Before she could finish her statement, Axel cut in, physically positioning himself between us. He’d been waiting for the chance to catch her impropriety. “Makenna would like to dance with you, Mason.”
My youngest sister took my hand to pull me away as I watched my brother smile at Melinda for the camera. AsMakenna wrapped her arm around me, I watched Axel lean down to Melinda’s ear while he kept his eyes on me. With a smile that scared the shit out of me, he said, “I’m going to destroy you.”
The smile fell from her smug face as he straightened to his full height and raised a brow at me. “Do smile for the cameras. You wouldn’t want to ruin Maddie’s wedding photos, would you, Melinda?” Axel twirled her away, putting as much distance between us as possible. He was a good dancer, quickly drawing attention to them and away from me.
I found Tommy sitting at the table, melting me with his eyes. I could see it all. Love, admiration, wonder, and pride. He shook his head as my friends clapped for Axel. My brother’s laughter could be heard over the music, and I knew he was torturing her. I had no doubt he’d make good on his promise, and I was going to enjoy every minute of it.
When the cake had been cut and the happy couple had left the reception, I took Tommy to the dance floor. A quick glance found Axel with our fearful father having an intense conversation in the shadows. With one hard poke to his chest, my brother walked away, leaving my father wide-eyed and rubbing at the spot. Stalking off toward the guys, he took his seat and downed his champagne. I was sure he’d tell me everything later, so I turned my full attention to the man of my dreams. As we swayed to the music, I leaned in to speak softly to him. “This will be us one day, declaring our love to one another in front of our friends.”
Thomas ran his hand through the back of my hair. “Is this what you want? A big affair like this?”
I looked around at the ultimate dream of every bride, then shook my head. “No. This isn’t us. We’re more of a quiet, private ceremony kind of couple with our girls at our feet. Maybe elope somewhere and marry just like we live our lives, out of thespotlight. Away from the eyes of the world with just the people we hold dear.”
He smiled up at me. “This one day, you speak of. Are we talking months, years?”
I sighed as my heart overflowed with so much love I almost couldn’t handle it. “I’d marry you tomorrow if I could.”
Tommy’s eyes smoldered into mine. “Sounds perfect to me.”
We went back to the house and slipped into bed. To the soundtrack of the ocean, Tommy made slow, passionate love to me, working me over the way I loved while grounding me with his body and touch. I felt his declaration in every whisper and kiss, and when he buried himself inside me, the world fell away, and all I saw was him. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. No matter what happened in my life, I knew he was the one I wanted to do life with. Football was no longer the priority of my life; Tommy was. And I’d love him until the day I die.
Chapter 33
Thomas
I woke up Sunday morning with an idea that had been ruminating since the wedding. Holding him in my arms, Mason’s head was on my chest, the very spot I hoped he would stay for the rest of our lives. He was mentally exhausted from worrying about the wedding and needed to sleep. As I sifted my hands through his hair, I put my plan together. With everyone’s help, I could make it happen today. With the start of Mason’s football season and Axel’s hockey season, things were going to get extremely busy. It would be a while before they saw each other again simply because of logistics. If this was going to happen, it had to be today before we boarded the plane to go back to our lives in San Diego.
Reaching for my phone, I found Axel’s number. Typing one-handed was a challenge, but I didn’t want to wake him.
Me: I need a favor.
With his internal clock five hours ahead on European time, coupled with jet lag, I hoped he was already awake. When the dots started to bounce, I took it as a good sign.
Axel: Okay, G-man. What do you need?
I shook my head at his reference to my FBI days. I didn’t understand the fascination.
Me: I’m going to surprise your brother, but I need him out of the house for a couple of hours to get things organized. Think you can do that?
I waited for him to read it as I mentally checked the first item off my list.
Axel: Sure. What time are you thinking?
Me: Anytime after nine. He needs to rest.
Axel: Okay.
Axel: Can I ask what the surprise is?
Me: Sure. I’m going to change his name today to Kingsley.
The dots started and stopped, making me wonder if he was going to tell me it was a bad idea. I didn’t care if it was or not. No one knew him the way I did, and with every passing minute, I knew in my soul he was my person, and I was his. And today, we’d make that official.
Axel: Took you long enough.
His familiar words in London made me smile. Smug bastard.
Me: I take it you approve.
