Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“What should I be doing?” I ask her.
“Nothing. Chloe is so laid-back, everything is set just how she wants it, which wasn’t much. I guess you’ll just have to sit and talk to me until it’s time.”
“I can handle that.” I follow her into her office, which is where we stay until the ceremony starts.
Intimate. That’s how I would describe this wedding. With just close friends and family, it’s small and perfect. I used to tease Maverick that my wedding would top his, but seeing this one, the simplicity, and the no-stress environment, it’s what I want. Of course, I’ll have to talk to Courtney because at our wedding, our day will be about her, and making her dreams come true. The fact that she even agrees to marry me is my dream. It’s only fair, I give her hers as well.
Honestly, I want simple, just like this, but I won’t say no to anything she wants. As long as at the end of the day, she’s my wife.
My wife.
Damn, Courtney Kincaid has a nice ring to it.
Thinking back to that day all those months ago when she confessed she’d told her mother we were dating, I didn’t expect to end up here. I didn’t expect to love this woman with everything I am. I damn sure didn’t suspect I’d be thinking about my own wedding to the dark-haired beauty. It’s funny how life changes, and how it takes one chance encounter, or one small white lie to change the course of your life.
This change is a good one. I want forever with her.
Courtney is dancing with her uncle, but as soon as the song changes, I’m out of my seat and stalking toward her. The ceremony is over, which means I don’t have to worry about messing up her makeup.
“My turn,” I say, sliding my arm around her waist as she’s walking toward where I was just sitting. I turn us so we’re dancing in a dark corner. “I need to kiss you.” I do just that, taking her lips with mine. Her hands that are resting against my chest dig into the fabric of my shirt as I kiss the breath from her lungs.
Knowing we can’t hide in this corner forever, I break the kiss and spin her, moving us back to the crowd before wrapping my arms around her, letting my hands sit at the small of her back, holding her close.
“Been waiting all damn day to do that,” I confess, whispering in her ear.
She giggles and rests her cheek against my chest. I couldn’t tell you what song is playing, or who is out on this dance floor with us. Nothing matters but the woman in my arms. I open my mouth to tell her what she means to me, but I have a plan. I’m going to stick to the plan.
“All right, we need all the single ladies in the center,” the DJ announces.
Courtney turns in my arms, putting her back to my chest, but makes no move to go to the center of the dance floor.
“Court! Get your cute butt out here,” Chloe calls out to her.
“You better get out there, baby. The bride has spoken.”
I can’t see her face, but I’m certain she’s rolling her eyes as she grudgingly makes her way to the center of the dance floor with a couple of Chloe’s friends and two of their cousins. There are six of them in total. The DJ plays a little jig, and then we count down from five. Chloe launches her bouquet into the air over her back and turns to watch where it lands.
As if she was aiming directly for her, the bouquet lands in Courtney’s hands. Chloe rushes to her and the sisters hug. I wait for the panic to set in. We’re dating, regardless of how this started. Her catching the bouquet means she’s next.
We’re next.
I wonder how long until I can convince her that marrying me is the best idea I’ve ever had?
Eventually, Chloe releases her sister. Her eyes find mine and she winks. Courtney walks off the dance floor, her cheeks pink with the bouquet in her hands.
“My lucky girl,” I say, pulling her into my chest and kissing the corner of her mouth.
“Oh, sweetheart.” We hear and turn to see her mom standing beside us with tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe you caught it.” Her eyes flash to mine and I smile. I never would have dreamed I’d be encouraging her mother that we should be next, but my smile says it all.
“My lucky day,” Courtney replies with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I vow to make sure that for the rest of this wedding she enjoys herself.
“I know I’m hard on you, and it’s because I want this for you. A happy life to a man who adores you.” Her eyes flash to me again, and I nod.