Chapter Twenty-Two
Jimmy thoroughly enjoyedhis private party with Boss Cold until the sun was coming up the next morning. The music that had been blasting away outside had turned off, a sign that the Gentlemen were also finally done with their celebration. Exhausted and happy, Jimmy fell asleep with Cold’s hand in his, tracing the new ring on his finger with a content smile.
His sleep was peaceful and thankfully devoid of nightmares, allowing all the worries from the past few weeks to vanish from his mind. The case was over, their enemies had been defeated, and they were both safe. All that was left now was to get married, and everything would be right with the world.
Right?
In spite of their recent victory, there was a nagging feeling that Jimmy couldn’t shake. He knew in his gut that this battle with the Luchesis wasn’t over. Cold was still up to something, and whatever it was, Cold was not sharing any details.
Jimmy didn’t have time to worry about it too much, especially with the wedding only days away. The last-minute preparations were a hurricane of activity that sucked up all of his free time and most of his sanity. Jimmy was swept from the venue to approve the decorations and back to the restaurant to finalize the menu and then back to the venue again for more decor overseeing.
Charlie, still on assignment and pretending to be their wedding planner, was at his side to navigate the madness. In spite of his earlier struggles with the event, Jimmy was actually starting to get excited. He didn’t even mind working with Charlie to put all the finishing touches together for the big day.
Before he knew it, he was getting ready for the rehearsal dinner at Ingrid’s. By this time tomorrow, he and Roderick Legrand were going to be married.
Well, they were already married in a not-so-legal legal sense, but tomorrow they were going to say the words and do the real matrimonial thing in front of everyone.
It was really happening.
Fresh from a hot shower, Jimmy giddily followed Cold over to their closets to get dressed for the evening. He could see the black garment bags still hanging up that held their wedding tuxedos, a tremor of excitement running up his spine knowing that they would be putting those on tomorrow.
For tonight, Cold had selected a black pinstripe three-piece suit that he would certainly look phenomenal in. Jimmy’s suit was more modern with a bright red jacket and black pants that he was certain had been tailored specially to show off his backside.
Jimmy secretly enjoyed dressing up for Cold. He liked when Cold picked out his clothes and told him what to wear. Being a mafia husband had its perks, and being spoiled rotten with designer clothes was definitely one of them. Although he ultimately preferred the comfort of a well-worn pair of jeans, it was fun to put on fancy duds for a night out.
He had always appreciated such fine clothing on Cold. One of his favorite things was to watch him get dressed up in his many fabulous suits, and he was very familiar with Cold’s meticulous ritual and finding that he wanted to take part in it.
There was something sensual in the way Cold carefully fastened each button and attentively adjusted every hem and crease. His focus on obtaining nothing less than perfection was beautiful, and Jimmy found the whole process got him pretty hot. He didn’t know how to ask if he could participate, thoughtfully watching Cold shed his robe.
He lingered outside Cold’s closet, eyeing him and continuing to worry at his lip so hard that he nearly broke the skin.
“Something on your mind, Jimmy?” Cold asked knowingly, offering him a small smile.
“Could I...” Jimmy began, rocking back and forth on his heels anxiously. “Uhm...”
Although very beautiful, it wasn’t his lover’s naked body that had him so worked up. It was pretty much the opposite, and Jimmy didn’t know what to say.
“Yes?” Cold asked curiously, tilting his head.
“Could I help you get dressed for tonight?” Jimmy finally blurted out.
