“I know this is quick. We’ve only known each other three months and we said we’d wait until the time is right and—”
“Shh.” She covers my mouth with her fingers. “Yes.”
“Yes? Too soon? We need to wait? Or, you’ll marry me?”
“Yes, I will marry you.”
Fuck, yes.
She’s gonna be my wife.
I roll on top of Adelyn and kiss the hell out of her. “Adelyn Thorn. Sounds good.”
“Yes, it does.”
And I then make love to my fiancée. My. Fiancée.
Twists and turns of fate. Although sometimes small, those are the little wonders forming our lives.
A house went on the market, bringing Adelyn and I together as neighbors. Two strangers. Except we weren’t strangers at all. Our paths were not crossing for the first time. And that once seemingly insignificant intersection of our lives suddenly became a pivotal moment in our futures. It had the potential to become one of two things: a wrecking ball to tear us apart or the cohesion to bond us together forever.
We choose together forever.
Epilogue
Adelyn Maxwell
One year later
I’m the owner of Bash Incorporated. I’ve organized some of the biggest weddings and extravagant receptions in Birmingham. Hell, in Alabama. Even a few in the surrounding states.
My wedding has been planned for years, long before I met Oliver. I had it all mapped out.
Every. Little. Detail.
A historic manor. Elaborate theme. Two dozen attendants. All the intricate elements required to impress the elite. The only thing missing was the groom.
Such. Bull. Shit. All of it.
A barn. Fifty guests. My daddy to officiate. I’m ready to say “I do” to my handsome groom. So ready.
“Remember what we practiced, Willow? You’re going to walk down the middle of the barn holding Keeley’s hand.”
“I get to drop the petals this time?” Her small voice is so sweet.
“Yes. And when you get to the end, you’ll both stand next to Lawrence.” My God, they are so adorable in their white tutu dresses. I don’t think I could stand it if they were any cuter.
I know putting a five- and three-year-old in my wedding is a risk. It could all go to shit in under a second but I don’t care. I’ve come to love Willow and Keeley dearly. I couldn’t imagine them not being part of our big day.
The girls start down the aisle and Patty, the wedding planner, turns to look at me. Yes, even I need a wedding planner. I couldn’t do everything and enjoy being the bride. “So far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed.”
They make it halfway to the bridal canopy before Keeley spots her daddy and takes off running for him. “Well, there goes one.”
All I can do is laugh. “It was a fifty-fifty shot with that child.”
I promised them ponies at their next birthday parties if they did well in the wedding. But who am I kidding? They’re getting ponies, or anything else they want, regardless of today. I go completely overboard for those precious girls.
There were two things that needed to happen before Oliver and I could be married. First, he needed to ask my daddy for my hand. Check. And I had to accept Vance as part of Oliver’s life. Part of my life.
Nothing about it has been easy. But I did it for Oliver. I did it for me. And I did it for those precious little girls so they could have a daddy in their lives.
With Jill’s full support, I spoke on Vance’s behalf when he became eligible for parole six months ago. I can honestly say it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. But I know it was the right thing every time I see Willow and Keeley jump into his arms. He loves those girls. Absolutely adores them. And they are thrilled to have their father in their lives. And Toni, now not carrying the burden of provider and working less hours, is closer to looking her age. There is light in her eyes, and not as much fatigue. Yes, it was worth it, and such a good decision.
I spoke on Vance’s behalf the same month I testified against Martin. That was a dark time in my life. I don’t know what I would have done if Oliver hadn’t been there for me.
We had no idea what would come of my blackmailing Martin. But Oliver was insistent it would forever be a tie to him, one that must be severed. I knew he was right, but damn, I was terrified.
Of course, Martin sang like a bird about the blackmail after I testified against him but I was lucky. The DA chose to forego pressing charges against me. He didn’t say it in so many words, but he felt as though I’d suffered enough. At least that’s what I got out of it.
Martin is finally where he should be. Rotting in jail. Not with the general population since he’s paraplegic, and probably not for an incredibly long time, but he lost his freedom. At least for a little while. Most importantly, his family, friends, and business associates know what he did to me and those other dozen women.
Patty touches my arm. “Your turn, Adelyn.”
I walk the aisle formed by the two sections of guests. I pass my bouquet to Lawrence when I reach the bridal canopy and Oliver takes my hands. I’m shocked by what I see when I look into his baby blues. Tears. I’ve never seen Oliver cry. And of course that turns on my waterworks. What kind of bride wouldn’t cry at the sight of her groom shedding tears?
My daddy gives us a moment before he begins, “Dearly beloved . . .”
Our wedding ceremony is short. And of course the scripture we requested is about wives submitting to their husbands. Had to.
Oliver may have been teary eyed before. But not now. I know the look I see there. Lust. Except now it’s for his wife. His wife who will submit to him. Forever. That smile tells me how much he likes hearing that.
Alpha. Dominant. Oliver has mastered his craft. He knows just how hard to push. How hard to squeeze. How hard to bite . . .
I’m getting turned on thinking about it. And it’s going to be hours before Oliver can make me come.
“You may kiss your bride.” Oliver doesn’t hesitate but he keeps it tame. I warned him my mama and daddy would flip out if he didn’t keep it classy.
He heeded my warning about the kiss but his whispered words in my ear are not as subdued. “Mrs. Thorn, I’m going to fuck you into next week when I get you alone.”
“It pleases me greatly to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Thorn.”
Oliver Thorn
Hooded, lustful eyes watching me. Nibbling her bottom lip. Adelyn is giving me the look. Unspoken words telling me what she wants. What she needs.
But what the fuck am I supposed to do about it here? Now? We have fifty guests in this fully renovated barn ready to celebrate our nuptials with as much alcohol as they can hold.
She works her way through the crowd toward the back of the building, looking at me over her shoulder every few steps. Checking to be sure I’m following. Of course, I’m trailing her. I’ll follow her anywhere when she gives me that look.
The chase ends in the bridal room when I shut the door. And lock it. “Mrs. Thorn. You seem to be in need of something.”
She nods as she takes several steps backward, her back pressed against the wall. And I know exactly what I’m going to do to her. “Pull your dress up so I can see your sweet pussy.”
She grabs her wedding gown at the thighs and inches it up until she’s exposed from the waist down. Lacy white panties and a blue garter around her thigh. Fuck.
“I can’t see what’s mine. Pull your panties to the side.” Ah, there it is. Mrs. Thorn’s shiny wet pussy. And damn if it doesn’t make me harder than Miss Maxwell’s.
Mine.
Her dress will make this a little tricky but it’s doable. Probably best from behind. “Turn around and keep holding your dress.”
I tug open the button on my pants and lower my zipper as I move toward her. I grasp her panties and pull them down her legs. One less thing to hold out of the way. “Feet apart.”
One hand goes to my cock to guide it into my wife’s warm, i
nviting entrance, the other goes to her throat. “This what you want, Mrs. Thorn? To be fucked against the wall? By your husband while you’re in your wedding dress?”
“Yes.”
I enter her hard and fast and deep. Fuck. I never tire of that gasp.
My cock no longer needs my hand for guidance so I move it to her clit. I want her to come. Hard. “Feel good?”
“Yesss.”
Her breathing and pulse pick up as she grinds harder. I apply bilateral pressure on her carotids. I know exactly what Adelyn’s body needs to push her over the edge into pure ecstasy.
“I love you, Max.” So fucking much.
“Love. . . you.” She beats me to the finish line so I release the pressure on her throat a couple seconds after I feel her come around my cock. As always, her climax is the onset of mine.
I shut my eyes and press my forehead to her back. “I’m coming inside you so hard, baby.”
We’re both breathless and trembling when I thrust the last time. Fuck, that was hot. The perfect way to consummate this marriage.
“My legs are shaking like crazy. I need to sit down a minute.”
I scoop Adelyn from the floor and carry her to the sofa. “That good, huh?”