Down the Aisle (Dare Me 2.5)

She led him back to the door, and to his relief, her hand was warm and soft in his. Everything was going to be okay, for today at least. And maybe, if his plans came through the way he hoped they would, everything would be even better soon…

…

The next half hour went by in a blur. There was a mopping and repairing of the face conducted by Cat and Courtney, the locating of a slightly muddy veil, and then a march down the stairs, followed by a far more terrifying second one down the aisle. And once again, Lacey stood in front of the minister, holding her bouquet of flowers in a death grip. If roses produced juice, she could have provided their wedding party with some refreshing beverages by now.

The blood buzzed in her ears as Galen turned to face her and Cat stuffed a ring into her hand. This must be it. She cleared her throat and waited for her cue. The officiant mumbled something, but the next words stood out loud and clear. She was both surprised and grateful at the feeling of total calm that fell over her.

It didn’t matter what else was wrong; this much she knew was right. They’d deal with whatever came next together. If that meant them giving up on the dream of having a baby, then so be it. Her heart gave a painful squeeze at the thought, but she shoved it away. The love of her life had something to say to her.

“I, Galen, take you, Lacey.” Galen’s gorgeous brown eyes gleamed suspiciously as he spoke, and the glow that had started as a tiny ember in her heart spread outward. She didn’t take her eyes off him until he slid the circle of gold onto her finger.

Now her turn.

“To be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish till death do us part.” She repeated the words, completing the ritual. And when she slid the ring on his finger, the guests erupted into cheers.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Galen tugged her close and bent low, lifting her veil. He kissed one corner of her mouth, then the other, before kissing her full on the lips. “I love you, Mrs. Thomas,” he said with a grin. He scooped her up into his arms, and she let out a squeal.

“You’re not supposed to carry me yet!”

“I’m your husband now. I can carry you if I want to.”

She was pretty sure that hadn’t been part of their vows, but she wasn’t about to argue. He cut through the crowd, who wolf-whistled and only encouraged him, and carried her into the center tent, to set her on the dance floor.

The beginning of their wedding song began to play, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They danced, bodies swaying together in perfect rhythm, and everything felt so easy. It wouldn’t always be that way, but for tonight, it was enough.

After dinner and a lovely champagne toast delivered by Shane, everyone got a little loose. She and Galen were grinding on the dance floor when the DJ called her over to a chair in the center.

“Mrs. Thomas, I think you know what time it is.”

She was a little buzzed and made to look at her watch. With a sad sigh, she realized that it was almost over.

“Time for the bouquet and for that garter belt to come off!”

She’d forgotten all about that. The DJ called for all the single ladies to come on stage, and Cat and Courtney wound up in front. Lacey eyed them and estimated the angle she’d have to throw the bouquet to get it straight to Cat, and then she spun around. The crowd cheered, and she let it rip. She turned around just in time to see Cat slip on a napkin and Courtney reach up a hand instinctively to avoid taking a bouquet straight to the face.

Cat righted herself and busted out laughing at the horror on Courtney’s face.

“Aw, honey, it’s just an old wives tale. You’ll be fine.”

Courtney nodded, looking dazed.

Next it was up to Galen to get the garter. He led Lacey to the chair of honor. She peered down at her husband, who looked extremely pleased to be kneeling between her legs, and grinned. “I put it up high, handsome, so you might be there for a while.”

His smile in return was ripe with promise, and a little shiver went through her. “Man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

And boy, did he. He slid his hands slowly, excruciatingly over her ankles and then higher to trace the muscles of her calves.

“You know there’s only one, right?” she asked breathlessly.

“How would I know that unless I checked?”

Their guests started hooting and screaming and by the time he’d retrieved his prize, Lacey had broken out in a fine sweat. He bent low and pressed a kiss to the inside of her knee. “I think we need more of these,” he murmured, and then stood, twirling the blue garter on his finger.

“Single guys, front and center,” he called. The men lined up, and when he tossed it over his shoulder, it was headed straight for Shane. Then, a hand shot out and snagged it from mid-air. Lacey gasped as Rafe held his prize aloft. She shot a glance at Courtney, who looked like she’d been gut-punched. She wet her lips nervously and seemed to be considering whether to back out or not when Rafe turned toward her with a mocking smile.

“Ready for me, Court?” he asked. He didn’t wait for an answer and instead walked toward her. Walked? Hell, he stalked, like a lion approaching his prey. Even Galen was impressed.

“Damn, is he going to put the garter on her or eat her?”

Lacey shrugged. “Maybe both, if she’s lucky,” she whispered. Her husband chuckled and pulled her closer to settle in and enjoy the show.

By the end of the night, Lacey’s face hurt from smiling. They’d waved goodbye to their friends and family and climbed into their limo. In less than two hours, they’d be on their way to Puerto Rico. Five days of sun. Five days of fun.

Five days of breaking away from the reality that they were still no closer to having a baby than they’d been almost a year ago.

Chapter Five

Lacey opened her eyes as the cool breeze tickled her cheeks. God, she loved it here. They’d been in San Juan for four days now, and she’d never been happier. The first time they’d gone, a year before, they’d met another couple on their trip. They’d gone back to their villa, and during a Three’s Company style misunderstanding, she and Galen had been propositioned by them to engage in some down and dirty partner swapping. So when their car on this trip had pulled up to the same Grotto Villa that couple had stayed in, Lacey about had a heart attack.

Galen laughed his ass off when he realized her first thought was that he’d changed his mind and wanted to take them up on it. Come to find out, he’d rented the villa because they’d had their first kiss in the grotto-style pool. How romantic was that?

She let out a happy sigh and rolled to the side to plant one on her brand spanking new husband. The only sign he’d ever been there was the dent in his pillow, though. She pushed herself onto one elbow and listened closely. Waves lapping against the sand outside her window? Check. Low hum of the ceiling fan? Check. Hot man in shower? She strained hard to hear it, but nope. She hopped off the bed onto the warm, terracotta tiles and padded out of the room into the main part of the house. By the time she reached the lanai, she could hear it. The low male voice singing what sounded like a Katy Perry song.

She closed the door gently behind her, maximum stealth engaged. He kept on singing, so she was pretty sure she was in the clear.

She pulled the baby-doll nightgown she’d donned when they arrived over her head and tossed it onto one of the lounge chairs before padding across the cobblestones to the pool on her tiptoes. She found herself staring at the backside of a tan, buff, sexy, and mostly naked man standing under one of the manmade waterfalls. His broad shoulders tapered down to a lean waist that he’d maintained even after he’d retired from boxing. The thickly corded muscles that ran down the sides of his back were still lean and strong from hours at the gym. She slipped into the water, wading toward him, closer and closer. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth as she reached out a hand to—

“You’re really taking your time about it, aren’t you?” He growled and turned to face her. Either he’d woken up with morning wood or he’d known she was there the whole time because his shaft was stiff and at the ready. She stepped up onto the ledge next to him and he moved closer, crowding her until her back was against the rock face.

“You think you’re pretty sneaky, huh?” he asked, stepping to one side so that the cool water sprayed the front of her body. She gasped as the rush battered her hard nipples.

“I love that. So sensitive,” he whispered, dipping his head to suck one pebbled tip into his mouth. She tensed and clutched his head to her, shocked that she could want him…need him so quickly. If he lifted her up right now, spread her legs and slid deep inside her, she would have been more than ready.

He released her nipple with a soft pop and nuzzled her. “I bet you thought you’d come out here and land yourself a quickie, didn’t you, Mrs. Thomas?” he whispered.

She wanted to answer him, but he stole the words from her mouth when he cupped her center with his hand and slid a finger into her in one sure move.

“Ah, yeah,” he groaned in approval. “I think that is what you wanted. But guess what, babe?”

She didn’t want to guess. She wanted to—

“It’s not going down like that this time.”

He dropped a kiss to her shoulder blade, then to the crease between her breasts, then lower. One on each rib, one over her navel, then one on each hip. He stopped there and let his teeth sink in just how she liked it. She gasped.

“Mm,” she murmured, slipping her hands into his hair and pressing him closer. He wrapped his strong arms around her thighs and murmured her name.

“Come with me,” he demanded. His tone sent a thrill straight to her core. As sweet as he could be, once the clothes were off, her man had no qualms about taking the reins. She had to admit, she liked it. He stepped down into the water to his waist and took her with him. He cradled her to his chest and lazily walked them to a wide, flat sunning rock in the center of the pool then lifted her with ease onto the warm, flat stone.

She laid back, letting her knees fall open.

“Jesus, you’re beautiful.”

She pushed back the nerves that still made a quick appearance now and then, and opened her eyes to watch him. His jaw was tense as he stared down at her like he wanted to consume her. The heat of the smooth rock seeped into her muscles, making her feel relaxed and languid.

He leaned in to flick his tongue out, tasting the knot of nerves that pulsed to the touch.

She gasped. One light touch, and languid flew out the window. She strained toward to him, desperate to get more of his magic mouth.

“I love watching you squirm like that, so if you’re trying to rush me, you’re doing it all wrong,” he drawled.

In spite of his tough words, she could hear the tightness in his voice, and she knew with just a little more effort…she wriggled her hips and whispered the word he loved to hear.

“Please.”

With a growl, he pounced on her. His fingers gripped her hips as his hot tongue lashed at her. She wrapped her legs around his neck, squeezing his face with her thighs and urging him on. This was exactly what she needed. Puerto Rico. Sun. Water. Her man. A week to lose herself and remember exactly how good it all was, baby or no. A lifetime of Galen was no hardship.

He sucked her clit into his mouth and bathed it with the tip of his tongue until she was pleading wordlessly for mercy. Just a little faster. Just a little harder.

“Oh God.”

He lifted her, kneading her against his face until the pressure became too much to bear, and she shouted his name. Her whole body flexed and bowed. Her legs shook with the force of it as she came hard against his mouth. He held her close until she stopped shaking, murmuring praise against her hip as he set her back against the rock. Her breath slowed, and she waited for him to come up there with her. To slide deep inside her and start the storm all over again.