“You fuckers. I don’t even want to know who bet against me. I swear, I’ll knock your heads together.”
“Asher…” Emma has her hand over her face, trying to hide her laughter.
Narrowing my gaze at her doesn’t stop her giggles. But I have just the right thing back at our cabin. I just have to get her there first.
“Now that you’ve had your fun. We’re out of here. See you whenever.”
Rebekah runs around the island to hug Emma and whisper in her ear. When Emma nods, they hug again, then she steps back so my brothers can hug her, too.
“C’mon, Raindrop, time to go home.”
She reaches her arms up to wrap around my neck before I scoop her out of the chair. “I’ll see you soon.”
Andrew walks us to the front door. “Good luck defending your dissertation, Emma. Be safe driving.”
“Thank you. I will. Take care of Asher while I’m gone,” she yells out as I buckle her into my truck.
“No one needs to worry about me. I’ve been taking care of myself for years,” I grumble.
“Of course they do, Ashbear. I’ll worry about you.”
“You need to worry about being careful in the city. Anything could happen to you. I need you to come back to me.”
Emma slides her fingers through my hair and stares into my eyes. “Asher, I love you. I’m your wife. Nothing will keep me away from you.”
I know she means it, but the fear is still there. I get into the truck and drive the short distance to our cabin. As I pull up to the cabin, I see artificial candles flickering in the windows, and I silently thank my brothers. They may be assholes most of the time, but when I need them, they’re always there for me. I asked them if they could decorate a little so it’s romantic for our wedding night.
“I love you, Em.” I don’t think I’ll ever tire of saying those words or hearing them.
“And I love you, Hubby Ashbear.”
Rolling my eyes at how she’s added to the obnoxious nickname, I climb out of the truck to get her. After carrying her around for most of the last two weeks, I’m going to miss having her in my arms.
As I carry her across the threshold for the first time as my wife, it even feels different.
“Asher, wow. It’s beautiful.”
My brothers did not let me down. I’m going to have to put up with their bullshit for a long time as a thank you. There are roses and gardenias in vases and glasses scattered around the room, with artificial candles on the table. It’s all we use since we worry about fire.
“I’m glad you like it. I want tonight to feel extra special.”
“Just being with you makes it special already, Ash. For the past year, I’ve been living in the dark, and you brought back the light.”
I certainly don’t deserve this woman, but I want to thank whatever deity thinks I do for giving her to me. “I’m so glad, baby.”
Even I’m in awe of the transformation from bachelor bedroom to honeymoon suite when I carry her into our bedroom. Rose petals cover the bed, and more fake candles flicker from almost every surface. A bottle of champagne sits in a bucket next to two glasses on the nightstand.
“This is amazing. I never expected…”
“Good. I hope I will always be able to surprise you.” I set her on the edge of the bed, then kneel to remove her shoes and toss them across the room. Then I help her stand, holding on to her until she’s steady. “As magnificent as you look in this dress, I need you naked. Now.”
“Then you probably should have bought one with a zipper instead of a ton of tiny buttons. Please don’t tear it, Ashbear, it’s so beautiful. I’ll definitely cry if you do.”
I’m ready to kill past me when I turn her around see the long line of tiny cloth-covered buttons down the back. What the fuck was I thinking? Holding in my growl, I get to work, and fight the desire to rip it off her.
After getting about half of them open, I’m able to push the dress off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor.
“Thank you for making today so special. I never dreamed of a wedding dress, but if I had it would have been just like this. You’ve made everything perfect.”
