Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry,” I blubber. “I can’t help it.”
We’re all half laughing, half crying when Georgie appears carrying a selection of bouquets for me to choose from. I recognize them all as flowers from his shop, and I’ve never been so grateful to have friends who understand my tastes so well.
“They’re stunning.” I finger the flowers, settling on a bouquet of champagne roses.
“As are you.” Georgie leans in to kiss my cheek, and my emotions come back in a big way.
“Okay, you guys seriously have to stop,” Solana yelps. “Shoes… we need shoes!”
“Stilettos,” I tell her, trying to focus on the task at hand.
“Really?” Georgie asks. “You’ve been whining about your feet being swollen for days.”
“It’ll just be for the wedding.” I shrug.
He rolls his eyes. “The things women put themselves through.”
Lucky for me, Solana understands, and she helps me pick out the perfect pair of black stilettos, albeit a size larger than I’d typically wear. After that, there isn’t much left to do, but Santiago appears at the door, and everyone seems to sense he wants a moment of privacy with me. So they all take their leave without being asked, shutting the door behind them.
His eyes move over me, uncharacteristically charged with emotion, and he swallows audibly before speaking. “You look beautiful, Mercedes.”
“Thank you,” I choke out. “Will you walk me down the aisle?”
His features soften, something passing through his eyes, and he nods. “This is what you want then?”
“It is.” There can be no doubt to my words, and I know Santi sees that.
“I’m proud of you,” he says quietly. “I want you to know that. You’re going to be an amazing mother and wife. And Judge will be a good husband to you. If he isn’t, he knows I’ll kill him myself.”
He says it in a way that someone might take as a joke, except I know Santiago is dead serious. It only makes me love him more.
“Thank you, brother.” I hug him, lowering my voice to a whisper. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He pulls back after a moment, seemingly trying to steel himself before he hands me a familiar velvet box. “Judge asked me to give this to you.”
I open it with a smile and slip the necklace on, my fingers grazing the chain as it settles against my skin.
A gentle knock on the door interrupts the moment, and Ivy pokes her head in with an apologetic smile. “The cars are here. Judge said he wants you with him, so you’ll have to wear this until we get to the church.”
I recognize the cloak as one he wears at IVI, and it brings me comfort as I slip it over my shoulders, his scent surrounding me. Usually, these are reserved for men, but there’s no way Judge is letting me out of his sight right now. So this will conceal my dress until the actual ceremony.
Once I have it in place, Santiago takes me by the arm and leads me downstairs to join my groom. He looks more handsome than a man has a right to standing there in his black tux and matching crimson tie and pocket square. Something I’m assuming is also Solana’s doing.
At the bottom of the stairs, Santi reluctantly hands me over to Judge, and we all make our way out to the convoy of vehicles that will deliver us to the IVI compound. Judge helps me into our private car, his hand squeezing mine as we begin the journey. The privacy screen is up, and I’m grateful for it when Judge turns to me.
“You look beautiful,” he murmurs, his lips pressing against my temple.
“You haven’t even seen my dress yet.” I smile in amusement.
“It doesn’t matter,” he answers seriously. “You always look beautiful. But never more so than you do with our babies inside you. When my ring is on your finger, and my mark is inked into your skin, I’ll never want to take my eyes off you.”
The possession that burns in his voice heats me from within, and I know the journey is short, but I can’t help myself. I unbuckle and crawl onto his lap, reaching for his zipper. His eyes flare with want, and he grunts his approval as I free his cock and lift the fabric of the dress and cloak around me. Within seconds, I’ve got him inside me again, and we’re going at it hot and heavy all the way to the church. We both come hard, Judge continuing to grind my body down onto his long after the last convulsion has rocked through him. And when his eyes meet mine, I know this is just the beginning. He isn’t even close to being done with me tonight.
“Now you’ll have my come dripping down your thighs as you join me at the altar.” He brushes his lips against my ear, kissing his way down my jaw, and I shiver.