Epilogue
Six Months Later
LYING IN THE UNFAMILIAR king-size bed in their hotel suite, Jack listened to Kate get up and go into the bathroom. He’d thought she was asleep. Heaven knew, she should be after their strenuous evening. But maybe she was still too keyed up to sleep, too happy, excited and relieved that they’d actually made it. As he was.
Jack waited for her to come back, then smiled in the darkness as he heard the sound of the faucet turning and the gush of water in the tub.
A late-night shower.
What a way to start off married life.
He didn’t get up to join her right away, content instead to listen to her from the bed. He waited for the pulling of the plastic curtain, the clink of the rings on the metal rod. The gurgle turning to a hiss as the shower jets came on. Kate’s light, off-key humming.
Remembering lying in bed at the house in Pleasantville, listening to her all those months ago, he had to laugh. They’d come a long way. Physically and emotionally.
Unable to hold out any longer, he got out of bed, almost tripping on Kate’s white sundress and shoes, which he’d tossed to the floor earlier that evening in his rush to make her his wife in every sense of the word.
Her wedding dress. And the flip-flops she’d worn for the small beachside ceremony.
They’d had a perfect sunset wedding with two bartenders at the couples-only resort serving as official witnesses. A beach vendor had made Kate her bouquet and a housemaid had caught it. A steel drum player had riffed in the background, competing with the sound of the surf and the low, lyrical voice of the island minister who’d married them.
Considering their two mothers couldn’t stand one another, they’d thought it best to fly to the Caribbean for the ceremony. Maybe someday they’d all have to be together—probably when he and Kate started having kids. But for now, long-distance family relationships seemed the wisest solution.
Their families certainly wished them well, for which they were both grateful. Edie and her new boyfriend had thrown them a big engagement party at the retirement community in Florida at Thanksgiving. And his own mother—who had decided to give Mayor Otis a run for his money and seek her late husband’s seat—had done the same on New Year’s Day a few weeks ago in Pleasantville.
Jack still cracked up remembering the expression on Kate’s face when his sister Angela had hugged her, telling her how sorry she was her pregnancy would prevent her from being maid of honor. He’d had to cover his mouth so Darren wouldn’t see him snort with laughter.
The best party of them all, however, had been the bridal shower at Bare Essentials, hosted by Armand and Cassie. He hoped to God Kate had packed some of the gifts they got that night.
Unable to wait any longer, Jack walked into the bathroom. Seeing several conveniently placed candles and matches, he lit a few, then turned out the light. Kate’s silhouette shimmered through the shower curtain in the soft glow of candlelight.
She said nothing, obviously waiting for him in the semidarkness. When he stepped inside the tub, pulling the curtain closed behind him, she leaned back against his body and turned her head to look up at him. “I thought you were asleep. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this. Our first married shower.”
She was hot and wet, slippery and lithe. Jack wanted to touch her everywhere. Pulling her closer, he knew she felt his hard-on slipping between her thighs. He groaned as she rocked back on it, rubbing her curvy backside against his groin. Sliding his arms around her waist, he held her tight as he bent to press his mouth to hers for one long wet kiss after another.
“Hope they paid the hot water bill,” she said when their lips finally parted.
Remembering some of the other showers they’d shared over the past few months, he hoped so, too.
“I love you, Kate,” he said as he pushed a long, dark strand of wet hair off her brow.
She rubbed her cheek against his palm, whispering, “And I love you.”
He kissed her again, sweetly, cherishing her tonight as his wife as much as he already cherished her as his mate. Finally, spying a bottle of body wash on the edge of the tub, he reached for it. “Want me to wash your back?”
She nodded, giving him a look of sultry heat. “And my front.”
Oh, without question.
“It’s a deal.” He grinned. “Just remember the rule…”
She rolled her eyes and gave him a disgruntled look. “Okay, I know. No singing in the shower.” Then she raised a brow. “Just don’t you forget your rule, either, angel.”
Remembering their first time together back on the stage at the Rialto, he chuckled. “No wings until I ring your bell.”
Their laughter, their loving…and their shower…lasted long into the night.