna kill him. Ignoring the concerned looks on her mother and sister’s faces, she walked cautiously towards the dressing table. A sigh of relief went through her when the vibration of the egg stopped. Thank God. Why did I let him talk me into wearing this damn thing? Oh yeah, now I remember. For the same reason, I let him drive me out of mind two weeks ago in Michigan.
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” Her mother fussed with her veil. “You look beautiful. That gown shows off your wonderful tan.”
Looking into the mirror, Jenna had to agree the gown did complement her tan. The simple floor length white satin gown with an Empire waistline and lovely scoop neckline was her dream gown. I was lucky to find in stock. I can’t believe in how big of hurry Noah is to get married. Thank God, Mom has a friend who’s a genius with throwing together weddings quickly.
The knock on the door coincided with a renewal of the egg’s vibrations. Thankfully, they weren’t as strong as they had been. Biting down on her tongue, she pasted a smile on her face when she heard her father’s voice.
“It’s time, Jenna.”
Her mother handed her the bouquet of lavender to white-hued Christmas roses. “Good luck, sweetheart. You’ve got yourself a good man.”
A nod was all she could do as the hum inside of her grew. A dead man is what I’ll have got once I get my hands on him.
Walking into the atrium on her father’s arm, she barely noticed the absolute simple beauty of the décor. Other than a vague thought for how much her parents had paid to have fresh chrysanthemums, lilies and poinsettias filled urns to line the aisle, she focused on the man standing at the end of the aisle. Noah looked even better in the dark gray tux custom made for him than he had in the rented job he’d worn six months ago.
When she stepped up next to Noah, the vibration subsided. As she turned to face him, she mouthed the words ‘I’m going to kill you’ through her veil. The corner of his mouth turned up. The darn man isn’t even worried.
Liam’s chuckle made her realize the young man had seen her face. She flushed with embarrassment. She’d forgotten all about the boy. Sparing a moment to give him her best teacher glare, satisfaction filled her when he stopped. Incorrigible young man! Heaven help us if our child is anything like him.
* * * * *
The rest of ceremony flew by in a haze. She was certain she gave the appropriate responses because before she knew it her childhood minister was pronouncing them man and wife. Her heart stilled when Noah lifted her short lace veil. His mouth brushed over hers before settling firmly on hers. Her arms slipped up to wrap around his neck while his found her waist. When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were twinkling. “Gonna kill me huh?” He rubbed his nose against hers. “I warned you if I had to be tortured by this monkey suit, so did you.”
“I’ll remember that Noah Absolom when I’m in trying to have this baby. I see severe hand cramps in your future.”
It gave her an illicit thrill to see him pale. “Lots of drugs, Mrs. Absolom. You’re getting lots of drugs, promise.”
* * * * *
Staring in the mirror to check her lipstick, Jenna washed her hands trying to ignore the damn buzz inside of her. Escaping into the bathroom hadn’t brought her any relief at all. She’s was beginning to regret her promise to Noah. Screw it. When I go back to the reception, I’m stealing that blasted remote. Just wait until we get back to the hotel Dr. Absolom. I’m putting that darn cock ring on you and you’ll be lucky if I take it off before morning.
Slipping out of the bathroom, she froze when she heard a familiar voice call her name. Please tell me that’s not Dawson. She looked over shoulder and her heart sank. It was him, and from the looks of it he’d been drinking. He was carrying a glass with what looked like whiskey. Who the hell invited him?
Deciding to ignore him, she began walking quickly. Her only goal was to make it to the ballroom and the sanctuary of her husband’s arms.
“Jenna, wait a second.” A hand wrapped around her arm. “Where are you going so fast?”
Gritting her teeth, she shook off his arm. “Away from you. Go find one of your hookers.”
A shudder of disgust worked through her as he gave her a once-over. “Damn, you look good. You must’ve gone on a diet and started hitting the tanning beds at the gym.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Say how ‘bout you join me in the main banquet hall. My company reserved it for our Christmas party. They are serving a kick-ass spread. It’s time for us to get reacquainted.”
“What part of, ‘away from you’, don’t you understand?” Her voice rose as her frustration did. The last thing she wanted to do on her wedding day was deal with a drunken idiot from her past.
“A
w, come on, Jenna. I’ve missed you.” His hand ran over her arm.
“Is he bothering you, Mrs. A.?” Liam’s voice was a welcome sound.
Dawson looked over her shoulder. “Beat it kid. She’s too old for you.”
“Mrs. A.?” The hesitance in his voice was obvious.
Dawson frowned. “You got married?” Then he shook his head. “Cautious Jenna, marrying somebody in less than six months? After it took me a year to even get you to exchange apartment keys? I don’t think so.” He leaned forward with what she assumed he thought was a coaxing look. Her stomach turned. “Forget about the hookers, they’re in the past…”
Feeling more people come stand behind her, she inhaled deeply. The scent of Noah’s cologne drifted over her. Thank God. He’ll stop this idiot. The last thing I want is to make a scene at my own wedding. I wish Dawson would just shut the hell up. She took courage from Noah’s protective presence.
“…if you give me a second chance, I promise there won’t be any more women.”
“You expect me to give you a second chance?” Even married she couldn’t believe the nerve of this idiot.
“…well, yeah, Jenna. Now that you’ve lost the weight, you’re a knock out…keep it off and I won’t have a reason to go to hookers.”
Before she could say anything else, a large fist nailed Dawson right in the mouth. His drink spilled all over his dress shirt. He stumbled then fell on his ass. Wiping at the blood trickling out of his mouth, he glared at Jenna.
Glancing over her shoulder, she expected to see Noah shaking his hand. Instead, Liam was the one rubbing his knuckles.
“Liam?”
The lad grinned. “Sorry, Mrs. A. but I couldn’t listen to his trash any longer.”
“So you hit him?”
He shrugged. “It was either me or Noah. At least if I did it, Noah wouldn’t spend the night in jail if that idiot tries to press charges.”
“Instead your ass is going to jail.” Dawson scrambled drunkenly to his feet. “Just as soon as I find a phone.” He turned and ran directly into the wall before falling back down.
“You go ahead and do that, dude. “ Liam shook his head. “I bet they take you in for drunk and disorderly in public.”
Jenna turned and propped her hands on her hips. “Liam McNeil, if you ever do something so stupid again, so help me…” Frustration warred with humor inside of her.
Noah elbowed the boy. “Oh, Liam, you’re so in trouble.”
Jenna glared at her husband. “Don’t you even start, Dr. Absolom. You and that remote are in enough trouble as it is.”
Noah stilled and then a wicked grin crossed his face. “Bring it on, Mrs. Absolom.”
**The End**
Author’s Biography
Dakota is a simple Midwest girl, who has found her passion in storytelling at a young age. Her father was always saying she was making up the craziest stories. Most remained unwritten though as writing wasn’t Dakota’s strong suit. That all changed in junior high when she took her first typing class. Problem solved for the dyslexic Dakota. There was no stopping her after that. She wrote her first novel her freshman year about a girl who could speak to animals on an old electric IBM typewriter and never looked back. Writing in several different genres, she is now a published author with multiple books under belt. When Dakota isn’t writing she’s a crazy mom of three wild Indians who are posing as children, a loving wife to the man of her dreams and a full time student.
To find out more about Dakota visit her at dakotatrace.com.
