Changing Roles

She giggled, knowing how true that was.

“How casual?”

I slid my hands over her bare calves. “Whatever you want. You can wear one of your pretty skirts if that’s what you want. But if you want a fancy dress, I’m good with it. I’ll even wear a tie for you.” I winked at her. Since we had gotten here, casual had been the look for both of us. With the heavy costumes I wore daily, I was happy to be in jeans and T-shirts for the most part, when not filming. Shelby had taken to wearing skirts and billowy blouses, which drove me insane with lust when I saw her. She had no idea how sexy she was to me. More than once, I had to take a break filming when I saw her appear on set, watching me. My trailer had been well used as I shagged her senseless a few times, my mouth covering hers to keep it private. Although the smirks from people around the set led me to believe it wasn’t the case; I chose to ignore them. I didn’t want Shelby’s visits to stop.

“Maybe just a suit?” she mumbled against my throat; her lips moving over my skin. “You don’t need a tie,” she added.

“And you?” I asked hopefully.

“The dress I saw last week—the one I thought was lovely but had no place to wear it? In the vintage shop?”

I remembered the dress, or at least remembered telling her to buy it. The color had caught my eye—the deep red standing out in the window as Shelby had gazed at it. I loved her in red, and I knew she’d look lovely in it; although I had no idea what the dress itself looked like anymore. “Buy it,” I ordered her. “Marry me in it.”

She tilted her head. “Yes.”

I pulled her down on the blanket with me, my body covering hers. Our mouths met in a long, slow, deep kiss. Our tongues stroked softly, celebrating the moment. I pulled back panting. “You’ll be my wife.”

“Yes.”

“Forever.”

“Yes.”

I hesitated as I looked at her. “Shelby—”

“What is it?”

“I want children with you.”

“I want them too.”

“Soon?”

“Well, I’m not getting any younger.”

I kissed her hard. “Stop it.” I growled. I hated when she brought up her age.

She frowned. “In this case, it’s true, Liam.”

“Then I guess we need to get married soon and get you pregnant—fast.” I winked at her. “What a hardship that is going to be. All that shagging.”

She giggled. “Indeed.”

I turned serious. “You want that, Shelby? Children? With me? Soon?”

She pulled my mouth to hers. “I’ll throw my pills out tonight, if you want.”

“I want.”The day was perfect. Everyone was surprised and excited when they discovered our plans, arriving to find tables set out, complete with flowers and candles. I waited with the local vicar as Shelby made her way to me, taking the trip alone, the way she wanted.

“I give myself to you,” she explained.

The sinking sun caught her hair as it floated around her shoulders. It glimmered off the antique hair clips I had given her to mark our day. The lace of her red dress lifted in the breeze, catching the same shimmering rays. She glowed with happiness as she took my hand and let me make the final few steps of our journey at her side—where I planned to stay for the rest of my life. The scent of the white roses she carried would always remind me of this day and her beauty.

She smiled at the tie I had added, patting it gently. It matched the garter I knew the dress hid. I planned on helping her remove it later—with my teeth.

I was talented that way.

She made it through her vows, her voice clear although quivering at times. I wasn’t able to read the words I’d written. My damn allergies must have acted up, and for some reason, they were nothing but a blur on the small piece of card stock where I’d written them. I did what I did best and winged it. I promised her many things, which included my undying devotion, foot rubs, movie marathons, and all the OJ she could possibly handle.

My adlib made her laugh, although most people were mystified at my insistence that vitamin C was a daily necessity and had to be included in my marriage vows.

“Oh, Oscar,” she whispered. “Only you.”

I winked at her. “Only me for the rest of your life.”

“I’m good with that.”

I kissed her before we were pronounced husband and wife.

No one objected too strenuously.

There was lots of music and dancing after the vows. Shelby’s smile was brighter than the sun when I swept her into my arms as “The Lady in Red” played, and our guests clapped and shared our joy. And of course, many wishes and hugs were given. My mum cried. Shelby cried. Even Ev got weepy. I was fine except for the allergies.