Avery startled as she felt a hand on her arm. Chloe smiled at her. She smoothed her own crimson, ankle length gown before she signed. The car is here to take us to the ceremony. Are you ready?
Can’t wait. Let’s go.
The two women slipped into the waiting vehicle outside the cabin. Avery’s heart thundered in her chest as they wound along the forest roads to the lodge. Rows of cars appeared then the roof of the building. Hopefully, the love of her life, along with his friends and the minister, would be waiting for her in the gazebo that overlooked the lake.
Her dad opened the car door, helping Chloe out first then Avery. She saw the tears pooling in his eyes as he glanced her over. Avery, sweetheart. You look beautiful.
She placed a kiss on his cheek. Thank you, Dad.
Avery noticed Chloe’s gaze locked on someone approaching them. Avery smiled warmly as her father gave Lindsay a hug. Lindsay looked sharp in his dress uniform.
Even though he was her brother, Avery had to admit Lindsay was devastatingly handsome. Lindsay beamed at her as he signed. Dad thought since we have been so close over these past few years that I should walk you down the aisle also. If that is all right with you.
Avery grinned. I think you might like Rico.
She watched Lindsay laugh. Yes. It has grown on me. Like a fungus.
All of them chuckled at Lindsay’s comment. Lindsay gently weaved his arm around Chloe’s to escort her up the walk, pressing a cordial kiss to her cheek. Avery’s father did the same with Avery as they followed them behind the lodge toward the gazebo.
Avery anxiously watched Chloe as she slowly made her way down the aisle to stand beside Max. Lindsay wrapped his arm firmly around her free one before they began a similar journey.
Avery read the minister’s lips then glanced to her Dad to see him speak. Her father nodded to Lindsay then let her go and sat beside her mother. Lindsay placed her hand in Rico’s then looked Rico in the eye. “Welcome to the family. I’m proud to call you my brother,” Avery saw him say to her future husband.
Rico’s deep blue eyes misted with tears. It nearly made Avery cry. She knew that this was the first time since he had been a child that Rico had an actual family to claim as his own. Sure, he loved the makeshift family he was a part of at Hard Drive. But it wasn’t the same.
Lindsay smiled at the both of them then took his spot next to his parents.
Avery watched intently as the minister spoke his message. Then, Avery recited her vows clearly, as she had practiced. When it was time for Rico to make his vow to her, he pulled his hands from hers. He smiled gently. Then he carefully signed his marriage vows to her. Avery couldn’t stop the tear from slipping down her cheek.
She understood it all. He, Rico Choate, was promising her forever. She knew each word was full of truth and confidence. He needed her as much as she needed him. Once the rings were exchanged and the minister pronounced them husband and wife, they sealed their marriage with a kiss.
Then, the party began. A picnic of fried chicken and salads led to conversation and games. Max started a bonfire when the sun set. Avery cuddled with Rico on a blanket laid on the ground as the fireworks began. After she returned from Afghanistan, she avoided these displays. Normally the flash of the explosions terrified her. But being held tight in her husband’s arms made her feel safe enough to enjoy the show.
Before they were over, he helped her to her feet and led her to his Jeep. The night sky above the trees was filled with bright color as they drove back to the cabin.
Her heart raced again as they stepped inside, and Rico locked the door. He pulled a long, velvet box from his tuxedo jacket and handed it to her. “My wedding gift to you.”
She slowly opened the lid. A beautiful, white gold, double heart pendant lined with diamonds held on a fine chain rested on the satin. She gasped as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you. I love it. But I didn’t get you anything.”
Rico’s smile was pure sin as he pulled her back to look at her. His eyes roamed over her. “Actually, I have been waiting all day to open my gift from you. It has been killing me.”
“What gift?”
He ran his tongue along his bottom lip. “I will admit—the wrapping paper is absolutely beautiful. But I am ready to rip off the gift-wrap and get to my present.”
She felt her face grow hot as she met his hungry eyes. She understood then that she was his present. It was their wedding night, and they had yet to sleep together. Would she be able to compete with his other lovers?
That thought fled her mind as he tugged her back into his arms and engulfed her lips with a devouring kiss. She gasped softly as he jerked the zipper of her dress down and let the garment pool on the floor. Suddenly, there was no doubt in her mind that this would be the best night of her life.
»»•««
Avery squinted her eyes against the bright summer light. As brilliant as it was, it couldn’t be early morning. She glanced over at the digital alarm clock before snuggling again against Rico’s bare shoulder. It was well past noon, which made sense. They had watched the sunrise before they had finally drifted off to sleep.
Their reception was more than she could have ever dreamed of. Her parents and all her family was there to celebrate with them. Nearly all her friends and classmates came too, along with several of the fighters from Hard Drive. However, none of it compared to being with Rico. They had stolen kisses as they had visited with guests. They had fed each other pieces of cake. He had protected her from the fireworks. Not to mention, he was to-die-for hot in his tux.
She gently ran her fingertip along his jawline as she gazed at him. She was the luckiest woman in the world. She was married to Rico Choate. He was strong. Sexy. Confident. Gentle. Funny. Puppy dog devoted. And he firmly believed that she was the sexy, courageous one, not him. He hated being away from her, even dragging her to the gym when she wasn’t in school or at work. He trained with her more than the guys. They shared everything like best friends. After her injury, she had thought she would never find love. Now, it was lying here in her arms.
A rumble in her stomach pulled her from her thoughts. She pressed a kiss to his skin then rose slowly as not to wake him. She pulled on the white, fluffy robe that lay over the back of the chair and shuffled to the cabin’s small kitchen. Chloe had promised to stow away some leftover wedding cake in the refrigerator. It was definitely time to find it.
She glanced around the cabin, realizing it was the first time she’d had a chance to really take a look at it since the wedding. It was cozy with a modern feel, which was such a huge contrast with the sprawling lake and large deck outside the sliding glass door. The furniture in the living room and the bedroom were made of dark stained wood. Vases of fresh flowers sat on the kitchen table, end tables, and coffee tables. There were splashes of ivory and evergreen in the upholstery and curtains.
Avery smiled. It was the perfect place for them to start out their lives together.
Opening the refrigerator door, Avery grinned. Not only did she find the cake, she found a carton of eggs, some bacon, yogurt, fruit, milk, and orange juice, each bearing a sticky note with a heart drawn on it. This certainly wasn’t the resort’s doing. Our family is taking care of us…
Her smile grew as a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, and she was tugged against a warm, hard body. Feels like someone didn’t bother with his robe, she thought. She lifted her hands and turned. “Breakfast?”
Rico pinned her between the open refrigerator and his naked body. “It’s almost one o’clock in the afternoon.”
“Max and Chloe only left us breakfast items. And wedding cake.”
“Wedding cake sounds good.” He shot her a cocky grin. “So, what do you want to do today?”
“Stay in bed with you.”
“That’s it?”
She bit her lip.
Rico frowned. “What is it?”
“I would really like to spar. But there is no equipment. We would have
to drive home.”
She watched him laugh. “I packed gloves and mitts, baby. We can kickbox on the large deck.”
“And Jiu jitsu?”
“The bed, of course. We’ll call it foreplay.”
She laughed as she playfully punched him. “After I make you breakfast.”
Avery pulled out the carton of eggs and package of bacon then shut the door. She set them on the counter. Before she could hunt for the fry pans, Rico wrapped her in another hug.
“You are going to starve,” she chided.
“I don’t care. I want to hold you.”
She melted against him as she slid her arms around his shoulders. She sighed, content.
“I love you,” she breathed.
Rico tilted her face to his. She clearly read his lips, “I love you more.”
She rose on her tiptoes to press a kiss over the forming words. He nuzzled his nose against hers. Never in her life had she ever wanted to be a princess. She had always wanted to be a Marine. But in the end, she had found her Prince Charming in an MMA fighter. And she couldn’t wait for their happily ever after to start.
About the Author
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian, and her children, sons Jake and Jon, and daughter Ali. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations. When she’s not writing (which she loves to do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, and is involved in many of her children's activities.
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Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) Page 16