Ares continues smirking, his eyes trailing over every mark on my body with abject pride.
“You should go,” I say. “Because if you keep looking at me like that, I’ll never make it up that aisle in time.”
Ares stalks toward me, pulling me into him by the hip. “I haven’t had my fill.” He nips at my earlobe. “I doubt I ever will.”
“Okay, that’s it. Out.” Bree grabs his arm and tugs hard, but she’s no match for his physicality and his strength.
“You’re the one who called me in here.” He speaks to her while looking at me. His eyes drag slowly down my lacy one-piece, and I’m tempted to say fuck it and indulge in a quickie.
“To rip you a new one!” Bree growls, still tugging on his arm. “Not so you could slaughter her pussy even more!”
I burst out laughing. Bree is normally so laid-back, and this is a side of her I haven’t seen before.
“Go.” I press a quick kiss to his lips. “Go help the guys.”
Chad and Jase are in a room on the other side of the house getting ready. There are seven en suite bedrooms in this three-story Victorian-style Queen Anne mansion. It was built in 1904, and it’s actually called The Christmas House Inn, which is fitting for our wedding. It’s been lovingly restored, and the interiors are stunning with original stained-glass windows, refurbished wooden floors, a multitude of grandiose mirrors, and several Victorian fireplaces with wooden surrounds and Italian tiles. There is a hugely romantic feel about the house, and I haven’t even seen The White Garden where the ceremony is being held yet because it’s being kept a secret until it’s time to say I do.
As Bree gave Ares and I a tour earlier, my heart was so full it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I can’t wait to get to the consummation part of the day so I can worship Jase and show him with my lips, my fingers, and my pussy how much I adore him for going to so much trouble.
Ares kisses me deeply, and it’s a kiss that is equally tender and brutal. Grabbing my ass, he squeezes my cheeks as he moans into my mouth.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” Bree complains, and I push Ares away.
Something that takes enormous willpower because all I want to do is pull him closer. “Later, sexy.” I swat his ass as he turns to walk away, and he pins me with a dark look over his shoulder. It promises payback for the daring move, and I cannot fucking wait.
“You are so in love and lust with him it’s sickening,” Bree exclaims after Ares has exited the room.
“I am. This all feels like a dream. Like it can’t possibly be real because I couldn’t be this lucky.”
“I’m happy for you.” She pulls me into a hug.
“Thank you.” Tears pool in my eyes. “Thank you so much for doing all of this. I suspected you guys were up to something, but I never imagined you could pull off something of this scale at such short notice.”
“Never underestimate the power of Luminary connections or the devotion of a man deeply in love.” She squeezes my hand. “Jase didn’t want to marry you at city hall. He wanted something special so you can see how much you mean to him.”
“I already knew it, but if I ever had doubts, this slays them.” Tears bubble up in my eyes. “I’m so happy to be marrying him. To be marrying both of them.”
“And this way, Chad’s life is protected.”
“It’s not just about his protection, Bree. It feels right to be marrying him too. Even if we still have shit to work through.” I wet my lips. “I know you’re pissed Ares marked me up, but I let him because I want to have his stamp on me when I’m marrying the other two loves of my life. He needed to stamp his claim, and I’m A-okay with it.”
“I’m sorry for freaking out. I just want today to be perfect.”
“It will be. You have both seen to that.” I hug her again. “Love you.”
“I love you too.”
The makeup and hair people arrive then, and we let them work their magic. I opted to wear my pink hair down in soft waves with some strands pinned back with blue bejeweled hair clips. They belong to Bree, so it ticks the borrowed and blue boxes. The new is my dress, and the old is my strappy stiletto sandals that wrap around my ankles. My makeup is soft and natural even if it feels like I have a ton of product on my face.
Bree is zipping up my dress when there’s a commotion outside in the hallway.
Three loud raps sound on the door accompanied by “Ashley” in a familiar deep, gruff voice. Rhett sounds irritated, and I’m glad we’ve managed to piss him off.
“Hell.” Bree’s lips pull into a tight line.
“We can’t avoid this. Let him in,” I say as I turn to admire my reflection in the mirror.
I can’t hold back my smile.
