Grabbing my hips he pulls me back. “Baby.” He swallows hard and I can see a huge wave of fear wash over his suddenly pale face.
“What is it, handsome?” I caress his cheek and he leans his face into my palm with a soft smile.
“My mom, Becka, and a few other people are here.”
I look at him like he has two heads. Why in the world would Becka and Mama be here? Mama, maybe. But Becka? Huh?
“Why?”
Brad takes a slight step back and kneels in front of me just like he did the day on the front porch. Except this time he pulls a ring box from his black pants pocket and opens it holding it up to me.
I gasp and cover my mouth. A nervous shiver runs through me. Oh my God! He wants me to marry him. He doesn’t do slow. Marriage!!! What?!
“Baby, I know this is soon. Very soon. But I want to marry you today. I’ve been planning this for a while. But I thought today was as good as any. I can’t go another day without you being my wife, Alexis. I want to grow old with you and have babies with you. I want us to be together forever. I’ve wanted to do this since the first day I met you.” His eyes stare straight through me and speak to my soul with his deep but soft gentle voice. I gulp hard, looking at him and back at the ring box.
“Ask me.” I mutter between chattering teeth, my body is shaking. I can’t help it. I’m about to hyperventilate if I don’t calm down. I’m so nervous. Happy and excited. But nervous as hell.
“Alexis Tylah Monroe, love of my life, woman of my soul, will you marry me? Today.” He smiles warmly at me and my heart leaps into my throat.
“Yes.” I whisper as a tear drops down my face.
“Fuck yeah!” He yells pumping his fist into the air with his deep booming voice. He jumps up from the ground and smashes me against his broad chest, kissing my forehead over and over. “Baby. I love you” He squeezes and I think my lungs might collapse. He’s crazy strong.
“Now son don’t you crush that beautiful daughter in-law of mine before she can give me some grandbabies.” I hear Mama say. Brad releases his hold on me and I turn around to see Mama pretty as ever in a black and white pants suit and a red rose corsage around her wrist.
“Hi, Mama.” I smile and swipe the tears that are pooling in my eyes. I guess it was good the makeup artist used waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
“Well I think it’s time us girls all get ready for this wedding. Don’t you?” she sasses. I love that woman and I’m going to her actual daughter in-law I could almost screech with pure joy. But I’ll save that for later.
Brad wraps his arms around me from behind resting his chin on my shoulder his hot breath warming my skin, sending pleasure signals to my clit. This isn’t a good time to be turned on.
“Baby. Go get ready to marry me. I’ll meet you at the altar.” He kisses my neck long and lingering, his lips against my hot skin.
Mmmmm that feels good. He should do that all the time. I sigh, leaning back into him and he rubs my tummy with his hands. “We’re going to start trying to give Mama what she wants right after you get that sexy ass of yours inside so we can finally tie the knot. I’ve been dying for weeks.” He whispers seductively in my ear and I bite my lip. Fuck…he’s sexy.
I nod. “Okay, honey.”
He kisses my neck again and nibbles me a little. I purr in my throat. Yes… That’s sinfully amazing.
“I love you so much baby. Now go on before I’m forced to break this pact I have with myself not to burry my dick inside of you until we tie the knot. I’m dying over here.” He rubs his hard cock against my ass.
I reach behind me to grab it but he pulls away. “No baby. Not now. Once you feel him you might not want to marry me.” I can hear the sadness hanging on every word. Not marry him because of his cock? What is wrong with it? Ah shit, I don’t care. I’m getting married! Today! Holy crap! I’m going to be Mrs. Alexis Saunders. Hot damn.
I turn around and give him a quick peck on the lips. “Bye lover, see you down the aisle.” I smile so wide my face hurts. Then I skip to Mama like a child and grab her hand to help her into the house and get my ass ready to marry the sexiest man on the face of the earth. Am I crazy? Yes. But apparently Brad isn’t much for waiting for anything. Except maybe having sex with me. I’m going to have sex with him tonight. Yes! It’s about damn time.
***
“Let’s get you naked.” Becka teases, pulling my white dress over my head paying close attention not to mess up my new beautiful do.
“What am I going to wear?”
“This.” Amy says walking into the room with a big old fashioned off-white lacey mermaid gown.
“Where did you get that? It’s beautiful.” I run my fingers down the lace and the intricate bead work. It must have cost a fortune.
“It was mine.” Mama says coming my room with a beautiful off-white floor length veil folded in her arms.
I look at her and back at the dress. “How’s it going to fit? You’re much shorter than I am.”
She chuckles. “It was long on me. When I married the kid’s father we didn’t have the money to have it altered. So it was a little long, but it should fit you perfectly.” A smile of remembrance shows on her face.
“Mama, I can’t.”
She holds up her hand, to quiet me. “Listen. Amy doesn’t care, I’ve spoken with her. We all want to keep the tradition. And this veil was mine as well. I had Brad pick it up for me the last time you two were here. It had a few tears but they’re all fixed now.” She says draping it over the loveseat.
“The white bag?”
A naughty smirk forms at the corners of her mouth. “Yes, the white bag. And the antique store was where you two picked up my old wedding set that is also yours.”
My mouth drops open. “You had Brad pick up your old wedding band set and he didn’t even know?”
“No… But I did show them to him the day you two left. I handed them over and made sure he promised to give them to you before Christmas. I’m done waiting for grandbabies, Alexis. I’m serious.” She smiles but her tone is firm. There is no playing around with this woman. I knew she was sneaky but this was quite the elaborate scheme.
“What did he say when you gave them to him?” Amy drops the dress to the floor and I step into it. She and Becka pull it up my body as I keep my eyes fixated on my short and sweet Mama.
“He thought I didn’t know how he felt. I could tell the minute he was kneeling on the porch apologizing, that he would marry you. So I sent my rings up to have them cleaned.”
“Is that why he acted all distant on the ride home?”
She shrugs.
“Arms.” I put them out to my side and the women feed the lace half sleeves up to my shoulders. Wow, this does fit perfectly.
“I don’t know, possibly. I knew he was a little angry with me when I gave him the rings. I think he wanted to buy you some himself. But I told him these rings stay in the family and I can tell by the way you two look at each other that this is a marriage that is going to last. So I’m okay with you having them.”
I cock a brow. “How we look at each other?”
All three woman break into a fit of laughter simultaneously. “What?” I ask confused, my tone low.
Amy pats me on the shoulder. “Woman, you’ve been in love with Brad since the beginning and it’s no different than him. When he looks at you it’s like he doesn’t see or hear anything else. You are all he wants.”
“How do you know?” My tone is firmer now. I feel like I’m being made fun of. But they are right. I can’t deny that and I wouldn’t want to.
“My brother has that puppy dog starry eyed look every time he sees you. Duh.” She yanks the back of the dress to button it up. “I’m surprised he doesn’t carry a hankie with him to catch the drool.”
I giggle and I reach behind me and pinch her side playfully. She squeals, slapping my hand away.
“There, all finished. Now all we need is the veil.” Amy says and Becka retrieves the long floor leng
th veil and places the comb in the middle of my up-do.
I turn around to see how I look in the mirror over the dresser.
“Holy shit!” I screech.
“You’re hot.” Becka kisses my cheek, patting my shoulder for moral support.
“Yes I am. Wow. This is amazing. You’re all amazing.” Oh no, the tears are about to break free. I suck back a sniffle and close my eyes, taking in a deep breath to calm my fluttery nerves. I’m all over the place. It might have something to do with the fact that I’ve been asked to move in with Brad, marry Brad, quit my job and now I’m walking down a totally different path than I ever saw myself walking down two months ago.
Mama snatches up my hand and places a hankie in it with an A embroidered on the corner. “That is for you my sweetheart.” I bend down in my long train mermaid wedding dress and kiss Mama on the cheek.
“Thank you, Mama.” I whisper and kiss her wrinkled cheek again. She cups my face with her soft old hands.
“I couldn’t have picked a better woman to call my daughter in-law. I love you.” She kisses my cheeks on both sides twice and tears trickle down her face. Amy hands her a tissue and uses one herself dabbing her eyes.
“Oh, you guys, this couldn’t have been a better way to get married.” I smile warmly to all of them.
It’s time to get hitched!
Chapter Eleven
I’m standing at the gravel entrance to the trail leading down to the beautifully decorated gazebo. Brad went all out with white twinkle lights, red roses scattered all over, including the path and the gazebo floor. There are a few white fold up chairs sitting out for our family members to sit. I wait as Becka, Mama, and Amy take their seats.
I peer down at my dress. This couldn’t have been any more of a perfect day. It’s close to dusk now and the sun is just starting to lower in the sky, above the tree line. A guitarist starts my wedding song as I slowly saunter down the aisle, taking my time. Carrying a single rose Amy gave to me before they departed for their seats. The preacher is dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white button down with a tie. Brad’s gaze is burning into me. Doing funny things to my stomach. I gulp back hard and watch the sexiest man, my future husband, intensely watch me walk toward him.
“Hello beautiful.” He reaches out and takes my hand helping me up the two steps into the gazebo.
“Hi back.” I smile shyly. I can’t believe I’m doing this!
The preacher starts with a few kind words which I don’t even hear. A photographer comes out of nowhere snapping pictures of us left and right. I lay the rose on the railing and place both of my hands into Brad’s and hold his gaze. ‘I love you.’ I mouth to him.
‘I love you more.’ He mouths back.
I smile like a little kid. This is actually happening!
“It’s time for the vows.” The preachers says, opening up the floor to us.
My eyes go wide. I didn’t write any vows, I had no idea I was getting hitched. What am I going to say? I take in a deep breath.
Brad must have noticed my nerves because he squeezes my hands, leaning in. “Baby just say whatever comes.” He whispers next to my ear. My heart thuds in my chest at his closeness. I love this man.
I nod, swallowing hard. My throat is suddenly dry.
“Alexis, I know we’re moving fast. I know we don’t know much about each other. But none of that matters to me. Since the moment I laid eyes on you, wearing that skirt and white blouse, I knew you would be mine forever. You had to be.” He winks.
“And since that day I have made it my life’s mission to make sure that comes true. Having you standing here in front of me is a testament of the love I know we both share for one another. It might be new but it’s forever. I can feel it. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. You are my soul mate, my one true love. I promise to love you, hold you, make love to you, fuck you when you ask, kiss you every night and day, tell you you’re beautiful, massage your feet, buy you gifts, protect you, be true to you, always be honest with you, cook for you.” He stops and takes a breath, smiling at me and I’m smiling right back with as much happiness one person can possess.
“Damn, I’ve got a lot more to go.” We all chuckle, including the preacher. “Make lots of babies with you, wash your hair when we bathe together, tuck you in at night, text you when I’m working, never forget about you or take you for granted, I will always be there for you though it all. No matter what. I love you.” He squeezes my hands again and a tear breaks free of my eyes and slides down my cheek. He swipes it away with his thumb. “I love you.” He says again.
“I’m not sure how I can follow that.” I grind my teeth, anxiety blowing through me. I can’t mess this up. This is my one and only wedding day.
“Brad I agree we might not have known each other for as long as some. But I too believe our love is real and that you are my soul mate in this life and the next. I may not have been as forthcoming with my feelings because I’ve been scared to fall in love my whole life. And never thought I’d ever feel what it really feels to be loved. But I do with you. You make me feel special, like I can do better for myself, like I’m the only thing you see and for the rest of my life I will do my best to make you feel the same. I will never take our love for granted. No matter how old or new or worn it becomes. You are without a shadow of a doubt the man for me. It’s hard to admit because I feel like I’m floating in a fantasy land waiting to wake up from a vivid dream. But when I pinch myself I realize this is my life. You are in it and I am the luckiest woman on the planet. But… I do not promise to keep Cameo cookies in the house. Unless you promise to provide me with chocolate cookies as well.” I shoot him a shit-eating grin and he shakes his head chuckling deeply with a wide happy smile. “Oh…yeah. And I love you.” I wink at him playfully.
“Now for the rings.” The preacher announces and terror cloaks my face. I don’t have a ring for Brad. I didn’t have any notice.
“Baby. I’ve got all of ours.” He pulls my hands to his lips and kisses each of my knuckles one-by-one. His big lips pausing a moment as each knuckle comes into contact with his soft warm mouth. I bite my lip as my panties damping and a feral glance is shot my way as he inhales and then gently releases me hand. Damn, he’s unequivocally perfect.
“This is mine.” He pulls a titanium band with a black onyx center, dropping it into my hand. It’s going to look amazing on his left hand. I can’t wait. I’m suddenly giddy and I can’t wait to be his wife.
We exchanged rings and I peek down at mine. They’re gorgeous. I was too caught up with the proposal I didn’t pay attention. Mine are white gold with a simple white band surrounded in tiny diamonds and the engagement ring is a single princess cut about a caret in size with three little diamonds accenting it on either side. Breathtakingly beautiful, and I get to wear these for the rest of our lives. I couldn’t be prouder.
“You may kiss the bride.” The preacher announces, raising his hands into the air.
And he does. Brad grabs me without a second guess, plants a big moist kiss with so much need and desire behind it I can’t catch my breath. His tongue invades my mouth and my hands lock around his neck. I groan as he laps his tongue with mine breathing heavily, his hands cupping my backside through my wedding gown. I can’t tell how much times has passed but I can’t pull his mouth of mine. I suck his tongue and he grunts wantonly. My core is on fire. We have to consummate this marriage. Now.
I push his shoulders back, breaking out passion filled lip lock. His eyes are dark and so ready to be inside me it’s impossible not to notice the animalistic tension pouring off of him ready to ravage me. I bite my lip and eye the house. He nods understanding me and he swoops me up into his arms, pounds down the steps and dashes as fast as he can through the grass toward the house. Our family clapping as we run to finally make love. Or fuck. Shit I don’t care, I just want his cock inside of me, like yesterday.
Climbing the stairs two at a time, I feel like a rag doll and I love it. He carries me o
ver the threshold of our bedroom and sets me down with sweetness, kissing my lips and twists me around to unbutton my dress.
“Baby I can’t wait any longer.” He heaves between ragged breaths.
“I can’t either, get this damn thing off.” I try to help but I’m useless and I can feel him fumbling with the billion buttons on the back.
“Fuck.” He grunts. As he get about half way down I tug the veil out of my hair, pulling out bobby pins and crystals along the way. Tossing it all on the floor. I don’t care, I want to have him inside me.
“Come on slow poke. I’m not getting any younger here.” I laugh, taunting him.
“Only five more.” He focuses and seconds later he drops my dress on the floor lifts me and sets me onto my back, laying on the bed. “Fuck you’re beautiful.” He growls, rubbing his hands down my sides as he climbs on the bed and kneels between my legs.
I frown. “Naked now!” I order.
“I want to look at my wife. Just give me a second.” His hands cascade from the top of my naked breasts down to my boy short covered bottoms. “You’re wearing the panties I bought you.” He smiles.
“I love them, so of course I would.” I wiggle under his heated gaze. His eyes are fucking me and my core wants him buried balls deep. “Brad.” I swallow hard. “I need you inside of me.” I latch my hands onto the sides of my boy shorts and begin shimmying them down my hips. He helps and pulls them off and throws them on the floor with the rest of the mess we made.
“We need to talk about something first.” He becomes shy all of a sudden and gets off the bed, standing so I can see him. “I’ll get naked but there is something that…well.” He shoves his hands into his dress pants pockets and starts to rock on his heels again.
I sit up and scoot to the edge, I pull his hand out of his pocket and cup it between my two small hands.
“Look at me, Brad.”
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