"Thanks. Emerson did most of the work." I say, looking to Emerson, a smile on my face.
"That's what best friends are for," she chimes.
"I hope you realize that when you and Ryder get married, I won't be able to do all this for you. I wasn't paying attention."
Laughter floats around us as the three of us talk all things weddings. I'm sure Justine will need help when her turn comes. Unless she's smarter than we are and decides to elope.
Chapter Twenty-Three
"Dude," Vinnie says, sliding up next to me as Ryder walks off in a huff. "Who’s the chick?"
Nodding in her direction, I laugh when I see who he's referring to. Hunter follows my line of sight and joins me, patting Vinnie on the back shaking his head.
"You don't want to mess with that. She's more than you can handle," I say as Devon walks up.
"Please tell me he's not hot for Allison," he remarks.
"Which one's Allison?" Vinnie asks.
Allison is sitting with Megan and Amara eating a piece of cake. My parents are on the other side of Amara, talking to her while she licks frosting off her fingers.
That's when it hits me.
"Please tell me you're talking about the one on the left," I say, looking at Hunter and raising an eyebrow.
"Nah, man. She looks like she'd be easy. The one on the right, however, she looks like she'd give me a run for my money."
"More like she'll take your money and run," Hunter says under his breath.
"Wait. Isn't that—"
Cutting Devon off, I shake my head at him.
"Just tell me who she is and why you don't like her because I'm about to go over there and see if she wants to be my nightcap."
"Trust me, Vinnie. That's the one woman in this room you want nothing to do with."
"You're going to have to tell me why or else I'm making my move."
Devon and Hunter shrug at me. Neither of them is going to stop me from telling him. They're also not volunteering to be the one to break it to him.
"Her name's Megan."
"I like it."
"Like I said, her name's Megan. Megan Dixon."
Squinting at me, he says "Your cousin?"
"Nope. Try again."
"Sister?"
"My mama only raised boys."
"I give up. Why is she a Dixon then?"
"You see the little girl next to her?"
"Yeah. That's Ryder's dau—"
Realization hits Vinnie. Dropping his head to his chest, he admits defeat and walks away without a word. I watch him slide up to the bar and order himself a drink.
Poor guy.
The one girl in the room that's bad for him is the only one that caught his attention. If I thought Megan wouldn't try and destroy him, I'd give him my blessing. Hell, even Ryder would give Vinnie his blessing. He's a great guy.
That's why we need to keep them as far apart as possible.
Preferably states.
Vinnie's never been good at keeping his hands to himself when it comes to wanting a girl. Especially if she wants to play. As far as I know, Megan's still single and probably willing. Shit. She came as Allison's date tonight, a clear sign they’re both on the prowl.
"So you got a minute, bro?" Hunter asks, drawing my attention back to our circle.
"Sure," I say.
Devon excuses himself, and I follow Hunter out the back doors to the porch. It's covered in a light dusting of snow. The chill in the air causes me to draw a deep breath when it smacks me in the face.
"Whatever’s going on, make it quick. My balls just crawled inside my body," I say as I run my hands up and down my arms to warm them.
"Dad's considering retirement."
No. Fucking. Way.
"I know. I had the same reaction. We've been talking about it for weeks now. He's convinced it's his time."
"He's not that old."
"At least we're all in agreement about that," he quips, leaning against the railing, causing the built-up snow to fall.
"Why?"
"He says he wants to travel and the time feels right. The office basically runs without him now. All three of us have it under control. He gave me a bunch of reasons, but most importantly, he wants to spend time with Mom."
"But Dixon Advertising was his dream."
"Exactly. And he's achieved what most people never do. He made his dreams come true and now he has other dreams." Pausing, Hunter stands to his full height, towering over me. Looking up at him, I notice how reserved he is. What's about to come next is the real kicker. "He wants me to take his place."
So that's why Hunter's job was posted on the website.
All the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. The hushed conversations. The hours Hunter has spent in my father’s office. Canceled meetings. Hunter acting withdrawn.
"I know your stance on keeping secrets, so we wanted to make sure we told you before we started interviewing candidates."
"Dude, if you want Dad's job, you can have it."
A sense of relief washes over him as soon as the words leave my mouth. Hunter is the obvious choice to be Dad's successor. If it weren't for him, Ryder and I wouldn't be here. The business wouldn't be what it's become today. He's worked harder than either of us to help Dad achieve his dreams.
"I'm happy to hear you say that. Ryder doesn't want the job either. That'll make the transition a little easier."
"Do I get a say on who you hire to replace you?"
"Do you want one?"
Smiling at Hunter, I nod and share with him the idea running through my head. If there's going to be another executive at Dixon advertising, one that I'm not related to by blood, it's going to be someone we can all work well with.
Someone who understands our goals.
Someone who'll want to help the company succeed.
There are so many people in this business that are only out for themselves. This person has to be able to see the big picture, all the moving parts, and want to work together.
And I know just the person.
"Hey, babe," Ang calls, poking her head out the door. "It's time to dance."
"Be right there." She blows me a kiss and my dirty thoughts start to creep back in. Pushing them aside for a moment, I turn my attention back to Hunter. "Promise me you'll think about it."
"I don't have to. I'm sure Dad will agree. We'll talk more after you get back from Greece."
Nodding, he holds the door open for me so I can dance with my wife. My wife whose dress clings to her in all the right places, accentuating every curve. It's finally time for me to explore those curves with my hands for the first time as her husband.
When the music begins playing, I hold out my hand for Ang who places hers in mine. Twirling her into my arms, Ang tips her head back and laughs as our bodies collide.
"Not very graceful in those heels, are you, Mrs. Dixon."
"Say it again," she purrs.
"Mrs. Dixon"
"God, I love the sound of that."
"Not as much as I do," I reply, my hands gliding from her hips to where her lower back is exposed. "Are you wearing anything under this dress?"
"Just my garter," she teases.
"Woman, you're going to be the death of me. My cock is confused. He wants to stand at attention but knows he shouldn't. That's the second time today."
"Only the second?"
"Well, I've been trying to keep my thoughts clean. Then you tell me there's nothing standing between him and you except your dress."
"Naked grandma," she whispers, holding back a laugh.
Groaning, the image of my grandmother without clothes on once again enters my mind.
One time. I accidentally walked in on her one time while she was in the shower. I never told anyone except Ang. Who would have thought she'd use it against me, today of all days?
When Ryder whispered it in my ear earlier, I was confused, until my dick started to respond to the image, going limp in an instant. Then I saw the smirk o
n Ang's face.
"You know, I told you that in confidence."
"I know. I didn't tell Ryder anything other than it would help you with your problem. I couldn't have you pitching a tent during the ceremony. That would have been awkward."
The laughter in her voice is contagious. Before I know it, a thunderous laugh bursts from my chest. The rest of our wedding party has joined us on the dance floor now, and all their eyes fall on me. I shrug my shoulder and attempt to make eye contact with Vinnie.
He's looking past me.
Over my right shoulder.
Spinning Ang around, I follow his line of sight to where Allison and Megan are standing near the bar. Megan's staring back at him. Watching him as he moves around the dance floor with Jill.
"I think we might have a small problem," I start to say when Ang cuts me off.
"Nope. No problems today. It's our wedding day. Anything not pertaining to us wrapping this up, getting back to the hotel, making love, and jumping a plane to Greece tomorrow is not important. It can wait until we get back."
Hmm.
She has a point.
There's nothing I can do about it anyway. If those two want to do a little dance of their own, I'm not going to stop them. I've already warned Vinnie. He knows my stance on the situation.
Plus, it's not like Ryder will give two shits. Hell, he'd probably pat him on the back and wish him luck. He'll need it, lots of it, if he plans to tangle with her.
"I like your train of thought," I reply, spinning her out of my arms and back in as the song comes to an end. "Time to dance with my mama. One more hour and I can rip that dress off you. Deal?"
"Forty-five minutes," she counters, slowly walking backward away from me.
"Even better."
The DJ announces my dance with my mother, and she appears out of nowhere. I want to ask her about Dad's retirement, but I hold back. Ang is right. Nothing else matters right now except what's going on in this moment. There will be plenty of time to deal with everything once we get back.
Four more songs and the bouquet toss. Justine catches it, drops it, and the other girls dive for it. Emerson comes up with it and shrieks with joy. My attention is on Megan, though. Her reaction is priceless.
Surprise followed by hatred. When she storms off the dance floor, I almost burst into laughter.
Time ticks by slowly.
Then I realize what's next.
"Tyler, please join your beautiful bride on the dance floor. All the single gentlemen in the room, come on up here."
Ang is seated on a chair in the middle of the floor. The guys crowd at the end behind her as I take a knee.
"Babe," she says as I'm about to lift her dress. "We get to leave after this. Consummate our marriage."
"You're killing me, Ang."
"I know. It's going to get worse before it gets better, too."
There's a devious smile forming on her face. One I know all too well. Sliding my hand up her thigh, I move past the garter and keep going. As soon as I reach the apex of her thigh, my dick goes hard and I crush my legs together.
"You've got to be kidding me," I mumble as I pull my hand back and slowly remove her garter.
When she said there was nothing under her dress, she wasn't kidding. No stockings. No bra. No underwear.
And she shaved.
Everything from what I felt.
"You ready to get out of here husband?"
"Are you ready for what I'm going to do to you once we're alone, wife?"
"Now who's teasing who? Promises, promises. What have I told you about making promises you can't keep, Tyler Herman Dixon?"
Lifting her leg, I pull the garter around her shoe and get ready to fling it over her head. When the DJ makes the announcement, I let it fly, but my eyes never leave hers.
"This is one promise I plan to keep, Angela Anne Dixon. Now, I need you to walk in front of me so we can get out of here. Naked grandma isn't going to help me this time."
Standing, Ang laughs as I wrap my arms around her from behind.
"You weren't joking, babe."
"Nope. He's ready to explode," I whisper in her ear before trailing kisses down the side of her neck.
Devon is walking toward us, twirling the garter on his pointer finger.
"Were you aiming for me?" he asks.
"Nope but congrats. Justine will be elated."
"Dude, she dropped the bouquet like it was on fire. I can't even find her right now. I think she ran away."
Ang laughs, pats Devon on the arm, and offers the best advice she can.
"Don't let her get away. Go after her. Calm her fears. Make sure she knows where you stand. It's just a stupid wedding tradition. It doesn't mean anything. Now, if you don't mind, my husband and I are sneaking out. Create a distraction, will ya?"
Devon, his face still consumed with worry, heads to the DJ booth as Ang and I make our way up the stairs. Twenty minutes from now, I'll be sinking into my wife. My future. The woman of my dreams.
Damn. I'm a lucky son of a bitch.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The sunrise over the Aegean Sea is almost as beautiful as the sunset. Nothing compares to my current view, though, and nothing ever will.
Angela, fast asleep next to me. Naked. Lying on her stomach, one leg entwined with mine. Her hair is everywhere, covering her face and most of her pillow. I awoke to strands of it in my mouth.
It reminds me of waking up next to her for the first time as her husband. Her head was on my chest and her hair was covering my face. Loose strands were in my mouth, caught in my teeth.
I didn't care then, and I don't care now.
The reason she's naked and a hot mess is because of the way we went at each other last night. Full force. Passionately. As if we couldn't get enough of each other, and once we were done, we did it all over again.
It's been like that since I carried her over the threshold of the hotel room.
In one swift motion, I set her down and pulled her dress over her head. She was completely naked, standing before me, smiling from ear to ear.
My girl, my wife, knew what she was doing. She was driving me crazy all day in anticipation of that moment. Of the moment I would satisfy both of us. She created a need that wouldn't go away.
It might take years, decades even, to completely be satisfied by Angela. I can't get enough of her and I hope that feeling never changes. It's amazing to wake up next to the person that completes you and know they feel the same.
We've spent the last five days touring the city of Fira, taking in the culture and enjoying each other's company. I've learned little things about her, things I never would have guessed. She has an incredible passion for art.
Tonight we head to the airport to return home.
With only one more day to enjoy our honeymoon, I have big plans for Ang today.
Peppering gentle kisses from her shoulder and down her spine, she begins to stir about the time I reach the dimple above her ass. That gorgeous ass I haven't been able to keep my hands off since the moment I met her.
"You're a naughty boy, Mr. Dixon. You know that," she murmurs into her pillow.
"You like it."
"Never said I didn't," she replies, rolling over onto her back. "I was having an amazing dream. Why'd you wake me up?"
"Because it's our last day in paradise, and as much as I've enjoyed this room, this bed, and the things we've done in here, there's something I want to show you before we leave."
Ang looks at me skeptically until she feels my hand on her thigh. Swatting it away, she shifts to a sitting position.
"Why are you being so mysterious?"
"What? Don't you like surprises?"
"This sounds more like a secret to me."
"You know I don't keep secrets," I reply, pretending to be offended by her remark.
Ang rolls her eyes at me before sliding off the bed and pulling a robe on, covering her beautiful, naked body.
"I never said we have to leave r
ight now. There's plenty of time to fool around."
Reaching for her hand, she lets me pull her back onto the bed and shifts into my lap. "Tyler Herman Dixon. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to knock me up on our honeymoon."
Seriously?
No.
"I was kidding, babe," she says when I don't respond.
Now that we're married and the rumors are behind us, maybe it's time to share it with her. She deserves to know what people were saying. We're so far removed from it that it won't matter now.
Plus, the thought of knowing and not telling her tends to eat at me a little more each day. It feels like I'm keeping a secret from her.
I sort of am.
And that breaks my own set of rules.
"So, about that—"
"No," she quickly says, cutting me off. "I'm not ready and neither are you. If we have a baby right now, we won't be able to do all the things we've been talking about this year. I want one year under our belt before we bring a life into this world. One year to enjoy my husband before I have to share him. Because the moment we have a baby, they become the most important person in our relationship, and I'm not ready for that."
If I didn't know better, I would call Ang selfish. She's far from it, and I completely understand what she's trying to say. I'm not ready to share her either.
"Plus," she continues. "That's old news."
Huh?
"Old news?" I ask.
She's going to have to spell it out for me. I need her to say the words to confirm what I'm assuming.
"What? You didn't hear?" she says, attempting to sound like a peppy teenager. Maybe she's imitating Allison. "I was already pregnant. That's why we were getting married."
So she did hear and she didn't tell me about it. I wonder how she found out.
Scratch that. No, I don't. Emerson probably told her.
"I'm sorry, babe. I have no idea why Allison spread that around the office. She knows us better than that."
"It wasn't Allison, or so she says. She wouldn't give up her source, but she swears it wasn't her. If it had been, do you really think I would have let her come to the wedding? Hell no."
Sure it wasn't her. I can't think of anyone else in the office that enjoys the gossip as much as Allison. She thrives on it. It brings her joy.
Rumors: Angela & Tyler Page 16