She continued, “It’s going to be wonderful, Lily. You just focus on your special day with friends and family.”
In all, we’d invited only eighteen people—my immediate family; two of my good friends, who I’d known since elementary school, and their plus ones; and Danny and Calvin. From Max’s side, he had invited his father (we weren’t ready for his mother); Keri and her boyfriend; and a few friends of his—one of them who I knew well: Mark Douglas. Mark had also been my mentor in college and was the person who’d recommended me for a job at CC. Max also invited his sister, but we both knew she wasn’t quite in the best of shape to travel. We’d promised to visit her in a month or so, but Max spoke to her every day and threatened regularly to make her move back to the States. She’d said she might consider it but needed time. I knew Max would eventually persuade her because he always got his way and seemed genuinely excited to have her back in his life. Now that he’d begun thinking about family, I knew part of him wouldn’t feel content until she and her husband were a part of ours.
As for the wedding, I’ll be honest. When I was little, I’d dreamt of the big to-do, but now, simply having Max felt big enough. The rest of the church could be empty, and I’d be on cloud nine.
“See you in a few days, Mom. And no more telling.”
Of course, that hadn’t happened. The next day, we began seeing articles pop up in the tabloids (Keri kept an eye on that for us), and the vultures began circling outside the LLL building.
By Friday night, we had a swarm of them outside Max’s home when we pulled up in the town car with Callahan at the wheel.
“They won’t go inside, will they?” I asked.
“No, Lily.” Max patted my hand. “They know they cannot trespass.”
“But why are they even here? Who gives a crap about us getting married other than us?”
Max nodded. “Apparently enough people that these photographers feel it necessary to stalk us everywhere we go.” He gave me a reassuring look. “Don’t worry. They’ll move on in a few days. I promise.”
The car pulled forward, passed the gate, and we headed inside.
“You hungry?” Max asked, loosening his red silk tie while I kicked off my black heels right in the foyer.
“Yes. But not for food.” My eyes washed over his body. I wanted nothing more than to rip his gray dress shirt and those very expensive-looking slacks from his tight body.
“Well, I suppose we could get a little fucking in before eating.” He approached me and pulled me into his arms. Then he froze.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is our last night together as single people.”
“You’re single?” I scowled. Because I sure the hell wasn’t.
“I merely meant unmarried.”
“In that case, I suppose you’re right, but what’s a wedding when you’ve got someone’s seed growing inside you?”
He made a sour face. “Seed?”
“That really is a horrible thing to call a baby, isn’t it?”
“It’s barbaric.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Just like the things I’m going to do to you in exactly two minutes.”
“Barbaric, huh?” I liked the sound of that.
“You are carrying my child, so we can dial it down to barbaric light. Only a bit of spanking and nipple pinching.”
“I suppose I can make that happen.” I reached out and tweaked his nipple through his shirt.
“Uh-uh. Mr. Cole doesn’t play that.” He swatted my hand away and laughed.
“I’m not sure I like your tone, Mr. Cole. What’s good for the goose, and all that…”
He shook his head, reached for my arm, and bent at the knees, tugging me towards him. He didn’t slam me over his shoulder, but at the same time, I couldn’t wiggle away.
Before I knew it, he was carrying me up the stairs.
“Hey!” I protested.
He yanked up my favorite brown skirt and smacked me hard on the ass. “Shut up. You’re not allowed to speak.”
I couldn’t see his face, but I heard the smile. “Ha. Ha. Funny, Mr. Cole.”
We reached his—I mean our—bedroom, and he lowered me to my feet.
I looked up at him. “I hope you’re ready for some hot nipple action.” I made little crab claws with my hands.
He pushed me back into the bed. “It’s our last night together before the wedding. The only thing I’m planning on is fucking you senseless so there’s no chance of you getting cold feet.”
I propped myself up on my elbows. “You think I’m going to get cold feet?”
“I know you will, Lily. And I know that marrying me is a huge leap of faith. But I believe in us, and I know you won’t fuck it up this time.”
I almost felt like getting angry, but he and I had always been brutally honest with each other. It was the foundation of our relationship. “No. I won’t fuck it up this time.”
“Good.” He slid his hand up inside my skirt and tugged down my black panties. “Now be quiet while I get to work.”
I grinned at his playful alpha talk. I loved this man. I loved him more than anything. Which was why I’d allow him to think he was in charge.
At least for one more night.