by Aliyah Burke
“Why would you trust me?”
“Because I love you. I’m in love with you.” He moved closer to her until he could touch her. His large hands settled upon her upper arms. “I want to marry you, Ellie Forrester. I want to raise a family with you.” He rested his head against hers, holding her stare.
“I don’t know if I want children.”
He barely blinked. “So, it’s something we talk about down the road. I’d like to spend some time with it just being us. Husband and wife.”
She closed her eyes. Mrs. Ellie Harvey. Yes, she liked the sound of that.
“I have demons.”
“Of course you do, baby. You’ve lived. You’ve survived. We all have them to a degree.”
“Piper says I’m a survivor. That I should be proud of that.”
“Piper sounds very smart. And correct.”
“She’s my best friend and she told me to come back.”
“Like I said, smart.”
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight to him. She loved the lub-dub of his heart in her ear. A sound she’d missed while being away from him. So strong. So steady.
“It was my ex-husband.” She fought the shiver as she spoke the words.
He didn’t pull back and make her hold his gaze. Bennett allowed her to remain tucked where he couldn’t see her face.
“He was the perfect gentleman when we first started. I had no indication of what he was truly like until after I was his wife.”
Bennett’s warm breath along her ear, oddly comforting.
“At first it was small shoves and smacks in the face. Nothing major, then came the apologies and gifts. He’s a wealthy man, it was nothing for him to buy me some diamond bauble.” She wound her hands in his shirt, taking the time to allow his clean masculine scent to flow over her. “Then came the bruising. The black eyes, marks on my arms, legs, and stomach. After that, the broken bones. While he got good at hurting, I got exceptional at lying. He even went so far as to buy horses to use as excuses for my arm breaks, or fingers.”
Bennett stiffed against her but his hold on her never lessened. She was completely safe in the enclosure of his embrace. This was where she wanted to stay. Not even before Trevor turned into the abusive ass, or rather showed his true colors, had she felt this was with him. Not once.
“Funny how money can make people look the other way. No one listened to me. Not the cops, not his parents, only Piper. She hates him and confronted him. Of course he denied everything but that night he beat me so bad he had to have a doctor come out and treat me at the house, knowing that someone in the hospital would report it to someone he couldn’t buy off.”
Her body sagged and he held her up. “Piper helped me get here and filed the divorce paperwork. We sent it to him along with a note stating that if he contested the divorce we would show the x-rays and round up some of the doctors and nurses who had treated me. Either I wasn’t that important to him or he no longer wanted the hassle. There was no contestation from his camp.”
“And you saw him the other day, which prompted all the memories to come back in a flood of panic.”
“Yes. I thought he’d come for me after all those years, even though I saw him with another woman. It spiraled from there.”
“You sound like you’re apologizing and you don’t have to. I wish you’d told me this, yes, but it is in the past. We don’t have to mention it anymore.”
“Why aren’t you angrier?”
“Trust me, Smash. I’m furious but not with you. With him. I hate fuckers like that and would enjoy showing him what it is like trying to hit someone who can and will fight back.”
Bennett hefted her and carried her with him to the couch where he laid out, positioning her on top of him. The afternoon sun warm on her back, she burrowed closer to him, accepting the heat from both sides.
“So, what happens now?”
* * *
A good question. Bennett stared up at the ecru ceiling and held her to him. It was a good thing he’d not known about this when he’d seen the man there, for he surely would have killed him for daring to touch Ellie like that.
“Are you staying here?”
He held his breath while he waited for her to respond.
“I think so. For now, at least. While I was back in Kansas I was reminded of why it’s not my favorite place in the world.”
“Why is that?”
“They’d just started tornado season and we had two while I was there. Piper reminded me about the winters with the snow and ice storms. Why the hell would I want to give all this up for cold and snow?”
“We can go to the mountains if you’d like snow.”
“No, I’m fine just looking from afar.”
He chuckled at how fast she got that reply out. She pressed a kiss to his sternum.
“For what it’s worth, Bennett, I’m sorry I didn’t explain things better.”
Repositioning her so he could see her green-blue eyes, he ran his gaze over her features. “Don’t run without talking first.”
She wriggled on him, shooting more blood to his cock. “Deal.”
He cupped her ass and held her close to his dick. “God, I want to fuck you.”
Her gaze darkened and she leaned in to kiss him. He stopped her.
“We start this, we’re not stopping for a while and we have to talk first.”
She swiped her tongue over her lips. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, yes I am.” Fuck no. I don’t want to talk.
She sat up and drew off her shirt. “We can do both.”
His brain short-circuited. He wasn’t going to survive this. “Both?” His voice sounded no clearer than a bullfrog croak.
“Yes.” She inched back so he could sit. “We undress and talk at the same time, this way when we’re done with the talking we’re ready for the fucking.”
He ripped his shirt off with one hand and dropped it to the floor with hers. Her turquoise bra cupped her breasts and pushed them up, much like an offering. One he wasn’t about to turn down.
“I didn’t want you to know I had been weak enough to let a man beat me. And I was scared to let you in close, for fear you would turn on me like he had.”
He smoothed his hands up her sides until he reached the bottom of her bra band. Moving inward, he skimmed his thumbs along the underside of her lacy temptation. The tips were pointed and pebbled. As he swiped his thumbpads over them, she moaned and lowered her head, allowing the dark hair to fall forward over one eye.
“Bennett.” Her voice was more a beg than anything.
Fuck talking. He slammed his mouth on her own and thrust his tongue deep as he made short work of her pants. Not much later, he moaned in contentment as he slid his length balls deep inside her pussy.
Bennett stirred and drew the woman in his arms closer to him. Her back was to his chest and he held her around the midsection as he teased her sensitive breasts with his other hand. She made more small mewls in the back of her throat but didn’t waken.
Right now, they lay on a mess of blankets and pillows in her bedroom on the floor. The sun had set and he didn’t want to get up, but he was hungry. She moaned his name and guided his hand down between her legs.
Pushing two fingers into her slit, he sank them inside her, using the heel of his palm against her bundle of nerves that had lifted her to so many orgasms earlier. He sucked on her neck as he pumped his fingers inside her heat.
She came with a low cry and her hips bucked, taking in all they could. She still didn’t wake and he withdrew from her and crawled out of the nest they’d made. Drawing on his pants, he cleaned up in the bathroom, went to her kitchen, and rooted around in the fridge.
When a knock came, he walked to the peephole and stared out.
“What do you need, Dogfish?” he asked, pulling the door open.
“Wondered when you were getting back. How is she?”
“Recovering. Something you needed?”
“Nope, just doi
ng my nightly check on her.”
“We’ll be over later.”
“See you then.” He left without another word.
After eating, more sex, another shower, and more sex, they were finally dressed and on their way to the bar.
“Have you ever been there when you’ve not been working?”
“Nope.” She sat in the middle seat of his truck, head on his shoulder. “I’m not typically looking to head back to that place. I spend enough time there. And I do have to work tonight.”
“Ellie,” he said. “I thought we were spending the night getting through this.”
“I have to, Bennett. Dogfish isn’t fully healed yet and Mikeyla’s gone back home.”
He got it but he didn’t like it.
He held her hand as they walked into Last Call and the place broke into whistles and whooping n’ hollering.
“When’s the big day?” Rachel asked as she hugged Ellie.
Bennett held her gaze when she turned her questioning one to him. “I didn’t do this.”
“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, placing a kiss on his cheek and moving behind the counter.
Some of the local sailors glared at him then told Ellie how crushed they were she was taken. She joked with them as he made his way through the crowd of congratulations to his seat. Did they know something he didn’t? He’d mentioned it to her earlier but neither of them had done anything else in terms of discussing an upcoming marriage.
Interesting. Something for them to talk about for sure on the way home.
The night went fast and he enjoyed it, not as much as if he’d been alone with Ellie, but he still enjoyed himself.
They walked out together after everything was finished.
“Do you have any clue what they were talking about?” she asked as they rounded the first corner.
“No. I thought you might.”
“Not at all. I even checked my hand to see if I had any ring there I didn’t know about.”
He spun her into a business wall and kissed her until her fingers gripped the front of his shirt and she damn near rode his hip.
“Would you like one there?”
“What?” She stared up at him, kiss swollen lips and wide eyes.
“I’m asking you right now to marry me, Ellie. What do you say?”
“Yes.”
He whooped and kissed her once more. Now this was how you ended a night.
Epilogue
“I’m not letting you do this without me. I can’t believe you told me not to bother coming because you knew I didn’t like flying.”
Ellie turned at the sharp voice that filled the doorway of Last Call. Piper stood there, suitcases in hand and fire in her eyes.
“Piper? Oh my God, what are you doing here?” Ellie bolted from behind the counter to hug her friend. “I can’t believe you actually got on an airplane.”
“You’re getting married, I’m not about to miss that. Besides, I think I flew drunk.”
Bennett walked over and Ellie introduced them.
“Piper, this is my Bennett. Bennett, my best friend in the entire world. Piper Austen.”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Holy fuck, Ellie, you didn’t tell me he was this good looking. You just said handsome and sexy. That’s like calling what I do a passable donut.”
Bennett smiled and plucked her bags from Piper’s hand. “Let me put these in the office so you two lovely ladies can catch up.” He walked off with them.
Ellie hugged her once more. “How the heck do you still smell like pastries after flying all the way from Kansas to Hawaii?”
Piper kissed her cheek. “Trade secret. Now why the hell did you tell me not to come?”
“I didn’t say that.” She guided her to a seat at the bar. “I said don’t feel bad about it because I know how much flying scares you.”
“I would not miss your wedding for the world. And since I came, I’m also taking a vacation so I will be able to play tourist.”
Ellie’s eyes burned with tears. “Thank you for coming. What about Max?”
“He’s with Mom and Dad, who would be here if they could.”
“I know.” She squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad you made it.”
“Me too, we have a lot to do. I know you don’t care about these things, but you will.”
“The wedding is in two days.”
“I know, do you have to work the rest of the night or can we get to work?”
“Go,” Dogfish said.
Ellie introduced the two and was shocked when Piper kissed him on the cheek and he flushed. “We’ll be heading to my place then, and I forgot to tell you, Dogfish. You don’t have to worry about finding a date. I have one coming for you. Nurse Bryn.”
She tugged Piper toward the door at the expression on the former Marine’s face. Somehow Bennett knew and met the women out front with his truck.
The two days flew by for her and before she knew it, the wedding day had arrived. Piper was a force of nature and had everything on track and working like a well-oiled machine. While it wasn’t going to be a huge ceremony, Piper said she deserved the best and that’s what she was going to have.
It was taking place at Bennett’s mom’s house, along the beach. There was a huge feast awaiting them afterward. Right now, she stood in the back of the house in a room with Piper. Her friend held her hands.
“How are you doing?”
“I’d be panicking if you weren’t here, Piper. Thank you for coming.” She blinked back tears, under threat of bodily harm from Piper if she ruined her makeup.
“My best friend is getting married. Where else would I be?”
“I’m sorry I won’t be able to take you around the island. It’s been crazy and all about me since you landed.”
“It’s supposed to be about you, it’s your wedding.” She affixed the wedding veil comb and stood back. “And you’re beautiful.”
Piper turned her to the mirror and Ellie stared at her reflection. The crystal-beaded satin A-line gown with its rounded sweetheart neckline fit her perfectly. The crystal beading was in a v-front design on the bust with asymmetric ruching. There was also crystal and sequin beading throughout the fitted bodice.
She had no shoes and had no plans to wear any. Her toes had a French manicure, like her fingernails. Beside her, Piper was stunning in her ombre green convertible wrap dress, darker to lighter as you worked your way up. The chiffon with satin lining dress was the same for all the women but as it was a convertible wrap dress they each had picked their own wait to wear it.
Piper had a single shoulder knot and some extra material hanging down over one arm, the other left bare. Also, no shoes.
“Let’s go.”
She squeezed her hand and nodded. This was it. She would walk out there, through that door and no longer be Ellie Forrester but Mrs. Ellie Harvey.
* * *
Bennett stood by the preacher, sweat dripping down the back of his tuxedo. He was scared she wasn’t going to come out of his mom’s house. What if she’d changed her mind and ran?
“She’s here,” Dogfish whispered to him.
There were only two people missing. Piper and the bride. Piper walked into view, the breeze blowing around her, moving the deep red locks over her skin. Bennett kept his eyes where she’d entered from waiting to see Ellie.
Piper smiled at him as she took her spot. His heart thundered in his chest. How he would get through this, he wasn’t sure. His mom sat in the first row of chairs, a smile on her face he never wanted her to lose.
The music changed and began The Wedding March. There wasn’t anything there and then, just like that, there she was. Walking toward him. Before her, she held a bouquet of lilies, pincushion flowers, and others, he couldn’t name.
Her steps were sure as she moved up the path and onto the sand to join him down on the water’s edge. The minister stood there with him and gave him an encouraging smile. Closer and closer sh
e came, her short hair fluttering in the wind as did the dress and veil.
She got to him and took his hand. The ceremony went by in a blur until the minister announced he could kiss the bride. Bennett bent and claimed her mouth.
She sighed and pushed up onto her toes, wrapping her arms around him. Pictures were done and as everyone sat for the meal, he went with his uncles to get changed for the dance. He was going to perform with them and some friends of his mother’s in a celebration dance.
“You’re nervous,” one uncle stated.
“Of course I am. I’ve not done this for about fifteen years.”
“Nothing to worry about, braddah. It’s in your blood.”
“Easy for you to say, your new wife isn’t out there watching to see if you fall flat on your face and make an ass of yourself.”
“True.”
The outfit on, he stared down at himself in the grass skirt. There was a reason he stopped doing this. He was proud of his heritage but this, he just didn’t understand. His uncle placed a necklace around him before putting the crown on his head.
“Let’s go.”
He fell into step with the large men and walked to the edge. The women dancers joined them and they all lined up. The music began and he felt it beating deep in his chest. He knew his uncle was correct, it was in his blood, he wouldn’t be forgetting this.
He rolled his shoulders and began to dance. Blood pumping, muscles straining, he stayed out there with his family and shared this side of his heritage with his wife and her friends. Eyes locked on her the entire time, she never glanced away from him. Pride filled him as awe streamed into her gaze.
When it was over, he changed once more, this time into a pair of pants, nothing else, and padded back out into his mom’s backyard to find Ellie dancing with Dogfish.
At the end of the song, he stepped in and claimed her.
“I love you,” he whispered to her in Hawaiian.
“I hope you said something nice to me.”
“That’s all I’ll ever say to you. Nice things. I love you, Ellie.”
She looped her arms around his neck and tugged him close for a brief kiss. “I love you too, Bennett.”