by Autumn Dawn
“Business or social call?” Blue asked, alert for trouble.
“Paying my respects,” Azor replied coolly. “I see you’re doing the same. I won’t keep you.” He nodded and walked away.
Gem studied the detective’s retreating figure. “He keeps this up and I’m going to think he has a heart.”
“Not quite, but he does have a softer side.” Blue winked and took her good hand, and they proceeded to Zsak’s room.
Zsak was awake and appeared thoughtful. He smiled when he saw them. “Hey! Nice to see you.” He grinned as Gem set a basket on the table next to him. “Is that for me? You shouldn’t have.”
She laughed at his fake surprise. “We brought pocket pies and a new batch of Jamir’s fresh-squeezed berry punch. I figured beer is probably a no-no right now.”
“Don’t tease me—I could use a cool one right now. Those pies look great, though. You wouldn’t believe the pap they serve here.”
“Yeah, none of us was too thrilled, either. I bet I could make a fortune on bootleg dinner deliveries.” Gem laughed.
“Count me in.” Zsak moaned around a bit of steaming pie and added, “Oh, this is better than sex.”
“You’re out of your head!” Blue told him in mock alarm. “But it’s probably just the drugs talking. You’ll come to your senses when they wear off.”
Zsak laughed, then winced. But if he was in pain, he didn’t let it interfere with his appetite. He polished off one pie and reached for another.
“We saw Azor as we were coming in,” Gem remarked.
Zsak smiled. “He’s not such a bad guy.”
Blue shrugged. “Too bad Brandy’s in love with her neighbor. I’d try to set them up.”
Gem looked at him with mild alarm. “Don’t be starting trouble, boy.”
He exchanged grins with Zsak but promised, “All right. I’ll behave.”
“That would be nice. The last thing I need is the uproar pairing the two of them would cause. Can you imagine? Besides, they’d never last.”
She looked so disturbed by the idea that Blue decided to distract her. He put a casual hand on her hip. “The real question is, how long will it take you to say yes to marrying me?”
She stared at him. “Is that a formal question?”
“You knew my intent,” he reminded her. Then, aware that Zsak was absently polishing off food as he watched, as if this were a dinner drama enacted for him alone, Blue leaned forward and rubbed noses with her. “Think it over. Get back to me.”
She smiled, clearly amused. “You make it sound like a business proposal.”
“I’d like to make you a different type of proposal,” he replied.
Her smile grew larger, but she saw through him. “You’re trying to distract me.”
“Is it working?”
She gave him a gentle kiss. “I’ll let you know.”
There was more than one way to interpret that, and Blue’s heart felt lighter just thinking about it. He turned to Zsak and asked, “So, anything good on TV?”
It was really late when they got back home. Both Gem and Blue were tired, so it wasn’t as difficult for her to kiss Blue good night as it might have been. The process only took fifteen minutes or so.
Blue rested his forehead against hers as they snuggled against the entryway wall. The door was open, and no one could see into her apartment from this angle. Blue didn’t say anything, but she could guess his thoughts. He wouldn’t say no if he were invited in.
She didn’t want to say no anymore. She wanted the right to keep him here. “Blue?” she said.
“Hm?”
“I’ll marry you.”
For a sleepy man, he suddenly looked alert. “You will? When?”
She laughed. “I guess it had better be soon. If I had a daughter hanging out with a man like you, I’d lock her up.”
He grinned. “Make it tomorrow, then. Or…do you want a big wedding?” He looked suddenly grim, as if contemplating something agonizing. Few men cared for big to-dos, she knew. At least, few on Polaris.
She smiled and toyed with his shirt. “Let me sleep on it. I can’t make a decision like this when I’m tired.”
He looked at her fondly. “Sometimes I love your practical side, and sometimes…” He shook his head and gave her a final kiss. “You know I won’t sleep tonight.”
“I hope I will,” she said, laughing at the hot onceover he gave her with his eyes.
He edged out the door with extreme reluctance, then caught it when she would have shut it. He peeked around the edge. “You won’t change your mind?” he asked.
“No, Blue,” she told him, touched. “I love you.”
He froze, then pushed the door back open. His gaze was piercing. “You do?”
She couldn’t help the joy that welled within her. She beamed at him. “Would I marry you if I didn’t?”
Her gasp was muffled as he pulled her into his arms and slew her with a kiss. He inhaled her as if she were oxygen and he couldn’t breathe. He was drowning and she was a lifeline, but she was going down, too. If he asked to stay she wouldn’t say no.
Brandy wandered out of her room with a yawn. She paused in wheeling her chair to say, “Ew! I see I’m interrupting something.”
Blue came up for air. His hair was ruffled from Gem’s fingers and his eyes were dilated, but he told her, “Gem’s agreed to marry me.”
Brandy rubbed her eyes, surprised. “Already?”
Summoned by the conversations, Xera came to her bedroom doorway, blinking in the light. Her hair stood up at crazy angles. “What’s up? You two are getting married? Already?”
“I see they’re not surprised by the if, just the when.” Gem giggled. “I should make them wear yellow just for that.”
Brandy and Xera looked at each other. “Elope,” they said in tandem.
“I’ll have the justice of the peace here first thing in the morning,” Xera said dourly. “I will not wear yellow—or pink, for that matter. The more I think about it, the more in favor I am of not giving you time to plan a party. You’ll just work yourself down and run us around, and…no. Just no.”
“Agreed,” Brandy said, folding her arms. She looked at Xera. “How about we just tell Jamir what’s up and have him plan a nice lunch just for family? I guess Blue could invite a few friends, too,” she added, casting a doubtful look his way.
“Seeing as how he’s the groom,” Xera agreed dryly. “Let’s get to work.” They headed to the couch and got out a tablet to keep track of their plans.
“Looks like they don’t even need us,” Blue said with a grin. “I guess your sisters are good for something after all.”
“I heard that!” Xera called, but she didn’t look up.
He sobered and looked at his beloved, soon to be his wife. “You don’t mind, do you? Would you like something else? Would you like to handle the plans?”
She gave him a wry smile. “They may have a point. If I got involved I’d probably spool out of control, turn the thing into an event. It’s better to keep the focus on us.”
“I’d like Zsak and Azor there,” Blue admitted. “Maybe a few other people.”
“Anything you want. Can you arrange a teleconference for Zsak? I doubt the doctors will let him out for this.”
“I’ll make something happen,” Blue promised. He kissed Gem softly. “I’d better go.”
Gem watched him leave, but it was easier this time. After all, soon he’d have the right to stay. She couldn’t wait for the chance to call him her husband, for him to truly be her lover.
She grinned, remembering how she’d once thought he was just a shiftless drifter. If someone had told her then that Blue would become her best friend, she would have thought they were drunk. Now, she was impatient to bind him to her in the most intimate, most enduring way of all.
She glanced at her sisters as she heard Brandy mutter, “Honeymoon suite? I am not sleeping next to newlyweds.”
“Already made the reservations,” Xera re
plied. There were advantages to owning your own inn.
“Flowers, cake, wine?”
“You, Jamir, Jamir. I’ll take the invites,” Xera said, efficiently entering data into a spreadsheet. She turned to Gem. “Might as well get some sleep. We’ll be up a while.”
Grinning at their dismissal, Gem waved good night. She thought they were enjoying themselves. Maybe it was good for them to be in charge for once. She’d have to think about that, but tomorrow. For now, sleep sounded like heaven.
“Wake up!” someone ordered. The bed vibrated.
Gem’s eyes snapped open. Xera was bouncing on the edge of the mattress, grinning like a fool.
Gem groaned and rolled back over. “What time is it?”
“Time to get married,” Xera announced, gleefully stripping off the covers. “Blue’s been here twice already. He’s convinced you’ll change your mind if he doesn’t get a ring on you, quick.”
Gem muffled her laugh in her pillow and tried to curl up. “Five more minutes.”
Cold water hit her in the face, making her gasp. She leapt out of bed and tried to catch her sister, but Xera ran out of the room and leapt behind the couch. She grinned. “You’ll never take me alive!”
Gem chuckled and dodged right and left. “I’ll enjoy trying.”
A whistle split the air. Gem whirled, suddenly conscious of her short nightshirt. Blue stood there, a grin on his face. His eyes took in her legs and one particular point of interest in between.
“Don’t stop on my account,” he told her. “I’ll even help.” He took the right flank, boxing Xera behind the couch.
Gem grinned and stalked left. Pinned, Xera had no choice but to leap forward and dash for the door. She might have made it in time, but Blue sent a pillow sailing after her. It crashed into her legs, sending her sprawling. She rolled over and gave him a mock glare.
“Gotta watch your back,” he remarked, amused.
She snorted and hauled herself upright. Heading for the door, she muttered, “You’ve got five minutes to say good morning. Don’t get carried away.”
“Five minutes? She has no imagination, or she’d never leave that long,” Blue scoffed. He took Gem in his arms. “Good morning.” He kissed her possessively, ran his hands over her back. They sank lower on her body, squeezed her rump, surprising a gasp out of her. One hand rose and cupped her face, then slid down between her breasts, over her belly. She felt him grin against her mouth as he hooked her leg higher, settled it around his hip. She formed a question against his lips, then abruptly gasped. His fingers slid under her panties and deep, deeply home.
He sighed against her mouth as his fingers worked. “Five minutes, love.”
She gasped in shock and pleasure. If he meant to reassure her that he could only do so much, he needn’t have bothered. She’d forgotten all about her sister.
Tension rose, sweet and hot. Those fingers! His mouth against hers, breathing in her cries. A climax hit so hard and fast she thought she’d fall. Her vision went black. A star shower burst behind her eyes, sparked as far as her fingers and toes. Oh, the man could kiss! Among other things.
He came up for air. One look at her face and he smiled like a hungry predator. “Lady, you should be bottled. One taste of you and a man is drunk.”
She shuddered with aftershocks from the pleasure he’d brought her. It was cruel of him to draw his hand away so slowly, the touch causing even more sparks. She moaned and nuzzled closer in protest.
“Time’s up!” Xera said, coming in through the door. “Behave yourself and go get dressed, sis. You’ll have him to yourself soon enough.”
Blue grumbled good-naturedly as he escorted Gem to the door of her room. It disguised the fact that she would have stumbled without his support. He kissed her quickly and handed her into the room, then shut the door behind her.
There were a lot of cops at the ceremony, including Chief Blackwing, who greeted her warmly. She wasn’t too surprised to see that Zsak was Blue’s chosen best man for the hurried ceremony, wounds or not, or that he was dressed in his best. She was surprised to see his image broadcast from a portable computer held by none other than Jamir. The Latq cook grinned broadly, showing off sharp white teeth. All four feet of him stood straight at attention, proud to be a part of the ceremony. His milky skin was pink with pleasure.
“Zsak is his new hero,” Xera whispered in an aside. “He can’t in good conscience like Blue, so Blue’s partner is reaping all the benefits for them keeping us safe.”
Gem exhaled in amusement. She really did have a great cook.
The surprises continued. Azor was to marry them, using the authority granted to him by his rank in the police department. He looked dour but handsome in his dress uniform, and an electronic tablet was held loosely in one hand.
“If he weren’t a cop, he’d be almost date-worthy,” Xera said in approval. “He’s got a really nice butt.”
Gem gave her a scandalized look.
“What? For that matter, your man’s got what counts, too.” Xera grinned wickedly. She was enjoying her task of standing up with her sister, though her outfit of a navy silk wrap shirt and black pants were definitely not typical bridesmaid attire.
Brandy didn’t seem to mind her role as observer, especially not with Match at her side. They made a cute couple, Gem thought, though she had to wonder if it would last. While his attention was flattering for Brandy, her sister had to know he wasn’t the kind to stick around. He might be a gentleman with her, but Gem had asked others. He had a reputation as a lady’s man and a taste for dangerous sports. She’d ask him later if the rumor was true about him shipping out as a pilot for the big freighters. If so, he could be gone for months at a time. Gem rather thought Brandy needed someone who’d stick closer to home.
All that was a matter for another day, however. Blue smiled at her, and Gem forgot all her plans. Her family could wait. Today was for her man.
The taproom was bursting with flowers, some from their own garden, and the lights had been set on twinkle. Jaq escorted Gem up the makeshift isle as her employees, family and friends looked on. He smiled proudly and winked as he handed her off to Blue, then returned to his seat.
They stood before Azor and looked at him expectantly. With due gravity, he glanced at his tablet. “Dear ones, we see before us now a loving couple…”
Gem looked at Blue and lost track of the words. In her heart she already belonged to him.
At the culmination of the ceremony, Blue was instructed to kiss his wife. He obliged with a hungry embrace that brought wolf whistles from everyone watching. Gem was cross-eyed when it was done, but she was grinning. Her husband was making her look forward to what came after the vows.
Jamir shooed the guests into the banquet room where he’d set up an impressive buffet. He hauled the computer with Zsak’s image carelessly under his arm and set him at a place on the table. He’d already sent a huge delivery of food to Zsak’s hospital room so the man could share in the feast. To hear Zsak tell it, that was the most important part of the celebration, anyway.
Gem shared in the toasts, but she stuck with a single glass of wine and ate lightly. There’d be plenty of time later to sneak down and raid the leftovers, or better yet, order room service. She laughed, thinking that was a service she’d never used, despite owning this inn forever.
Blue glanced her way, a smile in his eyes. “What’s the joke?”
“Just thinking of the changes married life has brought. I’ve never ordered room service.”
His eyes sparked. “I like where your mind’s going. Today definitely seems like a good time to start.”
She looked at him with mock innocence. “But the kitchen is so close.”
He leaned in closer to whisper, “Trust me, baby, you’re going to be far too exhausted to walk three steps.”
She flushed, but couldn’t help mocking him. “You have a high opinion of yourself.”
“You can judge for yourself later. I think I’ll be inspired
to reach new heights.”
Zsak snorted, and even Azor gave an abbreviated laugh. There were general snickers around the table.
Gem eyed her husband uncertainly. She was fairly sure she understood what he was talking about. Unfortunately, she was also rather new at this type of repartee and couldn’t think of a timely retort. She settled for a quelling stare.
He guessed her issue and said lazily, “Don’t worry, sweetheart, you’ll get better with practice. Luckily, I’m a firm believer in practice.” That began a fresh wave of giggles from the peanut gallery.
Gem had had enough of being teased. She knew her friends and family well enough to know they could go on for hours and never tire. There was only one way to spike their guns. She placed her napkin on the table and stood up. “Maybe it’s time to put your money where your mouth is.”
Sudden silence fell across the table. How satisfying. She’d shocked them speechless.
Blue’s eyes flared. He rose with controlled grace from his chair and looked down at her. “What a fine idea,” he purred.
She had an instant of trepidation. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to get him too excited. It was too late to back down, though. He extended his hand and she placed hers on top. He glanced at their guests and said in farewell, “Enjoy yourselves.”
“Not as much as you will,” someone murmured as they left. Gem thought it sounded rather like Zsak.
Chapter Twenty-one
The honeymoon suite, as Gem knew but had never experienced, boasted a huge bed and a roomy tiled tub with space for two. The coverlet on the bed was white eyelet, and underneath were sheets of red satin. Fresh flowers in shades of cherry and pink perfumed the air. A crystal chandelier sparkled on the ceiling, and crystal sconces held lights on the walls. Plants dotted the room for atmosphere and there was a small fridge full of refreshments. A table for two sat near a large window with sheer drapes for allowing light, and heavy silk for privacy. A bowl full of fresh berries sat on an ironed tablecloth, ready to be savored.
“I’m impressed,” Blue remarked, looking around. “I want to steal your decorator.”