They’d all weathered the publicity storm the best they could and Brooke was happy to be back to just another private citizen trying to make a living.
She’d delayed the opening of her Italian restaurant until after the new year so she could focus on the wedding.
She and Cody had decided in August to put the past behind them and pick a date. They decided on the very special day they had made their daughter. The date of last year’s Christmas party and the day they’d finally gotten to share their love with each other. Maybe it had fallen apart the next day, but that special night had been magical and they didn’t want to lose sight of that.
So tomorrow she was finally going to marry Cody.
He ran his tongue up her neck to the back of her ear, then growled, “Whose stupid idea was it that I sleep in the primary suite without you tonight?”
Brooke giggled, fisted her hands in Cody’s hair, and drew him up to look her in the eye. “You did. Remember?”
“I’m a stupid idiot.”
“You’re sweet. Tomorrow, we’ll be married and never spend another night alone.”
“Promise me,” he demanded.
“I swear.” She crossed her heart with her index finger.
“Seal it with a kiss.” His lips met hers, coaxing at first, then demanding. This hadn’t changed in the last many months they’d been back together. They were still desperate for each other whenever they were in the same room.
She tasted the passion mixed with the bourbon and strawberry cheesecake they’d shared on the back patio by the fire pit. They’d spent a quiet evening together, just the two of them, after she spent the day out shopping with her mom. They had picked up the wedding gown she bought months ago and left at the shop last week for alterations. She couldn’t wait to put it on tomorrow, walk down the aisle to the man she loved, and marry him. She couldn’t wait to start the rest of her life with him.
Cody released her hips and planted both hands on the door on each side of her head and pressed back, breaking the kiss. His gaze roamed down her body and back up in one hot sweep of need. “I want you so damn bad.”
“Not tonight. That’s what you wanted, remember?”
“I can’t remember anything when I’m this close to you.”
“Go to your room. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“It’sourroom.” He never let her forget it.
“Yes, I know. It turned out beautifully.”
Cody had surprised her. A designer had arrived last month just before Thanksgiving and taken measurements and her and Cody’s ideas for transforming the room. Two days ago, she’d shown up with her crew and turned Cody’s bachelor basics into their honeymoon suite. The room they’d share for the rest of their marriage. Soft cream walls. Dark wood furniture. A massive king-size bed covered in a light blue and navy spread. Light blue sheers and heavy navy drapes on the windows. Black and white photos of them over the last ten years in antique silver frames on the dresser and walls.
A new room for their new life together.
Soon she’d transform her old room into a nursery. One thing at a time.
“It’s sweet you don’t want to see me until the wedding. Traditions are good,” she coaxed.
Cody rolled his eyes. “Not for me. I’m dying here.”
She giggled and smacked him on the arm.
He traced her lips with his fingertips. “I love it when you smile.”
“You make me smile.” All the time. Every day now. He’d helped her heal her heart.
He stole a kiss, pressed away from the door, and walked down the hall, calling back over his shoulder, “You’re all mine tomorrow.”
“Hey, Cody.”
He stopped just outside his door and turned back to look at her.
“I am yours. Always have been. Always will be.”
