I chuckle and feel a blush starting to work it’s way up my neck.
“Sirena probably does too,” Charlotte mumbles.
“Considering she’s carrying my first great grandchild, that’s a certainty,” grandma says. “I never thought I’d live to see the day when one of my grandchildren got married and started a family of their own.” She wipes at a tear. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me.”
“Oh Grandma.” I take her hand and hold it while she pulls herself together, which she does with a smile.
“You have us all teary eyed.” I reach up to dab at a stray tear just as my mom catches my wrist.
“I’ll mop you up before you ruin your make up.” Mom tilts my face up to her, but grandma hasn’t finished.
“I remember when your mom and dad first met. Michael couldn’t keep his hands to himself.”
I glance at Charlotte who has the same look of horror on her face that I’m sure is reflected on mine.
Grandma adds, “That barn got some use.”
“Eww,” Charlotte groans and shudders. “Grandma that’s too much information.”
“Charlotte, one of these days when you meet the man you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with, you’ll understand. Just like your sister does.”
“I understand,” I glance at Mom who appears amused, “but I’d rather not think about Mom and Dad in that way, if it’s all the same to you.”
She chuckles. “I’ll stop embarrassing everyone for now because I do believe there is a wedding happening very soon.”
“Like now,” Charlotte says, hurriedly. “We need to get everyone sorted and then Dad needs to help you downstairs,” she says to me.
I give her the look that says, I can manage, so she adds, “Not in that dress you can’t . . . and even if you can, I’m not taking any chances.”
“Okay,” I give in.
“Come on, Mom, let’s get you downstairs with Dad so that Michael can come up here.” Mom helps grandma to stand and passes her walking stick over.
“Just remember Grandma, no flirting with Garrett,” I tease.
“Oh, as though he’d notice me when he’s waiting to marry my beautiful granddaughter.”
I watch her leave with Mom, and meet Charlotte’s gaze. “We’re lucky to have her and grandpa still with us. I don’t think I have one friend who still have their grandparents, or even one.”
“I know, and it means the world to me that they’re both here today.”
She coughs to hide her emotions, which is what I sometimes do, and reaches for my veil. “Let’s get this positioned so that Dad gets the full view when he arrives.”
Ten minutes later, I’m staring at myself in the full-length mirror in the bedroom as Dad walks in. He stops in his tracks behind me and I watch as he swallows around the obvious lump in his throat before he moves closer.
“I can’t believe you are so grown up.” He rests his hands on my shoulders from behind. “It’s only just hit me as I walked through the door that you are about to become a wife, and very shortly afterwards, a mother.”
I reach up and cover one of my dad’s hands. “I love you Daddy, and I’m glad that I get to do this right. Garrett means the world to me, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“I know he does, honey. You have the real thing this time so hold on to that.”
“I plan to.” I turn and face him, allowing him to pull the veil over my face. “You look handsome in your suit.”
He smiles, amused. “That’s what your mother said.”
I hold a hand up. “Please don’t go any further. We’ve heard all about how you and mom could never keep your hands off each other, or stay away from the barn.”
He chuckles. “It never changes.” A serious look crosses his face. “The day I met your mother was the first time I felt anything inside of me for a long time. I can’t live without her.” His gaze fills with amusement. “And don’t think it’s gone unnoticed that you met Garrett in the same place that I met the love of my life.”
I chuckle. “I’ll never live that one down.” Becoming serious, I admit, “All I’ve ever wanted from being a little girl was to marry my own prince charming and have the kind of marriage that you and mom have.” I smile, softly. “I know with all of my heart that I have that with Garrett.”
“You do Princess.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “Let’s get this show on the road, huh? Before your mother is coming up here to berate us.”
I smile and let him lead me downstairs and out into the garden. The minute I step outside though, the scent of all the beautiful colored flowers hits me and makes me smile even wider. The chairs for the guests are white with different colored ribbons wrapped around the top. The aisle has been made of white rose petals and as I stand at the back, my eyes search out my groom.
Everyone else fades into the background when I find him standing at the front with his best man, who I’ve yet to meet. His eyes hold mine and everything inside of me tingles with pleasure. My dad moves me along toward him and I feel like I’m floating in a dream. It’s only when Garrett takes my hands into his that I realize where I am, and offer him a delighted smile.
He rests his forehead against mine, and says, “I love you.”
I’m seconds away from becoming Mrs. Hudson.
27
Garrett
“Mrs. Hudson has a nice ring to it,” I whisper into Sirena’s ear as we dance to a Luke Bryan song.
She’s the most beautiful bride that I’ve ever seen and since we both said, “I do,” I can’t let her out of my sight, or let go of her.
Her pregnant body excites me beyond belief, and I’m trying damn hard not to count the hours until I can get her alone in our bedroom. Our honeymoon is going to wait until Sirena has given birth so that I’m not worried sick about her health while traveling. That was something I wasn’t going to budge on.
Sirena agreed, but I’m beginning to wish that I hadn’t insisted on having entertainment after we’d eaten. Her family looks settled in for the night with the way the food and drink are still flowing. It’s nice to see that her family might be large with lots of cousins, but everyone obviously gets along together. At that thought my gaze drifts over to my brother, who surprisingly, is getting along well with Derek. Jenny seems happy for once, which gives me hope that she’ll eventually accept Sirena as my wife. I have a feeling that our relationship will always be strained because of how she’s been, but at the end of the day they’re family.
“Are you falling asleep on me?” my bride asks, rubbing her bottom against my groin.
“Can’t you tell just how awake I am?” I counter, letting her feel my reaction. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress,” I whisper, and feel her shiver in response.
“If you keep that up, every one is going to know what you’re doing to me.”
I chuckle in her ear. “I have news for you Mrs. Hudson. Everyone here is well aware of what we’re going to be doing as soon as we head upstairs.”
“Hmm,” she mumbles, her hands covering mine on her belly as we sway to the music. “I love seeing all my family together like this. I think it also makes my grandparents happy.”
“It does, and,” I nod to my right, “your sister is dancing with Tanner.”
“I like him, but I think he has a lot on his mind.”
“He’s engaged.”
She stills in my arms and tries to turn but I keep her moving. “I told Charlotte when I noticed her watching him. The thing is, I’m not sure it’s what he wants because Derek said he isn’t happy like you’d expect. I don’t want to interfere, but they’ve both only had eyes for each other all day. They’re old enough to look after themselves.”
“I don’t want her getting hurt.”
“Tanner is a good man, Sirena. Maybe, he’ll be able to talk to Charlotte about what’s going on. Who knows? But we’re going to stay out of it.” I kiss her shoulder and sigh when she settles against me.
“You know Alex?”
/>
“Yes.” I frown wondering where she’s going with this line of questioning.
“Do you think he’s okay? He seems, I don’t know, tense.”
I glance over to where the man in question is sitting with his sister, and cousins, Paige, Rachel, Madison, and Ryan. Olivia and Madison seem to be in deep conversation, so I laugh when Paige drags Ryan up from his seat and onto the dance floor.
“They’re always goofing around,” Sirena observes, laughing. “But—” she trails off.
Rachel stands and without a word, takes hold of Alexander’s hand. He looks surprised as a frown creases his brow. We can’t hear what’s said, but he gets to his feet and very soon they’re dancing.
“What’s going on between them two?” I ask.
Sirena turns and wraps her arms around my neck. “I have my own thoughts on the subject of Alexander and Rachel, but for now I’d like to concentrate on my husband.”
“Oh really.” I place my hands on her hips and hold her close. “I think I like the sound of that.”
“Thought you might.” She rests her head against my chest, but I’ve got a much better idea.
“I think we need to leave. You’re feeling awfully tired.”
Chuckling, she meets my gaze. “Is that so?”
“You need to lie down and rest.”
“I like the idea of being flat on my back.”
I laugh, which soon turns to a heated sigh at the thought of Sirena flat on her back without any clothing keeping her from my sight.
“My parents have already left to take my grandparents home, so I think we should slink away.”
“What about your aunt and uncles, and your siblings?”
She snorts and starts laughing. “Make a quick announcement that we’re retiring for the evening, but they’re welcome to stay and enjoy themselves. Then we’ll leave.”
“I can live with that.” I bend and kiss her sweet lips before doing her bidding.
We get some cheers and lurid comments from her brothers and cousins, but it’s all in good fun . . . and fifteen minutes later, we’re behind the locked door of our bedroom.
Sirena takes my hand and leads me into the bathroom. “I need you, but I need to shower quickly, first. My sister insisted on make up today and I hate the stuff.”
“You don’t need it.” I kiss her shoulder while slowly unzipping her wedding gown. “You made the most beautiful bride today, and this dress . . . exquisite.”
“Mmm, you make my skin tingle,” she murmurs as the dress slips to the floor, revealing her lack of undergarments.
I crouch behind her to remove the dress, and before standing, I can’t resist biting one of her naked cheeks. She gasps, the sound going straight to my aching flesh.
“You,” I straighten and turning her to face me, pick her up to sit on the vanity, “have me so primed that I’m afraid I’ll come before I get my trousers off.”
She smirks, opening her thighs and tugging me between them. “I want you naked and inside of me, and I’m betting that this is the perfect position for that to happen with my belly usually in the way.”
Groaning, I lean in and capture her lips in a soft kiss before I trail my lips down, between her breasts. I quickly lean back and toss my clothing off so that I’m as naked as my beautiful bride.
“You’re gorgeous,” she says, breathless. “So smooth and hard.” My breath gets stuck at the back of my throat as she wraps her hand around my throbbing shaft. Her touch is driving me crazy and when she flicks her wrist, my eyes roll.
Sirena gives a deep laugh and when she brushes her thumb over the weeping head of my cock, I pounce. Her pussy is wide and open to me, so I waste no time and slowly push home.
My toes curl as I try to get even closer as my tongue wraps around a plump nipple. Her moans, and the tight grip she has with her legs around my hips can’t stop me, but thank God, when I feel her rippling along my length.
Fireworks explode as she pulls release after release from me, draining every last drop. Her pussy quivers and after one final release, I feel the baby between us somersault in her stomach.
My eyes snap to hers in wonder. “Wow,” I pant. “Are you sure we should be doing this? I mean the baby—”
“Can’t see or feel a thing,” she adds, amusement on her satisfied face.
“Okay.” I gasp for breath and rest my forehead on her shoulder. “I love you Mrs. Hudson, my gorgeous, beautiful wife.”
Her fingers tangle in the short strands of my hair as she tugs my head up so that she can see my gaze. “I love you my sexy husband.”
28
Sirena
“Sirena,” Charlotte grumbles. “I know you’ve been in married bliss for weeks now, but some attention this way please.”
I wince at the bite behind Charlotte’s words as I see the misery on her face. I feel guilty that I’m so happy when it’s obvious that my sister’s heart is breaking.
Reaching out, I take one of her hands into mine. “I’m really sorry. I know there’s something going on with you and I’m not being a very good sister right now. Forgive me, Charlie.”
Her eyes narrow. “I’ll forgive you as long as you refrain from calling me Charlie.”
With a wry smile, I urge, “Please talk to me and tell me what’s going on with you.”
She glances away and wipes at a tear on her face before she turns her sad eyes on me. “I’ve fallen in love with a man that I can never be with.”
I sit back in my chair in total surprise. Charlotte has always been the sensible one and seeing her like this, and knowing that she’s been seeing someone without my knowledge, hurts. I need to get over that though because my sister needs me.
“I’m not going anywhere, and you know I’ll keep it to myself.” She doesn’t seem inclined to say anything else so I ask, “Where did you meet him?”
“Your wedding.”
“But we only had family there,” I mumble, confused as to who it could be . . . then it clicks. “Tanner Jackson?” I blurt, completely surprised.
I give her no chance to speak and utterly bewildered I start to question her, “But—” then she interrupts.
“Let me explain, okay?” She clears her throat. “I felt a pull toward him from the moment we met, and I know that he felt it too. We danced and talked, and yes he told me that he was engaged.” She sighs. “I know it was wrong, but I’ve never felt like I did when I was with him . . . we spent the night together.”
“Oh.”
“He told me that it could never be more than that night, but I was selfish and took what he offered, and . . . against my better judgment we exchanged numbers. We message at least once a day, and, I don’t know what to do. I’m in love with him, Sirena.”
Her face falls. “He was so gentle with me. And when we parted the following evening, he looked as though he was hurting too.”
She shakes her head and keeps her eyes down, staring at nothing.
“I don’t know what to say. I feel really bad that I had no idea how much you’ve been hurting. I’m so sorry for that.”
“It’s okay,” she mumbles.
“No it isn’t. I’m here now though . . . and, I think you should go and visit him. Talk to him in person. I do know from Garrett that Tanner wasn’t a happy man because of his engagement. His father was concerned about him.”
“He looked as though he had a lot on his mind, but he’s never spoken to me about what’s going on in that respect.”
“You’re still talking to him?”
“Yes. Only messages. We both agreed it would be difficult to do Facetime.”
“Does he know how you feel?”
She lifts her gaze and when she does I’m surprised at the haunted look in them. “I haven’t said, but I think maybe he does.” She shrugs as though it’s no big deal when it is.
I’m about to respond when a still figure over Charlotte’s shoulder causes me to loose my words.
Harry.
“Sirena?” he says i
n surprise before he pulls himself together and turns to the woman with him. He whispers something to her and then she disappears inside with a few backward glances between him and me.
“You’re looking well,” he says and blinks a few times when he sees the look that Charlotte is giving him. He clears his throat. “I was planning on talking to you.”
I raise a brow. “Oh really.”
“Look,” he grabs a chair from the table beside ours and sits, “I know I’ve been a bastard to you, and I wanted to apologize. I also wanted you to know that you have nothing to worry about from me especially as my parents want to be involved in their grandchild’s life. I don’t blame them for that, and I can assure you, they’ve made their opinion about my actions rather clear.”
Charlotte snorts. “I bet.”
He ignores her. “You’re married now, huh? I’m glad you have what you wanted, and I’m only sorry that I wasn’t the one to give you that. I don’t regret being with you or married to you, and I wish you well.” He stands while I stare at him as though he’s been possessed. “Didn’t expect that, huh?” He chuckles.
“Um, no. I don’t know what to say,” I mutter.
“Don’t say anything. Just have a good life.” He kisses me on the top of my head and walks inside the restaurant.
I glance at Charlotte who meets my gaze. “Is he serious? No how’s the baby or anything. Just have a good life.”
“Although I was shocked to see him standing behind you, I’m actually okay. I love Garrett so much that seeing Harry did nothing for me. I’m not even mad anymore. And you know why? Because his attitude means that Garrett is going to be able to legally adopt this baby without any come back from Harry.”
“He doesn’t have a leg to stand on after signing his rights away anyway.”
“He could still easily make trouble, but I don’t think he’s going to.”
She smiles. “As long as you’re okay with everything then I’ll stop being pissed.”
“I wish I knew how to solve your love life,” I admit. “I’m your sister and I want to make it better.”
McKenzie Cousins Box Set One: Books One, Two, Three Page 15