Worth the Risk (Worth It 2)

“I didn’t want to hurt you.” He smiled sheepishly and slid the ring onto her fourth finger. It fit perfectly, though it looked a little odd next to her cast.

“It’s beautiful.” She studied it in the light, the dazzling sparkle of the diamond mesmerizing. “I love it.”

“I love you.” He rose up and kissed her, stealing her breath. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” She wished she wasn’t injured. Wished that Hunter could sweep her into his arms and carry her to his bed where he would make love to her all night long.

But that would come with time. And she had the joy of looking forward to many nights just like she imagined.

Pressing his forehead to hers, he stared deep into her eyes. “Alex was right.”

She frowned. “Alex? What did he say?”

“He said he knew once I found the right woman, I would fall hard. And he would relish that day and say he told me so.” He chuckled. “The absolute last thing I want to hear from him is I told you so.”

“Are you saying I’m not worth some ribbing from your brother?” She mock frowned.

“Oh, you’re definitely worth it.” Their lips met in a slow, sweet kiss. “More worth it than you’ll ever know.”

“I think I will,” she whispered. “If it’s anywhere close to how I feel about you.”

Chapter Nineteen

The wedding was beautiful, the bride positively glowing in an off-white lace and silk gown that clung to her ample belly. The groom was dashing and serious in his dark suit, his eyes glowing with love every time he stole a glance at his bride.

There hadn’t been a dry eye in the room.

“Is this how you envisioned your wedding day?” Hunter asked later, after the brief ceremony.

Gracie leaned into him, the excitement of the day leaving her weary. “I’m not quite sure how I envisioned it. But this—” she glanced about, taking in the pink and orange sky, “—this is perfect.”

Their lips met in a perfectly synced kiss, earning an agonized groan from his younger brother sitting at the end of the table. “Enough with the smooching,” Rhett yelled.

Hunter broke away from Gracie and sent Rhett a hard glare. “Your time will come, just you wait.”

“Hell no, that’ll never happen. Whoops, sorry, Gracie,” Rhett apologized, looking sheepish.

Her lips twisted, and she tried not to smile, but it was so hard. She adored Rhett. Tried her best to bring the two brothers together and slowly but surely, it was working.

A family vacation in Maui to celebrate their wedding had been a huge step in bridging the gap between them. Perhaps the birth of their child could also bring the brothers together. Rhett was already enamored of Charlotte, Alex and Tessa’s little girl.

“It’ll happen,” Alex piped up. He sounded rather authoritative, which was his usual mode. “If it can happen to me and Hunter, it’ll definitely happen to you.”

Lots of good-natured ribbing passed back and forth, Tessa even tossing out a few comments as she bounced a wiggly Charlotte on her knee. Gracie watched them, thinking of the child preparing to come into the world within the next two months. Would they have a pretty little girl like Charlotte? Or a big strapping boy to carry on the Worth name?

It didn’t matter, to her or to Hunter. All they wanted was a healthy baby they could love and spoil.

“I love it here,” she murmured to Hunter a few minutes later, once the servers had cleared their plates. They’d chosen an exclusive restaurant nestled within the resort they stayed at, reserving a private room for the entire night so they could eat and celebrate.

“I’m glad you like it. Maui is a beautiful island. One of Rhett’s favorite places, actually.”

“Alex looks relaxed as well.” The suits were long gone. Most days while they’d been on the island, he wore a Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts and flip flops. She’d never heard him laugh more in his life.

“This vacation is good for all of us. Though your nose is pretty sunburned.” He tapped her on the tip of her nose. “You need more sun block.”

“I need a better applier of sun block,” she admonished with a grin.

“You know what I love about this island?”