Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“Pierce, would you consider putting in a fire pit in your backyard?”

“For you, I’d do anything. Tell me where you want it, and I’ll build it next week.” My hand covers hers with my fingers going to her ring.

“Did I tell you that, when Dave and Martin found out Stephanie, Scottie, and Billy were coming for New Year’s, they invited themselves?”

“Are they staying with you?”

“We’ll have to make it work. The resort is full, and there are two weddings that week. It’s going to be crazy, but I can’t wait to see them.”

“Speaking of weddings…” I let my words hang out there.

She sits up, twisting to the side, and swings her legs over my thigh so we’re almost facing. Her eyes sparkle, and it’s not because of the firelight. My heart thumps, hoping she’s going to tell me what I want to hear.

“Yes, speaking of weddings. I think it’s time we plan ours.”

“Thank fuck.” I lay my forehead against hers. “My patience is waning.”

“I’ve picked up on every one of your not-so-subtle hints.”

“Good, I thought I was losing my touch.”

“It was too fun to keep you hanging. But, seeing as we need to make a decision quickly, I have to quit playing with you.”

A dozen ideas come to mind of how she’s going to pay for her little game, but they will have to wait. “What decision do we have to make?”

“Do you like it here?”

“This resort? It’s gorgeous.”

“What if we got married here?”

“If this is what you want.”

“I was thinking around next Christmas when all the decorations are up. This place will be a winter wonderland of twinkling white lights, snow-covered grounds, and extraordinary scenery.”

I barely hear her over the siren in my ears and the pounding in my chest. For the briefest second, I think of Edward’s request to have a baby in the family late next summer. The thought goes to the bottom of my list of things already wrong with what she’s suggested.

“We are not getting married next Christmas, next Thanksgiving, or anywhere near the next holiday season. I’ll be generous and give you until May.” I shut her down gruffly.

“You want me to plan a wedding by May?”

“Like I said, generous. I’m not waiting longer than that.”

“You’re going to deny me my dream wedding under the lights with the backdrop of snow-covered mountains?”

“I’ll bring you back and renew our vows. But the answer is fuck no.”

“You’re not going to wait, huh?” Her lips tick until a coy smirk spreads across her mouth.

“I’ve waited my entire life. Your time is up.”

She openly laughs. “When you put it that way, I guess I’ll have to settle for the third weekend in May, under the twinkling lights of the grand gardens, with the backdrop of the water in Charleston.”

I know exactly the spot she’s referring to—the grand gardens Brasher is creating on the new property. “You’re serious?”

“Every time I pass the scale model in the lobby, I’m infatuated with the landscape. It’s a huge risk to have an outdoor wedding, and my mom will probably have a coronary. I went to our event planner and talked through the idea. She assured me of all the options in place for weather problems. That was all the convincing it took. They are saving the date for me to get your approval.”

“Were you trying to piss me off by baiting me with the Christmas season?”

“I prefer to think of it as toying with you.”

“I think your ass is going to be black and blue for a different reason tomorrow.”

“Before you get grumpy, let me tell you more good news. The costs aren’t bad considering my position with the organization.”

“Cost wouldn’t be a problem anyway. Between your dad and me, it’s covered.”

Her eyes glimmer bright as she kisses me quickly. “We have a date and a location. I’ll have easy access to the event coordinator here. Looks like you’re getting your wedding.”

“The wedding isn’t the issue; it’s the wife I’m waiting for.”

Her gaze goes over my shoulder, and she waves to someone. A few seconds later, a waiter appears, handing us two flutes of champagne. He dips his chin, offering us his congratulations before hustling back to the bar.

“What should we toast first?” she asks, raising her glass.

“Us. Being here. Missing you for so long and you knowing how to make everything right in my world.”

“I like that.” She clinks, taking a sip. “Now, we have one more thing to discuss.”

“What’s that?”

“You wouldn’t happen to know why my parents have decided to turn my old bedroom into a nursery, would you?”

“No.”

She quirks an eyebrow, not buying my answer. “No, you don’t know, or no, you’re not going to tell me?”

“I’m not going to tell you. I’m going to show you.”

Realization dawns on her, and she head-plants into my chest. Pretty soon, she’s vibrating with laughter. The sweet sound fills the air, and I immediately think that Edward’s idea may not be so bad.