The soft music starts playing—a string quartet, the best in New York—and I open my eyes to try and catch a glimpse of my beautiful bride.
We’re on the beach in the Hamptons in front of a huge luxurious beach house I rented. At least, Victoria thinks I rented it. I’ll let her know later tonight that I bought it for her. A little wedding present for my bride.
Gabriel is at my side as my best man. I couldn’t choose between my three brothers, so we agreed on this to avoid any hurt feelings.
I watch with watery eyes as Brooke walks down the sandy aisle alone. She’s Victoria’s maid of honor. She gives me a wink before standing on the bride’s side.
Nolan is after her with Arya on his arm. Eli comes next with Carrie in her blue bridesmaid dress. Luke is last with a pregnant Aubrey, her curly blonde hair bouncing with every step.
I feel so blessed. My heart is overflowing with love.
The five girls are as close as sisters and Victoria already feels like she’s part of the family. Today, we’re making it official.
A loving warmth radiates through my body when the music changes and my bride comes into view.
Victoria looks stunning in a mermaid shaped dress that shows off her hips that I can’t get enough of. Mr. Jones is walking her down the aisle, giving her away.
My possessive eyes are locked on her. Her strawberry blonde hair is up, showing off the slender curve of her neck. I get an intense urge to run over there and plant kisses along it, but instead, I dig my toes into the sand and stay put.
It’s torture standing here and not being able to grab her, to hold her, to strip that wedding dress off her. I’m already counting the hours until I can sink into the warm sticky sweetness between her legs when she arrives by my side.
I don’t hear one word the priest says. I just stare at her in awe the entire time. I can’t believe that this beautiful angel is mine.
We exchange the rings and say the “I do’s” and before I know it everyone is holding champagne flutes in the air with smiles on their faces.
“To the newlyweds!” Nolan shouts and everyone drinks.
Everyone except for Victoria. I see her subtly dump the champagne onto the sand and put the empty glass to her lips, pretending she drank it.
“What was that about?” I whisper in her ear as everyone gathers around to congratulate us.
She gives me a little smile and my heart stops.
“Really?” I whisper.
She tilts her head and smiles as everyone comes over, slapping hands on my back and saying how happy they are for us.
My focus is only on her.
And on my baby that I’ll be holding in my arms.
In nine long months.
Epilogue
Victoria
Twelve Years Later…
I’m all sweaty as I come in from a jog on the beach and smile when I see Westin sitting with our four girls. They’re watching Beauty and the Beast again. Third time this week.
“Why don’t you let Daddy watch something else?” I ask with a laugh as I cross my arms and lean against the wall. “I’m sure he’s sick of this movie by now.”
“Never,” he says as Gaston starts singing. “It reminds me of our first date. How could I ever get sick of that?”
We’ve been together for twelve years now and have four beautiful girls. Our youngest Zoe starts kindergarten in two weeks so we’re taking one last vacation at the beach house before the chaos of school starts once again.
Westin is still killing it at Cline Corp with his brothers and I’m still rocking my father’s company with Gabriel by my side. Ten years ago, Westin and I couldn’t take being apart for eight hours a day, so I moved the company into the same office building as them.
Now, we’re only a quick elevator ride away from an office quickie whenever we feel the need.
“How was your run?” he asks with a grin as his eyes start hungrily eyeing my legs in my tight running shorts. Uh oh. I know that look…
“It was good. Hot.”
“I’ll bet,” he says as he bites his lip while checking out my chest.
“Well, I’m going to take a shower,” I say as I leave them to their movie and head upstairs into our ensuite bathroom.
This place is spectacular. It’s one of the nicest beach houses in the Hamptons and every neighbor on the street seems to be a celebrity except for us. As if marrying a man like Westin wasn’t a gift enough, he gave me this too.
I strip down to my sweaty skin, leaving my clothes on the bathroom floor as I step into the huge shower. Cool water washes down on my face as I hear the door creak open.