Two Wrongs, One Right

by Katee Robert

  Chelsea turned and looked back down the aisle to the spot where she and Nathan had made love last night. In this moment, she could admit that was where everything changed. Out on the grass, staring at the stars, she’d finally allowed herself to believe they could have something real together.

  She dearly hoped this wouldn’t blow up in her face.

  It was both strange and wonderful sitting next to Chelsea through dinner, her hand resting lightly on his knee as they chatting about absolutely nothing. Across the table from them, Gabe could barely keep his eyes off Elle or a stupid grin off his face. Nathan didn’t blame him. It made him wish he’d had a real wedding with Chelsea—one that didn’t involve The Hitching Post.

  Thinking about it, he turned and offered her a smile. She practically shone tonight, her auburn hair wrapped up in a fancy style she’d managed to pull off with only bobby pins. Her green dress perfectly complemented her pale complexion, as always.

  Simply put, she was stunning.

  He raised her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Thank you.”

  “What exactly are you thanking me for?” “Being here. Giving us a chance. All of it.”

  Chelsea lifted her eyebrows. “I had thought this was all part of your devious plan. You certainly started out the weekend on that particular foot.”

  “It worked, didn’t it?”

  She laughed. “Only time will tell.”

  It was too late, though Nathan wasn’t about to tell her that. She’d offered him an in, and he had no intention of letting her go now that he had her back in his arms. He squeezed her hand. “Yeah, it will.”

  Dinner passed quickly and, as dessert was being served, Roxanne stood up, bringing the conversations around her to a close. She waited until silence reigned before speaking. “It’s about that time.” She raised her glass of wine and nodded at Elle and Gabe. “I’ve been friends with Elle for years now, and I’ve never seen her happier than she is with this man by her side. He brings out the best in her, and together they broaden each other’s horizons. Here’s to you, Elle and Gabe, to your present, and to a long and happy future.”

  As soon as the quiet murmur of agreement passed, Roxanne motioned for Nathan to take his feet. All too aware of Chelsea at his side, he raised his beer to his brother and future sister-in-law. “I’m not the best when it comes to these things. As Roxanne said, I’ve never seen my brother happier than he’s been since he met Elle. A connection like they have”—like he and Chelsea had—“often only comes along once in a lifetime, so when you have that kind of opportunity, you need to leap toward it without looking back. I wish you all the happiness in the world.” He drained half his beer with the rest of them, and then reclaimed his seat. Beneath the table, Chelsea laced her fingers through his and squeezed. Something inside Nathan’s chest slipped into place, something that had scraped against him for so long, he’d stopped being aware of it. Just like that, he felt whole for the first time since he got off that plane to find Chelsea gone, with no trace of her left in his life. He’d let her go because he’d thought that was what she wanted.

  Nathan would never make that mistake again.

  The dinner started to wind down and, even though he knew it might be rude, he nodded at his brother. “We’re going to head up.”

  Gabe barely took the time to tear his gaze away from Elle. “Sure. See you guys tomorrow.”

  Roxanne pointed at her wrist. “Don’t be late.” “I’ll make sure he’s on time.” Chelsea slipped her hand into the crook of his arm as they left the table and headed upstairs. The door had barely closed behind them when Nathan pulled her into his arms and kissed her, a gentle, leisurely exploration of her mouth.

  They had all night, after all.

  He laced his fingers through her hair. “No power games tonight. Just you and me.”

  “Yes.” She nodded and reclaimed his mouth, her arms going around his neck.

  He pulled her dress over her head and tossed it aside as she did the same with his shirt. Though he was tempted to shuck off her panties and bra, having her naked again would be too much temptation. He fully intended on taking his time and driving her out of her mind, on showing her exactly how much she mattered to him. He lifted her and set her gently on the bed.

  Then he ran his hands up her legs to cup her hips, feathering his thumbs over her hipbones and ribs, bypassing her breasts to give her collarbone and jaw the same treatment. The urgency that had colored their time together during the beginning of the weekend took a backseat to his need to simply touch her. Chelsea was his, and she’d admitted as much.

  He always took care of what was his.

  She watched him through hooded eyes as he worked his way back down her body, once again skipping over her breasts and panties. When he reached her ankles, she shuddered out a breath. “Are you going to tease me all night?”

  “Baby, I haven’t even gotten started.” He nudged her legs open and started on the same path his hands had taken with his mouth. The panties she’d chosen tonight were bright blue, and they drew his eye in a way that had to be designed. Nathan nibbled up her thighs and paused over the tantalizing triangle covering her.

  She shivered. “Nathan.”

  “Not yet.” But soon. He wouldn’t be able to resist for much longer, but thankfully he didn’t have to. As he kissed over her ribs and up to her neck, she ran her fingers through his hair. “You always did like it here.”

  “I still do.” She arched off the bed as he sucked carefully on the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulder.

  Before he could get too carried away, Nathan moved back to pull the lace off her breasts. He sucked on first one nipple, and then the other, laving it with his tongue until she shook beneath him. But Chelsea still didn’t plead or demand what he knew they both wanted. This was the first time they’d come together completely as equals, without any games involved. As fun as those games had been, this…this meant infinitely more.

  Nathan settled between her legs and pressed his mouth to the thin shield of fabric. He teased her, licking up one edge of her panties and down the other, until he was so hard, he was surprised he wasn’t lightheaded. She wasn’t doing much better, her hips rocking against his mouth as she tried to position him just so. Finally, Nathan had enough of the teasing and he sat back, pulling her panties off and tossing them to the side. When he made as if to move back into place, Chelsea shook her head. “I can’t wait any longer.”

  She grabbed a condom from the dresser and pushed him into a sitting position then climbed into his lap. “I want you like this, with your hands on me, while I ride you until we both come.”

  He sure as hell wasn’t going to argue with that. Nathan took the condom from her and rolled it on. “Do it.” He kissed her as she sank onto his cock, her wet warmth wrapping around him until he nearly lost control. As she circled her hips, he grasped the back of her neck with one hand and used the other to guide her movement, ensuring her clit rubbed with each stroke. She clung to him, sliding her tongue along his with such desperation he knew she had to be close.

  “Come for me, baby.”

  One stroke, two, and on the third her entire body spasmed, the most beautiful cry he’d ever heard coming out of her mouth. “Nathan.”

  As he followed her into oblivion, he whispered, “I love you, too.”

  16

  The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear. While Chelsea was still sleeping, Nathan took a stroll around the hotel, cementing his plan in his head—one that would finally make up for the mistakes he made eight years ago. He needed a few moments of silence before the chaos of the day started. He inhaled, letting the sweet scent of pine roll off him. It wasn’t quite the same as being home, but it was close. Gabe and Elle had chosen a good place to get married.

  Circling around the grounds, Nathan fished out his phone and made a quick call. After getting things set in motion, he grabbed two plates from the breakfast buffet and headed back upstairs. They had a few hours
before they had to worry about being at the wedding, and he fully intended to enjoy it.

  Chelsea was sitting in bed when he came back through the door, and she broke into a grin at the sight of him. “Breakfast.”

  Her expression was so open and happy, it made all the ups and downs of the weekend worthwhile. This was why he’d taken such extreme measures. So that the woman he loved would look at him like that.“Only the best for you.” He took the spot next to her and passed over a plate.

  She took a bite. “Thank you.” They ate in silence until she pushed the plate away. “So what are we going to do to occupy ourselves until the wedding this afternoon?”

  “I was thinking we’d go for a drive.” Her eyebrows rose. “A drive.”

  “Well, I would have suggested a hike, but that’s out of the question with your crappy hiking skills.”

  “Can we please never speak of that again?”

  “I make no promises.”

  She sighed heavily, but a smile of her own toyed at the edges of her lips. “You’re insufferable.”

  “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe an inch or two taller.” Her eyes twinkled. “That is, if we’re creating a dream list.”

  “I’m hurt.” He pulled her into his lap. “You’d better have some way of making that up to me.”

  “Ha!” She wiggled free and stood. “There’s no time for me to kiss your pride better. You said we’re going for a drive.”

  He laughed as she pulled on a pair of shorts and a flowing tank top. There was no erasing their past, but as far as Nathan was concerned, this new thing building between them was so much better. Provided they could work through their issues, their relationship would be a thousand times stronger than it’d been before.

  Nathan pushed to his feet and took her hand. “Let’s go.” Sheer happiness had a stupid grin on his face as they walked down to the lobby and out to his truck. As they pulled out of the parking lot, he looked at Chelsea. “Pick a direction.”

  “Are we going on an adventure?” “A short one, but yes.”

  “Good.” She slid over to the middle seat and slipped under his arm. It felt so goddamn right having her here, like this. “Let’s go left.”

  As they wound along the Columbia River, they talked of inconsequential things. Chelsea told him about the new line of photographs she had in the works—a series with couples holding each other—and how excited she was to be taking her portraits one level deeper. In turn, he told her about the steps he wanted to take with his gallery—he’d been looking into opening a new location, probably in Seattle.

  It was so easy talking to her. He could have driven for hours, content with the feeling of her under his arm and her laughter filling the cab of the truck. But life waited for no man—especially when Roxanne was in charge—and all too soon it was time to head back.

  They kept holding hands all the way through the lobby and up the elevator. Once they slipped into the hotel room he swung her into his arms and kissed her. “Thank you, baby.”

  Chelsea slid her arms around his neck.“For what?” “For trusting me enough to give this a shot.” He kissed her again. “Now get your ass in the shower so we’re not late.”

  She saluted him, then winked. “Sir, yes, sir.”

  While she showered, he busied himself laying out his tux. Thirty minutes later, Chelsea stepped out of the bathroom and he forgot how to breathe. She wore a slate gray dress in the old pin-up style, fitted over her body but covering her from her knees to the square neckline.A red belt and matching shoes completed the ensemble.

  “Damn.”

  She smiled, almost hesitant. “Should I take that as a sign of approval?”

  “You most definitely should.” He kissed her, careful of her newly applied lipstick. “You look good.”

  “Thank you.”

  Nathan took a quick shower and got dressed. The look on her face when he walked out of the bathroom made him happy Roxanne had been in charge of picking out the tuxes. Chelsea’s amber eyes were wide. “Oh wow.”

  He chuckled. “That’s answer enough. Come on.” He led the way down to the amphitheater, wondering if he’d ever stop marveling at the fact she was at his side. He didn’t think so.

  And thanks to his phone call earlier, he was about to show her exactly how serious he was about a future with her.

  17

  After getting Chelsea settled in her seat, Nathan went about his duties as best man. Gabe had a vaguely shell-shocked look on his face, but his grin was firmly in place. And why not? His brother was having all his dreams come true today.

  All too soon it was time to line up. Nathan stopped short when Elle appeared in the doorway with her father. She was a vision in white, looking every inch a princess, from her long gown to the veil pinned into her hair. Even the tattoo covering her upper arm— flowers bordered by ink spots—added to the perfect picture. Her face broke into a grin when she saw him. “What do you think?”

  “You’re perfect.” He kissed her cheek and hugged her.

  “It’s funny how things work out, don’t you think?” A blush stole across her cheeks.

  Nathan squeezed her shoulders. “I am so happy for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Roxanne swept over. “Don’t you dare start crying and ruin your makeup. There’s plenty of time for that later.” She clapped her hands.“Everyone, get in place.” She looped her arm through Nathan’s. “And you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, you.” She lowered her voice. “I always wondered what your deal was. Guess now we all know.”

  “Things were complicated.”

  “No, really? And here I thought you having a secret wife no one knew anything about had a totally simple and sane explanation.” She shook her head. “Look, I know we aren’t best friends or anything, but if you need someone—someone else—to talk to, I’m here. I mean, you aren’t exactly a talker, but I figured I’d offer.”

  “I appreciate that.” But it should be completely unnecessary now that Chelsea had agreed to try again. There was no reason to talk anything out with anyone because everything he’d never dared hoped for was on the verge of coming true.

  “I’m sure you do.”

  And then the music rose and it was time. Ian and his cousin walked down the aisle first, and then Nathan and Roxanne followed. Through the sea of faces on either side of the aisle, he had no problem picking out Chelsea’s. She had an unreadable look on her face that melted into a smile when she met his eyes.

  That happiness was for him and him alone.

  Once he was standing next to his brother, he allowed himself to drink in the sight of her. Nathan was suddenly sure that no matter how often he saw her, how much time they spent together, he’d never get enough of just being in her presence. Chelsea had a light inside her that called to him in a way that was unlike anyone else he’d ever met.

  He passed over the ring when it was time, a tight feeling in his chest. Envy. God, he wanted this with Chelsea. To stand in front of their family and friends and be able to profess his love for her and his intention to be her husband forever and always.

  The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of applause and walking back down the aisle. Then it was time to move on to the reception, Roxanne herding everyone like a goddamn border collie in charge of a bunch of sheep. Before he knew it, he and Chelsea were seated with the wedding party and their plus- ones, surrounded by people who were all chatting merrily away. He watched Gabe guide Elle around the dance floor for their first dance, his brother saying something that made her laugh.

  The song ended with Gabe dipping Elle over his arm and laying a kiss on her. Then he pulled her to her feet and spun her around.

  Another song teased over the speakers, the first lines rising as if surfacing through the years. Nathan looked at Chelsea. “Do you remember—”

  “—driving around in your truck and singing this at the top of my lungs?” She smiled and
stood. “Dance with me?”

  “You don’t even have to ask.”

  They swung onto the dance floor. Nathan spun her, trying to gauge how much she remembered the steps. She swirled under his arm and laughed. “I’d forgotten how much fun this was.”

  Now that they weren’t trying to one-up each other, fun as that was, things between them seemed to slide back into place. The longer he spent around her, the more memories rose from the self-preserving fog he’d wrapped around them. It was the most natural thing in the world to pull her closer and kiss her.

  The music changed as he brought her back to her feet. They transitioned smoothly from the quick beat to the slower one, Nathan pulling her close and Chelsea lacing her arms around his neck. She smiled up at him. “I’m glad you decided to blackmail me into this weekend.”

  He brushed a stray wave of hair from her face. “I would have done damn near anything to get another chance with you.”

  “The only thing I’m sorry about is that it took so long.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

  “You have no idea how much I agree with that.”

  They swayed a bit longer, a comfortable silence wrapping itself around them. Nathan glanced over to where his brother and Elle held each other on the opposite side of the dance floor. From the way they looked at each other, they might as well have been alone in the room. It wasn’t hard to picture Chelsea in a white dress in his arms. It wouldn’t be the same as Elle’s, though. It would be something old-world and probably worth more than his new commission would sell for. She’d look like a queen, and she’d be his for all the world to see. “I want that.”

  “You want what?”

  Nathan waved his hand in his brother’s direction and then toward the amphitheater. “Them. This. All of it.”

  “This?” She looked around. “The wedding?” “Yeah. And what comes after.” He caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Thank God. He’d been wondering if the man would actually show. Nathan smiled at Chelsea, hoping his surprise would chase away the last of her doubts so they could have the kind of future they deserved. “I did something.”