“I heard that,” Asher grumbles as he walks into the bedroom without warning. “I told you five minutes.” Then he comes to a stop, and his jaw drops. “Raindrop, you take my breath away. We need to leave before I toss you on the bed and have my wicked way with you.”
Asher swings me up into his arms bridal style. Totally appropriate, and I can’t stop smiling. My stockinged feet poke out from the bottom of the dress, and I realize I haven’t put the shoes on. I’m about to tell Asher when I look over his shoulder and see them swinging from Rebekah’s hand. I give her a thumbs-up.
He carefully buckles me into the front seat of his truck and kisses my forehead. Then walks around to climb in on his side. If I thought he was sexy in flannel or a T-shirt, he’s devastatingly handsome in his suit. When I notice the tie and his smirk, I probably turn all shades of red. That he did it on purpose makes my heart feel extra full. He’s done so much for me, including making sure I feel beautiful on my wedding day. My only regret is that Mom and Dad aren’t here, but somehow, I think they’re watching.
We arrive at the courthouse with a few minutes to spare. Adam and Rebekah have followed us down the mountain to Maple Creek and park beside us. The other trucks in the lot must mean the others are already here.
“Wait, I don’t have my purse or any identification.”
“Already taken care of, baby.” He pats his suit jacket pocket. “All you have to do is say, ‘I do,’ everything else is already arranged.”
I blow out a breath. “Okay. Let’s go get married.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” His smile is everything, and even more special since I know he saves it for me.
Rebekah, Adam, Aaron and Andrew are waiting for us outside the judge’s chambers as Asher carries me into the courthouse. Smiling, Rebekah helps me slip my shoes on.
“You’re all set now.”
“Thank you, Rebekah. Ashbear, you can put me down, now.”
“Nope. We’re good like this,” Asher replies.
“Bro, let the woman walk into her own wedding. Andrew already said he’d take care of her.”
“I did. Let her breathe, Ash. She’ll be fine for the fifteen steps it will take from here to the judge. I promise.”
For a moment, I don’t think Asher will agree, but finally, after whispering at me to be a good girl, he sets me down and walks into the judge’s chambers. Adam and Rebekah follow behind him.
I’m shaking so much it’s a wonder I haven’t tipped over yet. Pure nerves. Then Andrew tucks my hand over his arm and I feel steadier. My stomach still feels like a swarm of bees, though, and I’m freezing. I realize it’s because Asher isn’t next to me. His steady strength has been there non-stop, and now that I can’t even see him, I’m going through withdrawal. It makes me giggle. How silly.
“Are you okay, Emma? Really okay about this? If he’s forcing you, you need to tell me, and I’ll get you out of here.”
“He’s not. I swear. I love him, Andrew. I don’t know how it happened so quickly, but I can’t imagine my life without him.”
His smile transforms his face, another thing the brothers seem to have in common. “Well, then. Let’s get you married. Welcome to the family!”
Aaron hands me a bouquet of gardenias and roses. Andrew holds the door open for me to step inside, and I look around, barely noticing the rest of the brothers. I only have eyes for Asher. Tall and gorgeous, waiting next to the judge. When he sees me, his smile makes my toes curl, promising a night filled with more passion than I can possibly imagine.
nineteen
Asher
Emma is mine. No one can take her from me now. The ceremony repeats in my head even when we all sit around the kitchen island in the main house. Adrian cooked an amazing meal to celebrate. But it’s all taking too long.
I need to be alone with Emma—with my wife. I need her more than my next breath, to worship every inch of her. To make sure she can’t forget she’s mine when she leaves in the morning. Even though my brain knows she’ll be back, my heart refuses to believe it.
As with all our family dinners, I couldn’t care less about what’s discussed. But in deference to Emma, I try to keep my growls to a minimum. Only for her. My brothers are used to my ways and couldn’t give a shit one way or the other. Rebekah has been around me enough to understand, too.
The longer we sit here talking about nothing, the more I’m convinced they’re doing this on purpose, just to taunt me. They have to know I want Emma to myself, especially since it’s our wedding night.
After what feels like a month of dinners, I’ve had enough of the bullshit. “Thank you for dinner and for your help with the wedding. But my wife and I need to have some alone time.”
“Told you he wouldn’t make it more than an hour,” Aaric says. “Pay up.”
“What the fuck? You bet on how long I’d stay?” I don’t know whether to throw something or laugh. “Wait, what else did you bet on?” I know there’s more from the guilty looks around the island.
Aaron shrugs his shoulders. “We bet on whether Emma would say yes on her own or you’d force her to marry you.”
