I shrugged. “My sister’s sixteen. And in high school.”
Caroline shook her head. “She’s like, the hottest underground musician in New York right now. I’ve seen her at least half a dozen times.” She looked at both our confused faces and frowned. “You really didn’t know?”
I scowled. “Looks like I’m going to have to have a chat with her about the importance of not getting kicked out of yet another school.” I kissed Aubrey’s cheek and whispered, “Should we start with your introductions, or mine?”
Aubrey smiled and looked around. “I could introduce you faster than you could introduce me.”
“Want to bet?” I pulled her out onto the balcony and shouted, “Hey, everyone! This is Aubrey Jones. She’s going to be my wife!”
Her cheeks flushed red, and somewhere not far off, I heard the distinct sound of a glass shattering against the deck.
“I thought we were going to be a little more subtle, Chuck!” Aubrey cringed into my side as the whole Wright crew crowded around.
“If you’re marrying me, you’re going to have to realize, subtlety isn’t my strong suit.” I kissed her hard, half-dipping her as I held her close. “Besides, now it’s out there. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.”
“Aubrey Briana Jones! What is this man talking about?”
We both froze as her mother stormed up to us, a scowl firmly placed on her face. “Um, hi, Mrs. Jones. My name is Charles Wright. I love your daughter, and she’s made me the happiest man on the planet because she agreed to be my wife.”
“Aubrey, we do not marry our rebounds.”
Her father held out his hand. “Michael Jones. Pleased to meet you.”
I swallowed hard before shaking his hand. “Charles Wright. You’ve raised an incredible daughter.”
“Oh, that wasn’t me. I honestly don’t know where she got this from. She was such a quiet, well-behaved girl. I never expected her to hit her rebellious stage in her thirties.”
Aubrey shoved her father’s shoulder. “This isn’t some rebellion, Dad. Honestly, I feel more like myself than I ever did before I met Chuck. So, if you’re going to blame anyone for me having pink hair and getting engaged after only knowing a man for a month, then put your blame where it belongs. Squarely on my shoulders.”
I smiled and wrapped my arm back around her shoulders. “Enjoy the party, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. I’ve got several siblings dying to meet your daughter. We’ll talk later.” I steered her away from her parents and let out a long, slow breath. “That went well.”
“Trust me, they’ll come around. You’re completely not what Mom expected. But honestly, I don’t know what she did expect. I’ve never invited them to meet the family of someone I was dating. Only Greg, and that wasn’t until the engagement party. So, what if I’m not the proper New York socialite they tried to raise me to be? I’m beginning to think the world’s too big to be all that concerned about what the Upper East Side thinks about one person.”
Just as I was about to respond, Rachel launched herself at me, hugging me tight. “You’re getting married!”
“Aubrey, may I introduce you to Rachel? She’s the one who made that blanket in the chalet you loved so much.”
Aubrey smiled and extended her hand. “You have amazing talent. It’s such a skillfully done afghan.”
Rather than shake Aubrey’s hand, Rachel pulled her into our hug, squeezing us both tight. “Finally, the girls are getting closer to outnumbering the boys. We still need a couple more, but you’re helping even us out.” She grinned. “I should make you a blanket for the wedding. It’s got to be a few months out though. I knit fast, but not that fast. Oh, and you have to pick wedding colors. I’ll knit it in your wedding colors.”
Aubrey laughed. “One step at a time. We’ve only been engaged a couple weeks. It’s still sinking in.”
I kissed her cheek, and then gave Rachel another squeeze. “Is your rainbow-haired doppelganger around here somewhere? I hear she’s already standing out at the new boarding school.”
Rachel sighed. “Yeah, she’s around. I don’t get why she can’t just be happy to be at school. She’s constantly trying to push boundaries. Don’t tell Mom, but she got her nose pierced. And she joined a band.”
“I heard.” I shook my head. “Thank god you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. At least one of you triplets is going to make something of yourself.”
Aubrey smiled. “We’ll have to talk later, Rachel. I’d love to hear more about knitting. I’ve never done it, but you’re clearly passionate about it.”
She nodded and grinned. “Come find me anytime.”
We wandered through the party, and I introduced Aubrey to each of my siblings. I couldn’t have been prouder of her as she interacted with all of them in turn. She really seemed to fit in with the Wrights.
“Charles, have you been avoiding introducing me to your lovely lady?” Dad walked up with a half-smile.
“I was saving the best for last, Dad.” I smiled and gestured at my future wife. “Aubrey Jones, may I introduce you to Richard Wright. Star of such films as Teaching Chuck to Ride a Bike and Don’t Worry, Son, Roller Coasters aren’t that Scary.”
“Oh, I don’t think I’ve seen either of those yet. Are they any good?” She smiled and held out her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Wright.”
“Call me Dick, please. Everyone does. Or, I suppose Dad, if you feel so inclined.” He kissed her knuckles and then held her hand a moment longer, looking over the ring I bought her. When he finished, he kissed her knuckles again and let her hand go. “With all of us to meet, I’m sure you’re just starving. Why don’t you let me take you over to get something to eat, while Charles attempts to make amends with your parents?”
She looked at me, and when I shrugged, she nodded. “Okay.”
I kissed her cheek, not daring to do more than that right in front of my dad, and then I watched as she walked off, arm in arm with him.
After a moment, I looked around and found my mom and Aubrey’s in conversation on the railing. There was no sign of her dad at the moment, so I figured I’d start with the one I guessed was probably the harder nut to crack.
“Mrs. Jones, can I steal you away from my mother for a few moments?”
She scowled again but nodded.
Once we were a safe distance from listening ears, I turned and looked at her. “Look, I know I did this all wrong. I didn’t ask for anyone’s permission, and I’m sure you think I’m taking your daughter away. But I love her. And she loves me. I have no doubt that she would’ve said no if she didn’t want this as much as I do.”
“My daughter doesn’t know what she wants. You’re a fling, Charles. And you’ll distract her from her true purpose in life.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “But Aubrey is a headstrong young woman, and nothing I say will change her mind about you. I have to hope that you’ll listen instead. She’s too good for you. Aubrey deserves a man of means, someone who can take care of her. Someone who will ensure that she can live in comfort all her life.”
“With all due respect, Mrs. Jones, I think you’re wrong about her. And I know you’re wrong about me. I may not have millions, but what I’ve got, I’ve worked hard for. And I may not live in some penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park, but I have my own home here. A home your daughter loves. When she marries me, she’s not just getting me. She’s getting seven brothers. Five sisters. She’s getting my whole, crazy family.
“And no, none of us come from great means, but our parents taught us the value of a dollar, and the value of people who love and support you. So, you don’t have to approve of me. You don’t have to call me Son or come to family holidays. But I love your daughter, and I’ll be damned if I let you make her feel bad for wanting to be happy.”
“He’s got you pegged there, dear.” Her father stepped over and leaned against the railing on the other side of his wife. “Aubrey is headstrong. But she’s also incredibly driven. She’s known what she wanted out of
life since she was a little girl. And I think you’re just the man to give it to her, Chuck.” He held out his hand to me, and I shook it. “You may not have the ice queen’s approval, but you have mine. Take good care of my girl.”
“Every day of my life.”
Aubrey’s mother scoffed, and then she let out a long sigh. “Oh, fine. I guess you have a point. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen my daughter smile as much as she does with you. And even if you don’t come from old money… even I have to admit that Donna Winters and Dick Wright were the Hollywood couple to aspire to growing up. Everyone wanted a love like they had. If they raised you to love like that, I daresay my daughter might just be in good hands. But I’m going to insist on a prenup. You’re not taking a cent of her money.”
“I’ll sign whatever you want. I’m not letting Aubrey go.” I smiled and extended my hand to her. “She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever known. I will do everything I can to keep her smiling.”
Mrs. Jones pursed her lips, and then shook my hand. “See that you do, Charles. And when we run an engagement announcement, I will pick your photo, and you will only be known in the article as Charles.”
I shrugged. “Whatever you want. As long as Aubrey agrees. She gets final say.”
She smirked. “Sounds like you’re going to do just fine as a husband.”
The party continued late into the night, and by the time we wound down, Aubrey was half-asleep on my shoulder, curled into my side as we sat on a loveseat rocker. Mom and Dad were leaning on the railing, talking quietly, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Aubrey and I would still be as close as they were almost thirty-five years into our marriage.
“Chuck, let’s head home,” Aubrey murmured into my shoulder.
I kissed her cheek. “Will we be this happy thirty-five years from now?”
Aubrey looked up at me and smiled softly. “No. We’ll be happier.”
I grinned and stood. “Mom, Dad, it’s been an amazing night, but I’m taking this gorgeous woman home.”
“Call me next week.” Mom hugged us both, and then she kissed Aubrey’s cheek. “Welcome to the family, dear.”
We walked to the car slowly, holding each other and smiling under the twinkling stars.
As I helped her into the Jeep, she kissed me softly and grinned. “I love you.”
Epilogue
Aubrey
One Year Later…
It was hard to believe that tomorrow, I was getting married. In just under fourteen hours, I was going to be walking down the long, sloping yard at Donna and Dick’s house, to say my vows to the man I knew I was going to love for the rest of my life.
My dress was hanging in my closet, the one I shared with Chuck. Unlike the first dress, the only person who helped me pick out this gown was Caroline. The off-the-shoulder straps and drop-waist organza hugged my body perfectly, and there wasn’t a single sparkle or gem on the whole dress. It was only a matter of time before I could put it on and see Chuck’s face when he saw me in it the first time.
I crawled into bed, the bed I shared with Chuck, and sighed. The last time I was in this situation, my fiancé was down the hall, and it hadn’t done anything to stop the bad luck that followed. And now, knowing he was just in the second bedroom of our chalet, our home, it didn’t seem at all fair or necessary to spend the night apart.
So rather than waffle, or try to live up to some antiquated tradition, I slipped from bed and pulled on my robe.
Padding up the stairs, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I wouldn’t have said I was nervous, although a small part of me feared I’d walk in on Chuck with someone else. No, the racing heart was more anticipation. Hope for the next day, hope for our marriage, and complete glee at the thought that by this time tomorrow, I’d be Mrs. Charles Wright.
As I reached up to knock on the bedroom door, it flew open, revealing my fiancé, my husband-to-be, wearing nothing but boxer briefs.
“Aubrey!” His eyes grew wide and then a grin spread across his face. “We’re not supposed to see each other.”
“Yeah, well, I decided that tradition sucks. And I don’t like sleeping without you. Knowing you’re only a few feet away. It’s stupid.”
He reached for the tie on my robe and tugged me close. “I completely agree. What should we do about it?”
“I think you should come back downstairs, crawl into the bed that we share, and fuck me until we both pass out.” I licked my lips and smirked at him.
Chuck pulled me into his arms and slid his hands down my back to cup my ass. “Then you’re wearing way too many clothes. Isn’t your dress hanging down there?”
“It is. Do you really think you’re going to be paying any attention at all to what’s in the closet with your naked almost-wife in your arms?” I hooked my leg around his hips, wishing I’d left the robe in the closet with my wedding gown.
He picked me up easily, but rather than head down to our shared bedroom, he carried me into the guest bedroom, a room I hoped would soon become a nursery instead. “I know we don’t do anything traditional, and I’ve probably broken about every etiquette rule your mother could throw at me, but I still want that dress to be a surprise. I’m going to remember our wedding day for the rest of our lives, and I want to be as surprised when I see you walking down the aisle to me as I was the first day we met, when you came skiing at me at breakneck speeds, hair flying, and the most panicked look on your face.”
I laughed, even though my heart was beating erratically. Even after knowing him over a year, Chuck still managed to catch me off guard with the things he would say, the little ways he proclaimed his love without saying those three little words. I knew, without a doubt, no matter what happened as we both grew older, he would still look at me like he was looking at me now. Like I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Like he could ravage me at any moment, anywhere, and leave us both so breathless, we’d forget about anything but each other.
Chuck set me down on the bed and covered my body with his own. His mouth slanted over mine, taking his time in a slow, sensual kiss, like he was memorizing my lips, my taste, my tongue. His hands slipped under my robe, and I moaned into his mouth as he cupped my bare breasts.
He pulled back slightly and groaned. “Are you naked under this robe, gorgeous?”
“Why don’t you take it off and find out?” I licked my kiss-swollen lips and grinned.
Rather than remove the terry cloth, though, his hands just slid further south, until he was cupping my bare pussy.
I was already wet for him, and as his fingers slipped over my slick folds, I untied the knotted belt to the robe and pulled it open for him. “I want you, Chuck. All of me is yours. Forever.”
As he shoved off his boxers and thrust into me, he murmured softly, “Now, those are the best vows I’ve ever heard.”
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Dear Reader,
We hope you enjoyed Seducing the Runaway Bride as much as we loved writing it.
The Wright Family is huge and we’re just getting started. There are many more adventures to come, including a Christmas story about Chuck’s best friend, Luke. Be on the lookout for it!
You’ll see more of Chuck and Aubrey in the coming Wrights stories. This is only the beginning for them and their Happily Ever After. Make sure to download their Bonus Epilogue here!
Stay tuned for more of the Wrights’ romances. Matt Wright, the oldest brother, is coming up next in Seducing My Best Friend. Look for it September 2019.
I would love to hear what your thoughts on Seducing the Runaway Bride, so be sure to leave a review for this story. I really appreciate you telling other readers what you thought!
Look forward to hearing from you!
XOXO
McKenna Rogue
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Also by McKenna Rogue
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(More Holidays Coming Soon…)
The Wrights
Silver Screen Seduction (Prequel)
Seducing the Runaway Bride (Chuck and Aubrey)
Seducing My Best Friend (Matt and Hayley)
Christmas Crush (Chuck’s Best Friend, Luke and Chloe)
Seducing the Diva (Jonah And Liseli)
(More Wright Family Romances Coming Soon…)
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
Seducing the Runaway Bride
First Edition, June 18, 2019
Copyright © 2019 Anubis Press GP, All rights reserved.
Cover by EmCat Designs
Editing by All About the Edits; Jennifer Wood
Seducing the Runaway Bride (The Wrights Book 1) Page 23