The Unexpected Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)
Page 12
He sat, folded his hands, and pursed his lips. He nodded to Hunter. “Explain your request to have the charges dropped on Miss Donnelles.”
Hunter spoke softly and respectively. He told the whole story and of the woman who’d been released in California. She is available if you’d like to hear about her ordeal.”
“Bring her in,” Judge Talbert said.
Lacey went out of the courtroom to find Sapphire. Meanwhile the judge asked Josie to be sworn in and sit in the witness seat. “Do you have any problem with my questioning her?” he asked Hunter.
“No, sir.”
Josie put her hand on the bible and swore to tell the truth. Her heart was beating like a tom-tom.
“Why didn’t you tell your boss what had happened at the beginning?”
“I was frightened, your honor. I’d never dealt with such a situation. I knew if I did Mr. Lerones would accuse me, and he had taken the money out of one of my accounts. I couldn’t find the account. I didn’t know what to do.” She told him of the night he drove her home and insisted she have him up for a cup of coffee and then he wanted to have sex.
“When he didn’t get what he wanted, he pushed me and I hit my head. I was dizzy. I didn’t think about him taking my password and account card. He taunted me with it the next day.”
“Have you always been meek and cautious?” The judge snapped the question at her.
Josie raised her head. She saw Hunter shake his head, trying to caution her. “Yes, sir, until I met my fiancé. He’s helping me to become stronger. Today, I’d make a different decision.”
“Who is your fiancé?” The judge glanced at the small group sitting up front.
“I am, your honor,” Devin said, and stood.
“What’s your name? You look familiar.”
“I’m Devin Garrison. If you go to rodeos you may have seen me riding the bulls.”
Surprisingly, the judge grinned. “My son dragged me to one and I caught the fever. I fly to Cheyenne every year for the week-long rodeos and festival. I have seen you ride. You’re good.”
The judge looked from Josie to Devin. “Do you think you can keep her out of trouble after this?”
“Absolutely. This is the only trouble she’s been in her whole life.”
“Okay, let me hear what this other young lady has to say, and I’ll make my decision.”
Sapphire walked to the front of the courtroom. “You are Sapphire Lyles?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“I read your file on the computer this morning. This man wrecked your life.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you go to your boss as soon as the incident happened?”
“Yes.”
“I read it in the files, but I wanted to hear it from you.” He shook his head. “And it made no difference.”
He turned to face Josie still sitting in the witness chair. “So what you feared would have happened. He knew he had you either way. A very cunning man.”
Judge Talbert looked down at his desk for a few minutes. There wasn’t a sound in the court. Finally, he looked up and at Josie.
“I will wipe your record clean, but tell someone if you have a serious problem again. It helps to get others advice.”
“I promise I will, sir, and thank you.”
“Then go home and marry that rodeo rider and be happy.” Judge Talbert rose and so did they. He strode quickly out of court.
A shout of joy erupted when the door shut. Josie found herself lifted off the chair into Devin’s arms.
Hunter grinned and hugged Lacey. “Let’s get Nigan from outside and go eat. It’s time to celebrate.”
“Call Mom and Alex,” Josie said. “Ask them to join us.”
Devin kissed her. “Good girl.” He punched in the numbers and told them where they were headed and what had happened in court. When he clicked his phone off, he nodded. “They’ll meet us there.”
Josie and Devin hung back as the others rushed out to the car. He cupped her face in his hands. “We’ll go home tomorrow and marry a week from Saturday. Is that okay?”
“Yes. I don’t care anything about a big celebration. I only want to go home with you, become your wife, and have you love me forever.”
“I’ll call Mom from the restaurant and tell her all of the good news,” Devin said. He put his arm around her shoulder, and they left the courtroom for the final time.
In the car with Hunter and Lacey, there was lots of joking. “Who’d have thought another judge would be a rodeo fan and know my famous brother,” Hunter teased.
“I kept telling you all I was important,” Devin said and grinned. “But you didn’t believe me.”
“I’m definitely going to see you ride,” Josie said. “The very next rodeo I’ll be in the stands.”
“I hate to admit it, but he does look fine on the back of a bull, and the ladies swoon after him. You’d better keep him close and flash that big diamond in their face,” Hunter said.
“I’d better learn karate so I can keep them off of him,” Josie said.
Devin looked surprised, but pleased. “Wow, I’m getting a wild cat for my wife, and I like it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Josie’s wedding day came quickly. She’d found her wedding gown at the same place Lacey had ordered hers. It was all delicate lace over white satin. It had a high neckline, long sleeves, and a low back. The gown hugged her curves and flared out at the bottom. She and Lacey spent the night together as they had before Lacey’s ceremony.
The flowers arrived from the local florist. “Oh, look.” Lacey carried in a long spray of white roses and a white orchid with a purple center for Josie to carry. For her bridesmaids there were small arrangements of violets and white carnations. The bridesmaid dresses were a pale purple. “She did a wonderful job again,” Lacey said, “and they go with your choices of decoration.”
When a tall man knocked on the door, Lacey went to let her father in. Josie had asked him to walk her down the aisle, and she planned to meet his family in the next few weeks.
“I’ve missed our chess games,” Lacey said. “I guess I need to meet your family, too. Then we can get together more often, and you and I can play chess.”
Their father beamed and tears came into his eyes. “Thank you for letting me into your lives.”
Josie kissed his cheek. “No tears. This is the happiest day of my life.”
There wasn’t as big a crowd for their wedding and Josie was glad. The flowered arbor had been placed in the yard at the home place, and only family and very close friends had been invited. There would be a big barbecue reception at Devin’s when they went there after the wedding ceremony.
She saw her Mother and Alex, all the Garrisons, and Nigan Rey with Sapphire Lyles. She’d taken a job at the courthouse and things were heating up for them, according to what Nigan had told Devin.
“It’s good to see Nigan and Sapphire,” Lacey said. “They make a good-looking couple.”
“Where’s Renee?” Josie asked.
“She’s probably still priming, and avoiding our dad. She has no intention of trying to know him,” Lacey said.
“Maybe she’ll come around in a few years,” Josie suggested.
“I doubt it. She’s more hard-headed than the rest of us.” Lacey grinned. “It’ll take a strong man to lasso her.”
Renee came to the door as the music started. Josie had been standing back so Devin wouldn’t see her too soon. Renee joined them.
“You look incredibly beautiful and happy,” Renee said. She glanced at the row of Garrison brothers. “I wonder if there’s one of them for me.” Then she laughed. “But I’m still playing the field.” She and Lacey walked in front of Josie as the wedding march began to play.
A calm happiness settled over Josie as she looked up front and saw Devin’s smile. He was what she wanted in her future, him and several little ones to complete their dream. With a light step she walked toward her love.
* * * *
“When I looked down the aisle at you looking so handsome in your blue suit, I wanted to run to you, not walk sedately as expected,” she said, drawing his attention back to her.
Devin grinned. “That would have made everyone laugh. I’m sorry you didn’t. You looked like an angel coming toward me, and I wondered what I’d ever done to deserve you.”
The stewardess stopped by their first class seats. She had a champagne bottle on a tray and two glasses. “This was arranged by your brothers, Mr. Garrison,” she said, and smiled. “Shall I open it now?”
“Please do.” Devin squeezed Josie’s hand. “We have much to celebrate,” he whispered to her.
Their flight attendant poured the sparkling wine into the two glasses and left the bottle with them. When she walked away, Devin raised his glass.
“To my beautiful wife,” he said.
“And to you, my handsome husband and my rescuer. If you haven’t taken the initiative to get Lerones on tape, I might still be sitting in court in Washington.”
“You had a lot of help besides me.”
“Yes, but you being a rodeo rider also made points with both Nigan and Judge Talbert.”
“Who’d have thought both of them would have seen me bull riding? Nigan said although he’d never been friends with Talbert, he had seen him at the rodeos in Cheyenne each year. I knew my riding would do some good one of these days, now I can happily quit.”
“You don’t have to.” Josie’s forehead wrinkled and he ran his finger across it. “Stop worrying. You aren’t making me give up bull riding. It takes time practicing and going to various places to ride. I want to be home with you and our children when we have them.”
“Still before you quit, I want to see you ride.”
“It’s a deal. I’d already signed up for a rodeo two counties over for next month. We’ll plan on you being there.” Devin sipped his champagne and put his arm around his new wife. He liked the word wife when it pertained to Josie. He kissed the top of her head and tried to ignore clouds drifting by the window.
When the plane landed, Devin gave a sigh of relief. “I’m getting better, but it will never be my favorite way to travel.” He looked around the airport and saw a sign with their name.
“I arranged to have a taxi take us to Heath’s cabin. Hunter said the drive twists around a mountain, and since we’ve half-finished this bottle of champagne neither of us can drive.”
Josie hugged his arm. “I can’t wait to see his place. Lacey said it’s got fabulous views.”
They walked to the man holding the card up. “Mr. and Mrs. Garrison?” he asked.
“Yes, thanks for picking us up. Do you know the area where we’re going?”
“Yes, sir. I grew up in a small town nearby. It’s a lovely place.”
“Then let’s be on our way.” Devin helped Josie in the backseat and got in beside her. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “It will have a lovely view when you get there.”
* * * *
Devin carried her over the threshold. “Welcome to your honeymoon, Mrs. Garrison.” He let her down and Josie went straight to the windows. The setting sun cast gold and red colors onto the sea. Waves crashed against the bluff below them. Devin strolled to her and wrapped his arms around her from the back.
They started to watch the sunset, but Devin began kissing her shoulders and her neck. Josie tried to move away from him as shivers went down her back. He reached up to her hair and pulled out the hairpins, letting the golden strands fall down her back in a cascade of waves.
“These waves are more interesting to me,” he mumbled as he sniffed her hair. “You smell delicious, and I want to taste and kiss you all over.” He spun her around and took her hand. “Come with me to my Kasbah.” He took her down a short hall to a room on the left. “Hunter assured me you’d love this particular room.” He let go of her hand and opened the door wide.
“Oh, I think I’ve tumbled into heaven.” In front of her and to the right were visions of the ocean in front and the forest to the right. Then she glanced around the room. There were at least six vases full of exquisite orchids and on the bed pillow was a spray of white orchids with the purple in the middle like she’d had in her bouquet.
“Lacey told me they were your favorite flower,” he whispered in her ear.
Tears came into her eyes. Devin turned her to him. “Why are you crying?”
“I never really believed I’d find anyone like you, and if I did I thought you’d like one of my sisters or some other gorgeous woman.”
“My work is going to be making you accept how wonderful you are and how beautiful. The difference between you and your sisters is you’re shy and less outgoing until you know someone well. That’s not a bad trait. Believe it or not, I was the same when I was younger. It took many years for me to trust more quickly and open myself up to people easier.”
She put her hands on his chest and pushed him toward the bed. “No, I don’t believe you. You want to make me feel good. Well, I’m going to do that for you.”
Putting her hands on his shoulders, she said, “Sit on the bed.” She took the spray of orchids and put them on the bedside table. “Thank you for all the flowers.”
He’d sat as she ordered. She kissed him all the way down his chest as she undid his shirt. Satisfied for the moment, she sat on his lap and kissed his face, then his neck, and the place where his pulse beat hard against his skin. She bit his shoulder.
“Ouch, I have a vixen on my hands.”
“You better believe it, and I’m in control.” She rubbed her fingers across his nipples and he groaned.
“Put your hands behind you so I’ll have better access to your hard abs.” She scattered butterfly kisses over his abs before unbuttoning his dress pants.
“Wait I have to take your shoes off. I’m glad you aren’t wearing boots tonight.” Once his shoes were off, she pulled his underwear and pants down and off.
Josie stood back admiring the strong, good-looking man lying in front of her. His cock had grown large and hard. The pearl drop at the top glistened in the moonlight. She licked it off and knelt between his legs.
Her hands ran over his stomach, around the top of his thighs, and then gently brushed across his sac. His cock jerked and she grasped it firmly before putting her mouth over the top and taking him deeply in her mouth.
* * * *
Devin’s hands gripped her soft hair. He moaned as she licked up and down his shaft. When she sucked on his dick, his body bowed, but still he held back. Gently he pulled her up and centered her pussy over his dick.
“I’m so damn hungry for you I can’t wait any longer.” He brought her down on his cock, and she sank, taking him in even deeper. He held onto her waist as he started the up-and-down rhythm.
He had a ravenous appetite for his wife that never got completely quenched. His cock stirred when she entered a room he was in. Her voice sent warm heat circulating in his blood, and when they were bound together as they were now, his heart pounded and his level of desire shot out of sight. No woman had come close to bringing out the feelings she did.
Her hips rose and fell and her pussy clenched around his girth. She’d placed her soft hands on his chest. Looking up, he admired her dazzling, delicate frame and luscious breasts. They were full, and her nipples, a rosy color, constantly tempted him to taste her. He bent his head and swirled his tongue around her closest nipple, and then he grazed his teeth across the sensitive tip.
Her aquamarine eyes shone with love and desire, and she speeded up the movement of her pussy around his shaft. His cock sent a delicious jolt of pleasure to his brain and his orgasm hit him hard.
She held her pussy tight and his dick undulated around her pussy walls. He saw in her ey
es when the ecstasy flowed up her body and she trembled with the intensity.
He held her tight against him for a few minutes before rolling to the right. She cuddled closer to him.
“Wow, maybe we made a baby,” he said.
“I hope so, but I doubt it will be that easy for me to conceive.”
“You aren’t that old. Wait and see.” He looked at her with a teasing light in his eyes. “I’m always right.”
“Hah, if I get pregnant during the next few months I’ll accept you are almost always right.”
* * * *
Devin rolled her on her back. “Then we need to get busy. I don’t like to lose.” He kissed her long and hard. “I’m going to kiss every spot on your body, including your ticklish neck. Turn on your stomach.”
He took a bottle of hand cream out of her little suitcase. “I’m glad you brought this. I noticed you had it with you in Washington.” When he flipped the top open, he sniffed. “It smells like you.” Then he squirted some in his hands and massaged her shoulders and back.
Josie sank into a puddle of seductive pleasure. After he’d rubbed the cream in, he started at the back of her neck, to her shoulders, and down her spine kissing her lightly. Her senses were inflamed with desire. Heat raced through her veins and her pussy clenched in and out as her hunger for him rose to ravenous heights.
When he caressed her buttocks, her juices flowed out, wetting her lower lips. “I love your scent,” he whispered in her ear, and then continued to massage her butt. Next he filled his hand with more cream and rubbed it on her legs and feet.
“I’m yours for the taking,” she said.
“Not yet. We’ve just begun. Turn over.”
Josie faced him. He bent and kissed her mouth, a lingering light touch. Then his lips kissed all around her face. When he went back to her mouth, she opened her lips and his tongue slid inside to duel with hers.
Next, he kissed her neck so softly it was like a whisper across her skin. His tongue licked across the spot where her pulse beat against her porcelain skin. When he moved suddenly and bit her shoulder, she jumped. Devin laughed. “You were getting too relaxed.”