Faded Dreams

by Kari Lemor

  Gina grinned and snuggled against Tessa, then Elle as she smiled at Sara. “I never had any siblings, so this is a dream for me. Of course, growing up next door, the Storms were the closest I had to family. It’s only right that they become my family officially, too.”

  Stupid, hormonal tears that had been a constant the past seven months sprang to her eyes. “I had Jenny and Nicole growing up, but never felt as much love from them as I’ve gotten from you ladies in the past month.”

  “And don’t forget that you have Molly now, too,” Tessa said. “She’s been fabulous in so many ways. Helped me plan our wedding and get my dress and organized clothes and toys for the kids when Erik and I first picked them up. She’s always there for anything I need help with, and that includes sitting and listening or providing advice on any number of subjects.”

  Gina nodded. “Molly is great. She’ll kick the ass of any of her boys if they step out of line, too.”

  Elle had to agree her new mother-in-law was the best. When they’d been out looking for her dress, she hadn’t wanted anything too formal due to the circumstances. Molly had argued that it was still her wedding.

  “Maybe you don’t need a princess style with a train a mile long, but you still need to look like a bride.”

  Elle had been able to steer her away from white and they’d settled on cream. She couldn’t say she hadn’t fallen in love with the dress. The Empire waist with pleating under her bust allowed for her baby belly, and the chiffon material draped so beautifully everywhere. The short, lace capped sleeves complemented the lace top that clung to her larger breasts. The back was lace with a keyhole cut out and applique cut-out strips hung down each side of the gown.

  Elle gave Gina another hug. “Thanks for being my Matron of Honor on such short notice.”

  Living next door, Elle had gotten to know Gina quickly. The outgoing woman had popped in almost daily to make sure she didn’t need anything. Greg’s wife, Alandra, who lived on the other side of them had also made sure to check in often. Ryan had shoveled their driveway with the recent snow before Elle and Luke had gotten home. Alandra hadn’t wanted Elle to slip and fall.

  This morning, Luke had gone off to work for half a day, and Elle had taken the whole day to pamper herself. Gina had come over and helped her do her hair and makeup. She’d helped her shave her legs and clean up down there for the wedding night. Not that Luke had complained in the past two weeks when they were having sex. Elle felt better knowing she looked her best in all areas tonight. If she didn’t fall asleep on Luke the second they got in the room.

  As if he’d read her mind, Luke popped up next to her and nuzzled his nose into her hair. “Think it’s time to blow this popsicle stand?”

  Elle glanced at Kristan, who was directing the staff to clean the used glasses and plates from all the tables. Supposedly, they had the room until midnight, but Elle didn’t think she’d make it that long, not if she wanted to do anything with Luke tonight. And as tired as she was, his touch drove her crazy and she’d be happy to put off sleep for the opportunity to make love with him.

  “I wouldn’t mind getting off my feet.” She wore ballet flats under her dress but knew her ankles had started to swell an hour ago.

  Luke glanced at his mother, who seemed to have some kind of radar because she immediately motioned to the DJ, who announced he’d be playing the last song of the evening for the bride and groom.

  “I think this is our dance, Mrs. Storm.” Luke held his hand out to her.

  As she took it, that shiver that always ran through her when she thought of Luke coursed along her spine. “Thank you, Mr. Storm.”

  They glided onto the dance floor and swayed to the music for a minute, then made their way around, saying goodbye to all their guests. It seemed to take forever before they were finally outside the door of the fancy suite Alex had arranged for them.

  “I believe it’s tradition for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold.”

  Elle reared back and laughed. “Maybe when the bride isn’t almost eight months pregnant. You’ll break your back.”

  Luke narrowed his eyes and smirked. “You forget my military experience. We’re trained to carry heavy backpacks and gear for miles at a time.”

  Planting her hands on her hips, she cocked her head. “Are you calling me heavy?”

  Luke threw his head back with a chuckle. “I think your husband can manage to get you a few feet through the doorway.” After unlocking the door, he scooped Elle into his arms and effortlessly entered the room. He kicked the door closed behind them, then deposited her on the huge bed.

  “How are you feeling?” Luke knelt at her feet and removed her shoes, then rubbed her toes. “You must be exhausted.” His face held a tiny sliver of disappointment. Because he thought she was too tired to make love?

  “Tired, yes, but I’m still exhilarated from everything that’s happened in the past few weeks. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to fall asleep for a while.” She sat up and pulled him to sit next to her on the mattress.

  “Maybe I can help you relax,” Luke suggested as he slipped the button from the back of her dress.

  Excitement coursed through her veins as it always did every time Luke touched her. Cupping his face, she kissed him. “Thank you for all you did today. For making everyone think it was real.”

  Luke reared back, a frown marring his handsome features. “There was nothing fake or pretend about today, Ellie. Our marriage is very real to me. I’m your husband. You’re my wife. In every way there is.”

  He slid her sleeves down her arms and kissed along her neck. “If you still don’t believe me, I’ll show you just how real this can get.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Water sloshed out of the tub as Elle bent over, attempting to touch the razor to her legs. Great. She could reach maybe a two-inch strip. That would look wonderful.

  “Grr. Why did you say we’d go to this stupid reunion, Lukas Storm?” she yelled. Her new husband had sprung it on her that their ten-year high school reunion was this weekend and he’d responded that they’d go. Without asking her first. The happy haze she’d been in during their first two weeks of marriage must have dimmed her ire because, for some reason, she hadn’t bitten his head off.

  Heavy footsteps pounded outside the bathroom door, then a quick tap sounded as the door creaked opened. “Are you okay, babe? I heard you yell.”

  Her first instinct was to cover herself in the tub, but over the past month, Luke had seen it all. Multiple times. Most of the time with her getting a beautiful, happy ending.

  “This is all your fault.”

  His eyes opened wide. “What’s my fault? What’s wrong? Is it the baby?”

  Elle leaned back against the side of the huge tub. Maybe she should put the jets on to ease the tension that had filled her in the past ten minutes. Gina had been genius when she’d installed the corner tub with the jacuzzi jets when they’d renovated the master bathroom.

  “Yes, it’s the baby,” Elle grouched.

  Luke clamored to her side and knelt by the tub. The fact he only wore boxer briefs shouldn’t have dimmed her anger, but for some reason it did. The sight of his sculpted chest, the mat of dark blond hair covering it, tempted her beyond measure.

  “Should I call an ambulance? You aren’t due for another six weeks.”

  Her head flopped back, and she blew out a big breath of air. “Nothing’s wrong with the baby other than it’s too big, and I can’t reach my legs to shave them.”

  “You can’t…oh, uh, yeah.” Slumping against the edge of the tub, Luke sighed. “Don’t scare me like that, babe. I almost had a heart attack.”

  She reached out and patted his hand. “Sorry. I’m just frustrated. The dress you insisted I buy is going to show a good portion of my legs.”

  Luke reached into the tub and stroked the legs she’d been referring to. “Mmm. I do have a fondness for these legs, and you have to admit you look hot in that dress.”

  Elle
narrowed her eyes and glared. “Like a hot beached whale.”

  Kneeling, Luke dipped both hands into the water and scooted her closer to him. “Ellie, you saw it yourself. From the back you don’t even look pregnant. Nothing but curves a race car driver would dream of. The neckline—” He shivered dramatically, then ran his finger from her neck to her breasts bobbing on the surface of the water. “These are spectacular, and the dress shows them off without showing them off, if you know what I mean. Every guy there will be envious that I’ve got you in my bed every night.”

  “Sure. Envious of the pregnant geek you had to marry.”

  “You mean the pregnant sex goddess I wanted to marry. The woman I couldn’t stop thinking about for six long months.”

  She rolled her eyes. “How about the preggo with the hairy ape legs? I’m sure all the guys will be drooling over that, huh?”

  Luke’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “How about if I help you with those?”

  “You know how to shave women’s legs?” She really didn’t need to know that.

  Luke shrugged. “Never done it before, but I do shave my face every day, so I’ve got some experience with a razor.”

  “Fine. You’re hired.” She lifted one leg and attempted to rest it on the side of the tub. It slipped back in a second later. Her stomach muscles were shot.

  Luke stood. “Maybe it’ll be easier from a different angle. Let me climb in there with you.”

  Her gaze rose to where Luke tugged on the waistband of his shorts, then they tumbled down his legs. God, the man could make a nun horny.

  Immediately, Luke got down to business, lathering up her leg, then carefully gliding the razor from ankle to above the knee. Lather, rinse, repeat. When he’d done both legs, he held one up and stroked his hand over the surface.

  “What do you think?”

  Elle could barely reach her legs to touch them, but she had to admit what she could see or feel looked great. “Hmm, you might just have a job for the next month or so.”

  “Well, before you finalize the hiring process, I should do a quality control inspection.”

  Elle laughed and rested her arms along the tub on both sides of her as Luke propped one leg on his shoulder. Oh, no, this could lead somewhere that didn’t involve getting clean. Good thing they had plenty of time before they had to leave.

  As her husband nibbled on her leg, his hand caressing her smooth skin, Elle closed her eyes and simply felt. Felt all the emotions that had overwhelmed her so much since she’d moved in with this man.

  “Mmm, this leg seems perfect. I guess I need to make sure the other one got the same quality treatment.”

  Both her legs landed on his shoulders while his hands ran up and down the length of them. When Luke’s fingers found their way to the apex of her thighs, Elle was almost whimpering. Pressure on her nipple had her eyes flying open. Luke kneaded her breasts, then gently lowered her legs.

  “How about we change positions and I give you something softer to sit on?”

  Luke shifted and lifted her onto his lap, her back to his front. Elle rested against him as he nibbled on her shoulder. Then, his hands cupped her swollen mounds, teasing the stiff peaks.

  “I love touching you, babe. You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.”

  The automatic thought, “You haven’t met many women,” rose to her lips but stalled there. She’d seen many of Luke’s dates throughout the years and heard of his conquests. All of them were one hundred percent sexier than she was.

  “I think you need glasses.”

  Luke hummed in her ear. “Mmm. I only need my hands to tell me how sexy you are. Every curve should be marked dangerous.”

  Elle allowed him his fantasy, relaxing in his arms. His hands and fingers stroked and smoothed and rubbed while she enjoyed every feverish second. When he plunged his finger inside her and played with the skin near her center, she couldn’t stop the groan that made its way out.

  “God, Luke.”

  “Feel good?”

  “So good. Don’t stop. Please.”

  His nose nuzzled in her ear. “I’m doing everything I can to please you.”

  While his lips nipped at her shoulder and neck, his fingers stoked her into a frenzy. As she started to tremble, Luke lifted her in the water and slid his erection inside her.

  “Oh, God, yes.” She couldn’t hold on any longer. Desire spiraled through her and tremors shook her body, her nerves on fire.

  “That’s it, babe. Let go. I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”

  Luke’s hands gripped her hips, and his groans let her know he was spinning right alongside her. As she floated back down to earth, he curled his arms around her and snuggled her close.

  This was what she loved so much about Luke. How he cuddled her after they’d had sex and made her feel like she was special to him. Whenever she woke in the night for a bathroom run or in the morning, he’d be touching part of her. It might only be his hand on her hip or his foot wrapped around hers, but the connection was beyond compare and made Elle happy.

  “Thanks for shaving my legs. Now, you don’t have to be embarrassed by your gorilla-legged wife.”

  Luke’s arms tightened around her, and he kissed her cheek. “Never embarrassed by you, babe. I’m the luckiest man alive.”

  The baby took that moment to do some gymnastic maneuvers. Luke chuckled as their child flipped right under his hand. “See? Our child knows how lucky he is, too. Best mom ever.”

  Elle was also feeling very fortunate at the moment. “With the best dad.”

  Luke held Elle’s hand as they strolled into the restaurant. She was obviously nervous, and he wanted to allay her fears. She’d never been one for big crowds, but luckily their private school, Brookside Academy, had been small. Their graduating class had been slightly over a hundred students and doubtful they’d get more than half that tonight. Hopefully, the good half.

  At the hostess stand, he mentioned the reunion, and the woman directed them to the function room down the hall. As they passed the restrooms, Elle tugged on his hand.

  “I should go again.”

  He wanted to point out that she’d just gone when they’d left the house, but he certainly wouldn’t question her bladder at this stage of the game. “I’ll wait here.”

  Nodding, she pressed on the door and disappeared. Luke glanced around at the fancy establishment. He’d never been here before, but leave it to his classmates to hold the reunion at an expensive place. Most of the students had come from wealthy backgrounds as the school was on the pricey side.

  He and Elle had been the scholarship kids. Granted, he’d had the benefit of his mom working in the office of the school, so he knew many of the administration fairly well. It had helped him navigate through the academy. His cousin, Nathaniel, who was four years older than him, had also gone there and given him tips for being accepted. Even if you were a scholarship kid.

  Luke had run track, indoor and out, cross country, and played soccer. Being a talented athlete had paved the way for him to get in with certain groups of kids. Thinking back, he knew Elle hadn’t been so fortunate.

  “Storm? Hey, how’ve you been?”

  Luke checked out the guy standing in front of him. His name tag read Ian Bolduc. Yikes. The shotput from the track team sure had put on a few pounds. And lost some hair.

  “Ian. Good to see you again.” They shook hands, and Luke tried to remember what the man had done after high school. His father owned a huge construction company that had paid for Ian’s acceptance to Brookside. “What are you doing now? Working for your dad, right?”

  “Yep, I’m the manager for the local division here in southern New Hampshire.” Ian smirked. “Making good money and just bought a house in Rye.”

  “Wow, Rye. Nice. Good for you. I just bought a house in my old neighborhood. Got my brother on one side and my cousin on the other. Great to have family nearby.”

  “You’re kidding. I don’t want to be anywhere near my old man. H
e’s always complaining I don’t work hard enough.” He jabbed his thumb in the direction of the function room. “Have you gone in yet?”

  Luke tilted his head toward the bathroom. “Waiting for my wife, then we’re heading in.”

  “Wife? Whoa.” Ian held his hands up, his mouth open. “Tell me it ain’t so. The great Casanova finally got snagged by a chick. Must be some hottie.”

  Luke smiled. “Most beautiful woman on the planet.”

  The door behind him opened, and Elle sidled up next to him. “He’s so full of bull. Don’t listen to him.”

  “Little Murielle Russell.” Ian’s eyes bulged when he saw Elle’s stomach. Unless the jerk was staring at her tits, because those were amazing.

  Her dress was a wraparound thing that tied on the side. The crisscross of the fabric accentuated her newly blossomed chest. The cobalt color brought out the red in her hair, and the way her curls drifted along her shoulders, with one ringlet plunging right into her cleavage, it was kind of like an arrow. Maybe it had been a mistake having her get this dress.

  “That’s Mrs. Lukas Storm to you, Ian.” Luke cleared his throat. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to check in.”

  Luke took Elle’s hand and guided her the rest of the way down the hall. Elle giggled and clung to his arm.

  “That was adorable, Luke. I didn’t think you knew how to do jealousy.”

  Clenching his jaw, he growled, “I’ve never been married to you before. Are you sure you don’t want your sweater from the car?”

  “It’s going to get hot in here with all the people, and I didn’t want to be carrying it around all night.”

  “You could wear it.”

  She frowned and rubbed her belly. “Have I mentioned what the little space heater does to me?”

  “Okay. Fine. No sweater. But guys better not stare at your chest all night long.”

  Elle bit her lip to keep from laughing. Her eyes gleamed. “You’re the one who helped pick out the dress.”