Just for This Moment (Wishful 4)

“Define ‘respectable.’”

“Long enough that they don’t think we’ve snuck away from our own reception to have a quickie in the coat room.”

And just like that, all the blood he’d been conscientiously trying to keep in his skull drained south. Myles pulled her closer to hide that reaction from the rest of the guests. “First, a quickie is a physical impossibility with you in that dress. I may require an engineering degree to get you out of it. Second, I am not going to make love to my wife for the first time in a coat closet. Third, I have every intention of taking my sweet time about it, which I’m eager to get started on, so really, how important is the stinking bouquet?”

Her eyes dilated and her breath quickened, which did marvelous things for the decolletage pressed against his chest. “I’m thinking we’ve been respectable enough.”

“Well then, Mrs. Stewart, let’s figure out our exit strategy.”

Before they made it more than three yards, they were intercepted by his parents.

“Oh Myles, I just had no idea,” his mother gushed.

That I’ve got a hard-on for my wife? Hand on Piper’s waist, he shifted her subtly in front of him. “About what?”

“That you had that in you. I mean, you were good in White Christmas. But this—” She clasped her hands and looked between the two of them, her eyes getting teary. “It was just lovely. That must’ve taken so much rehearsal.”

“I’m pretty wiped out. I didn’t sleep much the last week,” he admitted. See there, I’m tired. We want to get out of here. Take the hint.

“It was a great surprise,” Piper said, leaning back into him.

Augusta’s eyes widened. “You didn’t know?”

“Nope. Just as surprised as the rest of you.”

“But your performance was so perfect.”

“The song is one of my favorites, and Myles and I sing together often.”

Warrick shifted from foot-to-foot. Myles waited for his father to make some insulting remark. “It’s unexpected,” he finally managed.

Well, that was about as neutral a statement as he could make.

“I guess I’ve never been very accepting of the fact that you’ve always defied my expectations.”

Piper stiffened, and Myles braced himself for some kind of confrontation.

“I’m sorry for that. You’ve made a good life for yourself, with a good wife, a good business. And maybe you haven’t done any of it like I would have, but you’ve made it work. A lot of men couldn’t manage that.”

As apologies went, it was rather lukewarm, and judging by the pained look Warrick shot Augusta, his mother was the impetus behind it. But it was more than he’d ever offered before, so Myles wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I wanted to give you something. A bit of a peace offering.” Warrick reached into his coat pocket and drew out a thick envelope.

Automatically, Myles took it. “What is it?”

“A cruise. I know you don’t have a lot of time just now, but it’s a three-day trip to the Bahamas, leaving from Miami on Monday morning. It might end up being a little bit longer than you were planning to be gone, but your wife deserves your undivided attention.”

“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Stewart. Thank you.”

He shifted his attention to Piper. “Young lady, you’re a part of our family now. If you’ve got the cojones to call me out for my bad behavior, you can certainly call me by name.”

Her shoulders shook with silent laugher. “Thank you, Warrick. We appreciate it.”

“Thank you,” Myles said. “Both of you. This wedding wouldn’t have happened without your help. Or Gram.”

“She’s just happy to see you settled,” Augusta said.