A loud knock at the door caused him to pause, hanging his head as he laughed once in disappointment.
“Dinner is served in the main house,” the man called from the outside.
Josh looked at me, hoping I would say no.
“I’m starving,” I admitted.
Reluctant, Josh lifted himself from my body, pouting like a little boy banished to time out.
“That’s okay,” he grumbled as he ran his hand through his hair. “It’s a little easier to live with, knowing we have the rest of forever.”
I pushed against his chest and slid off the bed. The owner of the farm was standing on the other side of the door when I pulled it open. He greeted me and then extended a handwritten menu, and I smiled.
“We look forward to seeing you at our table.” He grinned as he looked past me to Josh.
“We’ll be right over,” I said, chiming in when Josh didn’t respond. I closed the door, leaning my back against it.
I narrowed my eyes at Josh, watching him shove off the bed, unbuttoning his shirtsleeves and rolling them up his arms.
He sauntered over to me, gliding his hand over my ass and then gripping my thighs. Lifting me into the air, he wrapped my legs around his waist and pressed my back against the wooden door.
He kissed me hard, reminding me of exactly what I was missing. I gripped his shoulders as Josh yanked up my skirt, his length pressing against the apex of my thighs. He knew what he was doing, and it was working. I wondered if I could ever leave a bed with him in it again.
As quickly as it began, his lips broke free from mine. I quietly panted as he lowered me to the ground.
He took a step back from me, looking smug. “And now we’re even.” He ran the back of his thumb over his lower lip, wiping away the remnants of my gloss.
I flattened down the front of my dress, scowling at him for getting me all hot and bothered. “That was cruel, husband,” I sneered. I could pretend to be annoyed, but saying the word husband spawned a flock of butterflies in my belly.
“We have the rest of our lives to make it up to each other.” He held out his hand as a peace offering. I only hesitated for a moment before weaving my fingers between his.
He pulled open the door to our suite, and I pressed a kiss to his cheek. I tugged him forward, but he resisted.
“What are you waiting for?” I asked. “Let’s go start our forever.”
Josh lifted me into his arms, kissing and carrying me the whole way.
I covered my mouth with my hands, muffling my gasp as we stepped inside the main house. The many smiling faces of our friends and family peppered the room.
“How?”
Josh lowered me to my feet, taking my hand in his and guiding me to our seats.
“We couldn’t have them come all this way and not spend time with them.” He shrugged as he pulled out my chair.
I sat, still in shock. “But the logistics of getting them all here, and the money …”
“Don’t worry about it,” Aunt Ellen said. “Just enjoy your day.”
Josh pressed his lips to my hair, and then he took the seat next to me.
Aunt Ellen was beaming. Sitting down to eat, surrounded by everyone I loved, felt like Christmas dinner. I scanned the small group, shaking my head.
“What?” Josh asked.
“I just … I guess I don’t understand. This just seems impossible.”
“Stop,” Maggie said with a grin. “We all wanted to do it. It’s not like Josh had to organize the mass exodus of three hundred guests from Philly. We rented a car and drove Josh’s parents.”
“That was fun,” Zane grumbled.
Aunt Ellen jabbed her elbow into her son’s ribs, still smiling wide.
“Ow!” he said, rubbing his side.
Maggie lifted a flute of champagne. “To Josh and Avery.”
Everyone else followed her lead, except Zane. Aunt Ellen smacked his hand away when he reached for her glass.
“To Josh and Avery,” our family and friends said in unison.
I glanced at Mary, who lifted her flute and then set it back on the table, pushing it toward Silas. He nonchalantly placed it on his other side.