Everything inside me settled as she started walking toward me.
Toward our life together as husband and wife.
Holy shit, she was stunning. Capri stole the breath right from my lungs as I took in every inch of her with my gaze. Dressed in a soft, blush-colored dress, the top sparkling with sequins that fitted under her ample breasts and short sleeves that dropped off her delicate shoulders exposing her smoothe olive-colored skin, made my mouth go dry.
The necklace I gave her before leaving her the evening before hung on her neck, glistening as the sun hit it and shining like the beacon it truly was. It wasn’t just any necklace. It was silver and heart-shaped with diamonds surrounding the outer edge; embedded inside it was a hidden tracking device so I’d always know where Capri was. And she accepted it happily. I’d spoken with her a little bit about it beforehand and she was shocked I could do something like it but told me she’d wear my necklace every day.
Then she’d proceeded to ask if she paid for them, if I’d have ones made for all the ladies. The hell I’d let her pay and would do anything my girl wanted. I’d done exactly as she asked and promised not to say anything until she had a chance to give them to her friends and explain how special they were, according to her.
She took a few steps in my direction, the lower part of her dress flowing in the light spring breeze along with her hair that cascaded around her shoulders and down her back. My eyes drifted to Capri’s hand that rested protectively on her beautifully round belly that carried our child. When I looked back up, I was entranced by her gaze that was pinned to mine, her radiant smile and the abundance of love shining in her sparkling green irises almost dropping me to my knees.
I knew she’d been worried first about not having a big fancy wedding since I’d never been married and second, about her being pregnant in her dress, but everything couldn’t be more perfect. I didn’t need anything but her and our baby for my life to be complete.
My gaze didn’t stray from the woman that was going to be my wife as she finished her descent toward me. As much as I wanted to run to her, I tried to relax and savor the moment. When she was a few inches in front of me, I reached my hand out and she slipped her palm in mine.
We didn’t have people standing up for us and nobody walked her to me. When I said it was simple with just our closest friends I meant it. Our small group was sitting in chairs in our decorated backyard as we stood under the gazebo in the corner of our lawn closest to the river my girl loved so much.
I pulled Capri the few inches remaining between us and then gathered her around the waist, not able to keep my distance from her at all. “I do,” I said, looking into her eyes.
“Slow down, man, we haven’t gotten to that part yet,” Bronson said, laughing along with everyone else.
Yes, Bronson had gotten ordained to marry us at the request of Capri. She’d worried that Gyth and Kace would be mad since they seemed to be the ones who had taken up marrying off most of the group, but the duo had no qualms about turning over the reins knowing what Bronson had done to make sure Capri was safe.
“Besides, I have to give her one last chance to dump your pretty boy ass,” Bronson continued to tease.
The dude was just like the other two with his bantering ways.
“Not going to happen,” I replied to Bronson without my stare wavering from Capri.
“Never going to happen,” she whispered.
I couldn’t contain the love rolling through me and moved one hand up to cup her face bringing her lips to mine. Then I kissed her for all I was worth.
“Yup, definitely not there yet,” Bronson interjected, laughter once again lacing his tone.
Slightly pulling my lips from Capri’s, I mumbled, “Just say, I now pronounce you man and wife.” Then I locked my mouth on hers again as everyone burst into fits of laughter too.
ChapterThirty-One
CAPRI
My body vibratedwith the need to see Paxton.
I adored my friends but sleeping without Paxton had been damn hard when I’d gotten addicted to his warm body wrapped around or under mine every night. He was something I couldn’t shake and didn’t want to. Although he did make it a lot harder for me to get motivated for work in the morning.
Getting up to start my day at the bakery had been my world for years, with my parents and without. It’s what I knew. But now, Pax’s embrace in the early morning hours made me want to burrow into his flawless body, his protective touch, the love that radiated off him, and never get out of bed.
It was the place I always felt safe and cherished.
I must say though that we worked together really well and we had fun. Without a doubt I wanted to be free from those who wished me dead but I hated the idea that when that happened, Paxton would be around less. I loved having him by my side throughout the day as well as the night.
A part of me worried that my days would feel as if they crept by at a turtle pace like the night had without my guy.
“Time for a toast,” Gemma said as the ladies all gathered around me.
While all the women could have champagne, except for me, they all went with sparkling cider. Gemma poured a glass for everyone and the toast began. It was a long one, since each lady had something to say.
When everyone’s glasses were raised, Gemma started. “You’re so damn beautiful, it almost hurts my eyes to look at you,” she teased. “No seriously, my brother is going to be stunned when he sees you. I can’t wait for you to become my sister.”
