Heartthrob (The Bennett Brothers 3)

“Don’t you both have wives around here somewhere that are obligated to put up with your harassment?”

“They’re with Claire. The nanny is putting the kids to bed, which leaves me free to give you shit.” Shaw tips his glass.

“Gotta say, Brayden was the showstopper today. Glad you were able to work it out for him to be here.” Nick’s statement makes me smile.

Nick is not lying. My nephew is definitely a Bennett. Claire and I wondered how he’d handle walking down the aisle and standing up for the ceremony. We planned for him to be with Shaw and Bizzy, but as soon as they walked through the archway, he let go of her hand and waltzed alone.

Actually, he swaggered… stealing the moment. He stepped up next to me, shoved the ring pillow in the air, and smiled with his topaz eyes shining. If it wasn’t obvious before, it was in that instant. He’s a mini-Shaw in the making.

“Sasha fucked up, and she knows it. In my mind, there was never a question Brayden would be here. She made a huge mistake challenging me on this. Caldwell made a mockery of her—again.”

“I’ll repeat for the hundredth time, not sure how you deal with that bitch.”

“I don’t. That’s why I pay Caldwell a shitload of money.”

“Thanks for making it happen. It means a lot to us. Actually, thank you both—for everything.” I glance between my brothers and know there’s much more I should say, but words aren’t necessary. The expressions on their faces tell me they understand what I mean.

“We’re happy for you, Mathis. All joking aside, she’s perfect for you.”

“I never stood a chance,” I admit.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a mass of blonde hair glittering with multi-colored jeweled rhinestones.

There’s a loud squeal of excitement followed by the uproar of laughter as she’s hurled into the air. My chest tightens, and I’m on the move. This is not a surprise. Without actually seeing who has her in his arms, I’m pretty sure who it is. Eddie Jarvis has been shooting mischievous glares my way all night, which should have been my signal.

This is an ongoing joke with Shaw’s clients and Nick’s teammates that began with Shaw’s wedding. Find a way to get to the bride, piss off the groom—who will undoubtedly make an ass out of himself—and entertain anyone within hearing distance.

Apparently, all we’ve gone through doesn’t excuse me as a target. I stalk through to where our guests have gathered in time to see Eddie spin her out, keeping her hand, then hauling her back to him until she collides with his massive chest and bounces. He’s careful to hold her upright, and she throws her head back, her face glowing.

I close in, lock eyes with Eddie, and jerk my chin for him to release her. He grins wide, backing up two steps, and I swallow the growl growing in my throat. Nick and Shaw box me in shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing loudly.

Claire’s head swings to mine, her own eyes dancing with happiness, and she winks, taking his arms from around her waist. I reach out and gently haul her to me.

“No more disappearing.”

“I didn’t disappear; I went to the restroom. It takes a team to help me with this dress.”

“Next time, I’ll help you, and we’ll remove the dress altogether, problem solved.” I nip her earlobe. “Then we can properly begin our wedding night.”

Her head slants back, and she cradles my face as we sway to the music. “I think we’ve officially won the title of the best Bennett wedding by far.”

“I think my brothers would agree based on the Dream Racing.” Nick and Shaw quickly stopped bitching about the heat of Vegas in July when Claire presented me with my wedding present. With Rachel’s help, she arranged for my brothers and me to have a Dream Racing experience on the Las Vegas Speedway. Nick has always been known as the adrenaline junkie, but the instant I zipped the suit and stepped on the asphalt, it was a rush like never before. Shaw felt the same way.

While the women lavished in their spa day, we three raced around a track at high-velocity speeds, talking trash and loving every minute.

“I personally think the private suite at the concert was the icing on the cake,” she throws in.

“Speaking of cake…”

I glimpse around the room for Rachel to give her the signal we’re ready. She’s at the door with her eyes on me, but her mouth is moving rapidly to a man in a suit in front of her. He nods and disappears, and she whips her hand in the air in a circle then gestures to the patio.

I dip my mouth to Claire’s, sweeping my lips across hers. “First, we have one more surprise.”

She smiles against my lips, sliding her fingertips around my neck. “I never want this night to end.”

Her breath hitches when I bend to pick her up and head outside. Rachel directs our guests outside as well. The fountain starts its show, and as a special request, a few fireworks light the sky. It took a ton of negotiations, but after Claire was kidnapped and returned safely, the Bellagio management team agreed to do a few fireworks.

“Oh my God! This is unbelievable!” Claire shouts, whipping her face to mine. “How did you…” her voice trails off as her eyes begin to shimmer.