“What?” She blinks innocently but I see the mischievous glint in her eyes. That does me in. I’m not a man of many words but I know I can’t just steal the bride away. At least not without saying our goodbyes. We’ve danced, we cut the cake and done all the wedding things we needed to do. There is nothing left to do but consummate this marriage. GIving my girl her perfect wedding and hopefully giving her a baby too.
I stand with her in my arms. She lets out a small shout of surprise. “Thanks for coming. Enjoy the food, booze and keep on partying. I’m taking my bride to bed.” The Castile brothers both make a sound of disgust while everyone else cheers.
I turn, heading from our backyard that has been done up for the wedding reception into our home. I take the stairs three at a time. I kick our bedroom door open before tossing my wife onto the bed. I turn, hating to have to look away from her but I have to lock the door. I have guards stationed everywhere. No one is getting up our stairs but with something as precious and rare as Savannah, a man can never be too protective. Only I get to gaze upon her perfect body.
I watch as she tries to undo her dress herself. She’s as eager as I am. “Do not rush, my wife. I should have the pleasure of undressing you.”
She stops fighting her dress to look up at me. “Why did I ever run from you?” she asks. Her eyes fill with tears.
“Do not cry.” I lean down, cupping her face. “It was a honor to chase you. A man should show he is worthy. Now you know without a doubt that I will always be with you. That I will fight for you always.” A tear slips free. I kiss it. I don’t want her to cry but I know they are happy tears.
“I love you,” she tells me again. I never get tired of hearing her say those words to me.
“I love you too, dollface,” I say as I take her mouth. “Now I’m going to love you as my wife.”
Epilogue
Savannah
Seven months later
“What is this?” My eyes are about to pop out of my head. I lick my lips, looking at the mountains of yummy treats that are taking over my kitchen counter.
“Mrs. Castile had them dropped off.” As always, Cooper’s answer is as short and to the point as possible. I’m not sure if Aaron has ordered him not to talk to me unless spoken to or if the man talks as little as my husband does to others.
I smirk. I shamelessly love my husband’s jealousy. I really shouldn’t but I do and I don’t hide that I enjoy it either. When it came to my Aaron I have nothing to hide. Nor does he with me.
“Which Castile?” I ask. I already think I know which but I always poke a few extra words out of Cooper because really I’ve got nothing better to do. I’m knocked up and I’m not sure where my husband slipped off to. I woke from my nap to find him gone.
I don’t know why but I always check the kitchen first when I’m looking for something or someone. Either way I’ll find something and today I’ve struck gold in the form of yummy looking treats.
“There are a lot of us,” I add. I am even still a Castile. Aaron took my name, saying his isn’t real anyway. That same night we’d lain in bed and he’d told me about his life. Not all the details but a lot. I didn’t go digging. I still get new stories from time to time. What I do know is that Aaron isn’t alone in this world anymore because he met us. We are his family now. He will never be alone again. The details that he shared with me weren’t the nicest so I never pry too much. I don’t want some of that darkness touching me. Aaron would shelter me from it all but I am persistent and trust in what he gives me.
“Mad Chef,” Cooper answers. MJ. I figured as much. Before she met my brother she sucked in the baking department. Not that I can point fingers. I’m not a good cook in any form. It looks as though the Mad Chef has finally won that battle. I know she’s been trying. A few times were rough trying her stuff but this looks like heaven.
“Want one?” I ask, picking up one of the cupcakes to hand to Cooper. I can see him debate taking it. I don’t blame him. He starts to reach for it but the cupcake is plucked from my hand.
“Snooze you lose,” I say with a shrug as Aaron takes the wrapper off the bottom of the cupcake he snatched out of my hand. Cooper shakes his head before he turns to leave. I watch him snatch one of the boxes, stealing it for his wife. Aaron holds the treat out for me to take a bite of. His other hand goes to my round belly.