Family Business (Mixing Business with Pleasure Book 3)

by Ace Gray

  “Bra, corset?” Nick was looking aimlessly around the corner of the bed.

  “Don’t need either.” I arched my eyebrow.

  “Of course you’re trying to kill me.”

  He shook his head and reached for my Jimmy Choos. The platform heels were a combo of shimmery gold and silver glitter.

  Nick bent and let me slide my toes into each one while his strong hands steadied my ankles. I paused long enough to take in the sight; my beautiful soon-to-be husband was bent at my feet as tender and loving as I'd ever seen. I couldn't help but bend down and hook my finger under his chin to gently pull him to standing.

  He knew what I was angling for the second he looked into my eyes. Mine may not swirl like his but he knew what I wanted—he always knew—and his lips took mine. He kissed me until I went breathless then abruptly pulled away. Without a word, he turned back to the bedroom once more. This time he came back with his camera, snapping only a few innocent pictures.

  “I think I like these even more than the other ones.”

  He smirked and I couldn’t help but blush. After all these years, he still drew the strangest responses from me. My favorite full-blown crooked smile pulled across his lips at the rosy hue.

  “I’ll grab your dress.”

  “I’ll grab her dress.” Laura had reappeared and was smiling at both of us from the doorway. “I get you guys aren’t being traditional, and that’s fine, but you're going to get the big reveal whether you like it or not, Nicholas.” She put her hands on her gray chiffon covered hips and glowered.

  I tried to stifle a giggle, knowing full well how hard it was to fight with that face. By now, Nick knew too, and he held his free hand up and walked past her to the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed to slip into his vest while Laura grabbed the Vera Wang gown.

  She shut the door behind her before she arched her eyebrow at me. “Okay with that?”

  “Yeah, I think I am.”

  We both smiled as she crouched down, letting organza fluff out, holding the bustier for me to step into. We were both smiling as I shimmied and she pulled the fabric into place. Laura zipped me into place while I adjusted the diamond pendant to hang perfectly in the neckline. My hands wandered over a few appliqués of lace on the fitted, almost lingerie style top. Laura gently arranged all the waves of organza in the skirt and fluffed the appliqué pieces that continued cascading down. When she was happy with her work, she stood and turned me.

  “You look amazing. You are amazing. And I’m so happy for you both.” Her smile was so genuine, but her eyes still looked a little sad.

  “You’ll get it. I know it. You deserve it more than me.” I put all the love I had for her in my smile.

  “That’s for sure.” Her whole face brightened with the sarcasm but then fell all over again.

  She yanked me into her chest and her shoulders shook a little against me.

  “Laura, are you okay?” I hugged her back tightly.

  “I love you, Kate,” she managed through her small sobs.

  “I love you, too.” I smiled against her cheek and couldn’t help the soft chuckle.

  “Don’t laugh at me!” Light laughter broke through her tears.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” I was smiling ear to ear when she stepped back.

  “I think we made Nicholas wait long enough.”

  "I made him wait three years, he'll survive." We both burst out in bright, loud laughter but Laura went to the bathroom door anyway and pulled it open.

  Nick was messing with a cufflink when I stepped into the bedroom. He stopped in mid motion and the cufflink clattered to the floor. His jaw dropped and his eyes changed to an incredibly breathtaking shade of blue. But he didn’t move. From the doorway it didn’t even look like he was breathing.

  “You like?”

  Nick cleared his throat and his mouth opened once or twice. Laura stealing out of the room caught my attention for just a moment. When the latch clicked my gaze swept back to Nick, he still looked bewildered but he’d stood and was walking toward me. I only took one deep breath before his lips mashed down onto mine. I thought about protesting, my makeup was bound to get everywhere when he kissed me like that, but my self-control evaporated.

  Nick gathered my Jell-O limbs in his arms and held me even tighter. Both of his hands dug into my hips as I snaked mine up to grip his neck. His hands found their way to my ass and he grabbed. Hard.

  MMMmmm.

  I couldn't help the noise that escaped my lips as he softly bit and pulled on my lower lip.

  "Damn Sweets. You'll kill me." He didn't stop kissing me. "I've never seen anything so gorgeous, then to hear that…" One of his hands started to travel up my body, moving into my hairline before freezing. "I should drag you out there right now so we can get this over and done with. I fucking want you.”

  "Why can't you just have me now?"

  "Don't tease a man." His lips grazed against mine.

  "I'm not," I growled. My hands rubbed down the front of him. I lingered on his erection. “Please," I breathed the words as my fingers flexed.

  "Your dress?" His question lingered warm against my lips.

  "Just be gentle."

  He ducked down and in one swift movement lifted the hem. I was about to run my fingers through his hair when he shot back to my lips. His hands were still underneath the skirt and he used his grip to pull me closer. Slowly he started pushing me back toward the bed. The mattress was up against the back of my knees before I had the sense to stop him. That would certainly ruin my hair. Probably the organza too.

  "Stop. Nick," I moaned.

  His hands grasped desperately at my flesh. He redirected my body, angling for the section of bare wall between the bar and the bookcase. When my body thudded against the wall, he didn't even need me to say what would get mussed.

  "Fuck, where can I take you?" His voice was garbled in between never ending kisses.

  "Bathroom counter.” I was breathless as we shuffled, all hands and lips, across the floor.

  With very little effort, he lifted me onto the slate countertop. He gently pushed my dress out of the way to set my bare backside on the stone. Lust was every bit as palpable as electricity when he bent me backward and was rewarded with four different reflections of us tangled together. His hands went to his pants, and within seconds, he pushed my thong to the side and slid into me. Our moans of pleasure mingled together at the initial full feeling.

  "My wife," he breathed as he pulled almost all the way out and pushed back in forcefully.

  I cried out and my hips automatically shifted. Suddenly he was in deeper and I could only whimper. He started rolling his hips against me and it had my heart racing. My diamond necklace shuddered against my skin with the rhythm.

  Nick's eyes were beautiful, and I made a point of staring deeply into them as I braced myself on the counter. His hands were digging into me harder and harder and I loved it. In that moment my bones felt how completely I belonged to him. And him to me. It made me truly, madly, deeply in love with the idea of marrying him. Finally.

  I was building, the feeling becoming more electric as he continued his delectable thrusts.

  "My husband." I was barely able to breathe the words.

  His eyes flashed again and he pulled me up against his body. He would notice my heart hammering for him even through the fabric.

  "Say it again," he growled.

  I could feel the intensity in his voice, it rumbled through his chest.

  "My husband," I gasped, more than happy to oblige.

  His muscles bunched underneath me, his body responding equally to the words and the sentiment.

  "Again." His breathing was getting ragged.

  "My husband.” The end of my word was a garbled cry as he used his thumb to brush against my clitoris.

  My orgasm crashed through me. I still held tightly to the countertop as his lips came back to mine. I moaned into his mouth as the familiar waves rolled through my body. I was flexing and ri
ppling on his hard cock.

  His body tensed under mine, and his fingers clawed into my hips. His talons would keep me from a bikini bottom in public on the honeymoon but I didn't care.

  Who says we're leaving the room anyway?

  My skin was still tingling when he came. My whole body twitched when his heat shot inside of me. Everything was jittery, already yearning for more of him. My hands clung to him while he finished, content to raise my lips to his jaw and shower it in kisses. When Nick could breathe again he uttered, "My wife.” In that moment I understood why husband had turned him on so very much.

  "My hus…”

  He twitched inside of me. "Don't," he interrupted as he pulled out unceremoniously.

  I couldn't help but wince until his lips found mine, kissing me again. From somewhere he grabbed a washcloth and was gently cleaning between my thighs but his fluttered kisses didn’t stop. When he finally pulled his lips away, he leaned his forehead against mine.

  "That is the most erotic thing you could say to me, and I don't think we can finish another round before the ceremony. I have no intentions of hurrying."

  He pulled my thong back into place and rubbed over top of the fabric just to tease me. I smacked his chest half-heartedly before replying.

  "You're going to have to hear it in front of one hundred people shortly. I certainly hope you don't cut me off to have your way with me right there."

  He chuckled softly as he helped me down from the counter. I started arranging my gown, making sure everything was in place, and the organza fluffed and floated. Nick stilled my hands and took over, smoothing as needed. His hands softly skated up and down my dress and then along my ribs.

  When I turned to check my makeup, only my lipstick had suffered. I smirked as I cleaned up stray marks and filled in smudges. Nick slid right up behind me and was pushing any hairpins that needed back into place.

  I turned to face him and noticed that my lipstick had left a few stray marks on his face. I chuckled as I reached for a clean rag. While I was wetting it, he checked his bow tie, vest, and coat in the mirror. He laughed at the lipstick marks and then at me as I gently worked them off. I couldn't help but let my fingers skate down his lapels just before I nuzzled into his chest.

  He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and happily held me there. I would have sat and listened to his heart all evening if I could have. When I noticed the sun hanging low in the ripply June sky, I let out a heavy sigh.

  "We should get going.” Despite my words I didn't budge.

  "Don't sound so thrilled, Sweets,” Nick said brusquely.

  "Oh stop that right now.” I snaked my arms around him and kept him tight within my grasp. "You know damn well I want to marry you. I just love moments like this too. I’d be wrapped up with you in bed if I had my way.”

  There was a knock at the door and Nick’s trademark “Go away” immediately followed.

  “Nicholas Bryant do not make everyone wait. It’s rude. Even for you,” Aribella squawked through the door.

  We shared one long, sickeningly sweet look before both breaking into beaming smiles. Nick kept his hand at the small of my back as we turned toward the door. He effortlessly pulled it open to find a bright red fuming Ari on the other side, complete with balled fists.

  “Calm down Ari, we actually can’t be late.” I smiled serenely.

  “Nicholas isn’t even dressed.” Her whole face squinched as she spoke. I turned to look at Nick and couldn’t see anything out of place. I made a show of drinking in every inch of him. That’s when I noticed he was missing the single cufflink that he’d dropped when Laura opened the bathroom door.

  “Oh good God. It’s a cufflink. I’ll grab it, go get everyone ready.”

  "Your bouquet is on the counter.” She shook her head and stomped down the hall.

  Nick was right behind me when I shut the door and he kissed the back of my head carefully. I turned in his arms and, as badly as I wanted to kiss him, I simply set my hands on his chest and forced myself not to flex my fingers. I smiled and smoothed out his vest then down his sleeves to his cuffs.

  Part of me hated pulling away from him, but I did it anyway, crouching to snatch the gold knot from the floor. Nick followed and held his wrist out to me. I carefully threaded the cufflink and adjusted his sleeve. As soon as I let go he used his outstretched hand to grab my waist and pull me against his body. It was a quick squeeze but it was so tender it made my heart swell.

  Nick pulled me toward the door. I sagged into his side as we walked together to the kitchen. His arm moved from the small of my back to my shoulders as he kissed my forehead. I grabbed my bouquet of feathery, soft pink and white peonies. The lace ribbon binding them twisted and rolled in the breeze as we stepped out the front door.

  The light of the sunset cast shadows across Nick’s features, making him seem softer but searing the memory him into my mind all at the same time. His eyes turned deeper blue, that of infinite galaxies in the warm, cocooning breeze. My emotions grew sharp in contrast to the lazy evening, and a knot formed in my throat.

  Nick looked at me similarly but there was a hint of a tear in his eye. My free hand came up to cradle his face, and he closed his eyes to nuzzle into my hand.

  “Don’t go soft on me now, Bryant.”

  Despite the sass, my voice betrayed how close I was to following suit. It made him laugh and take one quick swat at my ass.

  I threaded my fingers through his, determined to keep a firm grasp on him the whole time. The song I had chosen to walk down the aisle to began drifting on the wind, dulcet and sweet like the gossamer hanging in the tent. Nick and I both straightened. We gave each other a once over as the guests rose from their seats.

  The strings sang and my heartbeats rose and fell with the bows gliding along the violins. Each note struck me and was what finally pulled tears to the corner of my eyes.

  We started walking down the long stone path just in time for a single tear to streak down my face. Just before the rows of guests, Nick stopped and cradled my face. He wiped my tear away with his thumbs. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face even though my lip trembled.

  An all too familiar camera shutter caught that moment. And the one after when a single tear trailed down Nick's face. I stood on tiptoes to kiss where it pooled on his jaw. We were frozen in that moment for a few deep, perfect breaths before we continued down the aisle.

  We both stopped where Laura cradled Wells. I tickled his adorably tuxed tummy while Nick beamed down on the two of us. We both moved in to kiss his forehead. For a blissfully perfect second all three of us where framed by a breathtaking sunset. Then an even more spectacular aura of love.

  Nick's hand clasped mine and he kissed my forehead as we took our place in front of the reverend. My eyes weren’t really interested in leaving Nick’s, not even for the briefest of moments. His hadn't stopped studying me since we’d left the house.

  The reverend started and I barely registered his words. I could only think of Nick. Of the way the ocean breeze rustled the ends of his perfectly styled hair. Of the blue in his eyes and how deep it was. How those eyes were my eyes. My world.

  I let my gaze wander down his body, taking in the custom tailored tux and how flawlessly it fit him. I could imagine the sculpted body I adored underneath. The heat rose in my cheeks and flushed across my chest when I pictured all the naughty things we did.

  That always familiar tingle charged between us. So much so that I figured even the reverend could feel it. Of course Nick noticed. Only I saw the corner of his mouth turn up in a wicked little smirk. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from losing my composure completely.

  Nick cleared his throat as he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.

  His vows!

  The anticipation made my skin goose bump even in the warm breeze.

  "Kate Elliott, light of my life.” He paused and his crooked smile unfurled across his face. “I promise to protect you.�
� He chuckled and I shook my head. “I promise to always try, both harder and smarter.” His laugh was even brighter and this time I rolled my eyes. “And I promise to always come to a compromise, even if it takes some…um…effort to get there.” At that, I burst out laughing, knowing exactly the kind of effort he was referring to.

  “But most of all I promise you the world. I promise you anything and everything because even that wouldn't be enough to thank you for coming into my life.” His smile had shifted to a sweet, shy one and it tugged on my heartstrings. “I didn’t believe in love, I certainly didn’t think that I would get it. But I needed you too much. My soul recognized it needed yours too much.” His voice got lower, the words harder to choke out past emotion.

  When he cleared his throat and struggled to find words, tears came unbidden to the corner of my eyes. Nick moved closer and rested his hand on my hip. Neither of us gave a damn about keeping the traditional distance.

  “Kate, I will forever love you like this. Truly, madly, deeply." His hand flexed into me. "I will always put you and Wells before anything else. I will always try to be a man that makes you proud. Today I give you all that I am, all that I have. All I ask in return is that you love me, like this, for always."

  Somehow I managed to choke out, "I will."

  The reverend smiled reassuringly at me, asking me to share my vows. Tears just wouldn't stop streaming down my face but Nick kept trying to tenderly remove them. Wells shrieked as Ari stepped up from her chair and handed me the slip of paper on which I’d scribbled my vows. I took a deep breath then a tiny step forward almost pressing myself flush against Nick.

  “I will freely admit I was a pain in the ass to get down the aisle.”

  The crowd chuckled but I still heard Laura mumble, “Language” from her seat. All I did was beam up at my love, unconcerned with the people watching or the tears trembling on my lips.

  “But it had nothing to do with not wanting to be married. You had my forever the first day I met you. Maybe even before that. Admitting that was the hard part.” That drew another low chuckle from those that knew us best as I continued, “But I couldn’t deny that I need you. I couldn’t deny it any more than I could stop the sun rising in the east or setting in the west. Because that is how simple and straightforward our truth is.