| |
Tiny white lights twinkled in the gauzy canopy overhead, their soft glow spilling over the otherwise dimly lit room. Dark fabric stretched across the ceiling, making them look like stars in the night sky we’d stood under months ago. A tiny smile curved my lips. I’d felt something for her the moment she showed up, but that night cemented it for me. I’d fallen hard and fast and loved every minute of it.
My family had flown in from Illinois a couple days ago, and my parents were both enamored of Jules. No surprise there. They, along with my men, crowded the chairs on my side of the room, while Briarleigh’s employees and half the town residents took up all of Jules’s side.
Soft strains of music fell from the speakers overhead, and I watched as Joey walked down the aisle, bouquet in hand. She’d ordered dresses for Jules and the girls through her shop, and I’d heard that she was considering expanding into bridal wear if she could convince her grandfather to jump onboard.
Mia came next, a huge smile lighting her face. I’d heard the expression before that expectant women glowed; never had I believed it until I saw Mia. Her pregnancy had become much more pronounced over the past couple months, and she’d never looked happier or more beautiful.
At least one of the Prescotts was here. I resisted the urge to tug at my tie as I glanced behind me. Carter Reed stood just a few feet away, but Jack was nowhere in sight.
“I swear to God,” I growled. “If he misses my wedding...”
“Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Carter assured me with a grin.
“Then where the hell is he?”
Carter tipped his head. “Right where he’s supposed to be.”
I followed his gaze to the large double doors at the entrance of the room. What I found there took my breath away. Jules glowed like an angel, lit from behind by the soft lighting of the hallway. Her hand was tucked into the crook of Jack’s arm as he prepared to walk her down the aisle. The music changed, and all around the room people climbed to their feet. I didn’t notice any of it. All I saw was her.
Green eyes met mine, and a shy smile curved her lips. God, she was gorgeous. Her long, glossy hair fell around her shoulders in those sexy waves I loved so much, and her dress was stunningly simple yet incredibly elegant. No embellishment at all, the exquisiteness was in the cut. It fit her perfectly, showcasing every curve, highlighting her beautiful body rather than detracting from it.
Unable to stop myself, I hopped off the small dais at the front of the room and strode toward them. Jules’s eyes widened first with surprise, then pleasure as I approached. I met them halfway down the aisle and reached for Jules just as she extracted herself from Jack’s grip.
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I lifted her into the air and spun her around. Her arms looped around my neck, and she threw back her head on a little laugh before meeting my gaze, her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.
“I don’t think this is how it’s supposed to work.”
I slowly let her slide down my body until she was steady on her feet. “I couldn’t wait any longer,” I rasped out, emotion clogging my throat as I stared down at her. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
Her eyes turned dreamily soft. “Thank you.”
Suddenly even this small amount of distance between us was too much. Needing to taste her, to feel her lips beneath mine, I bent my head and kissed her. Hoots and catcalls filled the air, along with the occasional “aww”, and I grinned against her lips before pulling away with heroic effort. Nose to nose, I rested my forehead against hers and breathed her in. “I have no idea how I got so lucky to find you, but I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy and treat you the way you deserve. I can’t imagine a single moment without you in my life.”
She peered up at me, her emerald eyes misty with tears. “I love you.”
Jack nudged me with his elbow. “Go make it official, Donahue.”
I ripped my gaze from Jules and threw a grateful glance his way. “Thank you for this. For everything.”
“Just repaying the favor.” He tipped his head and strode toward the front of the church to take his place.
I grabbed Jules’s hand and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Ready?”
She grinned back. “Absolutely.”
I stared down at her for a long moment, completely awestruck. I loved her more than anything in the world. She was mine, and I was never letting her go. I bent and stole one more kiss, then together we walked down the aisle, ready to start the rest of our lives.
*
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Beautiful Deception, and I hope you enjoyed reading about Eric and Jules as much as I loved writing about them. What originally started out as a special side project has quickly turned into a little world of its own. If you want more of the residents of Pine Ridge, Jack and Mia’s story is revealed in the Frozen in Time trilogy. Read on for a peek at chapter one of Unrequited Love!