My heart stops and everything else fades away.
Radiant, exquisite, luminescent… everything about Poppy is breathtaking.
She’s wearing a new crown of flowers, her hair in loose waves and sparkling. The white lace dress hugs her body but flares at the bottom, giving me a glimpse of the glittering crystal sandals.
She locks eyes with me, and the world shifts. The trip takes an eternity and I force myself to stay planted. Dante finally stands next to me, and Poppy smiles shyly.
“You’re stunning,” I whisper the phrase used so many times since the night she walked out of the theatre.
“So are you.”
Irv clears his throat and starts speaking, but I barely hear a word, lost in her. Dante speaks up, giving her away, and I snap back to attention. She kisses his cheek and he and Ryanne move in front of us.
When it’s time for the vows and rings, I’m forced to turn to Dante while she hands Ryanne the bouquet and gets my ring. Dante doesn’t hand me the diamond ring I gave her. Instead, he places a circle of diamonds and rubies so brilliant it glimmers in the light.
“It was my grandmother’s,” Poppy whispers.
Rubies and diamonds. Representing each of their birth months.
My head snaps between her and Dante and his words from earlier sink in.
“… you’ll get the understanding that Poppy doesn’t need to be kept in the dark on anything. She’s all in on this.”
Her grandmother’s ring. Something Poppy treasures and would only wear on her finger if she knew it would always represent the same commitment and love meant for a lifetime.
My throat closes and I shut my eyes, breathing deep. She will never need my band as long as she has this. Suddenly, the impulse to get it on her intensifies.
“It’s perfect.” I take her hand in mine and jerk my head to Irv.
He continues, and the moment I repeat his vows, slipping the ring on her finger, she lets out a small cry. Ryanne does the same, and a rush of emotions jolt through me.
Poppy rasps her part, shaking when she slips my ring on.
I flash Irv a look that tells him we need to get this over with because I want my wife in my arms. He smiles in understanding, reciting the rest, and then finally says the words.
‘Husband and Wife.’
Tradition flies out of my head, and I lift her, crushing my mouth to hers. She giggles, gripping the back of my head and parting her lips. I kiss her until we’re fighting for breath and Irv is openly chuckling.
“Mine.”
“Ditto.”
I place her on her feet just enough to get my arm under her knees and swing her back up. Loud claps surround us, and I twist to Ryanne for Poppy to get her flowers. Lou Ann waves us back down the path to the door, snapping shots.
When we get inside the chapel, I lower my mouth back to hers. “Any chance I can march us to the waiting limo and disappear to our room?”
“Very tempting, but we only get one wedding night celebration.”
“Exactly, let’s not delay.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a man in a tuxedo rolling a cart loaded with iced champagne buckets, flutes, and a small cake to the outside.
“That’s for us. One reason this place is an exclusive spot in Vegas. They are full-service.”
“Remind me to thank Ryanne.”
She laughs, placing her hand over my heart, and tilts back to face me. “Evin, we’re married.”
“We are.”
“You already know this, but I need to say it. I love you.”
For the second time tonight, the world shifts as the impact of her words and the glimmer in her eyes pierce straight to my heart. “I love you, too.”
“That requires a celebration all in itself.”
I spin, taking us back. “We celebrate your way, then we do it mine.”
Chapter 16
Poppy
My eyes flit around rapidly, taking in the scenery. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to the east coast, and the moment we stepped outside the airline terminal, the smell of salt air and humidity struck me.
“I’m thinking take-out tonight. There’s not much at the house.”
“Let’s stop by the store and I’ll cook dinner,” I offer.
“Baby, the only reason to turn you down is our first night doesn’t include work.” He squeezes my hand on his thigh.
“I don’t mind and we’re still on west coast time. A simple pasta and salad isn’t work. Surely, you have a strainer and some bowls in that sparse kitchen.”
He glances my way and grins. “Yeah, I have those things.”
“Well, that’s a start.”
He brings my hand to his mouth and runs his lips across my rings. “We’ll go shopping.”
Evin explained his townhome is in a community near his family. It’s furnished top to bottom, courtesy of his mom and sister, but his kitchen is slim in supplies.
This excited me for a weird reason. It gives me an opportunity to buy things for us.
His phone rings and he groans when the name pops on his navigation screen, making no move to answer.
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“Nope, she thinks we’re in the air. She’ll leave a message.”
“Sweetie, let’s talk to her.”
He side-eyes me again and pushes a button on his steering wheel. “Hey, Mom.”
“Oh no, you’re answering, does that mean there’s a delay again?”
“No, we’re not delayed.”
“Where are you?”
“Hi, Mrs. Graham,” I pipe in.
Her abrupt silence turns my stomach. Maybe she wanted to talk to him privately.
“Mrs. Graham? Evin, have you been telling this woman I’m old? I’m not a Mrs. To family, I’m Annie. I knew this would happen! You and your sister are keeping her from me and now she thinks I’m an old bat!”
I gasp, horrified, and Evin blows out an annoyed breath. “No, old bat, she has manners.”
“Poppy, honey, are you there?”
“Yes,” I croak.
“Call me Annie. I appreciate your manners, but no matter what my children have said, I’m cool.”
“Jesus,” Evin grumbles.
I bite my lip and sink into the seat. “Hi, Annie.”
“That’s better. Where are y’all?”
“In transit across the country to get home.”
“You’re here,” she breathes excitedly, screaming, “Edward, they’re here!”
“I didn’t say that,” Evin counters.
“You didn’t have to. When you’re a parent, you know things. Now. It’s not too late, we can meet you at your—”
“No,” he cuts her off.
“Are you saying no to your mother?” She feigns hurt so sarcastically sweet that even I can read through.
“Yep.”
It’s my turn to squeeze his hand as I speak up. “Annie, I’m a mess. We have been in airports since early my time, and I worked last night until after midnight. Evin’s had to wake me up several times today.”
He rolls my ring on my finger and grins.
“I get it. Being a performer in a top show in Vegas has to wear you out. You need to rest, regroup, and get acclimated.”
“Thank you.” Although none of that is true.
“Good thing we all prepared.”
Evin tenses and his smile dies. “What does that mean?”
“Edward and I went over to get the package off your front porch and drop off something for a late dinner. Ashlyn and Miller were already there and stocked your fridge with basics.”
“Do I want to know how they got into my place?”
“Darby gave them instructions since she’s already in Kiawah with Stephanie.”
“Of course she did.”
“We got your bed set up and the boxes out.”
“Mom, you opened my delivery? I asked one favor and that was not it.”
“It was a colossal mess! I
couldn’t leave it in the den for Poppy’s first impression. The favor is taken care of, too.”
“That all?” His patience gone.
“Yes. We’ll pop by in the morning for breakfast before you leave. The dinner in the fridge is simple, and instructions are posted on top.”
“Mom, we haven’t decided to leave tomorrow.”
“What about the bonfire?”
Evin mentioned the pre-wedding dinner and bonfire with no interest. I’m torn because it sounds amazing, but time with Evin is limited.
“Annie, we’re contemplating it because Evin wants to show me around.”
His eyes slice to me, expressing that was the wrong thing to say.
“I can help! Lived here all my life.”
“We’re done, Mom. Thanks for all you did.”
She huffs, then a man’s voice fills the cab. “Son, we’ll call before we come. But breakfast is a given,” he states solidly.
“Call after nine.”
“Gotcha.” The line goes dead.
He pulls through a round-about and stops in front of a gate with a large NO TRESPASSING sign. “Wait here.”
He rounds the truck and comes to my door.
“Where are we?”
He punches a few keys on the gate’s keypad and it slides open, then he hoists me out of the truck. “You’ll see.”
We walk hand in hand down a lit path until there’s a large opening, and I freeze, gasping. To our side is a mansion so beautiful, it’s hard to believe it’s real. The lights are on and people are walking around inside the house.
“Are we trespassing?” I whisper, ducking.
He smiles, tugging me along. “Len knows we’re here.”
“Where exactly is here?”
“Stick with me.” I follow him to the end of a long dock where he cages me between his body and the railing.
I don’t know where to look first. “This is incredible.”
“Remember when I mentioned I bought my place solely for the view from my porch?”
I nod, my heart speeding.
“I’m across the way.”
“You wake up to this every day?”
“It’s similar. Not as open, considering this is a few acres. That’s why this is one of my favorite places in the world.”
“You know the owners of this property?”
“Len is a client of mine and invites me out fishing a few times a year. We take the boat mostly, but sometimes set up here and just enjoy the views of the water.”
“I can understand why it’s your favorite.”
“One of my favorites. Recently, it lost its top spot.” He brushes his lips over my ear, causing an all-over shiver.
I turn into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you.” My fingers slide to run along the stubble on his jaw. “Thank you for not being mad at me.”
“I don’t like it. It fucking sucks, but it’s impossible to be mad at you.”
Monday morning, after our remarkable and unforgettable wedding night, my mind was in a state of euphoria so thick, I felt like I could conquer the world. Our marriage may have been spontaneous, impulsive, and lightning-fast, but it was no less magical. Loving a man like Evin Graham is an honor, and what we have is exactly what I wanted. Three weeks, three months, three years—regardless of how long it took us to get to that point, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every woman deserves to have that bliss in her lifetime.
Which is when my thoughts went to Stephanie. They’d planned months, spent tons of money, and this weekend she’d be the most beautiful thing in Todd’s world. She deserved the same love and affection surrounding her on her wedding day.
I couldn’t take any chances of taking even a second of the spotlight off her. We needed to keep our marriage quiet until after the weekend.
Evin didn’t like this idea at all.
As in, he extremely didn’t like it.
I’d seen him upset the night Rina’s text interrupted our evening. Heard his irritation the night I fought about my airline ticket. But I’d never witnessed him mad.
It wasn’t pretty, but I understood how he felt when the situation was reversed.
He was hot. Like smoking, amped-up, to blazing-hot. Chris Hemsworth disappeared altogether, and I faced a living, breathing, bossy, demanding, alpha-male that was not budging.
I had to get creative and took advantage of my newfound sexuality, pouncing on him. He still didn’t agree, but after hearing my words while deep inside me, he compromised.
Sunday night, we’ll announce our news after the wedding weekend.
He takes my hand at his cheek and kisses the band on my ring finger. “You ready to go to your new home?”
“More than ready.”
We leave the dock, and this time a couple is on the back terrazzo. They wave their drinks in the air, acknowledging us as we pass through.
My anxiety grows on the ride. Not because of nerves, but excitement.
When he pulls into his designated space, I’m ready to jump out of my skin.
“Stay here,” he instructs.
“I am perfectly capable of launching to the ground out of this massive beast.”
He grins, slamming his door, coming to my side, and lifting me like he did at our wedding. “One more tradition we’re not missing.” He kisses me quickly.
I join in, throwing my arms around his shoulders and letting him carry me.
He punches in a code on the lock and pushes the door open, stepping over the threshold.
“Welcome home, Poppy Graham.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and smile through it.
“My baby is about to cry.”
“I hate how you can read me so well.”
His grin turns cocky as he places me on my feet in the middle of the room. “Look around, I’ll get our bags.”
While he’s gone, I take in the space and instantly fall in love. It’s masculine yet comfortable. The small hints of color most likely came from Darby and Annie, but they add a lot to his mostly dark furniture.
Since it’s an open floor plan, it’s easy to get a feeling for it all at once.
“Our bedroom is down here, behind the kitchen.” He lugs the suitcases through the house and I eagerly follow.
The first thing I notice is the massive bouquet of fresh flowers in the center of his dresser. “Oh, my.”
“That was the only thing Mom had to do was deliver flowers, but it seems she couldn’t help herself.” His gaze is on the bed, which has a beautiful overloaded basket sitting in the center with my name on a note.
“Sweet of her.”
“Yeah, sweet,” he grumbles, rolling my bag to his closet.
I glance around the room, once again loving it. He comes out and his shirt, shoes, and socks are gone. My tongue runs over my lips, wanting to lick every dip and ridge of his muscular torso.
“You hungry?”
“Not for food.”
“Thank fuck, I’ve been waiting all day to make love to my wife in our new bed.”
A rush of desire floods my body and I kick off my sandals. “We should shower first.”
His eyes turn copper, and he’s in my space, whipping my dress over my head. “Sounds like a plan.”
“I’m better than good,” I ensure Ryanne, flipping the screen to the view from Evin’s deck.
“Yeah, I’d be good with that, too,” she sighs.
“I need to go, they’ll be here soon.”
As I say it, a woman comes around the corner of Evin’s townhouse, and my body stills. She’s a beautiful version of Darby and Evin mixed with slight age. “I knew if Evin found the one, she’d be on this back patio looking at his view,” she speaks directly to me.
“Holy shit,” Ryanne quips.
“I need to go.”
“Don’t cut me off now. I can witness this!”
I hit end on my best friend, holding the stare of my new mother-in-law.
The French doors open behind me, and Evin wraps a
round me instantly.
“Jesus, Mom, there’s a reason I have a front door. Why the hell are you creeping around my house?”
She ignores his rudeness, her gaze dropping to where his arms link around my waist and back up to his face in my neck. My skin prickles, realizing this is an intimate position to be meeting her for the first time. When her eyes level with mine again, they are shining. “You wear flowers in your hair.”
I don’t know how to respond, gripping my phone to the point of pain.
A man shuffles by us and goes to her side. “Edward, I think I have something in my eye.”
“Annie, you are full of shit.”
Evin grumbles, pulling me tighter. “You could have come through the proper—”
I elbow him lightly and give a wave. “Hi, Annie and Edward.”
She moves quickly, pulling me from Evin’s hold. “Poppy.” The way she sings my name is not only motherly but loaded with approval.
“Thank you for the wonderful gift basket.”
She smiles widely and slices her eyes to her husband. “Told you it was a pleasant thing to do.”
“I didn’t argue. Now can you let her go?”
Like Evin, Edward towers over me, and I have to lunge up to hug him. “Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure is all mine. We’ve been looking forward to it.” He squeezes gently and moves me back to Evin.
An edge of anxiety knots in my stomach when I catch Annie zeroed in on my left hand. It takes all I can to not fidget.
“That ring is unique.”
A bead of sweat rolls down my spine, unsure how to respond and wondering which she is referring to.
“Is it a flower?” she inquires.
“It is. The petals are hammered.” I show, pointing out the handiwork.
“And this is exquisite.” She rolls her thumb over my diamond and ruby band.
“Thank you, it belonged to my grandmother. My grandparents were English, and grandma adored her dinner rings,” I rush to say, hoping it sounds believable.
“Such a nice combination.”
“Can we discuss antique heirlooms over breakfast? I’m starving,” Evin mutters in annoyance.
“You should have had a snack,” Annie shoots back in her own annoyance.
“You don’t have snacks before breakfast, Mom. That’s why it’s called breakfast.”
Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) Page 16