by Eve Langlais
Love? Was that why he felt so utterly torn up?
“What if I wanted you to stay?” The shy invitation filled him with an intense warmth.
“Did I mention the master bedroom has a California king bed?”
“What’s wrong with that wall?” She grabbed him by the shirt and shoved him even as she rose on tiptoe seeking his mouth.
He slammed into the plaster, but he’d never been happier. His hands roamed her body, the familiarity of it exciting because he knew where to stroke to make her cry out. He knew how deep and at what angle to have her clutching him tight.
Her mouth was hot and breathless against his. Her legs a vise around his waist and the heat of her molten heaven.
She didn’t let him leave that night. Or the next. Or the one after that.
As a matter of fact, they didn’t talk about separating at all. Which was what led to the incident with the binder.
Chapter Eighteen
It wasn’t until two weeks after they’d arrived in America that the binder landed with a thump on the kitchen table, rattling her coffee mug. Charlotte glanced over to see Lacey, hair pinned atop her head, a determined expression on her face.
“How did you get inside?” She knew for a fact she’d set the alarm before going to bed. A bed Lawrence still sprawled in while she got to deal with one of his crazy aunts. They had a tendency of just popping in and not leaving easily.
“I used the front door of course.”
“It was locked.” Lawrence insisted on it. The attacks might have stopped since they found the key and left Russia, but he worried the danger wasn’t over.
“Was it?” Lacey pretended innocence.
Charlotte took a sip of her coffee. “I can see why people put bells on cats.”
“And they say we’re the ones with claws.”
Charlotte scowled. “Maybe I wouldn’t be so defensive if I didn’t feel as if I was always having to watch myself.”
“We wouldn’t hurt you.”
“Lena showed me a rose bush in the garden and said if I hurt Lawrence, she’d bury me under it.”
“Just testing your mettle, dearie. You didn’t think we’d let Lawrence fall in love with just anyone, now did you?”
“I would never do anything to hurt him.”
“Exactly. Which is why we have some things to discuss,” Lacey announced as she dragged a chair close and shoved the big tome closer.
“What is that?” Charlotte had a sneaky suspicion given the hearts and flowers plastered over the cover. In a cutout at the very center was a baby picture of one chubby-cheeked Lawrence and, look at that, in a smaller circle, a picture of Charlotte, cross-eyed.
“This is the binder.” Lacey beamed as she clasped her hands together. “Shall we begin?”
“Begin what?” asked Lawrence as he entered the room, bare chested and wearing only low-slung track pants. He preferred to be naked, but given it still made her blush when he walked around in the nude, he compromised with bottoms. She would never tire of seeing that vee arrowing from his waist. “Morning, Peanut,” he rumbled, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Mornin’.” She lifted her face for the kiss he dropped on her lips before he sat in the seat across from her.
Two weeks of being domestic and they’d fallen into some habits. The first being that he slept over every night. He’d offered to leave that first day and give her space.
She’d dragged him to bed instead. Nothing she liked more than waking up draped on top of him.
Then it was a quickie in the shower and breakfast before he dropped her off at her new job. He’d helped her find one in a marketing agency that was on the way to his office. However, as he warned, while he was able to give her rides now, if he got sent out of town for work, she’d have to either commute or drive. He’d offered to loan her his lovely red sports car, but she kind of had her eye on his Jeep.
“What is that thing doing here?” Lawrence asked, pointing to the book.
“It’s past time we planned the wedding, of course,” Lacey said with a “don’t be silly” tone.
Charlotte choked on her coffee. “What wedding?”
Lawrence was instantly rubbing her back and took on a stern note as he addressed his aunt. “I don’t think this is the right time.”
“Why not? It’s obvious the pair of you are besotted. Aren’t you?”
Lawrence glanced at Charlotte and smiled. “She knows how I feel.”
Indeed, she did. He’d told her last night. It started out with them snuggled on the couch watching The Witcher. Him growling because she pretended to swoon at the shirtless scenes. It turned into a tickle fight that resulted in her gasping for breath.
“I surrender,” she’d finally said.
He’d stilled above her, a heavy weight that teased rather than crushed. His expression was intent and soft at the same time. It burst out of him. “I love you.” He blinked as if surprised he’d said it.
She bit her lip.
He said it again, as if it were a revelation. “Holy fuck, I love you.”
What he did after still made her blush. His foot nudged hers under the table.
“And you just proved my point. It is time,” Lacey declared.
“That’s not up to you.” Lawrence shook his head.
Since Charlotte actually liked Lacey, she came to her rescue. “Why do we need a wedding? I thought Lawrence and I were already mated.” And as of last night, Charlotte was finally starting to believe it might actually be forever.
Lacey’s gaze narrowed. “I have been waiting over thirty years for my boy to settle down. I will have my wedding.”
“Your wedding?” Lawrence arched a brow. “I’d say if we have one or not, that’s up to me and Charlotte, no one else.”
Lacey’s lower lip jutted. “Just trying to help.”
“Do we really need to get married?” Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “Seems like an awful lot of trouble and expense.”
Lawrence started to nod, readying to agree, and then he glanced at his aunt, and his expression softened. Just for a second before it hardened. In that moment, Charlotte knew he would choose her over his aunt. He would side with her and break Lacey’s heart. She didn’t want to be the reason it happened.
Reaching out, Charlotte flipped open the binder and jabbed at the first thing she saw. A wedding dress. “Too much lace.” She pointed at another one. “Too poufy.” She cocked her head at a third with a square-cut bodice. “I like the top but not the bottom.”
Lacey leaned close. “Hmm. Let me show you page ninety-three.” As the woman flipped, Charlotte caught Lawrence’s gaze over the top of her head.
He mouthed, Thank you.
She winked and replied, You owe me. Then added, I love you.
It was the first time she’d said it, and his eyes widened. His smile exploded, and she thought he might sweep her out of the chair and carry her off. Instead, he dipped close and whispered, “I’ll expect to hear those words again tonight.”
“Where are you going?” she asked as Lacey pulled out a notepad and took some notes.
“To ask my best friend if he’ll stand by my side and book a honeymoon. How do you feel about cruises?”
She would need the vacation apparently because the next two weeks were all about the wedding planning. The venue was booked. It would happen a few hours before the next full moon, a supposedly lucky time of the month.
Only a few things marred the fantasy. First, no sign yet of Peter or the woman who’d kidnapped them twice. Lada had also gone to ground. Second, she stumbled onto the Wedding Pool, which some had rudely nicknamed, the Runaway Groom.
The day she found out, after visiting A Lions’ Pride restaurant to get a preview of the menu, she slammed into the house and waved a sheaf of papers. “Do you know what this is!” She stalked in to find Lawrence in his liger shape, jogging on the treadmill set up in the living room so he could exercise while listening to the news.
The graceful felin
e leaped off the machine and took a moment to shift, distracting her with his naked body before he replied. “What is what?”
“This.” She waved the sheets she’d printed out. “There’s a betting pool on when you’ll try and ditch me before the wedding.”
“You don’t say.”
“People think you’re going to get cold feet.”
The words no sooner left her lips than he was bracketing her and her back was pressed against the wall.
“And what do you think, Peanut?”
A few weeks ago, she might have doubted and let her anxiety take her for a ride. But she’d gotten to know the man.
She smiled. “I think I’m gonna win a lot of money because I bet on us making at least twenty-five years.”
“Only twenty-five?” He leaned in even closer. “I chose fifty.”
“You did?” She couldn’t contain her surprise.
“I never thought I’d be the kind of man who’d settle for one woman. And then I found you.”
“I love you,” she whispered, cupping his cheeks.
“Love you more,” was his reply as he kissed her.
“Gag me with a spoon. Save it for later, people. You have ballroom dancing lessons in less than half an hour,” Lacey announced, walking in and clapping her hands.
“I’m beginning to like your idea of a bell,” was his grumbled complaint.
“Three more days,” she whispered.
Just three until they married and were on their honeymoon. Without his aunts.
She couldn’t wait.
Chapter Nineteen
The waiting killed him. Lawrence paced the nave. Nervous, but not for the reason anyone teased him.
“You still have a few minutes to run,” cajoled Lena.
He cast a dark glare at his aunt. “I know about your wager. Really, you think I’d take off five minutes before the wedding and leave her at the altar?”
Lena wore an unrepentant grin. “Guess you’re determined to prove me wrong.”
“I’m not doing this for anyone but myself. She’s the one for me.” The one who made him complete, who curbed his urge to roam.
“I’m glad for you, son.” Lena kissed him on the cheek.
Then it was Lenore’s turn and finally Lacey, who’d gotten her dream wedding minus the horse-drawn carriage. Mostly because the blizzard outside made it unfeasible.
He hugged all three of them, throat tight as he managed a gruff, “Thank you.” For raising him. Loving him. And always being by his side.
His tough aunts pretended it was dust making them teary eyed.
“Damn it all, when was the last time anyone cleaned this place?” Lena wiped the moisture and glared.
How he loved them and could never thank them enough for being there when he needed them most.
Then it was Dean who came to see him, slapping him on the back and saying, “You ready to leave your bachelor days behind?”
He nodded.
“Shall we take our places?”
“I just need a minute.”
Dean entered the main part of the chapel and left him alone. Lawrence glanced at his watch then the door.
There was still time.
He couldn’t disappoint Charlotte.
The door opened, and his surprise finally arrived.
Lawrence smiled. “About time you showed up.”
Chapter Twenty
The aunts arrived only minutes before the ceremony to find Charlotte pacing in her gown, anxious, but not because of the wedding itself. It was going to be beautiful. Lacey had thought of everything, from the blue garter to something old—the key woven into the bodice of her dress—and the new earrings dangling from her ears. The church would be filled with lilies. White ones. Because they were her favorite.
The church was an old one, and an odd choice, yet the aunts insisted it was the perfect location, claiming it had long ago been desecrated by witches. Which made her wonder what kind of surprise they might spring at the ceremony. Blood sacrifice? Would everyone howl at the end?
She had no idea what to expect, and it frazzled her nerves. They didn’t improve as a never-ending stream of guests arrived.
All kinds of golden people showed. Even the Lion King, who appeared simply as a man. A handsome one, with a very pregnant woman on one side and a small child on the other. Him, his aunts, his cousins, his second cousins, their families, his friends, all here to see her wed the most elusive bachelor.
“It’s almost time.” It was Lenore who’d offered to walk her down the aisle in place of the brother she’d never found.
A pang of sadness filled her.
Lacey saw and shook head. “Oh no you don’t. No tears allowed.”
Sniffling them back, Charlotte tried to regain her composure when suddenly she had three sets of arms around her.
“Don’t cry. I swear he’s going to marry you!” Lacey promised.
“I know he will,” Charlotte hiccupped. “That’s not why I’m crying.”
“She misses her brother,” Lena announced as if they were all too dumb to figure it out.
“’Course she does. No need to bring it up,” Lenore snapped.
“We tried to find him, dearie,” was Lacey’s soft addition.
“I just— just—” Wished she knew if he was at least okay.
They hugged her tighter and let her know without words she wasn’t alone.
It made her sob harder, which finally led to Lacey snapping, “Enough with the waterworks. It is go time, people! Someone get me the kit so I can fix her face!”
The hustle and bustle had her laughing as Lacey turned into a general, repairing her smeared makeup, adjusting her cleavage, and slapping a bouquet into her hands.
As they exited the prep room and entered the hall outside the church nave, the music started as if on cue. Lena clutched her bouquet like she’d throw it at the first person who mentioned the fact she’d worn heels and a dress. She swept through the swinging church doors while Lacey gave last-minute instructions.
“Remember, chin up, tits out, and count to ten before following me.” Lacey took her place, shoulders back, beaming, and strode through the doors.
Charlotte trembled, her fist damp around the bouquet. Maybe they should have wagered on her running, because, for a second, she debated it.
Then she thought of Lawrence. The man waiting inside.
The shivering calmed, and she took a deep breath.
Lenore patted her hand. “Thatta girl. Everything will be fine.”
Then the woman who was supposed to walk her down the aisle went through the doors and left her alone. The betting pool got it wrong. It wouldn’t be Lawrence chickening out today. But her. She couldn’t do this. Not alone. Not—
“What the hell, Pumpkin Eater. I leave for six months and come back to you getting married?”
It couldn’t be.
“Peter? Peter!” She whirled and threw herself at her brother. The only reason she didn’t cry? Because she was livid. “Where have you been? You had me so scared.” She hit him with the bouquet, not caring that petals went flying.
“Whoa. Careful there. I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. I got lost in the wilderness. Was sick for a while, and only recently returned.”
“I’ve been looking for you.” She sniffled.
“I know, and I’m sorry you were worried. I owe a huge thanks to your fiancé. He managed to track me down.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Glad he was alive. But she’d be smacking Lawrence later for keeping this a secret. “I want to hear all about what happened. Why was the mob after you? What’s the deal with this key?”
He eyed the wrought iron metal woven into her bodice and grimaced. “I honestly don’t know and, given what happened to me, not really interested in finding out.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I promise to tell you everything. Later. Right now, I think you have something more important to worry about. You’re getting married.”
“I am.” She nodded.
“Do you love him?” Peter asked, holding her hands, expression intent.
She nodded. “More than anything.”
“Then if you’re ready, I’d love to walk you down the aisle.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” She clutched his arm as they went through the door. Her smile incandescent as she walked down that aisle to truly become the wife of the liger who loved her.
Epilogue
The wedding went off without a hitch, although Lena needed makeup repair. She sobbed throughout the whole thing.
There was even more crying by the single ladies, as yet another eligible bachelor was taken off the market, which meant more than a few eyes lingered on Peter.
As Charlotte slow danced with her husband, she whispered, “Shouldn’t we warn him?” Peter had no idea the room was packed with lions.
“Your brother will be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Easy to say. I haven’t seen him in over eight months.”
“You can badger him all about his adventures on the cruise.”
She paused mid-step to stare at Lawrence. “Wait, he’s coming, too?”
“As you stated, you haven’t seen him in a long time. I tried to get him here sooner, but there was some red tape I had to deal with.” He’d not been exaggerating when he told Charlotte he had access to better search methods not to mention the funds to release the American being held in a remote jail for theft. Apparently, a very hungry Peter wandered out of the woods and broke into a bakery for food. “I thought it might be nice in between our most excellent lovemaking if you had a chance to catch up.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“Indeed, I have.”
Which was how his aunts ended up on a flight that got cancelled, meaning they missed the boarding call for the boat. And then, when they tried to fly ahead, another favor called in had them delayed at customs. By the time his aunts met them a week later at their last port of call, they were scowling, but it was worth it.