by Ellie Jean
“I can’t wait to see how radiant she will be looking today. It was lovely she is a part of this wedding.” Spinning her around on her heels, I point her in the direction of the car pulling up.
“Looks like you won’t have to wait long.” Kissing her head, I shut my eyes briefly. “Enjoy the wedding. I love you, Mel.” Strolling up to the others, anticipation is written on their faces.
Melody calls, “I love you too, big, bad, brother.” A frenzy claws in my stomach but releases a little hearing my sister’s words. They always make me laugh.
Lace and Kyle step out of the car first. Kyle stands there and watches inside the car, Lace’s eyes go straight to Caden’s, staying there. She blows him a small kiss.
Sweat pools on my palms and my teeth clench. I have no idea why my knees are quaking and my fingers are opening and closing. A leg I would recognize anywhere pops out of the open door and I want to rush down and help her. My feet start to move, and Tanner puts his arm out to stop me subtly.
I murmur but am relieved he’s looking out for me. Phoebe needs this. She can do it without me being by herself twenty-four seven. Hopping down from the seat, she brushes her short dress down and reaches in to get her flowers. Her ass looks edible in the tight fabric caressing it. Running my eyes from her ankles up her bare calf muscles, my cock springs to life instantly. By the time I’m at her curvy hips, her body swings around and I see her breasts captured tightly by the strapless dress, highlighting how plentiful her boobs are. Tearing my eyes from this feast, her neck stretches and Phoebe’s chin drops. Bright blue eyes shine across the natural landscape, piercing mine. Her smile is captivating and fuck…
Blowing out a breath, I compose myself before I run down there and find the nearest tree and fuck her into next week, after I ravage her with delicate kisses.
Phoebe’s elegant, alluring, and mine.
Concern crosses her face and I realize I’m concentrating too much on containing myself. Using my fingers, I point to myself, then hold up my hands in the shape of a heart and then point to her. I’m a love-struck fool it would appear.
She mouths back, “I love you, too.”
Nodding and smiling like an idiot who has won the lottery, I steady my breathing and get my pulse in check. I glance at Melody who is watching me with interest. She puts her hand on her heart, a full wide smile adorning her sweet face. I know she’s happy for me.
Tanner straightens beside me and his stance is wide like he’s ready for battle. It could only mean one thing: Crystal is near Kyle.
“Let it go, T. For tonight, get over it.”
His turn to grunt at me, I watch the car for Emerald who appears at the side of the black SUV.
Wearing a dress.
“If you fuckers weren’t my family, I’d have to kill you all looking at what’s mine.”
Laughing, we know Slate’s possessive of his woman. He’s deadly serious though.
Purples grace the sky, a light pink swirling through it as the girls get ready to walk up here. Emerald stays back with her brother, glowing under the muted light.
The celebrant stands under the trees, us lined up on the right side, our four cars parked only a few feet from us. Two on each side. There’s no music, the air and animals providing a peaceful backdrop to this original wedding.
“Please stand.” The guy raises his hands and the three people sitting, get up to welcome the bridesmaids first.
Phoebe walks with her chin high, no sign of any sore ankle, her natural radiance dazzling me. I can’t stop myself. I almost break into a run going to her when she’s halfway to us, grabbing her by the waist and kissing her on the lips.
“You look beautiful.”
“You’re insane. But thank you.” Moving me forward, we walk together like it’s our wedding and place ourselves on the left side. I’m not letting her go.
Rubbing her ass through the material, I breathe in deep breaths. My eyes stay on her while Lace walks up. Caden remains composed unlike me, waiting for his woman to go to him. She stands with him after Caden bends down and kisses her stomach then her mouth.
Crystal strides up, confident and energetic. “You can thank me later.” Speaking to Slate, he nods and grunts. She latches on to Tanner’s lips and smiles. They move over to stand by us. Hell, lucky she didn’t see his face moments ago, the wedding would be a brawl by now.
A slight squeeze of my hand jolts me, my feet move so I’m touching her back keeping Phoebe close.
Kyle walks with Emerald, elbows latched together. Her dress complements her figure and it’s certainly got all of our attention. Rarer than a red diamond, seeing her in a dress is something to remember. She is a stunning lady.
Slate’s one lucky man.
But she’s one damn lucky woman to have this man who will die for her.
They complement each other.
“She’s a striking bride.” Whispering, Phoebe lifts her chin a little so I can hear.
“Baby, no one comes close to you.” Lacing my fingers with hers, I sigh in contentment. Those words have never left my mouth before and the truth hits me again.
Phoebe may have been out of my life for years, but now that she’s back, I won’t be letting her go.
Slate moves in front of the celebrant. Seldom do we see Slate’s true emotions. Hiding them because that’s what we’ve trained years to do because our enemies must never see us weak, today we see his soul.
Fixated on his bride, Slate’s lips slacken and his eyes are open showcasing a world of softness and adoration. A smile that is rarer than Emerald’s dress erupts on his face and he puts a hand over his heart, steadying him. Emerald smiles proudly, knowing this man is hers. Kyle steps away and proceeds to lean forward, shaking hands with his brother-in-law. With a small kiss on his sister’s cheek, he removes himself and sits near Melody.
Emerald continues to stand there looking at her groom.
Eyeing each other up and down completely, a huge grin spreads on all our faces.
“Wildcat…” A hiccup escapes.
Raw and exposed, Emerald steps into him, holding his cheek, saving him from revealing more. “Come on, let’s do this.”
Bending down, I move Phoebe’s head so she’s looking at me, and I kiss her again.
My emotions are running away too.
Slate leads Emerald to the celebrant and he starts talking.
I don’t hear anything but a murmur.
Focused on Phoebe, I imagine us one day at our wedding. Telling the world how fate brought us back together. How she’s the light of my darkened world and the reason I smile every fucking day. No doubt she’d explain how I saved her from her deranged family but really, Phoebe’s saved me from myself and spiraling back into the black hole of destruction. Content to live my life torturing, damaging, and fucking up people because I lived for that devastation, it’s clear now I want more.
A life with this woman.
And I won’t be letting anything get in the way.
Trying to keep my legs still, I lean down and breathe in her scent, mesmerizing me more.
Her fingernail digs into my hand a little and I know I’m making this difficult for her. Phoebe’s shoulders rise a little faster. My nose feathers her skin, my breath hot on her neck. Stepping in behind her, I capture her waist and hold her against me: her back against my front. My eyes finally move to the bride and groom and Slate’s battling getting the ring on Emerald’s finger. Small giggles float through the darkened night. The solar fairy lights Slate put up in the trees surrounding us provide enough light creating a soft glow and a romantic ambiance.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Not holding back, Slate takes Emerald. I don’t see more because I twirl Phoebe around and kiss her into next week. Full, soft lips greet mine and passionately kiss me back.
“I had to wait too long to do that.” My hands grip her waist, her flowers held at her side, her other hand holds my chin.
“I’ve been waiting all day to feel your l
ips.”
“Today I had to share you with too many people: the girls, the hairdresser, and everyone else. I’m not a fan.”
Giggling, she rises on her tippy toes. “I’m not either.”
“You two finished over there?” Tanner hollers at us, Phoebe tries to remove her body from mine, but I hold her still, looking over her head. Annoyed but I understand, I watch Emerald and Slate talking to Caden and Lace, Emerald’s mom and brother waiting to congratulate them.
“Come on, Melody’s over here.” Moving past Tanner, I clip his shoulder and head for Melody.
“Hi, Melody.” Phoebe puts her arms out and they hug. My heart warms looking at the two most important people in my life getting to know one another.
Melody moves back and grins. “What a beautiful wedding. Emerald looks radiant. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen her in a dress.”
Moving in for a hug, I let her body go hesitantly. She’s the only one alone here but Phoebe keeps the chatter up.
“Gosh, I didn’t recognize how much your eyes look the same as Ocean’s. There’s no mistaking you’re related.”
“Yeah, lots of people say that. They also say we have the same hot-headedness, but I don’t agree.” Laughing together, I swiftly take her hand back. Phoebe’s voice is confident and there’s no sign of worry.
“I couldn’t comment on that, I’ve only seen the caring and gentle side of Ocean.”
Melody raises her eyebrows at me, and I mimic her.
“It doesn’t come out often, but I’ve seen that side of him only on occasions. You must be very important.”
Moving into me, her confidence gone a little, I smile. “Phoebe’s on the top of the list.” My lips gravitate to her head and I kiss her.
“I’m happy for you both. Perhaps we’ll be attending another wedding before I know it.”
Almost choking on a cough, Phoebe covers her mouth.
“For now we’re happy getting to know each other. Intimately.” I can’t help myself. I would shout to the world how much she means to me if I could. A beautiful flush reddens her cheeks. She nods trying to get some space, but I won’t let her. I’m a selfish prick.
“Doesn’t Emerald and Slate look smashing together all glammed up?” Melody changes the subject and gives us a reprieve from her inquisition.
“They make a stunning couple.” Phoebe smiles and wistfully looks at Emerald.
“We need to congratulate them both.” Stepping forward, Phoebe has no choice but to follow but Melody joins us.
Bro hugging Slate, the girls kiss Emerald. “Congrats, man. You’re one lucky man.”
“I know it.” Slate kisses Phoebe then Melody.
“Yes, he is.” Emerald kisses my cheek, her face beaming and she hugs me tightly.
I lean into her ear and quietly speak. “I won’t forget what you’ve done for me and for Phoebe. Thank you for including her in all of this. It means everything to me.”
Nodding her head, she pats my back. “You deserve happiness, Ocean. We all have ours, now you do too.”
She couldn’t be more correct.
“Would you stop monopolizing my wife.” Slate steps forward, his earlier relaxed self gone already. Taking Emerald’s hand, he pulls her into him, she wraps herself around him, kissing his lips.
“You two need to get a room.” Tanner and Crystal walk toward us, Lace and Caden walking with Emerald’s mom and Kyle.
They ignore us.
“Come on, let’s get this party started. I haven’t had a night without Jayce since he was born,” Crystal hollers, breaking the night silence.
Slate had given in to Emerald. Again.
He wanted to take her back to their apartment as soon as the vows were over, but Emerald negotiated a few hours with everyone back at The Gem, in the private room. How she manipulates Slate is priceless. No one else could do what she does and get away with her demands.
“We’ll meet you there. I want to show Phoebe where we race.”
“Don’t get lost in the dark. Or do.” Caden chuckles.
Leading Phoebe down the side of the cars, there’s enough light to see beyond this hill where the quiet road goes on for a while until there is a left turn. “Slate told us once, this was where Emerald claimed his ass.”
“They really do love each other, don’t they.” Her eyes are cast down the hill into the dark. “I was looking at her tattoo today on her neck. I guess you don’t get a name there unless you’re committed.”
My heart thumps in my chest, held against her back. “They’ve had some rough times apart and together. Slate wouldn’t let her go and if we’re being honest, Emerald would never let Slate leave her either. They belong together.”
“I can see that.” Phoebe’s arms are crossed around mine, comfortably held at the front of her dress, her boobs squish together.
Fuck, how I want to feel her skin naked against mine. Running my fingers up her waist, I lightly dance them over her bare shoulders, up her neck. My mouth waters and my cock aches. If I didn’t think it would scare her, I would rip her dress off and sink myself into her pussy now.
“I wonder how people give themselves over completely to another? Trusting they will cherish them and not let them down? Treating another as they want to be treated or even better.”
My heart breaks listening to her uncertainty. She’s never had someone love her.
“They do it because they have trust. Built up in times of struggles when they won’t let the other person down. When they put their needs in front of their own and by communicating and connecting. They may not agree on everything, but a discussion is powerful and as vital as connecting physically.”
“I guess. I get scared because I don’t want to be let down again. There’s only so much my heart can shatter before it’s irreparable. And I haven’t even had a guy before to break my heart. This is purely a by-product from my dysfunctional family.”
“Baby.” I turn her around so I can see her eyes. Worry is written all over her face. “You got in my car and trusted me to take you away from the danger that fateful day. You have allowed me to keep you warm and with each day we have taken small steps to build our relationship. Communicating about our past and then you giving me your virginity was a leap of faith. I can’t promise that the road ahead won’t be bumpy and dangerous, but I can promise I will do everything I can, so I don’t shatter your heart any further. Instead I hope to mend it back piece by piece. If it takes a lifetime, then I’m there.”
“I don’t want to let you down. I have nothing to give you.”
“You making me smile every day is all you need to do. I’m sure the girls have told you what I’m like. Broody and dark, sarcastic but deadly. A smile isn’t something I’m used to doing daily.”
“They may have said a few things.” Batting her longer than usual eyelashes, she grins and I take her lips.
Bang… Bang…
Her body jolts and mine straightens.
Gunfire erupts.
“Stay close to me.” Grabbing my gun from my waistband, I run in the direction of where our cars are. I haven’t heard any of them go.
Bang…
“Get the women out of here, Lace,” Caden yells in the distance.
Bang…
Phoebe keeps up, even though her ankle must be a little sore. I hear her gasping for breath.
“Stay here, baby, behind the rock. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“No. I’m going with you.”
Unsure if she’s scared to be by herself, I nod and keep focused. Slowly moving over the hill, watching around for any sign of a shooter, the bushes to the side are rustling. Hearing the security on their radio, I advance forward slowly. Under the dull lights, I scan the area, Slate’s voice is booming.
“Call an ambulance now.”
What the fuck has happened?
My eyes cast over the people, fixing on the dark yellow color spread on the ground.
My legs stop.
But everythi
ng else goes warp speed.
Where’s the shooter?
Why’s everyone standing around doing nothing?
Where the fuck is security?
Is that Kyle holding his shoulder?
Why is there so much orange on the ground?
“Melody?”
Control.
I thrive on it.
I’m bound to it.
It lives in me.
Learning fast and early on to embrace what I can control instead of relying on others became my creed. No more disappointments, risks were minimized, and my head and heart were free from any aches.
Planning enables me to keep control of everything. Bad and good, although I know life can’t be planned minute by minute, I give it a damn good try.
But this…
I couldn’t predict if I tried.
One leg lifts and then the next, propelling forward into chaos.
My voice rips from deep below, looking at my sister laying on the ground, redness seeping through her delicate dress.
Blood pumps through me, my ears ready to explode but my legs crumple to the ground beside my sister.
Taking her hand, Tanner gives me space. Touching her face, her eyes are closed and she looks peaceful.
Too goddamn peaceful.
“Fuck…”
Trying to concentrate on her limp body, my fingers run over her neck where I plead there is some kind of pulse. “Come on, Mel, you’re strong, fight this. Open your eyes. The ambulance is on their way.”
Tanner brings back some cloth, placing it on the chest wound, holding it in place with some force. A faint throb reaches my fingers.
“There’s a pulse.” Squeezing her hand, I try to get her to respond. “Mel, open your eyes. For me, please open them, stay with us.” Ragged and sore, my throat burns with bile churning from my stomach. Why is my sister lying here, unconscious and bleeding?
“What the fuck happened, T?” A volcano is brewing.
“Shooter, came out of nowhere.”
“Where’s the fucking ambulance?” Holding her soft hand, my eyes stay on her face looking for any sign she’s going to pull through. “Squeeze my hand, Mel. Open your eyes, murmur, fuck, do anything.”
A cell rings beside me.