by Lexy Timms
"You look great. I love your hair like that." He took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her fingers softly.
"Good. It's a mess, but it's me." She shrugged and walked toward the intimate setup where Mark and Kristen stood laughing about something. "Kristen’s here too? Who else did you invite? The rest of the office?" She gave him a stern looking. “Alex Reid, if you plan on having us work…”
"No one. Just them." He pulled her chair out before moving toward his own. "Did you guys enjoy your massage yesterday?"
"You guys got here yesterday?" Jamie lifted her eyebrow as she sat down and pulled her napkin into her lap. A bowl of various pastries sat on the table between them, and she didn't hesitate to reach out and grab something that looked chocolatey. Where she would have been worried about gaining a pound before, she wasn't willing to let her weight or any of her past issues about it stifle the experience that Alex was trying to create for them.
"Yeah. It was a nice getaway. I'm heading back home on Monday and everything’s packed up. This was great of Alex to invite us on the trip." Kristen picked up what looked like a glass of orange juice in a champagne flute and lifted it up. "To three of the best people I know. My life has been blessed by each of you."
"Same." Mark smiled and hit his glass against hers. "I mean that about you three, not myself."
Jamie chuckled and took a drink of the juice before setting the glass down. "I'm actually really glad you guys are here with us. We need to talk about the wedding, and this weekend is a great chance to do that. I guess you'll have to come back into town when the time comes. Is that okay?"
Kristen smiled and glanced over at Alex. "You didn't tell her?"
"Not yet." Alex reached out and took Jamie's hand. "The wedding’s today at two. Your dress is in Kristen's room, and everything else has been arranged. These two guys came out early to make sure it all got done right."
"What?" Tears blurred her vision as she glanced around the table at them. "Are you guys pulling my leg?"
"Nope. It's all set. Should be beautiful." Mark took another sip of his drink. "Alex planned every bit of it, even to the point of having Kristen find out what dress you wanted to wear."
"How do you guys know it fits?" She reached for her napkin and wiped at her tears.
"We don't, but there is a tailor on staff here at the hotel. He'll fix it up if need be." Alex moved closer and pulled her against his side. "I love you. I don't want to wait another minute, and I don't want anyone interrupting our moment together. That okay?"
"Yeah. Better than okay." She wiped her eyes and sat back. "I can't believe you guys pulled this off. I'm usually more perceptive than this."
"You've had a lot going on." Alex squeezed her and released her. "Let's have a great breakfast, and then you and Kristen can go get ready."
"What about my parents? They're going to be upset about not seeing me get married. Well, my dad is." She lifted her menu up and scanned it, picking out several things that looked good.
"They're here. Your mother’s still sleeping." Kristen laughed. "It's just your mom and dad, though, so no worries."
"Really?" She turned to Alex. "Is there nothing you didn't think about?"
"Nope. I got it all." He beamed as the server walked up and took their orders.
She was almost too nervous to eat anything, but the loud growl from her tummy said that it was happening whether she liked it or not.
She was getting married!
To the hottest man under the sun.
Chapter 15
"I can't believe this is happening." Jamie let out a soft sigh as she walked into Kristen's room with her makeup bag and hair brush in her hand. "I feel like I should’ve had months to prepare for this moment."
"And what would you do with more time?" Kristen turned and smiled.
"I don't know, but I'm honestly overwhelmed. I don't deserve a guy like Alex, and yet he's chosen me. It's madness." She set her stuff down and ran her hands through her hair. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"Well, it's not going to. Now... close your eyes. I have your dress in the next room, but I want you to get the full effect of it in the light." Kristen squealed before turning and jogging toward the bedroom.
Nervousness and excitement pulsed through the center of Jamie's stomach as she walked to the kitchen to get a glass of cold water.
"Where are you?" Kristen called out from the other room. "Are your eyes closed?"
"No, but I'll be right there, and I'll close them. I just needed some water." Jamie downed a glass of water, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Alex was refined. She wasn't. He was rich. She was poor. He was fit and hot and successful. She was just... her.
"Stop it," she grumbled and walked to the bedroom with her hand over her eyes. "I'm ready."
"Alright. Look."
Her breath caught in her chest as Kristen held up the beautiful white dress she'd been ogling for weeks. It was simple and yet gorgeous beyond belief. "Wow."
"Right? We have thirty minutes. Let's get your makeup done and then get you in it." She laid the dress across the bed as Jamie moved out and ran her fingers down the intricate design on the front of it.
"What if it doesn't fit?" She glanced up as Kristen motioned for her to join her in the bathroom.
"It's going to fit, and if not, there are six of us doing this thing. We'll tell them to wait and have it hemmed up. Alex was pretty meticulous at having Mark figure out your size though." Kristen's cheeks grew pink. "He had to go through your closet. You should hear him tell the story. It's hilarious."
"He what?" Jamie glanced up. She should have been embarrassed, but Mark was too much like a brother to her too now. The fact that Alex had done so much from a hospital bed melted her completely.
"Right? I wouldn't have told anyone, but you know how Mark is. He's a funny guy, always looking for his next story. I think that will be one that he tells for a long time to come." She moved behind Jamie as they got into the bathroom together and smiled around her at the mirror. "Hair up or down?"
"Up, I think. The dress needs to be the main thing, right?" Jamie pressed her hands to her stomach and groaned. "I feel like I could vomit. I'm so damn nervous all of a sudden."
"It's going to be great. Just relax and let me help get you ready."
They worked on her hair and makeup and finally it was time to get into the dress. Never in her life had she wanted something to fit so badly. The horror of growing up overweight and having to squeeze into everything rushed over her before she stepped into the dress.
She pushed it away and helped Kristen pull the tight material over her hips. Kristen zipped it, and Jamie gawked at how good it looked.
"Perfect. You look absolutely stunning." The smaller blond moved around Jamie and shook her head. "Incredible. We need pictures for the paper. Who's Cinderella now, you bitches?"
Jamie laughed as tears filled her eyes. She looked incredible and felt it too. The situation was going from concerning to blissful as peace started to settle over her shoulders.
She was the luckiest woman in the world. She was soon to be Mrs. Alex Reid.
"You ready?" Kristen touched her shoulder softly. The light blue dress that Kristen picked out for herself was a perfect match for the lightest part of the ocean. It was going to look perfect next to Jamie.
"Yeah. I am." She smiled, and turned for Kristen to put a little bit of muted pink lipstick on Jamie's lips.
"Well, I'm just going to say that he's the luckiest man in the universe marrying a woman like you. I'm not sure I would have survived the last few weeks, much less the last few months." She smiled and grabbed a napkin, dabbing at Jamie's tears.
"Thanks. Thank means a lot to me."
"Good. Let's go hand you off to your man." Kristen squeezed her shoulder and moved back, opening the door and moving up beside her. "We're going up here to the left. The wedding is actually on the beach. Your dad should be... yep. He's right there."
Jamie p
aused as her dad turned and let out a chuckled. "Oh, my gosh. You look... like a princess. My princess."
"Your pumpkin, Dad." Jamie moved into the warmth of his hug and squeezed him back.
"No, you're not a little girl anymore." He kissed her cheek. "You ready for this? You're sure he's the one? If not, can I have him?" he chuckled and winked at her.
"Yeah. More than sure." Jamie turned to watch Kristen walk toward the beach. An array of candles stood on stands, and the sky had darkened just enough to bring out the brilliance of their illumination.
"Wow." She moved up beside her dad as a group of violinists began to play. Tears filled her eyes as she caught sight of Alex. He was standing up near a large bouquet of flowers, with Mark right beside them. They were both smiling like they'd found the secret to eternal life, and maybe they had.
If nothing else, Jamie knew without a doubt that she and Alex would love each other forever. The last eight months had proven that life was going to throw continuous curve balls their way, but they didn't have to let any of that destroy them. It actually had the power to pull them closer if they let it.
Jamie nodded at her mom as the music changed into something slower. An older man in a black robe with a Bible in his hand stepped from the other side of the candle-lit aisle and smiled.
"Hi, Jamie. I'm Father Markum. I'll be marrying you today." He nodded toward her father and opened his Bible to begin the ceremony.
Jamie moved up to stand beside Alex as her heart raced in her chest.
He glanced over at her and smiled. "I love you like crazy."
"Me too." She turned back to find the preacher smiling at them both.
"Let's begin."
*
The ceremony was beautiful, but happened entirely too fast. Before Jamie realized what was happening, the preacher told them to turn to their friends, and pronounced them husband and wife.
Alex laughed loudly and grabbed her, dipping her low and kissing her long and hard in front of everyone.
She pushed at his chest playfully before taking his hand and walking through the sand as the music from a lone harp lifted into the air.
Alex stopped at the end of the trail of lights and touched her face. "You've made me the happiest man in the world.” He leaned down and brushed his lips by hers.
“Forever doesn't seem nearly long enough." She rubbed her nose against his. "Now take me to our room. I've been waiting for you to get out of the hospital so I could have my way with you. Last night, having you pass out before I could even get you naked, was a little depressing." She laughed as he gave her a look.
"I'm pretty sure that was you, but whatever." He leaned down and wrapped his arm behind her knees, lifting her up and carrying her off as she chucked her bouquet at Kristen and wrapped her arms around Alex's neck.
"Did you enjoy the ceremony?" He looked down at her lovingly as he carried her.
"Yes. It was everything I've always dreamt it would be. I honestly can't believe you planned all of that." She kissed the side of his neck and breathed him in deeply, filling her lungs with the delicious scent of his cologne mixed with the salt water. If they could bottle the smell and turn it into a drink, women would never be sober again.
"And I did it while in the hospital after being shot by your lunatic ex. I should get loads of credit for this for a long time coming." He laughed and set her down to open the door to their room.
She started to walk in but he stopped her, shaking his head.
"No way. I've been waiting my whole life to carry my bride across the threshold of the place we're staying in." He picked her up as she laughed.
"I think it's supposed to be over the threshold of the house."
"We gotta do this again?" He leaned down and kissed her, closing the door with a firm kick to it as he moved her to the bed and sat her down.
"Am I heavy?" She gave him a look and turned her back to him as he reached out and worked on her dress.
"Never. You're a sexy goddess who's about to get shown just how much I enjoy your assets." He bent down and brushed his lips by her shoulder.
"Should we changed and get out there with our family and friends? It's only three in the afternoon." She let out a soft sigh as the dress slipped down her legs and his hands ran over her flesh.
"Hell no. This just means more time to devour you." He pressed kisses up the back of her thighs and around until he was kneeling in front of her, his nose pressed to her stomach as he brushed his lips over her. "You smell so good. So right."
"I want to see the lightning storm too." She ran her fingers through his hair and forced him to look up at her. "Yes?"
"Absolutely. It starts in two hours. Plenty of time for a warm-up round." He pushed at her hips and she dropped back on the bed, laying down and scooting back as he stood up and worked himself out of his shirt. "You're so beautiful, Jamie. Inside and out. I can't imagine a woman better suited for me."
She arched her back and pulled her bra off as he got down to his underwear and crawled up on the bed to rest between her legs. Strong hands palmed her breasts as he moved up to adore them with his tongue and teeth. The delicious press of him against her left her panting for more of him. Why she couldn't be patient and enjoy him taking his time with her was aggravating, but she couldn't.
"Make love to me," she whispered as he glanced up and nodded.
"For the rest of my life. Every day." He moved down and tugged her panties off before standing back up and sliding his underwear over his hips. His cock stood proud and thick as he moved back up her body and nestled himself against her.
She opened up for him and closed her eyes as he wrapped his strong arms around her and pressed himself deep inside of her. The groaned in tandem, and within minutes he was rocking into her with strong trusts, his mouth pressed to the side of her neck, or just below her ear.
The feeling of being wrapped around him, of being one with him, was a rightness she couldn't describe, nor would she try. He rolled them over and pushed at her shoulder to have her sit up.
She never broke their rhythm as she undulated her hips and massaged his thickness with her body. A slight sheen of sweat settled over his abs and chest, and she couldn't help but press her fingers against the firm muscles and use his strength to help her ride him better. Faster.
He gripped her hips as his eyes roamed over her body, his groans and nods let her know that he was enjoying himself intensely. Electricity shot through the center of her, and she let her head drop back and eyes close as she cried out.
He took over their sex, thrusting hard from beneath her as she rode the wave.
"That's it, baby. Take it from me." His words drove deep into her and she got a hold of herself enough to take back over their lovemaking from him.
She slid her hands up his chest and flattened against him. "I don't deserve you."
He rolled her over and laughed. "Right. Try again, woman. You deserve much better, but hopefully I can be enough."
"You're more than enough." She ran her hands over his back and cupped his butt. "So much more than I ever thought possible."
"Me too, lover." He moved up and pressed his elbows to the side of the bed just beside her head as he brushed her hair back and leaned down to kiss her fully, exploring her further.
She ran her hands back up to cup his head as she pressed into the kiss and lifted her legs a little.
He groaned and tightened his grip on her. "I'm going to come. I never can last too long with you."
"That's a good thing." She smiled and pressed her teeth into the side of his neck as he stiffened and cried out with his release.
Every part of her was on fire for the man above her, especially her heart.
Epilogue
One Month Later
"Jamie?" Alex's voice rose from under the door to the bathroom as she gripped the sides of the toilet, too sick to be embarrassed by her heaving nonstop for the last few minutes.
"Just need a minute," she groaned as her stomach constri
cted painfully again.
"Alright. I'm here if you need me, baby."
She nodded, but ignored his sweet words. They'd shared a Mexican fiesta meal the night before with some work friends to help celebrate Kristen's last day, but surely if she'd gotten food poisoning, then everyone would be sick. Maybe they were. If so... why wasn't Alex?
After taking a few more minutes to gather herself, she stood up slowly and reached for the side of the bathroom counter.
"What the hell?" She washed her face and brushed her teeth before walking back out into the bedroom.
Alex stood up from the edge of the bed. "What's going on? Were you sick last night?"
He moved toward her, but she held up her hand, not entirely sure she was done throwing up. The last thing she wanted was to get sick in front of him, and certainly not all over him.
The last month of being his wife had been great. It was amazing how taking on his last name changed everything. It was as if she’d been knighted. There was a level of respect she got when she went anywhere now. Though it was a nice perk, it was a little unnerving too.
No wonder he always has so much pressure to be perfect and stick to the straight and narrow. Everyone is watching.
Alex touched the side of her face. "Honey? I asked you a question. You okay? You're scaring me a little."
She patted his hand as he held her cheek. "I'm good. I guess I just have a little bit of food poisoning."
"Jamie. You've been sick off and on for the last two weeks. Something isn't right." He slid his hand over her hip and leaned down, kissing the top of her head. "I want you to go see Dr. Bennett this afternoon, okay?"
"No." She turned away from him and tugged off her robe, wishing their morning would have been filled with playful banter instead of the serious conversation they were headed toward. "I've always had a sensitive stomach. We've been eating out a lot lately. That's just it. I need some quality food from MacBain to set this tummy right."