by Lisa Oliver
“Hey wake up,” Asaph whispered in Ronan’s ear.
“Not now, hon. We’ve got meetings in the morning.” Ronan mumbled and tried to turn over, but Asaph wouldn’t let him.
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Ronan grumbled and rolled over, his eyes only half open. “I know what sort of a surprise you have for me,” he said. “Can’t you just do me while I sleep? Honestly, it’s been a long crappy day.”
Asaph felt a stab of guilt, but that made him all the more determined. “I know, precious, and I’m so sorry. But it’s not that type of surprise. Come on. Get up and get dressed. We have a car waiting for us downstairs.”
“Really? It’s the middle of the night.” But Ronan rolled out of bed, and pulled on the first clothes that came to hand. His wedding outfit, Asaph noted ruefully. Asaph was already dressed, and as soon as Ronan dragged a brush through his hair, and slipped on his boots, he grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the room. As per Asaph’s hastily given orders, a gleaming black limousine was waiting for them at the front of the hotel. Asaph bundled his mate inside, and as soon as the car was underway, he pulled out a bottle of champagne.
“What are we celebrating?” Ronan asked, trying to peer out of the limo’s tinted windows.
“You’ll see,” Asaph said. Ten minutes later he felt the limo stop and the driver’s voice came over the intercom.
“We’re here Mr. Bosch, did you need me to come in with you?”
“Yes, we’ll need a witness,” Asaph said.
“A witness?” Ronan asked and then his eyes widened as he suddenly figured out what they were doing. “You want to marry me in the middle of the night?”
Asaph waited until they were out of the car before he answered. In their hurried conversation before Bronson left, his friend urged Asaph to look for his romantic side. He wasn’t sure he had one, but he was going to try. He gazed into Ronan’s bright eyes and felt a warmth filling him inside. “I promised you we would be married in Vegas, precious and I have no intention of letting you down. We have meetings tomorrow, another business luncheon after that and then it’s back to Orlando, so it had to be now. I figured being the middle of the night, all conspiring psycho exes, jealous business associates and other idiots will all be in bed. I can’t help my schedule tomorrow, but there was no way I was going to let that make me break my promise to you.”
“Aww, you do care.” Ronan smiled. Yes I do and Asaph knew it was now or never for him. He inhaled sharply.
“I care more than you’ll ever know,” he said quietly, conscious of the driver standing by the Little White Wedding Chapel door. “When Leticia threatened you, all I wanted was to kill her. When you kicked those guns away…” Asaph took another deep breath to calm himself. “I love you,” he added, hoping honesty was best. “I’ve never felt like this before about anyone, but when you walk into a room I just want to hold you. When you smile I feel like the sun’s come out. I’m so proud to be seen with you, and I love how you have people eating out of your hands mere minutes after meeting you. I never knew that omegas could be so strong or so caring but I will thank the Fates every day for the rest of our long lives, that they paired me with you. I’m not marrying you because it’s a good business deal,” Ronan snorted softly and Asaph ignored the noise. “I’m not even marrying you because you’re my mate. I want that commitment with you – a commitment in every way possible. I want to be your husband; I want you to be my husband and…I don’t really know what else to say.” He stopped, hoping like heck he’d said enough.
“Asaph.” Ronan shut up for a moment, and Asaph felt a second of sheer panic. But Ronan didn’t leave him hanging for long. “I know I’m not who you were looking for,” Ronan continued, “But I know we’re right for each other. I might not have thought it at the start,” this time it was Asaph’s turn to huff, but his mate was right. “However the more I get to know you, the more I love you. It’s just that simple really.”
“So you do love me.” The businessman in Asaph demanded he nail down the facts. His wolf side was over the moon.
“More than breathing,” Ronan whispered, reaching up and pulling Asaph down for a kiss. It wasn’t nearly long enough, but Asaph knew they had a lifetime for kissing. Right now there was a celebrant waiting, and with their driver as their witness, Asaph and Ronan became Mr. and Mr. Montgomery-Bosch in just fifteen minutes. And no one was around to stop them.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Orlando, Breathless Club, Opening Night.
“I can’t believe you got married without us. We could have stayed in Vegas another night, or you could have done it here.” Enzo had to yell above the noise. Breathless had been open just a few hours and already the place was packed, with a line out the door of hopefuls waiting to get in. Bronson and Beatrice worked hard to get the word out, and as Ronan stood to the side of the stage he could see everyone was having a really good time.
The bartenders were a good choice, and Ronan reminded himself to thank Bronson for having such a good eye for pleasing flesh. The mixture of men and women, all in smart but sexy clothing were working like an efficient team; flirting and laughing and generally having fun, while the tills were working overtime. All around the tables even more of his staff; he still had to pinch himself when he thought about being responsible for staff, were busy taking drink and food orders. The kitchen would be closed in another hour, but the club would stay open until three with last drinks being served at two.
“You’ve done a marvelous job with the color scheme,” Ronan yelled back, ignoring Enzo’s continual harping about him coming back from Vegas married. Personally Ronan thought what Asaph had done was romantic and sweet, and he couldn’t be happier. He’d already promised that Enzo could plan their reception party to be held in two weeks’ time. The boy was shaping up to be an event planner rather than an interior decorator and Ronan shuddered to think what his friend would come up with.
“It would have been better if I’d had more time,” Enzo said. Ronan resisted the urge to slap him. Instead he cast a quick look around the club for a diversion.
“I see Jeff and Marcos are making new friends.” Okay, he might have been overstating things, because he knew his two dance buddies would never do anything that would jeopardize their relationship with Enzo, but that didn’t stop Enzo glaring, and then hurrying across the room.
“You have a sneaky streak in you. You’re going to make an astute businessman,” Asaph said from behind him, and Ronan felt himself encased in strong arms. “Happy?”
Ronan nodded. “Yes. The performance went well, people are having a good time, and…oh sh…sugar. Who’s that coming this way?”
Ronan watched as a tall, thin youngish man pushed and shoved his way through the dance floor, stopping every now and then to yell, “Bosch, you Bastard.”
“Fucking Rudy Walker,” Asaph growled. “Damn, I thought this shit was over and done with.”
“Come on,” Ronan was already moving towards Rudy. “I’m not having this guy causing a scene on our first night.”
With Asaph hot on his heels, Ronan was beside Rudy in seconds. “You need to come with us, sir,” He said firmly, glad for his six inch heels. His grip on Rudy’s arm was hard to the point of hurting, but Ronan didn’t care even when the man started yelling again. With Asaph on the other side of him there was nowhere Rudy could go, and he wasn’t happy about it. Ronan blocked out Rudy’s insults and headed straight towards his office, patrons and staff looking on in shock.
Slamming the door behind them, Ronan threw Rudy towards his two-seater and stood firm, his arms folded across his chest. “Who are you and what right do you have coming into my club and making a scene on opening night.”
“He knows,” Rudy glared at Asaph who was backing Ronan up. Ronan was surprised his mate hadn’t intervened, but he was pleased he hadn’t.
“This is my club, and Asaph is my husband. Now what…?”
“You married him?” Rudy still wasn’t pa
ying any attention to Ronan – all of his focus was on Asaph. “What about poor Leticia? All she ever wanted was you…never me…but I could’ve…You’ll break her heart…and the baby…my poor mall.”
“You’re drunk,” Ronan snapped. “Either tell us what you want, or I’ll have you kicked out.”
“You’ve got no right to talk to me like that,” Rudy sneered. “So he married you, so what? You can’t get pregnant, and Asaph will go running to Leticia’s side when the baby’s born.”
“What baby?” Asaph said. “Leticia isn’t pregnant; fuck, get with the program man. That was a ruse to trap me into marriage, and when it didn’t work she tried to sue me instead. That hasn’t worked either, now what’s your part in all of this?”
Rudy looked confused, and for the first time Ronan actually felt a bit sorry for him. Rudy was youngish still, and he had the air of someone who’d fallen on hard times. “What happened to the baby?” He stood up and wandered around as though in a daze. “There had to have been a baby, she said, she promised that was the only reason she was going to marry you. She loves me, you see,” Rudy turned and looked at Ronan and Asaph who stood impassive at his side. “She always loved me, she always came back to me. But then, she said she was pregnant, and she had no choice but to marry you…” his voice trailed off.
“So you thought you’d cash in on the connections she’d have when she married my husband.” Ronan said. Rudy looked up, but didn’t say anything so Ronan continued, the idea gaining momentum as he spoke. “You two loved each other, but word around town is you’re broke and there’s no way Leticia is the type of woman to live like a church mouse. You’ve got some deal going on, this mall you’re babbling about and you’ve been using Asaph’s name to get investments. Your one of Leticia’s supposed witnesses for the bogus breach of promise case against Asaph. This whole thing is just a ruse for getting my husband’s money.”
“Well why shouldn’t we have it?” Rudy yelled. “It wasn’t all me you know, Corsairs is in just as much shit as I am. And what does your precious husband do? He breaks my Leticia’s heart. Leaving her with a baby and she won’t marry me until the mall deal goes through. It’s all your fault!” By the last word Rudy was screaming, and Ronan thanked the Fates Asaph installed soundproofing.
Ronan caught the flash of metal and then Rudy was on the floor, Asaph straddling his back. “I’m getting tired of people trying to shoot my husband,” Asaph growled, shaking Rudy’s pistol from his hand. “I know you’re drunk, but try and get this through your thick head. Leticia’s not pregnant. She’s gone away. She doesn’t want you or me, or anyone else because she’s a selfish bitch who only thinks of herself. Mall or no mall, she’d never have married you. She used to laugh about you when she was in bed with me, laugh about how stupid you were, hanging around when nobody liked you.”
“Asaph.” Ronan felt a little uncomfortable with the cruel way his mate was talking to Rudy. It might have been true, but Asaph didn’t have to be so blunt about it.
“This idiot needs to hear the truth,” Asaph said, his voice just as harsh as before. “His father died, no suspicious circumstances, and leaves this twat a fortune – a freaking fortune. And what does this idiot do? He blows it all. Lavish parties, stupid deals that never worked, and gambling – a lot of gambling.” Asaph gave Rudy a shake.
“I worked for every cent I’ve ever had, you bonehead. Twenty hour days, seven days a week. I worked my fingers to the bone for years, never taking anything from anybody.” Ronan wasn’t sure if Asaph was talking to him or Rudy, but he listened carefully. “I lost all of the family I had when I left home, and yet I still succeeded. If you think for one second I’m going to let some overbearing, self-entitled piece of shit like you come along and take what I’ve worked for you’ve got another thing coming.” Asaph slammed Rudy’s torso into the floor for the last time and stood up. Ronan picked up the phone and called security. What was the point of having bouncers if they didn’t use them?
“Don’t ever come near me again,” Asaph warned a stunned Rudy who was still on the floor. “You round up Corsairs and the pair of you get the hell out of town. Because I’m warning you, come Monday morning I’m calling the police and my lawyer. If you’re not out of town by then, the only place you’ll be heading to is jail. Fraud, extortion, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, perjury and that’s just for starters. This is your one chance, Rudy. Fucking take it, because I won’t give you another one.”
There was a knock on the door and Ronan opened it. “One to remove please,” Ronan said. “Make sure everyone knows he’s banned from now on.”
“Right away Mr. Montgomery-Bosch.”
“Call me Ronan, it’s less of a mouthful.” The burly bouncer grinned and he and his partner picked Rudy up between them and carried him out. When the door closed behind them, Ronan moved instinctively into Asaph’s arms.
“You okay? Looks like dealing with Rudy brought old stuff up for you.” Ronan realized he knew next to nothing about Asaph’s home pack, or why he’d left.
“Its ancient history,” Asaph said, struggling to control his breathing. “I will tell you, there should be no secrets between us, but not tonight, okay? My father and I, we haven’t spoken in years, my mother and my brother are both dead. It’s not a pretty story and tonight is supposed to be about your success. Can we just go and find our friends and have a bit of fun for a change?”
Ronan nodded, his breath quickening as Asaph bent his head, and scorched his lips with a kiss. No matter how often their bodies came together, Ronan went weak at the knees at Asaph’s touch and he had a feeling he would always feel that way. As Asaph’s kiss deepened and became more passionate Ronan was sure his mother was smiling down on them. She’d always been a believer in love. But hopefully she would avert her eyes soon. No one wanted to watch their boy being banged on the desk, not even by a mate. Ronan grinned at his silly ideas as he reached for Asaph’s belt buckle.
Epilogue
A month later.
“You all packed?” Bronson asked as he bounded through the door with his usual enthusiasm. Asaph closed it and headed for his bar. He needed something stronger than coffee even if it was only ten o’clock in the morning.
“Yes, I’m packed, and then Ronan re-packed my stuff because apparently I don’t need to be wearing power suits to meet my father for the first time in a decade.” Asaph was nervous and he knew his closest friend would understand.
“I’m pleased we’re going,” Bronson said, sitting down and taking the drink Asaph poured for him. “It’s been a freaking long time, and your old man’s not getting any younger. How’d he take you being mated to a male omega?”
“Ask Ronan,” Asaph said shortly. “The two of them have been talking on the phone for hours ever since he conned me into getting in touch with him.”
“Conned?” Bronson arched a perfect eyebrow. Asaph felt his cheeks heat up but he wasn’t going to mention the knee trembling blow job Ronan gave him; before casually asking if he was going to let his father know he was mated. Rather than answer, Asaph returned the favor, but his mate was persistent in more ways than one. Now the three of them were heading to Atlanta to spend a week with Asaph’s dad and Bronson’s family. It’d been hell trying to work it in with his business schedule, but Ronan persisted and Asaph was fast learning the art of delegation.
“They seem to get on well,” Asaph said. “Just the other day I could swear my dad was busy telling Ronan about my first ever hunt. I’ve never known anyone so interested in my childhood before.”
“Ronan’s never lived in a pack before, he has no idea what it’s like. Given that his mother told him to stay away from wolves, he must trust you a lot to even think about making this trip.”
“Of course I trust him,” Ronan said cheerfully, dumping the two big bags he was carrying on the floor, and setting a large box beside them. Asaph eyed the box suspiciously.
“I thought you were going to take only one pair of boots, and
some sensible flat boots for hiking. You’re already wearing your favorite pair of heels,” he said, watching Ronan’s cheeks go bright red.
“I don’t have hiking boots,” Ronan said, sauntering over and sitting on the arm of Asaph’s chair. “A man like me wasn’t meant to be out in nature on two legs. That’s what my wolf is for.”
“Your heels are going to get stuck in the grass,” Bronson laughed. “We have barbecues, and outdoor meetings all the time. If we get one drop of rain you’re going to get stuck every time you take a step.”
“I’ll carry you,” Asaph said, when the red on Ronan’s face got deeper.
“I don’t want to be seen as some damsel in distress,” Ronan snapped, slapping Asaph on the arm. “I want your pack to like me.”
“Everyone will love you,” Bronson assured him. “But honestly, doesn’t it make things harder for you, walking around in heels every time you go out?”
“My mate likes it when things get harder,” Ronan teased and Asaph had to agree. He’d never dreamed he’d ever find his mate, or that when he did it would come in the shape of a five foot four man, with a preference for wearing six inch heels. A mate who not only listened to him, helped him, and showed him what fun could be, but who loved him, and found a million new ways to show he cared every single day. And the nights. It was Asaph’s turn to blush. Ronan learned a lot in their short time together, and although he’d never say it out loud, Asaph’s favorite time was sleeping with his body curled around his mate.
“Come on my sexy angel,” he said getting up, and sweeping Ronan off his feet. Ronan’s arm around his neck felt like it was meant to be there, his smile outshining the sun. “We’ll make a stop at your bootmaker on the way. He might have something there to surprise you.”
“I do love you,” Ronan said softly. Asaph could see the truth of those words shining in his bright green eyes.