I finally take notice of a pair of jeans shoved between the bed and the nightstand. I have no clue how they got there other than in the midst of my unsuccessful wild search last night to decide what I wanted to wear today to the wedding venue.
The wedding.
Shoot.
I shove on the jeans and then open the door for Braxton to come in. He gives me another appraisal, this time wearing a tiny smirk, before leaning in to kiss me. Throwing a hand up to block his lips, I mutter, “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet. You rushed me.”
Braxton snorts and shakes his head. “You were supposed to be dressed, packed, and ready to leave by now. It’s my fault. I should have known I would have to wake you up two hours early if we were going to leave on time.” He removes my hand from in front of my face and plants a chaste kiss on my lips. How does that brief moment of contact cause 4th of July level fireworks to denotate in my body?
“You kept me out too late,” I retort, already bolting to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I need more kisses.
“If I recall, it was your idea to go dancing,” he says.
“But you had fun.” My words come out stifled around my toothbrush.
“Only because you tried to knock my teeth out.”
I glare at him. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
“Not in this lifetime, babe.”
Laughter explodes uncontrollably from me, and I spew toothpaste from my mouth all over the mirror and sink.
“You won’t live that down, either,” he muses.
But I’m too busy laughing to care. “Babe? You’re going withbabeas a pet name?”
“What? Too basic? How about pumpkin? You like that flavor and scent.”
I wash my toothbrush off and rinse my mouth clean. “Doesn’t mean I want to be called one.” I wipe the sink and mirror down as best as I can without cleaning supplies before walking back into the room. Without warning, the scene happening around me knocks me senseless. Me brushing my teeth, Braxton laughing, light banter. THIS is happiness.
“How about a classic, like dear?” he asks.
“I’m not my grandmama.” I laugh, wrapping my arms around Braxton. It’s as natural as breathing. All the worries from last night have left the building. I want this forever.
“Then what would you like me to call you, Bully?” He looks down at me as I stare up at him.
“You already have several things you call me.”
“But I want something special. Something that signifiesmore.”
I bite my tongue, wondering if he will take the nickname as a shot against God. I say it anyway. “You can call meGoddess Divine.”
“That’s only for future special occasions.” He winks.
“I can’t believe you remember that.” When was the last time we watchedPride and Prejudice?The Kiera Knightly and Matthew MacFayden version?
“Brandi’s made me sit down and watch it with her, too,” he says, then untangles me from his arms. “Alright. I want to kiss you, but first, you’ve got to get packed and ready to go.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” I salute him before gathering my strewn-out belongings and shoving them into my suitcase. I slip on my black boots and tie his simple black shirt in the front. It’s the fastest I’ve ever gotten ready. Mainly because I’m barely wearing makeup, and he doesn’t seem to care.
“I love the way you wear my clothes,” he says, coming up behind me and snaking his arms around me. He kisses my neck, and my body has a violent, visceral reaction. I turn in his arms, clutching his face with my hands. Pain radiates through my right wrist, and I hiss.
“I momentarily forgot about my stupid wrist.”
“At least it’s your right instead of your left,” he offers. Yeah, I’m left-handed. And with that left hand, I draw his lips down to mine. A million lifetimes could pass, and I will never tire of kissing Braxton Rawls.
“Okay, we’ve really got to go if we are going to make it to Chesapeake by ten,” he mumbles between light kisses.
