Her eyes softened, the green growing wet as she leaned forward to kiss me again. “I love you too. So much. So very much.”
Flipping her once again to her back, I plunged hard and she gasped. “Hold on,” I said against her ear. “This isn’t going to be gentle.”
I thrust again. Deep and hard, feeling her body jolt beneath me. Her mouth seized mine, her fingernails scraping down my back to grab my ass. I relished the pain. The aliveness. The feelings.
Plunging into her body. Over and over. Harder and faster. Listening to our bodies merge and slap together, the sounds echoing around the room. Her body grew tighter as she fought for release. Tighter, clamping down on me. I didn’t want this to end, but… I exploded.
The vision of her face grew white around the edges as I was rocked by one of the most powerful orgasms of my life. My breath was harsh and my arms turned to jelly as I sank all of my weight into her willing arms.
She was crying, her entire body trembling as I rolled us to our sides, our bodies still connected. I kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her nose, her mouth. I tasted her salty tears, breathed her scent.
“You are my heart,” she said against my lips. “No matter what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future, I wouldn’t give anything up.”
In that moment, I vowed never to turn away from her again, to not fall into the darkness of isolation. To stay by her side even when my brain screamed for me to run. We were better together than we were apart. Stronger.
As her breathing slowed, I told her, “I promise to be a better man.”
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Auggie
The day of Lily and Brandon’s wedding could not have been more perfect for a late fall ceremony. Just where Lily had chosen, in a flat spot in the high pasture, she had ordered erected a massive white tent filled with chairs. Guests parked down below in the normal parking areas and were ferried up the hill in golf carts festooned in white ribbons. Lily had little family so it was mostly Brandon’s family and business acquaintances in attendance. It was being whispered that he may be seeking a state congressional seat, and this provided the perfect opportunity for him to begin his campaign connections. Finally, all the LaViere family was in attendance and happily so. Mostly.
Liane was pleasantly large with child, and we now knew it was a little boy. Hawk was at her side constantly — the weight of the baby made her rather ungainly with her thin frame. Hawk was wearing a tux as he’d been asked to stand up with Brandon. I was surprised at this but realized that Brandon thought Hawk would be a better choice than Worth. He would be paying me homage without creating discomfort, and I appreciated the gesture. He and Brandon had become friends, regardless, so the invitation had not been too unlikely.
A newly rejuvenated Worth looked equally handsome in a dark suit with a white shirt against his tanned skin. If anything, he was more handsome than the day I’d first met him, years before in his office. I smiled at the memory of him being my very temporary psychologist, treating me at my mother’s request. Indeed, he’d been manipulating me like a spider, and I eventually found myself caught up in his web. Life with Worth would never cease to be a challenge — of that much I was certain.
The ceremony started promptly at one o’clock, and the bride was breathtaking. Lily was a beautiful woman, and when she began her short trip down the aisle, there wasn’t an unappreciative eye to be found. Her hair was caught up high upon her head and fitted with a slender tiara that held her veil. Her dress was layers upon layers of ruffled satin, off the shoulder and with a deep V in the back that stopped just short of being indecent. She walked with such grace you might think she’d had royal training.
Brandon was beaming from ear to ear, looking equally dapper in a black tuxedo with a white orchid lapel corsage. His hands were crossed as he watched her procession and then he reached for her as she drew near. Lily had one maid of honor; a friend she’d made since moving to Kentucky.
Ben officiated the wedding before roughly a hundred guests. After the ceremony, the chairs were moved back and tables brought in for the wedding banquet. Guests milled around, drinking champagne and discussing the harvest or the winter to come. Brandon’s acquaintances surrounded him, encouraging him to announce his candidacy soon, but he waved them aside and said that this was Lily’s day, and they would discuss it later.
The new couple had outdone themselves with the catering. Entrée choices included fresh lobster and shrimp, prime rib, honey-baked ham, roasted pheasant and dozens of tempting side dishes in silver bowls. We dined with crystal goblets of champagne delivered via a breathtaking ice sculpture. The wedding cake had tiers of white cake topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and shaved chocolate. I ate so much I could hardly move.
After the dinner, the tables of food were moved aside. A small dance area was set up with a portable floor and a raised dais for a Dixieland jazz band. Lights had been strung through the framework of the tent and it glowed. A full bar had been set up, and the guests were having the time of their lives.
We had settled in a remote corner, not dancing, of course. Liane was showing her fatigue, and I wondered whether she should go home. I suggested it, but she refused.
I smiled as I watched Mark on the dancefloor, waltzing very, very slowly with Brandon’s niece. He and Jessica were laughing, both of their heads thrown back. Just then, the flash of a camera went off and I saw the photographer. I must remember to ask for that photo. I felt sure it would be perfect.
Worth and Hawk were both drinking, although they appeared perfectly sober. Father and son could hold their liquor. A few of the older guests were seated nearby, and the conversation was lively. I was relaxed and sitting back, just watching all the faces of people I’d known for so long.
When Worth and Hawk began discussing the farm, I sort of listened in, although I couldn’t hear everything, mostly watch. I held my breath when I realized Worth was talking about turning over the farm to him. Hawk’s face grew dark, however, and his body language changed entirely.
Liane leaned over and said in a low voice, “Auggie, stop them. Something’s very wrong. I can feel it. Hawk is ready to fight.”
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than both men were on their feet, shouting at one another. If the band hadn’t been so loud, the entire crowd would have stopped to watch them. As it was, only those of us in the corner witnessed it. I guess most people just assumed they were too drunk.