by Tess Oliver
Taylor's laugh echoed off the walls. "If we break something, I won't get back my deposit, which will make this a very expensive quickie."
"Worth every penny." I reached my hands around her bottom and brought her closer to the edge of the counter. Her long legs circled me. She braced her hands against the counter behind her and mewled with satisfaction as I pushed inside of her.
"Always a perfect, fucking fit, baby." My voice had sunk low. I reached up and took hold of her face. "Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?"
She wrapped her legs tighter around me, pulling me in deeper. "About a hundred times. But I can never hear it enough."
I kissed her. "I love you, Taylor." I rocked my hips slowly against her, my cock nestling deep inside of her. I kissed her again. "And at the risk of repeating myself—I'm really fucking excited about that honeymoon."
Thirty-Two
Clutch
It had been a long day, and it was still only the Friday before the wedding. Taylor was working hard to keep it together, but occasionally, I caught glimpses of her looking as if she could easily crumble into a pile of sobs with one wrong word. And all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around her. But something told me if I did, she'd fall apart for sure.
Tonight had been the pinnacle of stress. It was never easy when you had lots of relatives, from different families under one roof. We'd rented the large banquet room at a nice restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. Taylor had decided it was important for our parents to sit together, figuring it was probably the only time that would ever happen. My parents sat, as expected, like two stone pillars that had been placed somewhere they didn't belong and didn't want to be. They had never been the social type, always preferring to keep to themselves, which was probably best for them and for the rest of humanity. My brothers would attend the wedding but couldn't make the dinner, which was fine. Rett was the only brother that mattered, and he had no choice but to be there because he was part of the wedding party. Nix was best man, of course, and Dray, who was slightly hurt by my choice but not terribly surprised, rounded off the group. Taylor's brother, Jason, had married a cool woman named Veronica, who was an artist and a free spirit, the opposite of his first serious girlfriend, Sarah. Once Jason was free of Sarah's control, he became a much happier, free spirit himself. He now lived up north with Veronica, near the Oregon border. He would be down for the wedding too.
Everything was in place for the happy day other than the unsteady weather and my even more unsteady bride. Taylor seemed to release the breath she'd been holding once the rehearsal dinner shrank down to just the wedding party.
The eight of us decided to linger and have a few drinks to unwind from an evening with relatives. Taylor had been hugging her wine glass like a security blanket all night, even though her nose crinkled up in distaste every time she took a sip. Once the parents had shuffled off to their cars, she got the server's attention and ordered a strawberry daiquiri.
The server returned right away with a pink frothy drink, topped with fruit slices.
"Ah, this is more my style," Taylor sighed. "That wine makes the roof of my mouth tingle."
"Ooh, I'll have one of those too," Cassie said.
Finley piped up next. "Make it three. Scottie, how about you?"
Scotlyn tapped the glass of tea she'd been drinking. "I'm fine."
"Another round of beer too," I told the server and handed her an extra twenty for doing such a great job.
Dray picked up the beer he'd been working on and held it up. "Here's to parents who make these kinds of things pretty fucking uncomfortable. Mason boys, your parents haven't changed a bit. They are still stiff as statues."
I lifted my beer to agree. "To Mom and Pop, a barrel of fun."
Dray slouched back just enough in his chair to show that he'd had a lot of beer. He raised his bottle again. "Since we're bringing up parents, let's toast to number one. Here's to Nana. Wish you were here."
Everyone raised their glasses for Nix's grandmother. "To Nana."
Nix's face always smoothed like marble whenever someone brought up Nana. He stared at the glass in his hand, deep in thought. He'd been preoccupied all night, so it wasn't just the mention of Nana. He had no idea I was watching him as he shot a questioning look at Scotlyn. She smiled in return and there was an ever so slight nod of her head.
Nix stood up and picked up his glass. Everyone's attention turned to him. "I don't want to take away from tomorrow's big event, but Scotlyn and I have an announcement. And since you guys are all the family we have—"
Cassie's squeal brought the entire restaurant to a halt, but she didn't care. "I knew it. I knew it. I kept asking myself, why is Scottie not drinking? Why is she glowing even more than usual?"
Finley and Taylor screamed as Cassie's clues beat Nix to his announcement. But my friend was not deterred. He held his glass up and spoke louder. "Scotlyn and I are going to buy a new dishwasher."
The women, who had already gathered in one giant hug, stopped their cries of joy and looked at him.
"Oh, and we're also having a baby." The screams continued. Nix shrugged and took a drink. Dray, Rett and I followed.
The women eventually stopped their jumping and cheering and joined us in a toast. Scotlyn sipped her tea and looked at Nix. "A new dishwasher?" she asked with a smile that lit up the table.
Nix looked at me. "Looks like we're buying a dishwasher too."
"Looks that way." I reached across to shake his hand. "Dad. Holy shit. They'll let anyone be a dad these days."
Rett kicked my foot and tilted his head at Dray, who had suddenly put on his infamous cranky face.
"What's wrong?" I asked Dray.
"Shit is moving too fast. We're all supposed to spend a few more years being self-centered and reckless and now"—he waved his arm around the table—"we've got marriages and kids coming. What the hell is happening?"
"It's called growing up." Cassie reached her hand to his shoulder and kissed him.
"Fine," Dray growled before taking a drink of beer. "But I think we're making a big mistake."
I stood up next. "To the parents to be, and I should probably mention that Taylor and I are also expecting."
This time the hush sucked the air from the room.
"We're adopting two dogs."
Dray threw a spoon at me and it bounced off my chest.
I took a bow and sat down.
Taylor could only force a weak smile at my joke. She looked incredibly tired. I pushed my chair closer to her and took hold of her hand. "It's time for your friends to take you home. You need sleep."
Taylor nodded. "Doubt I'll even be able to close my eyes." She turned to me. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being in my life."
"There's no place else I'd rather be." I leaned over and kissed her.
Thirty-Three
Taylor
I sat in front of the mirror as my mom finished attaching the veil. I tried hard not to focus on the view outside. The girls and I had rented a house near Nicky King's Malibu estate and the site of the wedding. Our rental was several miles away, but it didn't take a weather expert to come to the grim conclusion that the drizzle outside the window was happening at Nicky's house too.
A disappointed groan rolled up unexpectedly.
My mom's face popped up, and she looked at our reflections in the mirror. We had the same eyes and, oddly enough, the same ears, but that was where the similarities ended. "That was a lady like sound for a bride."
"Remember our agreement." I reached for the mascara, deciding I needed another coat of the waterproof stuff. "No mom sarcasm today. Besides, just look at this weather. It's bright and sunny three hundred fifty days a year in California, but today it's gloom and all around ugliness."
"It'll be fine."
"If I have one more person tell me it's going to be fine, I'm going to run screaming down the beach with my hair on fire."
Scotlyn and Cassie had walked back into the ro
om just in time to hear my little meltdown, my fourth of the morning.
I covered my mouth and turned to my friends and my mom. "Oh my gosh, I'm bridezilla. I've turned into one of those shrill, horrid women who loses all her friends by the time the wedding is over."
Scotlyn walked over and hugged my shoulders. "You're not bridezilla. A little unhinged maybe, but we'll still be your friends after all this is over."
I took a deep, steadying breath.
"Besides, you need to stop worrying about the rain. It will be—" She hesitated. "All right. See, I didn't say fine."
Finley walked in, looking stunning in the pale mint green bridesmaid dress. Their gowns, like mine, were strapless and fitted around the bodice with long flowing skirts.
I looked around the room. "You all look so beautiful, I'm going to fade into the background."
"Are you kidding?" Cassie asked as she snapped one of her many photos. "You have to include this in your portfolio. You look stunning."
"You really do, sweetie," my mom said. As she gazed at me her bottom lip quivered a bit.
I pointed at her. "Mom. No. That was the other agreement. No tears yet because I'm not reapplying my makeup."
Mom took a deep breath. "No tears. Yet. But once they start, just look away. Because I won't have any control after that."
A loud sound outside rattled the windows on the rental house.
"Was that thunder?" I asked. "No, don't tell me. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll be just a band of pirates storming the beach. Just please don't let it be that strike of lightning and thunder that unleashes the—" The drumbeat of heavy raindrops sounded on the roof. "Deluge." My shoulders sank. "Go on everyone. Tell me how 'fine' it's going to be now."
"Actually—" Finley started but then looked at the others for approval before continuing. "Should we show her?"
"Show me what? Did everything already get washed away in some unprecedented storm surge?"
"I say show her," Cassie said.
"Yes." Scotlyn looked at me. "The guys stayed up late last night."
Finley walked forward and lifted her phone for me to see. It was incredible. A city-sized white tent had been constructed on the lawn adjacent to the beach house. It was glittering with lights and each supporting post was wound with vines of roses.
I stared at it, slightly stunned. "I don't understand. We hadn't planned for a tent at all."
"Clutch cashed in a few favors from business acquaintances who had connections with the tent people. The guys stayed up late constructing it. He knew you were worried about the rain."
Tears threatened and I waved my hands wildly in front of my face to stop them. "I have to thank him. Where's my phone?"
"Actually, Rett and Clutch are outside putting some more chairs in the truck." Finley turned to call them and then stopped and smacked her forehead. "What am I thinking? Duh."
"Maybe Clutch could stand outside the door and you can thank him," Scotlyn suggested. "I know he was worried that you'd be upset about the weather."
"Yes"—I turned to Finley—"call him to the door."
"Leaving right now." She swept out of the room.
"I suppose we should give them some privacy," Mom suggested. She stopped to take one more look at me. The lip quiver returned. "I was always so worried about you with your wild ways. But now you're a successful businesswoman and a beautiful bride marrying a great guy."
My eyes rounded at her last statement.
"I know your father and I gave you a lot of grief about your relationship, but we were wrong. You always know exactly what you want in life, and you don't stop until you get it." She laughed. "Like that hamster you wanted when you were eight. I thought you'd never stop talking about it. You even drew cute little hamster pictures on my napkins to let me know you were still thinking about it."
I blinked back the tears her nostalgic story had produced. "Mom, are you comparing my crush on Clutch to wanting a hamster?"
Mom waved her hand. "Sorry, I had a little champagne earlier, and it makes me silly."
I leaned forward and we air kissed to not disturb each other's makeup. "You're not silly, Mom. And, if I haven't mentioned it, you look beautiful."
Loud footsteps in the hallway sent everyone scurrying out the door. They closed it behind them and a knock followed. "Taylor?"
God, I loved the sound of his voice.
I walked to the door and stayed behind it as I inched it open and stuck out just my hand. He took hold of it.
"Are you all right?"
"I am now. Just hearing your voice takes away any worry."
He squeezed my hand harder.
"Finley showed me the tent. I just wanted to say thank you."
"Anything for you, baby. You know that."
"I do." I took a deep breath. "And I guess it's time to say I do in front of everyone. I'm glad you'll be there because I'm a nervous wreck."
"I'm glad you'll be there too. Don't think I could do this without you."
I laughed.
"Hey, Taylor," he said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you never gave up on me."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Me too."
Thirty-Four
Clutch
The tent billowed in the light wind that had kicked up to push the clouds away. Sunlight poked through intermittently causing shadows to dance around under the tent. The ocean had calmed to a dark blue, with the occasional white crest to add some color. The unusual rain had kicked up a heavy green scent as if the surrounding landscape had sighed in satisfaction from the much needed drink. Taylor had worried about the weather, but, it seemed, the flash rainstorm had been in our favor.
Every chair was filled. Friends, family and business acquaintances had streamed in through the beach house and out onto the grass to find their seat under the tent.
I walked to my place up front. Taylor's cousin Susan, who was a justice of the peace, smiled up at me as I reached my designated spot. I looked back at Nix, Dray and Rett. Nix reached over and snuck a punch on my shoulder. "Deep breaths, big guy. There isn't anyone up here strong enough to catch you if you pass out."
"You'd probably take down the whole damn tent," Dray muttered.
Cassie shot him an admonishing look from across the way. Taylor had worked her usual magic and created incredible bridesmaid's dresses. Not that it was a challenge to make Finley, Scotlyn and Cassie look beautiful. It had been hard for Taylor to pick the maid of honor because she was close to all of them but, in the end, she'd picked Finley, reasoning that one day they'd be sisters.
There were plenty of people waiting to witness the marriage, but the only people who mattered were the people standing next to me at the altar. And the woman standing just outside the tent.
Taylor had insisted we write our own vows, and I'd protested so much, I felt guilty about it. I was never great with words, and when it came to Taylor there was so much I could say, almost too much, that it made expressing myself that much harder. She'd sent me dozens of links for examples, and I'd scratched out phrases on my notepad at work, silly things like 'you are my queen and I'll always treat you like royalty'. But all the cheesy phrases and scribbles had ended up as crumpled basketballs arcing into my trashcan. In the end, I'd convinced myself to just speak from the heart. Even if I ended up sounding like a clumsy barbarian, at least it would be real.
The breath stuck in my chest as the music started, and Taylor stepped into view on her father's arm.
"Oh wow," Nix whispered. "Lucky man, my friend."
I couldn't answer or breathe or do anything but stare. Taylor walked toward me. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I was the luckiest damn guy in the world. I'd drowned out everything, the music, the murmurs of awe, as the beautiful bride walked toward me. All I could hear was my own heartbeat.
Taylor reached me and peered up at me with big green eyes as her dad handed her off to me. A slight hush fell over the crowd.
"A rainbow," Finley whispered.
Taylor and I turned toward the view of the ocean. A band of color stretched between two puffs of silver gray clouds. Its prism of colors reflected off the water.
We faced each other and Taylor smiled. "You really thought of everything."
I winked. "I called in a favor from mother nature. She owed me."
Susan cleared her throat to signal she was ready to start. My mind shifted to my vows as Susan walked through some of the expected ceremonial words, and as I gazed at Taylor, with her spray of freckles and her sweet smile, the words came to me.
"Five years ago, there was this girl. She was wild and full of life and she worked hard to annoy the hell out of me."
A few quiet laughs rolled through the tent. Taylor's smile lit up. Her hands trembled in mine as I spoke. "She did crazy things, sometimes dangerous things, like stealing and crashing my car. And it scared the hell out of me every time." I gazed down at her. "Because even then, when you were young and impulsive and a little irritating, I knew I loved you. My upbringing taught me to be independent, to never need anyone else to survive. But that all changed when you hopped, flounced and even crashed into my life, Taylor. I'm not as independent as I thought because I can't live without you." Taylor blinked fast to stop tears, but they fell anyway. My throat swelled up, and my voice dropped lower. The last words were only for her. "Baby, I will do everything in my power to keep you happy and safe. Thank you for letting me love you. Thank you for wanting to spend the rest of your life with me."
"Oh, he's good," Dray muttered behind me.
A sob puffed from Taylor's lips. It was her turn. I held her hands as she took a deep steadying breath. "My vows sound silly now," she laughed, and everyone laughed with her.
"Clutch—James," she corrected herself. It was always strange to hear her say my real name. "Intuition is a funny thing. It pops in and out, and some people even doubt that it's real. But I know mine is real just like I knew the first time I met you that you were put on this earth to be with me. I've never imagined myself with anyone else but you. My friends had posters of glittery vampires and Justin Timberlake on their walls, but I had a picture of you. And you looked totally grumpy in it, so I can only assume I'd done something to irritate you that day." She let the laughter die down before she continued. "I'm so happy you came around to my way of thinking that we should be together . . . forever. No other happy ending would have worked for me but this one."