Joy straightened and shoved her hands back in her pockets. "Sorry." The heat of a blush flamed on her face.
"Don't be. I was just going to hug you, but next time I'll warn you first."
Jillian was still chuckling. That was cool. It probably meant Joy hadn't freaked the woman out too badly.
"Yeah that's probably advisable for a while. Why were you going to hug me?" Joy stepped up on the board again to put some distance between them. Being the greeter at Hugs 'R' Us was not in her future. Besides, she liked being able to watch Dixon ride in. Something about a man on a horse. The silver-belly Stetson didn’t hurt either. The men's voices were louder now and almost discernable.
"Well that is a long story, but in a nutshell, Drake asked me to marry him. I told him I wouldn't until Dixon was home, and by home I meant that he was back and was whole. We weren't sure he was going to make it through this mission."
Joy didn't look at her companion. There were times when she wondered if Dixon was going to make it too. Her mind flashed to that horrible day in the gym. "He made it."
"Yeah and I think you had more than just a little bit to do with that."
Joy's head snapped around toward Jillian.
The woman raised a hand. "I haven't heard a word about what actually happened, just call it gut instinct."
Joy shrugged. "He made it. That's what’s important."
"That and he's happy." Jillian nodded and turned toward the field the men were riding through. "I was so excited because now I can tell Drake I’ll marry him."
"Yeah?" Joy smiled at Jillian. "That’s awesome. Congratulations."
"Thanks, but I do have one hell of a favor to ask of you." Jillian glanced at the men and leaned in toward Joy.
Joy's eyes flitted to the men. There was no way they'd be able to hear if they talked low, but what the fuck, she could do conspiratorial.
Chapter 27
"It's good to have you home."
Dixon chuckled. "For the twentieth time in the last twenty-four hours, it is really good to be home." Crown, his horse, blew out a snort of air. Drake would take that as an agreement.
"How did the meeting go with Jason this morning?" Drake reined his horse around a rock outcropping.
Dixon sighed. "He's got Smith in protective custody, which pretty much means he's only allowed to be in the small apartment where we'd met Jason and Gabriel. He is allowed to visit Mrs. Henshaw, but his ankle bracelet will alert Guardian if he strays any further. They're working through Smith's involvement with our father and Stratus. Jason isn't going to let that slip past him. I gave Guardian a copy of the video. The fifteen-year-old girl turned out to be twenty-three with a rap sheet as long as your arm."
"That sucks for him. He didn’t seem like a bad guy." Drake shook his head. "I hope the whole thing with Stratus can be cleared up. Just like our sperm donor to use a mind fuck to keep him in line."
Dixon concentrated on the horizon as he spoke, "I told Jason I'd take Smithson here at the ranch. Don't know if he'll allow it because of Smithson's past, but he could do well out here away from all that shit."
Drake made a noise of agreement and they rode in silence for a while.
"How did Joy take the four-legged surprise you flew in yesterday?" Drake chuckled at the face Dixon made. "Man, did you know that little dog could yap like that?"
"Better question, who knew you were a cat man?" Dixon laughed and glanced toward the ranch house.
Joy was up there with the piece of fluff white dog that he'd had Jacob send on the last transport to the ranch. The piece of fur had charmed the crew and had free roam of the aircraft. It was a spoiled mutt. No, not a mutt, a pomapoo. A Pomeranian-poodle cross breed. Five pounds of fluffy white fur with black eyes and a black nose. It had been staying at Jacob’s while Dixon and Joy got situated at the ranch. Tori had taken the pup to get clipped, and it now looked like an Ewok and damned if Dixon didn't think the little bear-like thing was awesome.
Unfortunately, Drake's cat wasn't impressed. The dog chased the cat for about thirty seconds until the cat slapped the dog. That ended the initial chase. Then the evil cat would lie in wait for the dog and jump out at it, scaring the hell out of the pup, only to have the dog tear after the cat and start the process over again.
"You excited about tomorrow?"
Dixon glanced at his brother. Since he’d been home, Drake hadn't mentioned anything about him and Jillian getting hitched. It sucked for his brother. Drake was head over heels in love with Silly Jilly. The woman had indeed grown up. He could see why his brother was gone over her. She was beautiful, but she wasn't Joy. His Moriah. He lifted his face into the wind and let the words of the song he'd listened to over and over again roll through his mind. "Yeah man, I'm excited. Nervous, too. You know we didn't have the best role models growing up."
Drake nodded before he chuckled. "Yeah but look at who we have now."
Dixon lifted a finger. "The Skipper".
"Joseph," Drake interjected. "Wait, that's probably not a good example."
They busted out laughing. "Nah, that man worships Em." Dixon could only wish to be that good of a husband.
"Adam. Justin." Drake added.
"Fuck, we could be here all day," Dixon conceded.
"True that," Drake agreed.
"If I can be half the man Frank is with Miss Amanda, I'll be happy." Frank was their father. The one they'd chosen.
"Amen, brother." Drake reached out with a closed fist and Dixon bumped it.
"Has Jillian said anything?" Dixon stared at his brother, but Drake only shook his head. "Dammit man, you need to ask again."
"Fuck, you don't think I haven't thought about it every day since you've been back?" Drake snapped. "Sorry. I'm sorry. It's just, if she said no again...I think I'd fucking die."
"She'll say yes." At least Dixon hoped so, they seemed to be in love. He hadn't been around for them falling in love or dealing with the consequences of their own deaths, so...yeah, he had no fucking idea, but he'd be damned if he wouldn't encourage his brother.
"You can't know that." Drake shook his head. "No, I'm happy. She's happy, or at least I think she is."
"You should take her with you to Arizona next month. You guys have been cooped up on the ranch for months," Dixon offered.
"It's not the ranch, man. We both love it here." Drake shrugged. "I'm just going to leave it alone. She'll tell me when she's ready."
Dixon reached out and tapped his brother's arm, pointing to the barn. "Ain't that a pretty sight?" Joy was standing on the fence and Jillian was beside her.
"Yeah, who'd have thought we'd have found ourselves women."
"Separate women." Dixon glanced at his brother. "I don't think I've ever told you that I'm sorry."
Drake fixed a surprised stare on Dixon. "For what?"
"For making you share, for sucking you into my life and almost obliterating yours." He needed to make sure Drake knew that he was aware of what he'd done.
"Fuck, man. It sounds like shit to say it out loud, but the women didn't mean anything to me. As much as you think you sucked me into your life, I can guarantee I wanted to be there. I dove in head first because I needed to be there for you and, you need to listen to this, I needed to be there for me." Drake pulled his horse to a stop. Dixon followed suit. They were close to the barn. They needed to have this conversation in private.
"But you found Jillian as soon as I was out of your life."
"And you found Joy. It wasn't because we weren't in each other's lives. It was because it was the right time for us. Separately or together, I have to believe we are adult enough to know that these women are special. We would have recognized it. I know it." Drake leaned forward and adjusted his cowboy hat.
Dixon let his brother's words sink deep into his soul. Yeah, they would have recognized it. He glanced at Drake. The look they exchanged carried more meaning than any words. They were solid. He smiled and nodded toward where the women stood talking. "Joy thinks our emotional dev
elopment stopped at thirteen years old." Dixon laughed. "She believes it."
"Not like Jillian hasn't mentioned my juvenile tendencies." Drake added.
"Hell, there has to be a common denominator there," Dixon said as he nudged Crown, giving him permission to head to the barn.
"Yup," Drake said before they looked at each other. "The women," they said at the same time and laughed.
"Fuck, it’s so good to have you home." Drake held out his fist and Dixon bumped it for the twenty-first time in the last twenty-four hours. It was fucking good to be home.
Chapter 28
"Over here." Joy pointed to the public bathroom just outside the county clerk's office. "We'll be right back." She tugged Jillian into the bathroom, leaving two identical men blinking and standing in the hallway.
"Where are they?" Joy hissed as Jillian's fingers flew across her phone. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law looked up and shook her head. "There was an accident on the highway that snarled traffic. They'll be here in fifteen minutes."
"Shit. Okay. We need to stall." Joy glanced around the small bathroom.
"Can't we just stay in here until they arrive?" Jillian slipped her phone into her purse.
"Ah, and leave those two alone in the hall? I'm not willing to bet they won't decide to 'speed' things along and go do the paperwork without us." Joy tapped the toe of her boot against the floor. "What can we do to..." She glanced at Jillian. "Go out there and tell Dixon to come in here. You keep Drake out there."
"What? You want me to tell Dixon to come in here? It's a ladies room."
Jillian actually looked scandalized, and that shit was so funny Joy threw back her head and laughed. "It's a one hole with a lock. Go, keep your man distracted. I'll keep mine occupied if you get my drift." Joy lifted her eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh, damn...okay...um..." Jillian muttered as she opened the door. Joy leaned against the wall and waited. One...two...
"Joy?" The door flew open and Dixon rushed in. "Are you okay? Jillian said..." He watched as she pushed the door shut and flipped the lock. "Ummm...whatcha doing there?"
"I think you need to relieve some stress, Quick Draw." She reached toward his belt buckle that was about the size of a salad plate. She liked the cowboy couture he was rocking. Those jeans fit him perfectly. They'd decided to be casual and comfortable for their union. They both wore jeans. Her five-inch heeled boots weren't cowboy as much as they were Rodeo Drive, but hey, she was in the neighborhood of western...kind of.
His hands snaked out and grabbed hers. "Babe, you can't be serious. We have to get married."
"We have time. At least fifteen minutes or so." She slapped his hands away from hers and unfastened his jeans. "Now shut up, and let me suck you."
"Fuck, that's the hottest thing you've said to me today," Dixon's voice was all low and growly. It sent a shiver across her body. The man was deliciously possessive, and because it was Dixon, that implied ownership thrilled her.
His zipper dropped a split second before his jeans and boxers. Joy dropped to her knees and consumed him. His cock plumped in her mouth and fuck, it was delicious. Perfectly delicious. She lifted the heavy length and licked to his balls, giving each the attention Dixon loved. Her hand stroked his shaft. She moved back to his cock head and sucked him in, rolling her tongue around his crown. His hands snaked into her hair and his hips rolled. That's it babe, get lost and give it to me. Dixon groaned and his hips stuttered with small cautious thrusts. She grabbed his hips and pulled him toward her, encouraging him to let go. And let go he did. She sucked hard, putting intense pressure on his wide mushroom head. Her hand slid quickly up and down his shaft while her other hand reached his balls and tugged them. Dixon slapped his hand against the tile wall. The sound echoed in the small space. The tangy, salty release of pre-cum coated her tongue. Joy doubled her efforts and drove her man crazy. Both of Dixon's hands found the back of her head, and he held her as he took over, thrusting into her mouth. His breathing was harsh and loud. His breathless grunt when he came was music to her ears. She sucked and licked him clean before gracefully rising from her knees. She reached up and he lowered, joining her lips with his. Fuck, she would never get enough of this man. Never.
"I think you sucked all the stress right out of me." Dixon slumped against the wall when she stepped away.
"Good." She winked at him and opened her bag before she turned to the mirror. Her hair needed a brush run through it. Her lips were swollen and darker than usual.
She pulled out her brush, closed her eyes and ran it through her hair. Dixon liked her hair. His hands were always playing with it. She heard Dixon zip up and felt him move behind her. His hands landed on her shoulders and his lips hovered near her ear. "Am I going to find out what caused this impromptu blow job?"
"Sure you are, Quick Draw. Someday." She glanced at her watch. Perfect. Hopefully there were no further delays, although she could spend some time with her legs wrapped around her personal cowboy. She laughed and twisted to kiss him. "Are you ready to get married?"
"I thought I was before, but now, bring it on. Right now, an earthquake couldn’t stress me out."
She heard voices in the hall and smiled. "Right. That's a good thing, Quick Draw, because I only do stress free weddings." Joy flipped the lock and opened the door. She recognized most of the people in the hall, some in more intimate detail than others. Her eyes flicked to the handsome one in the three piece suit and his husband. Yep, endurance. She let her eyes flit over the rest of the group. So much for a small wedding.
"Holy Shit!" Dixon's face lit up with a huge smile. "Skipper? Jared? Jason? Oh fuck, is everyone here?" Dixon fell into hardy hugs and back slaps.
Joy slid out the door and moved away from the crowd. The twins and Jillian were engulfed in men and women. Dixon's head swung this way and that, searching for her. He found her and beckoned her to him. She shook her head and winked. She didn't “people” well. This was his thing, not hers.
"Thank you." Frank Marshall's voice didn't surprise her. She'd seen Miss Amanda and Frank sauntering down the hall when they'd escaped the bathroom.
Her brow furrowed when she looked at him. "For what?"
"For letting Jillian and Drake hijack your wedding plans," Amanda said as she rejoined her husband after hugging Dixon, Drake and Jillian. Thank God she didn't try to hug Joy. That would have been awkward.
Joy nodded and regarded the laughing mass of humanity huddled in the small hall.
"Does he know yet?" Frank asked.
"No, he thinks everyone is here for Dixon, and so does everyone else." Amanda chuckled and beamed a huge smile at her. "When is Jillian supposed to drop the hint?"
"We have to go to the clerk's office. She said she'd do it there. They can get the license today just like Dixon and I are, and the judge has time to do the double ceremony."
"What about the fact that they don't..." Amanda's words drifted away.
"Jason has provided new identification that they will be using." Joy didn't care what name was on the license, she just wanted to know she was married.
"Oh. I guess that will work. For now." Frank nodded his head.
Joy slid her eyes in his direction. "For now?"
Frank grunted and nodded toward the group. A smile spit Dixon's face as he pushed through the crowd. He bent down and kissed Joy soundly on the lips before he hugged Amanda and then did the same to Frank.
He grabbed her hand. "Are you ready?" Joy nodded and Dixon let out a whistle, stopping all conversation. "We need our witnesses."
Joy watched as Drake and Jillian made their way through the crowd. They all filed into the clerk's office. Dixon smiled at the woman behind the counter. She seemed to be overwhelmed as she watched all the people trail through the door. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. We need to get our license. Then we have an appointment with Judge Carsten." Dixon pulled Joy to him. Which wasn't awkward at all. She snorted at that thought which earned her some sniggers from the peanut gallery. Dixon pr
ovided the clerk their false identity. Again, Joy wondered if marrying a person with a fake ID made the marriage null and void? Even if the participants were in fact assuming the names as their permanent personas? Whatever. She was marrying the man she loved, and fuck what anyone else thought.
"Here you go, sir. Judge Carsten's chambers are out the door, to the right, up the flight of stairs, take another right and it is the second office on the right."
As Dixon picked up their license and handed Joy back her fake identification, Jillian cleared her throat. "Ma'am, we'll need ours as well." She laid out her driver’s license and forty dollars.
The room went silent. Drake glanced around and lowered his voice as he spoke to Jillian. Joy assumed he was trying to keep the conversation private. She hadn't been around this inner circle of people for long, but one thing she did know was that not much was done in a vacuum. Well, sex was private, unless someone was waiting in a closet to rifle through her employer's desk. She glanced at the two men and a sly smile crossed her face. Stamina. Yep. In spades.
She tuned back in to the event happening beside her. "... do this? Are you sure?" Joy's eyes popped to Dixon's brother. Oh, fuck her standing. Were those tears? The man's hands were shaking. She glanced at the rest of the macho men around him expecting a few sneers, but not one person looked anything but happy.
"I'm sure. He's home and you're both happy and whole again. I love you." Jillian whispered and everyone in the fucking room cheered. Well, except the clerk and Joy. Joy shrugged at the poor little mouse of a clerk. The woman rolled her eyes and pulled Jillian's identification toward her and started typing again.
Joy was swallowed up in a hug. Dixon surrounded her and lifted her off her feet, carrying her to the corner of the room. "Are you okay with this?"
Joy put her hands on her hips and stared at him. "I'm here, aren't I? Jillian asked me if it was okay. She thought it would be important to both of you if we did a double wedding ceremony."
"And all the family?"
"Well, yah, that was her idea. Not mine." Joy leaned over and peeked at the crowd before she righted again and returned her gaze to her soon-to-be husband. "You know I don't 'people' well."
Dixon Page 27
