That’s the second time she said that, and I realize she wants an apology before moving on. I’m just happy she’s here with me, pressed up against my side. It’s a good sign when your serious talk happens with all this touching.
I lift our joined hands and brush a kiss over her knuckles. “I went about it wrong. I’m sorry. I love you, Syd, you must know I did it out of love. I don’t want you to suffer when you don’t have to. I want you to be happy.”
“I was happy before, so happy with you, and with the way things were starting to turn around at work.” She sighs. “Please just always be up front with me, okay? That’s a deal breaker. No going behind my back to fix things. We can fix stuff together from here on out. I can help you with stuff too. We’ll help each other out.”
A rush of affection has me hugging her and kissing her cheek. I’ve been taking care of everyone else for so long it never occurred to me someone would take care of me. Wouldn’t that be a relief to get a break for once?
“Deal,” I say. “Now let’s get naked.” I tackle her to the mattress and she laughs, her arms going around my neck.
I nuzzle into her neck, breathing her in. I lift my head, gazing at her beautiful face. “I missed you so much.”
She blinks back tears, running her fingers through my hair. “I missed you too. It was awful. Let’s never be apart again.”
“Never.”
She hugs me tight for a long moment and then shoves me off her, getting off the bed completely. She strips out of her work T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. She gestures toward me. “What are you waiting for?”
“You’re so beautiful,” I say reverently.
She tugs my shirt off. “I was promised wild monkey sex if we partnered up.”
“You want me in your business?”
She gives me a sexy smile. “Among other places.” She gets into bed and crooks her finger at me.
My chest puffs with pride. She trusts me in all things. She loves me. I’m so damn lucky.
I strip in no time, roll a condom on, and join her. I cover her, kissing her tenderly. Within moments, the kiss turns urgent, our bodies eager to join after too long apart.
My mind clouds, nothing but intense need. Hands stroking, mouths hungry, her nails scraping down my back.
My name from her lips over and over.
Pumping harder, faster, impossible to stop.
I gaze into her eyes, that deep connection electrifying me for a timeless moment.
“Marry me,” she whispers.
She arches her hips up, tightening around me, and I’m gone, my release rushing through me, only dimly aware of her soft moans.
I collapse on top of her, breathing hard as the world slowly comes into focus. She proposed to me.
I lift my head and kiss her. “Be right back.”
She smiles and hums her reply.
I’m not wasting any time. I retrieve what I need from my duffel bag, join her in the bed, and slide it on her finger.
She lifts her hand with the diamond engagement ring I saved in the hope that one day we’d be together. She beams. “I didn’t think you heard me.”
“I couldn’t speak at the time. I think that might be a first—sexual climax proposal.”
“Is that a yes?” she asks, her eyes sparkling.
I slide under the covers with her and wrap an arm around her. She curls into my side. “Yes, my she-devil, I will marry you.”
“And?”
“And be your partner in all things with everything up front as we help each other.”
“Good.”
“And?” I prompt. “What will you be? Hint. It involves being naked.” I’m talking about getting her pregnant. A gift we give each other. I’m such a romantic.
“And I will be your sex slave?”
I chuckle and kiss her. “Don’t think I won’t hold you to that. It’s going right into the wedding vows. Sydney Robinson promises to be my loving wife, partner, and sex slave.”
She strokes my beard and kisses me. “I love you.”
My throat clogs with emotion. “I love you too.”
She props up on an elbow. “Are you crying?”
“No.”
“Your eyes are watering.”
I rub my watery eyes. “I was just thinking how I wanted you to be the mother of my children, and you said sex slave, and they’re both perfect.”
Her eyes well. “Oh, Wyatt.” She squeezes me around the middle and then shifts back to look at me, love shining in her eyes. “I’ll never let you go. You’ll always be in my heart.”
“Syd.” I kiss her gently. “You are my heart.”
Epilogue
A sunny day in May…
Sydney
I’m about to marry my best friend. I always dreamed of meeting a man who would be a true partner in my life, with the added bonus of an awesome sex life. I just never thought it would be to the man who challenged me at every turn. But I’m better for it, and I think he’s better off because of me too. It’s a relief for him to know I can take the reins on a project instead of him having to take care of everything. For example, our wedding—all me. The honeymoon—all him. And together we’ve brought The Horseman Inn back from the dead.
I own the place, and it’s mine to pass down to our children. I manage it and handle the marketing and the books. Wyatt consults with his ideas and has taken a special interest in the bar. He’s spent a lot of time finding local breweries to expand our beer list, which is attracting beer connoisseurs. We’ve also toured local vineyards in the Finger Lakes of New York to add more selections to our wine list, which has created a lot of buzz through my Thursday Night Wine Club. And gotten a lot of people buzzed. Ha-ha. I add fun cocktails seasonally to the bar menu and make sure to stock a selection of quality whiskies—his favorite. He’s so jazzed about all the fine drink selections that he’ll sometimes work behind the bar, alongside Betsy, and recommend things to customers, singing the praises of every personally chosen beer, wine, or whiskey.
My man.
That chef I was hoping to bring on board slipped through my fingers, lured away by a fancy Manhattan restaurant. Wyatt wanted to lure him back with a higher salary—he felt responsible since I missed the interview to help him—but I said no. He probably wouldn’t have been happy at The Horseman Inn for long. It all worked out. Now we have Spencer, who apprenticed under a chef at a farm-to-table restaurant. No fancy culinary school degree, but the customers enjoy his food, which is all that matters. Our old chef, George, went to the diner in town, a small place next to the gas station dating from the 1950s. His style of comfort food is appreciated there.
“It’s time,” Jenna says.
I sniffle and wipe under my eyes, careful not to smudge my makeup. I’m getting ready in the master bathroom of Wyatt’s home, which is now mine too. He told me to choose whatever I wanted for the master bath because he wanted me to feel comfortable. I chose a double sink with a vanity between where I could sit and get ready. There’s also a whirlpool soaking tub and a separate shower. It’s luxurious, and I thought at first it would feel weird. It’s strange how quickly you can get used to luxury. I never take it for granted though.
“Don’t start crying,” Jenna says, peering over my shoulder in the vanity mirror. “You have to look put together at least until you make it down the aisle.”
“Oh, I can’t look,” Audrey says, waving a hand in front of her face. “It’ll get me all teary too.”
“I’m ready,” I say, standing in my gown. I’m not a pretty princess type of bride—no veil or huge train or poufy layers. Despite choosing a silk strapless sheath gown that drapes to my ankles, I feel sort of magical wearing it. Not exactly a princess. More like…a goddess.
“So pretty!” Audrey exclaims. “This is the perfect gown for you.”
“Thank you.”
I step into the master bedroom, where Harper is relaxing on a chaise lounge with her feet up. She’s only a few weeks from her due date, and her ankles are
swollen. She opted out of the bridal party because she didn’t want to be on her feet more than she had to. “Syd! You’re stunning! Wyatt’s eyes will pop out of his head.”
“I hope not,” I say with a smile.
She works her way to sitting upright and prepares to stand. Jenna rushes over to help. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more,” Harper says as she stands with some assistance. “You know I’m here for you.” She walks over and hugs me, her huge belly pressing between us.
I pull back, holding her by the arms, and stare at her belly under a peach maternity dress. “How’s Joan Junior doing in there?” That’s her grandmother’s name. I’m teasing, picking up on what her husband, Garrett, always says.
She rubs her belly with a content smile. “This one is going to have a name all her own. We’re going to wait until she’s born to see what name fits. She was just kicking up a storm, but now that I’m on the move, I think she’ll settle.”
I look at my three best friends, whom I’ve known since we were girls huddled together on the playground. “You guys! I’m so glad you’re with me on this special day. First Harper ties the knot, now me.” I give Jenna and Audrey a watery smile. “I can’t wait to be at your weddings too!”
“Okay, hug and let’s go,” Jenna says dryly. She’s not one for big emotional displays. I don’t usually have emotional displays either. It’s just that I love them so much and I love Wyatt so much and this is just a momentous day.
I give her a quick hug, and then Audrey, and one more for Harper before I walk ahead, leading the way to the family room at the back of the house. It was an addition beyond the library, a casual space for our future family. The back of the room is a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with double patio doors leading to the outside.
There’s a small white canopy for our ceremony in the backyard, with rows of chairs draped in white. Another large tent farther back is ready for the reception, with tables and chairs surrounding a dance floor and a head table for the bridal party. It’s all very elegant. Full confession: I leaned on Kayla to help with the details. She was way into the wedding planning, and it took some of the pressure off me when I got caught up in work. We’re close, and she loves Summerdale so much, she wanted to stay. Wyatt says it’s the tamales that sold her, but I suspect it was my brother Adam. They got to talking while he was working on the custom carpentry work in Wyatt’s library, as well as in the living room. She insists they’re just friends, and she’s not looking for a relationship. She’s healing right now. (Though it’s been four months since she was dumped at the altar.)
She finished her thesis a couple of weeks ago, and while she’s looking for a job, I hired her as a waitress at The Horseman Inn. She’s great with memorizing orders, even when they get complicated, and she’s really trying not to drop dishes. I told her she could continue living with me and Wyatt, but she insisted newly married couples need their space. Now she lives in my old apartment above the restaurant.
Everyone’s in place. Wyatt’s talking to his groomsmen, laughing. His best man is a former business partner I recently met, along with Garrett, Harper’s husband, as groomsman.
The moment my friends and I appear at the end of the red runner aisle, Garrett springs into action, striding down the aisle to Harper. He guides her to a front-row seat next to her grandmother, the wise General Joan. She told me not to waste time being miserable apart from Wyatt, and she was right.
Wyatt’s eyes meet mine, and my heart thumps hard. Even from this distance I can see the emotion take over his face, his eyes watery. My eyes well too. My gorgeous groom.
Wyatt
My beautiful bride. I’m about to marry my true love, the woman I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with. I love everything about her. She’s smart, funny, and just fiery enough to banter with me instead of taking offense. And I’m a better man because of her. I’m learning to let go of taking over and solving problems for everyone. I mean, I’m good at it, but now I only step in when asked. And Sydney only asks when she’s exhausted every option and is at a standstill. We help each other out.
Audrey and then Jenna walk down the aisle. Sydney waits her turn, her arm linked in her older brother Drew’s, who’s standing in for her dad. I’ll do the same for my sisters. Drew looks serious in his navy suit, his back ramrod straight, shoulders back, looking like the soldier he used to be. I like him. He’s grumpy, but I can get him to crack a smile now and then.
I glance over at Snowball and Rexie (formerly known as Rex, turns out she’s a girl dog) in matching pink collars. We put up signs around town for Rexie and had her checked for a microchip, but no one claimed her, so I did. Snowball has a small white lacy bow on top of her head. Not my idea. Kayla dressed them for the occasion. They’re lying at her feet in the front row.
My gaze returns to Sydney. It’s such a relief to have someone you know can get stuff done by your side so it’s not all on you. Like when I was at my wit’s end, trying to take care of Rexie. She just would not get comfortable with me. We think she had a bad experience with a man. So Sydney took over, taking care of Rexie and training her with a few simple commands. Rexie tolerates me now. She worships Sydney.
The wedding march begins, and I stand straighter, a lump in my throat. I watch my future wife approach, my gaze riveted on her smiling face. She’s looking at our friends and family as she goes down the aisle, until finally she locks those beautiful honey brown eyes on me. My heart thumps harder, my throat tightening. My bride.
A few moments later, her brother releases her to me. I take her hand in mine and dip my head to her ear. “Beautiful.”
She squeezes my hand, and we turn to the minister. I barely hear what the guy’s saying, I’m so enthralled with Sydney. Her auburn hair falls in waves over her strapless gown. Her face looks nearly angelic as she listens, though I know better. She can be quite wicked in every way that I love. She looks as content and happy as I feel.
Finally, it’s time for the vows, and I speak up loud and clear, holding both of her hands in mine. “I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of my days.” She smiles, her eyes dancing, and I know she’s thinking of our joking sex-slave vows. I smile back and squeeze her hands. “And I promise to ask for help when I need it.”
Everyone laughs.
I turn to our family and friends. “It’s important.” We broke up over it, so I had to get it into the vows. This is a forever deal.
More titters from the crowd.
Sydney beams at me. And then she promises the same.
Next thing, I know it’s official. I frame her face in my hands and kiss her tenderly before wrapping my arms around her in a hug.
“We did it,” she whispers.
I pull back to look at her. “And it wasn’t that hard either.”
We grin at each other and then head down the aisle, the sounds of applause and whistles ringing out.
After a brief break for pictures, including Snowball and Rexie, of course, we join everyone for the reception. Tuxedoed waiters are circulating with champagne and appetizers.
The band is playing cheerful swing music in the background. Sydney looks up at me. “We should’ve taken dance lessons for our first dance. I knew I forgot something.”
“It’s easy. Just sway back and forth.”
“I think we’re supposed to do something more than that. Everyone will be watching.”
I tip her chin up and kiss her. “I’ll just make out with you as a distraction technique.”
She narrows her eyes.
“No?” I wrap my arms around her waist. “Allow me to demonstrate.” I sway a bit and feign going in for a sloppy kiss.
She pushes me away, laughing. “Okay, we’ll do the slow sway and that’s it. No sexy stuff on the dance floor.”
“It’s not like they don’t know we’re about to get it on tonight.”
She pulls me close. “Shh.”
“In a honeymoon suite in the city with a vibrating bed.”
Her eyes widen. “You did not book us a hotel with a vibrating bed.”
I smirk. “The person in charge of the honeymoon gets to pick the details.”
She relaxes. “Very funny. Where are we going for our honeymoon?”
“Did you pack your bikinis?”
She looks to the sky before looking back at me. “Yes, I packed the six ridiculous string bikinis you bought me, along with the comfortable tankini I bought myself.”
“Hmm,” I say, briefly considering saying I threw out her tankini. The potential shout of outrage might not be appropriate on this happy occasion. Not that I did. But wouldn’t it be funny to say so?
“Hmm, what?”
“You have all you need for our honeymoon—your groom and your six stunning bikinis.” I kiss her cheek. “You make them stunning, my beautiful bride.”
She blushes. “Thank you.”
“Though I’m not sure you need them. There are nude beaches.”
“Is it in Europe?”
“At the water park,” I finish.
She laughs and then stops abruptly. “Beelzebub?”
“Yes, she-devil?”
“If we’re going to a water park full of screaming kids, you’re going to need to plan a second honeymoon.”
I smile mysteriously. We’re actually going to Bora Bora in French Polynesia and staying at an amazing five-star resort. I can’t help but play with her.
She wags her finger at me. “I’ll get it out of you soon.”
“You might need to use some of your sexy charm on me. Naked.”
“I won’t need to be naked. I will figure it out based on every hint you drop.”
She thinks she can outsmart me. Game on. I barely resist rubbing my hands together. She’s just so fun.
I hold up admirably, if I do say so myself. Sydney keeps working on me when I least expect it. During our first dance, she says, “I want to dance on our honeymoon with mariachi players in the background.”
She thinks it’s Mexico because of my love of Mexican food.
“Anything you want,” I answer mysteriously.
Fetching: A Frenemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Unleashed Romance, Book 1) Page 19