“Addison!”
Addison blinked several times and noticed that Chynna was looking at her strangely. “What?”
“Are you okay? Did you hear a word I said?”
“I’m sorry, Chynna. I guess I’m a bit jetlagged.”
“Oh, forgive me,” Chynna said. “You’re probably hungry too. Come with me to the kitchen because I could sure use a snack. This baby has me hungry all the time.”
Addison stared fondly at Caleb’s picture one more time before following Chynna.
“Well, look at what the cat brought home,” Rylee said when Caleb poked his head into a stall in the stables.
“Hello to you too.” Caleb grinned when he saw his big sister. Though he was the youngest, because Rylee was a girl and only a year apart from him, he’d always felt protective of her.
Rylee rose to her feet, brushed off the hay from her jeans and rushed over to Caleb. He enveloped her in his arms. “Missed you, sis.” He kissed her forehead.
“Missed you too,” she said, then gave him a light punch. “That’s for keeping me waiting.”
“Ouch.” He feigned being hurt.
“Please, that didn’t even register. So, I’m waiting.”
“I told you I was with Uncle Duke.”
“And that you met someone. So where is she?” Rylee glanced behind him.
“At the main house with Chynna getting the grand tour.”
“So she’s really here,” Rylee said, grabbing her medical bag.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Did you think she was a figment of my imagination?”
Rylee laughed. “Of course not.” She pushed him out the stall and closed it behind her. “It’s just that you’ve never brought a woman home before.”
“God, why is everyone making such a big deal out of this?” Caleb’s voice rose. “She’s my wedding date, that’s it.”
“Whoa! Whoa!” Rylee held up her hands in defense. “No need to get all riled up, but haven’t you always been the one to give it to me straight? I believe you called me out about Amar on a number of occasions. Turnabout is fair play.”
Caleb instantly softened. “Yeah, I had to give him hell, but he deserved it. He’d left you without a word at the Derby.”
“Because his father was dying. Those were the last days he got to spend with him before he passed away last year.”
“I still can’t believe you’re marrying royalty.” Caleb shook his head in amazement.
“He’s not royalty.”
Caleb scoffed. “He would have been King of Nasir.” He made light of the small kingdom on the outskirts of Dubai where Amar’s father had once reigned.
“Yes, but he turned it over to his brother Khalid.”
“Who I heard is coming to the wedding.”
Rylee nodded. “I know. I was surprised when Amar told me, but he’s made some progress with him. I know Amar would like to have a stronger bond with Khalid like he has with his younger brother, Tariq. He wants what we have.” She smiled.
“Oh, yeah, what’s that?”
Rylee walked over to him and linked her arm with his. “Unconditional love.”
Addison was nervous as she zipped up the blue sequined cocktail dress. She and Caleb were getting ready in his bedroom suite. Soon she would meet Caleb’s entire family, and she wanted to make a good impression. Her sleeveless dress was simple, with a scalloped hemline, but fancy enough for a rehearsal dinner. Meeting Duke, Jada and Bree was one thing, but she was about to be introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Hart; Kenya, who was Chynna’s twin; Kenya’s fiancé, Lucas, and his family; and Rylee, Amar and Amar’s family from Nasir who were royalty. It was a daunting task and butterflies were swarming in her belly.
“Let me help you with that,” Caleb said, coming over to Addison as she admired herself in the mirror.
But instead of zipping up the dress, Addison could feel Caleb unzipping it. Then she felt Caleb’s warm hands circling her waist and bringing her backside closer to him. “Caleb—don’t start ...” But her voice faltered as he began nibbling her neck.
“What was that?” he asked.
“We’ll be late,” Addison said, “and I can’t be late when I meet your parents for the first time.”
Caleb spun her around and grasped her face as he peered into her eyes. “You really are nervous, aren’t you?”
She nodded.
“Babe, don’t be. My family is going to love you.”
Addison took a deep breath. “I appreciate you saying that, but it’s still nerve-racking. Now help me with this.” She turned back around and this time, he zipped her dress.
“You look stunning. Good enough to eat, and I can’t wait to do just that later.”
Addison colored. Sometimes she wasn’t used to Caleb’s bold manner and forthright statements. “Let’s go.” She headed toward the door.
They ran into Jada, Bree and Duke in the foyer, along with another woman Addison had yet to meet. Duke greeted her with a hug while Jada said, “Addison, you look lovely.”
“Yeah, I wish I could rock that dress,” the other woman said. She was full-figured and tall, nearly five foot ten, with dark-brown, smooth skin; but it was her hair Addison loved. It was long and hung in dark curls down her back.
“I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Addison,” Caleb said, stepping forward, “this is my cousin London. She’s Duke’s oldest.”
“Great to meet you.” Addison offered a smile.
“You too,” London replied.
“Looks like the limos are here,” Duke said just as Chynna and Noah descended the stairs.
“Are we late?” Chynna asked as she slowly made her way down.
“No, so take your time,” Caleb replied. “That’s my little nephew in there.”
Several minutes later, they were all heading out the front door. Two limousines were lined up outside waiting for them. Caleb, Addison, Noah and Chynna got in one while Duke and his daughters got into the other.
“Where’s your other half?” Caleb asked Chynna.
“Kenya, Lucas, Rylee and Amar went ahead,” said Chynna, “so they could greet any early arrivals.”
“I can’t believe Rylee is getting married,” said Caleb. “It seems like just the other day we were racing to the mountains to see who was the better horseman, or horsewoman in her case.”
“Yeah,” Noah concurred. “Our sis is all grown up.”
The rest of the drive was sprinkled with other anecdotes about Caleb’s family, and Addison soaked it all in. She was enjoying their time together even though she knew it wouldn’t last, but it was nice to dream that just for a moment she too was part of this dynamic family.
About twenty minutes later, the limousine stopped in front of a large church. As Caleb helped Addison out of the backseat, she looked up to admire the house of worship’s stylish architecture. Then hand in hand, they walked up the church’s steps through the doors to meet the remaining members of the Hart clan.
As soon as she entered, the curly-haired woman from the picture came rushing toward her with open arms, and Addison realized she had nothing to worry about. “You must be Addison.” Rylee Hart gave her a warm welcoming hug.
“Yes, I am,” Addison said as they parted. “Congratulations, Rylee.”
Rylee glanced over at Caleb. “You did good, baby brother.” She curled her arm around Addison’s. “C’mon, let me introduce you to everyone.” She headed down the aisle toward the altar. “You can come too,” she said over her shoulder to Caleb.
Caleb watched Addison as Rylee introduced her to his parents. Addison was the first woman he’d ever brought home to meet them, and he could see his parents were smitten by her. She was a total class act.
His mother greeted her in a similar fashion as Rylee had, and his father grasped her h
and and shook it gently.
“Where have you been hiding her?” Madelyn Hart asked, turning to Caleb several feet away.
Caleb walked toward his parents. “I haven’t been hiding her. We met a couple of weeks ago and then reconnected again in Dallas.”
Amar and Lucas gave Caleb knowing glances. It was clear that they remembered meeting her in the Vegas nightclub, but his parents didn’t need to know every detail. He walked next to Addison and slid his arm around her. “Must have been in the cards, right?” He tipped Addison’s chin up to look at him.
When she did, he got lost in the innocence of her eyes. He wondered if he would ever tire of looking at her.
“Ahem!” His father coughed across from him, reminding him they’d been in the middle of a conversation.
Addison had that effect on him. Whenever she was around, he got caught up. Perhaps Noah was right. He’d thought he’d sprung Addison, but maybe the shoe was on the other foot?
“So, when are we getting started?” Caleb asked.
“That’s a good question,” Lucas said from their huddle. He was standing next to his mother and several other women, who, in Caleb’s opinion, were inappropriately attired for a wedding rehearsal dinner. Two of them had on dresses too snug for their large bodies while the other female, who was slim, had on a dress so short, it was damn near indecent.
“They’re Lucas’s sisters from South Central LA,” Rylee whispered in his ear. She had a way of reading Caleb’s mind. It had always been like that between them. You would think they were twins, like Chynna and Kenya, the way they could be so in tune with each other.
“Figures,” he replied.
“Forgive me,” Amar said. “We’re waiting on my brothers. They arrived late this afternoon and are coming from the Ritz- Carlton. Tariq texted me that they left the hotel thirty minutes ago, so they should be here—” He cut off his sentence. “They’re here now.”
All eyes glanced down the aisle to see two men and a woman strolling toward them. There was an air about the threesome that said, “We’re important.” One of the men, who was tall, olive-skinned and had straight jet-black hair, smiled broadly. He had the same facial features as Amar: square jaw, dark eyes and the same broad shoulders, which were prominent in the expensive dark suit he wore. He had to be Tariq, Amar’s younger brother, Caleb thought.
The other man with the woman ... well, he wore a stone-cold expression and had eyes as chilly as ice. He wasn’t as tall as his brother, but he had the same dark hair and olive skin. This had to be Khalid, the new King of Nasir, and the woman–his wife, Freya. She was petite, maybe five foot four, and she wore a simple, yet colorful hijab.
“Brother,” Amar said, rushing toward Tariq, “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world,” Tariq said. “I’m sorry I missed the bachelor party, but with the unrest in our neighboring country, I was needed at home.”
Amar turned to his other brother. “Khalid, Freya, thank you for coming.”
Khalid nodded. “It would be rude if we didn’t.”
Caleb couldn’t resist laughing, to which his mother returned a chastising look.
“We are glad you both could come,” his mother said, walking along with her husband toward both men. “I’m Madelyn and this is my husband, Isaac. Welcome to Tucson.”
It didn’t take long for Madelyn Hart to wrap both men around her little finger. Caleb was impressed by how she had a way with men that made them mush. She warmed up stuffy Khalid in no time. Soon the rehearsal was going along as scheduled.
After he got Addison settled in a pew, Caleb took his place as did everyone else in the double-wedding party, and they walked through the paces of the wedding.
When the rehearsal ended, they all took limousines back to Golden Oaks, where the rehearsal dinner was being held. Madelyn Hart had gone to great lengths to ensure the evening would go off without a hitch by hiring additional staff to oversee the evening. The house was full with wait staff, family, the wedding party and the family of the brides and grooms.
And the meal, well, Madelyn had outdone herself. The selection was gourmet and straight off something Caleb may have seen on the Food Network. While everyone busied themselves with getting settled after four delicious courses, Caleb took a moment and pulled Addison to the side and onto the terrace outside the great dining room. He knew it had to be overwhelming for her to meet all these new people in one night.
“How are you doing?” he asked, pulling off his suit jacket.
He hated wearing the damn thing, and the fact that the night air had a slight chill gave him a reason to wrap it around Addison’s bare shoulders.
“I’m fine.” She smiled at him.
He peered at her. “Are you sure about that? I know it has to be exhausting meeting that clan.” He pointed in the direction of the French doors.
“It is,” she answered. “I mean, there’s nearly thirty people in there.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I guess we Harts don’t know how to do anything small.”
Addison stared through the window at the guests milling around the room. “True, but I love it. I grew up the exact opposite. After my mom died, it’s always been just me and my father. I would have loved to have been part of such a big family.”
Caleb pulled Addison into his arms and stared at her. “Well, you can borrow mine anytime you want.” He smiled, then he lowered his head and kissed her deeply.
The kiss took on an intensity he hadn’t been angling for, but once they began, Caleb couldn’t stop himself. Before he knew it, he was pushing Addison backward against the façade of the house. He grasped the sides of her face and plunged his tongue deep inside her mouth. She responded with a deep, throaty moan that made his manhood immediately come alive. He loved hearing her moan and that she enjoyed their kiss.
“Caleb,” Addison said as she pulled away, “we can’t. Your family is in the other room.”
“Then we should get out of here and go upstairs to my room.”
“That would be rude.”
“The evening is over,” Caleb responded, “and I’ve done my part. Now it’s time for what I want.” He pulled her closer so she could feel his swelling manhood. “And I want you, right now. So, it’s out here or upstairs. What’s it going to be?”
Addison chose upstairs. It didn’t take long for him to remove their clothing, lay her down on his king-size bed and sheath himself with a condom before joining her. He grabbed one of her legs and wrapped it around him while he teased her womanly folds. She was already wet for him just as he knew she would be. Oh, God, he couldn’t get enough of this woman, he thought, just as he sank deep inside her.
“Oh, yes,” she cried out.
He sank deeper and deeper, joining them as one, and Addison took him all in and then began undulating underneath him. “Yes, babe,” he murmured.
She moved her hips in a rhythm that he soon picked up. They made love ...
Chapter 12
Addison was embarrassed as she entered the dining room the next morning. The entire Hart family was present, including Duke and his daughters. They had to have wondered what happened to her and Caleb last night after they’d disappeared. They must think her a hussy. Caleb had a way of making her behave inappropriately and do things she would never do.
“Good morning,” she said brightly as Caleb pulled out her chair and she sat beside Rylee.
Noah grinned as if he knew something, while Rylee said “Good morning” back.
“How did you sleep?” Caleb’s mother asked.
Noah chuckled and Addison thought he might choke on his coffee because Chynna had to pat his back. “You okay, honey?”
He nodded, but Addison felt like everyone knew the truth. Several times throughout the night, she’d covered Caleb’s mouth to prevent him from hollering when he orgasm
ed. She hadn’t wanted anyone to hear them. Thankfully Amar, Lucas and both their families had gone back to the Ritz-Carlton because the men couldn’t see their brides before the big day.
“My siblings and I have our own wings,” Caleb had told her.
“Aren’t your uncle and the girls staying in this wing?” Addison had asked. Afterward, he’d been much quieter.
Addison attempted to wipe the embarrassed expression off her face and finally answered Madelyn Hart’s question. “I slept well. Thank you.”
“Good,” Madelyn replied, then turned to her daughter. “So, my dear,” she said as she reached for Rylee’s hand, “today’s the day. Are you ready?”
Rylee smiled. “I can’t wait to become Amar’s wife.”
“And you, Kenya?” Madelyn leaned over to reach for her. “How are you feeling today? I know I’m not your mama, but I’m here for you too.”
Kenya beamed. “Thank you, Madelyn. And like my fellow bride,” she said, glancing at Rylee, “I can’t wait to marry the man I love. It was a long road with my work schedule and the Oscar, but I’m thrilled for this day.”
“Alright, well let’s get this party started,” said Madelyn.
The rest of the day went in slow motion for Addison. It was like she was watching the life she’d always wanted play out in front of her. A hairdresser came to do all of the ladies’ hair while Rylee and Kenya both had facials. Addison was tickled to be included with Chynna, Jada, Bree and London. They made her feel at home, like one of the Hart clan. After hair, it was time for makeup.
It took several hours to complete them all, but eventually everyone was done and headed to get dressed before traveling to the church. Addison only caught sight of Caleb once when he stopped in to tell her that he was going to the hotel. He and Noah were going to help Amar and Lucas get ready. Tariq was standing up as Amar’s best man while Noah would stand in for Lucas. Unfortunately, Lucas’s former best friend and business partner, Eli Ross, had embezzled funds and nearly gotten Kenya raped when she was impersonating Chynna. Eli was now in the LA County Jail, so Noah was standing up as Lucas’s best man.
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