Laurie is waiting for us under the veranda with three mugs of coffee. She has a table set up with her laptop and several catalogues. At this point, I’m glad my mom and I are so organized because we can knock out most of the searching when I tell her what I want. She smiles at both of us when we walk up.
I wince when I sit down. My entire lower body is sore. Declan got creative last night and for the first time, took me from behind. I thought it was hot–he said he hated it. When I questioned him, he said he preferred to see my face when he was inside me. When we finally went to sleep, I was sore, sated, and extremely well fucked.
I make notes as she talks to us about our options. We were able to narrow down ceremony and reception site easily. If it seems like rain, we will make a wedding day decision to move inside. Being that our wedding is so small, it is an easy solution.
Declan steps away a few times to take calls until I finally take his phone away. He pushed for this goddammit, so he’s going to participate. These decisions are important! The flowers and foliage are easy since I have my colors already. I explain that I have my own photographer flying in with us, and we go over notes about picture spots around the island.
My mom calls in the middle of us reviewing my notes, and I put her on speaker. Big mistake!
“Ravenel James! Why didn’t you tell me about Sayge! I heard from Robbie, and my phone is blowing up. Top 40, Raven, this is huge!”
Declan start
s laughing, and I immediately put the phone to my ear. People sitting around us look but thankfully don’t show signs of recognition. I talk to my mom softly for a few minutes and tell her I’ll call her this afternoon when I have all the details ironed out. I text my brother quickly ‘code 311–get her under control.’
When we start going over the menu, we choose a few things to try at lunch. We gather our notes and Laurie takes us to a golf cart to show us the best spots for pictures. I’ve never been a golf girl, but I fall in love with a spot located on a fairway green. She takes notes for my photographer and promises to have a detailed list for him. We pull up to a rustic looking area with the most beautiful view I have ever seen. The oak trees are full of Spanish moss, and the marsh is in the background swaying in the breeze.
I grab my phone and have Laurie take several pictures of us against the backdrop hoping one will turn out perfect. We drive around for another hour looking at spots and condo options before we finally head back to the hotel for lunch. We go to a private room where we sample several dishes and decide on our buffet. When it comes time to taste cakes, I’m about to bust a gut. I have Declan taste and give me his top two. Then I make the decision.
I confirm with Laurie that I can send packages down before the wedding, and she will hold them until I arrive. She looks heartbroken when Declan tells her we will be spending our wedding night at the Ritz but reluctantly agrees to comp my parents’ room for the night. We are almost done when he wants to talk about security.
We tell her a little about our story and Sayge’s recent success. She stares at him starry eyed until he pulls me into his lap. Then she pops back to professional mode and assures us our wedding will not be leaked, and the plantation security will be on hand in case needed. She recommends we pull the reception into a ballroom if worried about hotel spectators, but we decline. As long as no one knows who we are, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Once everything is finalized, and I give her the deposit, we are done. Declan wants to go to the pool, but I suggest a walk on the beach.
I give Declan back his phone when we get back to our room, and he tells me it’s overloaded with messages, both text and voice. He calls Cooper to see if anything is urgent. If not we’ll worry about them later.
I put on my bikini and hear him in the other room on the phone. He seems upset, so I join him.
“Let me talk to Raven and we can discuss when we get home.”
Silence.
“I know, man. I am excited but give me this weekend with her to plan our wedding. I’ve tried to get this girl to marry me three times already, and she finally agreed. The details are done, and I have twenty-four hours with her until we get hit with all this shit. Give me this.”
Silence.
“Yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow around five. Y’all plan on coming over. We’ll celebrate then. Is there anything else? My phone is full of messages.”
Silence.
“Right, tell them I fucking proud too. Raven’s proud, our families are proud. It’s surreal. But if you all could give me the next day with Raven, I’d appreciate it.”
Silence.
“Got it, see ya then.” He hangs up and turns to see me in the doorway.
“You sure you want to take a walk? I’m sure I could give you some exercise right here that would involve a very thorough workout.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I laugh.
“You nut! We’re not walking for exercise, I want to at least see the beach while we’re here. You want to tell me what that was about?”
“Yep, either when I’m buried in you with your back against that wall. Or when our toes hit the sand.”
“Toes in the sand. I have a feeling that way I’ll get the whole story. Get on your suit-let’s go.”
He strips right there and looks through our clothes for his suit. My mouth waters at the sight of his delicious body and the things it does to me. He catches me staring and smirks.
“Want to change your mind?”