Ow!

 

THE WILDWOOD HOTEL RESTAURANT — the Empress Tea Lodge — was elegant and had a room that held the wedding party.

Wedding party. The thought was surreal.

The people in this town had given of their time and money and skills. Marigold Connolly had provided a wedding photographer from one of her businesses, Dorian Gray Photographers. The Wildwood Hotel had put on a spread that looked like it had been catered and planned two months in advance. Her flower bouquet now sat in a vase on the table.

All of this beautiful generosity to her was amazing. A lot of people had stood and given brief speeches wishing them well. One had said Beckett had found his Lifemate, and she wondered.

Suddenly doubts flooded in. She knew what she was getting out of this — not the million dollars or house he joked about, but a year with a fabulous guy and maybe a lifetime with him — but what was he getting out of it? With looks and money and personality, Beckett was a great package of a guy — so great he could have any girl he wanted.

So why did he want her? She wasn’t the prettiest woman on the block and she wasn’t the most popular.

Suddenly awash in doubts, she excused herself and made her way out of the main party room and found a restroom.

In the elegant sitting room there, she sat on a bench facing a large floor-to-ceiling mirror.

She needed a little normalcy to pull herself together. She hadn’t had a chance to call the school, so she pulled out her phone and dialed the principal’s cell number. After a little chit-chat, she said, “Mr. Collier, I need to tell you that I won’t be returning to school this year. I apologize for not giving you more notice.”

“You signed a contract. You have to finish out the year.” His voice grew angry. “You’re just going to leave me in the lurch?”

“Ms. Anderson is ready and willing to step into my shoes.”

His tone changed to cajoling. “What can I offer you to come back?”

“If you can beat a million dollars and a house, I’ll consider it.” Even though Beckett had been joking, it still made her smile to think about the offer.

There was a long pause. “Say again?”

“I just got married to a man who offered me a million dollars and a house, but I need to stay in this town for at least a year.”

“Huh.” Another pause. “Okay, I’ll talk with Anderson tomorrow. I’ll make it happen for you.”

“Thanks.”

Dixie came in and caught sight of her. “Hey, are you okay?” She sat beside Stacy.

“This is just all really sudden and I needed to catch my breath.”

Dixie smiled. “You’re a fast mover, my friend.”

They laughed. “I guess I am.”

“I never thought you’d do something this impulsive. You’re all order, and everything in its place, and lots of planning first.”

“I know. I guess that’s why all of a sudden I got overwhelmed with doubts and wondering if I’d done the right thing or just made a huge mistake.”

“You just married an amazing guy,” Dixie said. “And he’s the reason I came in. He’s asking for you.”

Beckett. The handsome man she’d just married. Stacy smiled. “I guess I should go back out, right?”

As she stood, two women walked in that she didn’t recognize. They saw her wedding dress and said, “Congratulations. Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Beckett Robertson,” Dixie said.

The shorter woman whistled. “That hunk? You lucked out with him.”

The taller woman said, “Your smooth neck won’t look like that tomorrow.”

What did she mean? Love bites? Ugh. Love bites were tacky. She wasn’t going to have one.

Dixie said, “Excuse us, ladies, I’ve got to reunite the bride with the groom.”

The two moved on past into the main restroom, while Stacy stared at Dixie. “I didn’t even think about my wedding night.” A little panic flooded through her.

“It will be beautiful, Stacy. You don’t need to worry about Beckett. You both fell in love and that will express itself tonight.”

“Surely he won’t expect to take a total stranger to bed — but he has been looking at me like I’m a tasty treat.”

Dixie took her arm. “He’ll kiss you again, and you’ll melt, and things will just happen and you’ll find you love it.”

“Okay.” Stacy straightened Dixie’s beautiful dress. Staring at the two of them in the mirror, she said, “And I’ll try really hard not to spill anything on this dress.”

Dixie rolled her eyes. “That would be greatly appreciated.”

 

 

Beckett watched the door, wondering when Stacy would return. If anything was wrong.

Had she decided she didn’t want to be married to him after all? Was she a runner?

Just as he was preparing to stand and go looking for her, she came in with Dixie.

Catching his gaze, she smiled hesitantly, and he realized she was nervous. About the wedding? Or about the wedding night? He’d have to make sure to move carefully, slowly, with her.

The meal was over, and the party was winding down, but people were still laughing and visiting.

She sat beside him, with Dixie on her other side. She said, “You’re really well liked in this town.”

He shrugged, but was pleased nonetheless. It had taken him awhile to prove himself to the supernaturals in this town. This show of support meant a great deal to him.

She dipped her head. “This feels just like a real wedding.”

“It is a real wedding, Angel.”

She looked up at him then and her smile lit up the room.

His phone rang, breaking the spell. “Excuse me.” It was the sheriff. Samuel said, “I don’t want to worry you, but Yolanda was just spotted in town. Are you married yet?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Go on a long honeymoon after we locate her. Take your bride to your home and keep her there. We’ll be better able to keep you both safe..”

“Thanks, Samuel. I was hoping to take her somewhere more special, but if you think it’s best then we’ll be at our house.”

He hung up, squeezed Stacy’s hand, and stood. “I want to thank you all for the support you’ve given my bride and me.”

Stacy stood beside him, holding his hand.

“And we’re going to leave now.”

People started teasing them about the hurry he was in. He didn’t care. He wanted to get Stacy home safe.

It took them fifteen more minutes to reach the doors.

Someone called out, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

And then they popped out into the hallway.

 

 

Thirty minutes later, Beckett unlocked his front door.

He could have afforded to upgrade, and he might now that he had Stacy, but he’d fallen in love with the cottage when he was first turned and realized he needed to stay in Moonchuckle Bay until he had control over himself and could eat actual food again. He hadn’t enjoyed the blood-only portion of the vampire life, but he was back to his favorites now.

He lifted her suitcase over the threshold, then turned to her and held out his arms.

She giggled and allowed him to pick her up and carry her over. Setting her down inside, he closed the door.

She looked around. “This is a pretty home.”

“It’s the one you get,” he said.

“You weren’t serious about all that, were you?”

“Of course.”

She laughed. “I figured you were just joking.”

“I’m a serious guy,” he said, taking her hand. He lifted it so he could look at the ring glinting there. He lifted his own and held it side by side with hers.

“So do you think we can make beautiful music together?” she teased.

“Yes, I do.”

The moment was intimate but also a little awkward. They were practically strangers, after all.

He said, “Let me show you around.”

He shut the blinds in the living room, and took her hand again, leading her through into the large great room. “This is my favorite part of the house. I hope you like it.”

She released his hand and turned in a circle, studying the kitchen, dining area, and family room that allowed for great parties. “What’s not to like?”

He chuckled, pleased.

“It’s beautiful, but I didn’t marry you for the house.” She smiled. “Or the million dollars, which I don’t even know if you have.”

“Didn’t you read the contract?”

“Not really,” she said. “I just wanted to marry you.”

He was surprised that she wasn’t having regrets.

He reached for her suitcase. “I’ll show you the bedrooms. There are three.”

She stood so close to him, her scent delicate and sweet, her blood thrumming in her veins. He stopped and stood, touched her chin and tipped it up. Her lips were red and luscious, like strawberries, and he wanted another kiss. The one after their vows had just made him want more.

He slipped an arm around her, and her eyes widened, but she didn’t step back. He leaned down and placed his lips against hers.

She moaned slightly and wrapped her arms around him, which did incredible things to his libido. He had to force himself to kiss her super sweet and slow.

Slow things down. That would be easier if the attraction for her wasn’t so powerful. But he could do it.

His hand wound into her hair and her hand rested upon his chest.

She was his wife, his Lifemate, his love. He’d never realized life could be so sweet. She was all he needed.

He pulled her more closely against him as the kiss heated up.

 

 

Stacy was melting inside. Beckett was an insane kisser, making her want more.

But surely they wouldn’t go the whole way tonight. But she wanted him to. But she didn’t want him to.

Just a few more kisses.

Besides, they were married and he was really good looking. Maybe it would be fine.

They shuffled their feet as they kissed and suddenly she found herself pressed up against the counter. They were still kissing, her lips swollen and heated. Everything heated, until she knew she wanted to be one with Beckett. With her husband.

She’d never been so attracted to anyone in her life. Could he really be her Lifemate? If he was, that Vegas psychic — Vic or whoever — was some amazing psychic! She and Dixie would have to go visit her again.

He groaned and pulled his lips from hers, kissing down the curve of her neck.

She closed her eyes and clung to him.

And then he bit her!

Like seriously bit her! Breaking the skin and everything!

She tried to pull away, and he stopped biting her. She reached out, her hand pressing against the counter, until her hand came across something. She grabbed it — and klonked him upside the head with it with a resounding thunk!

“Ow!” he said, releasing her. “What did you do that for?”

He was still awake. She hit him on the head again.

He fell to the ground.

She’d knocked him out! She stared at the rolling pin in her hand. Really? She’d just hit her husband with the proverbial rolling pin?

Grabbing her purse and her suitcase and his keys, she opened the door and raced out to his car. She’d have Michael return it in the morning.

She revved the engine and burned rubber.