by J. L. Leslie
“Tauren called you?” I ask them.
“Yes, he did. Of course, we would have rather received a call from you or at the very least, heard the news of your pregnancy and wedding from your daddy,” Grandma tells me. “But nonetheless, we are here now and cannot wait to meet Mr. Holt.”
“She’s dying to know what’s in the box, Lydia,” Grandpa informs her, and I giggle.
I am dying to know what’s in the box. Dying to know what Tauren told them I needed for Saturday. I have a list that I’m sure he doesn’t know about. A dress, jewelry, shoes, and for someone to do my hair and makeup. He might be planning everything else, but I can bet he hasn’t thought of those things.
“Alright, child, here it is,” Grandma says, handing me the box.
I open it right away and gasp. I’ve seen this dress in pictures, but never in person. My mama looked so beautiful on her wedding day. Simple white gown, lace overlay, pearl buttons that line the back. I never knew my grandparents still had it. I thought my daddy had it put up somewhere.
“This is…” I choke up. “This is her dress.”
“Yes, dear, and she would want you to have it. You can do whatever you see fit with it,” Grandpa lets me know.
“I don’t know what to say,” I manage and tear up again.
“I have the jewelry she wore with it and the shoes as well. I brought it all, just in case,” Grandma tells me. “And I spoke with Allison and Aaron. They’ll be here Saturday too.”
I notice she doesn’t mention my daddy, so I assume if she has spoken to him, it didn’t go over well. I probably should have gone by his house and told him about the wedding. Truth is, I know him well enough to know that he won’t be attending. Telling him and have him reject me in person is too much for me to deal with right now.
“Um, I have to go to class,” I blurt out, realizing that I’m letting time slip away from me. “My roommate is upstairs asleep, but you can stay if you want. I’ll be back this afternoon.”
“We’re going to go make a few visits, and we’ll check back in later,” Grandpa says. “And we want to meet this Holt kid.”
I nod, deciding to call him as soon as I pick up my new phone. I found a cheap prepaid plan that would work and a refurbished phone. I simply have to go pick it up from the store.
I hug my grandparents goodbye and go put my mama’s dress in my room. If it fits, I won’t touch it at all. It’s perfect exactly the way it is.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tauren
I arrive at Jenna and Helene’s house about five minutes early. Helene texted me earlier letting me know that she now has a phone and to see if I would come to dinner tonight. There was no way in hell I was turning her down. She is my fiancé after all.
I knock on the door and smile when Helene answers. She looks happy, a smudge of flour on her chin and a big spoon in her hand. I step inside, leaning down to give her a peck on the lips, which quickly turns into more when she wraps her arms around my neck.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I rub my nose against hers and kiss her again. “You’re welcome.”
I don’t have a clue why she’s thanking me, but she can thank me like this all damn day. Her body snug against mine, her being so close I can smell her shampoo. Yeah, I’ll take this kind of thanks any time.
“This must be your fiancé,” a woman says, joining us in the living room.
I slowly ease away from Helene and extend my hand. The voice sounds vaguely familiar, and I realize this is the grandma I was speaking to on the phone yesterday.
“It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t realize you were coming in so quick.”
“We surprised Helene this morning, and it appears that she’s surprised you,” the woman chuckles.
“A little, but I like surprises,” I wink at Helene, and she blushes.
We head into the kitchen, and it’s easy to see that Helene and Mrs. Hobbs have been busy in the kitchen. They both go back to work finishing up country fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. All of which I love.
I’m introduced to Mr. Hobbs, and we shoot the shit at the kitchen table until everything is served. Helene’s grandparents seem genuinely pleased that she’s getting married. I can tell the whole pregnancy bit is a hard pill for them to swallow, but they are still here, showing her they support her. It’s a hell of a lot more than what can be said about her own daddy.
We all eat together, and then we go into the living room and chat about Helene’s childhood and reminiscing about her mama. I can see that she’s enjoying their time together, so I take it upon myself to clear the table and clean the kitchen, letting her have some time just the three of them. When I’m finishing up the dishes, she joins me in the kitchen.
“My grandparents said to tell you it was nice to meet you and they’ll see you Saturday. They are actually staying at my daddy’s house tonight, and they’re exhausted from the drive,” Helene says, leaning against the counter beside me.
I dry off my hands and go to her, lifting her up and placing her on the counter so that I can stand between her legs. “I’m happy they came.”
“Well,” she says, “I think they could’ve gone without telling that whole country superstar story though.”
“Oh? You mean the story about you singing in front of stores in Nashville? I thought it was cute. You were dead set on getting a record contract.”
“I was also six years old.”
“Never too early to start living your dreams,” I tease.
“Or too late.”
She leans forward, and I meet her halfway, our lips meeting for a slow, sensual kiss. It’s all it takes to have my dick straining in my pants. Of course, I want to have sex with Helene. Want to drive inside her and fuck her until we’re both satiated and exhausted. But if she wants to wait, I can wait to fuck her until she has my last name.
“You should probably go,” she tells me, breathless. “I know where this leads now, and I’m not feeling particularly strong tonight. I doubt that I can say no to you.”
Her admission is one of the sexiest things I’ve heard. Still, I tell my dick to calm down and give her one last kiss. She already told me to stay away tomorrow. The whole bad luck to see the bride the night before wedding bit. Therefore, the next time I kiss this woman, she’ll be my wife.
Helene
I take a deep breath, telling myself I will not cry. That seems to happen at the drop of a hat lately, and I cannot cry on my wedding day unless it’s tears of joy. There was so much going on that I forgot to find someone to do my hair and makeup though. I’m no good at it either, which is why I rarely wear makeup, and my hair is never styled.
“I told you, I had you, Helene,” Jenna says, walking in the room with Brynn in tow. “We will get your hair and makeup done, and then you can put on your mama’s dress and marry the man of your dreams, who just so happened to have won at Down ‘n’ Dirty last night.”
“And you’re sure the two of you don’t mind being my bridesmaids?” I ask them, not surprised that Tauren won his race. Once we’re married, I plan to go watch him.
They both shake their heads, assuring me they’re happy to do it. “And, Jenna, are you sure this isn’t weird that me and Tauren are getting married first when you and Kaler are planning your wedding?”
“About that, I already married Kaler.”
“What? Oh my God!” Brynn squeals in excitement. “When? Tell us everything!”
I love that Brynn isn’t upset to hear that her ex-husband and best friend have gotten married. The three of them have what some would call a strange relationship, but I haven’t noticed any awkwardness or bitterness between the exes whatsoever.
“Helene, I know you don’t go in my room, but can you honestly remember the last time I stayed here?” Jenna asks me and when I really think about it, I can’t.
She usually tells me she’s going to Kaler’s, and I only assume that she comes back after I go to bed or is already in bed when I get off
work.
“We were doing all this wedding planning, and it honestly made me very sad because my parents were not going to be able to be here to witness it. They want to make the trip from Japan, but they haven’t been able to yet. It was too much for me to think about my daddy not walking me down the aisle. We got married three weeks ago at the courthouse, and we haven’t told anyone yet. Not my parents and not even the Holts. We wanted it to be official, and we plan on having a wedding next year when my parents will be able to come.”
“I swear, the two of you and your secrets,” Brynn jokes. “Are you officially living with Kaler now?”
“Pretty much. I really don’t have any of my things here except for furniture and dishes. All of my clothes are at our place,” Jenna answers. “We’ll tell everyone but today is Helene’s day. Our announcement can wait a little longer.”
The two of them get to work, Brynn doing my makeup while Jenna works on my hair, brushing and then curling the red strands. When they’re finished, I put my dress on along with my mama’s jewelry. It all seems so surreal as I look in the mirror and see myself. I don’t say it out loud, but I look like her.
I quickly blink back tears, again reminding myself that I’m not going to cry on my wedding day. Jenna and Brynn come up beside me, and Jenna snaps a selfie with her phone before telling me we need to go so that we won’t be late.
“I assume you know where this wedding is actually taking place,” I say to her and she burst out laughing.
“You don’t know?” she asks me.
“Tauren has pretty much done all the planning, and I’ve let him. No bridezilla fits from me today.”
Jenna smiles and Brynn is grinning also. I ask them where it I,s but neither of them will tell me as we file into Jenna’s car. It doesn’t take me long to realize it’s not at the church, which doesn’t surprise me. I doubt my daddy would allow us to have it there, and honestly, I don’t want to get married there.
I recognize the area almost the moment Jenna turns on the dirt road. We shared our first kiss here. This is the first place Tauren told me he loved me. Where we made love for the first time. The place where our child was conceived.
There are rows of chairs placed on two separate sides, making an aisle down the middle. There are lily arrangements beside what I would call an altar and it makes me smile that he remembered them as my favorite. The area for the reception is off to the side, with tables that are full of food, most likely thanks to his mama and the church ladies.
He thought of everything.
And it’s perfect.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tauren
I stand at the makeshift altar with Helene’s grandpa and our wedding party, which consists of my brothers, Jenna, and Brynn. Willow has completed her job as flower girl and has gone to sit with my parents. Perhaps it’s tradition, but we didn’t have a ring bearer. I have the ring in my pocket, and I’ll put it on her finger the moment her grandpa tells me to.
Parker begins the wedding march, playing it from a CD player, and I anxiously wait for Helene to come down the aisle. It’s a damn shame her daddy didn’t pull his head out of his ass to come walk her down the aisle, but she stands with her head held high.
She looks exquisite, the gown fitting her perfectly, the soft lace against her porcelain skin. Her hair is up in some sort of twist with curls pinned around it. I wouldn’t know what hairstyle to call it, but I like it. No, I love it. I’ve never seen her look more beautiful and I’ve never been surer of a decision in my entire life.
When she makes it to me, I take her hand in mine. We face her grandpa, both of us ready to become husband and wife. We begin to repeat traditional vows, now facing each other. I can feel her hands trembling as she repeats the sacred words. Mine are trembling just the same.
For better, for worse.
For richer, for poorer.
In sickness and in health.
To love and to cherish, until death do us part.
When it’s time to exchange rings, she turns back to Jenna and takes my band from her. It’s a simple gold band, and I honestly hope she didn’t spend too much money on it. I won’t even be able to wear it when I’m working or racing.
Then I place her ring on her finger, and her eyes tear up. I thumb away a tear before it can roll down her cheek and she whispers a thank you to me.
“By the power vested me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
I tilt Helene’s face up and press my lips to hers. I only intended on giving her a peck so that I wouldn’t embarrass her, but she parts her lips and her tongue brushes across mine. For a split second, we forget where we are, clinging to each other until the crowd erupts in hoots and hollers.
I laugh against her mouth and hear her grandpa say, “Mr. and Mrs. Tauren Holt!”
I take her hand and lead her back down the aisle while our families, well mostly mine, and friends clap and cheer for us. I would love to go straight to the honeymoon I have planned, but we have a reception to attend first.
I do, however, wrap my arms around Helene and lift her against me, spinning her around while I kiss her. We did it. We got married, and if I have to say so myself, I planned a damn good wedding.
The reception is not so bad either. We eat cake, drink champagne, and dance. Helene even dances with my daddy while I share a dance with my mama.
After about an hour, I catch Helene working on her second slice of cake. I approach her from behind and kiss her shoulder before moving my mouth over to her neck and up to her ear.
“Enough cake. I’m ready to eat you, Wife,” I murmur.
I don’t have to see her cheeks to feel the heat from them blushing. The reception is still going strong, people eating and dancing. She asks me how it will look if we leave all our guests here.
“Baby,” I tell her, picking her up from the chair she’s sitting in and holding her in my arms. “They know we’re ready to start our honeymoon.”
I holler out to everyone that we’re leaving and begin carrying her to my car. I know people are following behind us to send us off, but my gaze is focused on my wife. On the love in her eyes. The desire.
I place her in the passenger seat of my car, not even grumbling about all the decorations that have been put on it, and then go around to get in. I wave as we drive away, my wedding day now behind me.
Everything was perfect, especially my bride.
Day one of being a newlywed.
Perfection!
Helene
“Where are we going?” I ask him.
“Not far.”
That doesn’t tell me anything, but I sit back in his seat and try to relax. It doesn’t take me long to doze off, and when I wake up, we’ve stopped. I look over to the driver’s seat, but Tauren isn’t in the car.
I look around and see that we’re parked at what appears to be a cabin of some sort. I get out and realize how secluded and quiet it is. I spot Tauren emerge from the cabin, and he gives me a smile.
“I took our bags in and was coming back for you.”
I’m grateful Jenna made it a point to put my bag in his car, otherwise, I wouldn’t have had any clothes or toiletries. Although, I doubt Tauren would mind if I didn’t wear any clothes this whole time, I prefer to get into some regular clothes at some point.
I meet him halfway and then shriek when he picks me up. I shake my head and tell him to put me down, but he doesn’t.
“I’m carrying you inside, and then I’m going to do what I’ve wanted to do all fucking day,” he says, his voice husky. “You good with that, Wife?”
I cling onto him, but I’m suddenly very nervous. We had one night together. Yes, it was incredible, but it was only one night. What if it’s not the same? What if we have sex and realize we made a huge mistake? Tears prick my eyes at the possibility. Tauren doesn’t seem to notice as he carries me inside and straight to the bedroom.
“Um, can I have a moment please?” I ask him, and although he frowns
, he puts me down and leaves me in the room alone.
I walk over to the vanity and slowly take my jewelry off. Then, I take the pins out of my hair and let it down, running my fingers through the curls. I stand there surveying myself in the mirror and trying to convince myself that everything is going to be alright. That being nervous is normal. I draw in a breath and close my eyes, propping my hands onto the vanity to steady myself.
After a few deep breaths, I feel Tauren behind me. He gently brushes my hair to the side and unbuttons the pearl buttons of my dress one at a time while kissing the exposed skin at my nape.
“You were so beautiful today,” he whispers, his voice full of emotion. “I was so proud to be making you my wife.”
He pushes the sleeves down, and I pull my arms free, exposing my satin bra. I’m trembling. Trembling so much that I can even hear the tremble in my breathing.
Tauren unclasps my bra and lets it fall to the floor. My nipples are so hard and sensitive that they ache when he palms my breasts with one hand, alternating between rolling my nipples between his fingers and massaging the sensitive flesh while using his other hand to push my dress down. I step out of it and Tauren removes his hand only so he can bend to pick my dress up, placing it on the sitting bench beside the vanity.
He unbuttons his shirt, shrugging out of the white dress shirt and wastes no time divesting of his khaki pants and shoes either. I actually love that he didn’t wear a tux today. It’s not his style, and I like that he didn’t feel the need to be someone else on our wedding day.
“You’re nervous, Wife,” he muses, a smile playing at his lips.
“Yes, I am, Husband,” I reply, and he slips his hand into the front of my panties, coaxing my tender nub until I’m panting.
Tauren pushes a finger inside me, and I grip the edge of the vanity. He works me, sliding his finger in and out before adding a second finger. I can feel his erection straining in his boxer briefs, pressing against my backside. With newfound confidence, I reach back and cup him, rubbing and stroking his penis through his underwear.