"Will you marry me Francesca?"
"Hmmmfff... oh God... don't stop..."
He stopped.
"Tsk tsk. I guess we have a long night ahead of us."
"Night? It's barely lunch time!"
He grinned and popped the ball gag back into place. Then he lowered himself to his knees. I felt his soft lips against me as he nibbled my *. He took tiny teasing bites, licking and stroking.
It felt divine.
But it was far too soft to get me off.
I was so close I could have screamed in frustration.
Before the night was over, I did.
Daniel was right; it was a very, very long night.
Chapter Twenty-Three Jackson
I was pacing back and forth in the living room. Guests were due to start arriving in a half an hour. I had been circling the property every ten minutes since earlier this morning, just to make sure I didn't lose my bride.
I had a terrible feeling she was going to make a run for it.
"Have you seen her? Where is she?"
"She's in the guest room with Casey getting ready. Relax Jackson."
I scowled at my brother. Jake looked supremely relaxed in his black tux. Of course he was relaxed! His bride to be had already agreed to marry him!
Daniel walked in with a cup of coffee. He looked tired, but happy.
Everyone was so damn pleased with themselves this morning.
Except me.
I was petrified.
All these years, not knowing I could want somebody this badly. Not knowing I could need them. Or love them.
Now that I had her, I was terrified I would lose her.
It was the first time I'd ever been afraid since my mother's illness. Those long years of not knowing what would happen, of feeling helpless. She'd been so young, so lovely.
Losing her had been the worst thing that ever happened to me.
It was sobering but I had a terrible feeling that losing the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with would be worse.
I closed my eyes, sending a private message to heaven.
Mom, I know you would approve of my choice. I wish you were here so she could know you. She reminds me a lot of you. At least where it counts anyway.
I grinned. My mother had been sweet as pie. But Angie was like her in a lot of ways. Kind, to others if not always to me. Loyal to a fault. Tenacious.
Strong and beautiful.
I was proud to call her my wife.
Or I would be, if the ceremony ever got underway.
There was another reason I wanted this over with quickly too. One that I definitely did not want my brothers finding out about. It had something to do with what Angie had done when I'd finally untied her last night... I felt my cheeks growing hot just thinking about it.
"Come on Jacks, it's time to take our places."
I heaved a sigh of relief, following them to the oak tree out back. That's where the ceremony would take place. All three ceremonies. All at the same time.
Our mother would approve of that too.
She might not approve of how we'd gotten our brides to the altar, but I knew she'd be forgiving. She'd want us to be happy, no matter what it took.
After all, she had loved her sons more than anything.
Angelina
"You look beautiful."
I smiled at Casey in the mirror, putting on the earrings that had been provided for me. The extravagant jewelry was on loan, from Francesca's collection of precious gems. Everything had been seen to, right down the undergarments.
Or lack thereof.
"You do too."
Casey wore a stunning sky blue silk gown, also on loan from Francesca. It brought out her eyes and those adorable freckles of hers. I stood and smoothed my designer wedding dress over my hips. It was deceptively simple, with a sweetheart neckline, knee length pencil skirt and cap sleeves. It fit me perfectly, with some help from the seamstress who had come early this morning.
Apparently, Jackson had described to her exactly what he'd wanted.
Last week.
"I'm happy for you Sis. I know he loves you."
I nodded. Obviously he did, if he was picking out wedding dresses before I'd even said yes. It was crazy, how quickly I realized that those feelings had been there all along.
"I love him too, heaven help me."
She just laughed and handed me my bouquet.
"Ready?"
I nodded and went over to her chair. But Casey just smiled and walked to the door without any help.
"What are you doing Casey?"
She smiled at me.
"I'm going to do this on my feet, not my wheels."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Everything we've been doing is working. It's been so gradual I almost didn't notice. But I'm definitely doing better. And I can walk up the aisle."
"Okay, but I want you to sit during the ceremony. I have no idea how long it's going to be."
She shook her head, grinning.
"Jackson insisted on a brief ceremony. I think he's afraid you are going to run off. But yes, I will sit. He took care of that too."
I bit my lip, smiling to myself.